Incident Overview
A pilot who was not instrument rated requested a VFR departure from ground control. The pilot was advised that the field was operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and that an IFR clearance was required. The pilot subsequently filed an IFR flight plan and, approximately 15 minutes later, called for the clearance. The pilot experienced difficulty copying the clearance, requiring four or five read-backs before it was correct.
Departure and Last Contact
The pilot was cleared for takeoff from runway 24, with instructions for a left turn direct to Hampton, and was told to contact New York Departure Control after takeoff. The pilot acknowledged these instructions and contacted departure control. Departure control responded by stating, "Three Seven Lima, if that is you, standby a second." This was the last reported contact with the aircraft.
Remarks
The investigation source provides no further details regarding the outcome of the flight, the aircraft type, registration, or the status of occupants.