Originally Posted by
FlyerJosh
61D doesn't show on the IFR the chart, however it is a charted airport. That's worth noting, because you can file a flight plan to it without getting into coordinates or radial/distance. Just because it's a "VFR Only" airport doesn't mean that you can't operate IFR to/from the field. The only time that you really need to file coordinates is when you want to go somewhere that isn't in the national airspace computer system. (Private fields or uncharted locations, such as a lake if you're flying a floatplane)
Good catch that it is charted, however.... (isn't there always), not all the airports are either in the NAS computer, nor are the controllers familiar with all the airports. The radial / DME at least gives them a fighting chance of where to look. Your suggestion of V170...OSEGO..61D is sound.
File an airport with an instrument approach as the alternate. (The reason that you file the alternate is for lost comm procedures if you are actual IMC when you arrive at 61D and can't land visually or cancel IFR)
The reason you file an alternate is to comply with regulations, and to hopefully plan fuel wise for that possibility. The controller has NO IDEA what your alternate is. That data does not pass to the respective NAS computers.
If you want to communicate that info for a lost comm situation, put it in the remarks: Alternate ABC.
Unfortunately, since my days of ATC, they've regressed further, where there are not paper flight progress strips in many facilities, and the new ERAM computerized strips don't show remarks, I'm told. Good luck !!!