The flight was delayed for Jackson center being ATC zero due to corona cleaning. The flight would have gone through their airspace, but since it is closed flights can't go through IFR.
Second, aircraft absolutely can taxi to the runway and depart without ATC. Are you under the impression that every airport in the country has ATC? They (pilots) use a unicom frequency to talk to each other and announce their movements and intentions. It becomes an uncontrolled airport without ATC. When Midway shut down a few months ago airlines were still departing and small aircraft were doing touch and go's. My facility shuts down at night and planes still arrive and depart without us.
Couldn't have made it from the gate to the runway without ATC
Incorrect on so many levels.
The flight was delayed for Jackson center being ATC zero due to corona cleaning. The flight would have gone through their airspace, but since it is closed flights can't go through IFR.
Second, aircraft absolutely can taxi to the runway and depart without ATC. Are you under the impression that every airport in the country has ATC? They (pilots) use a unicom frequency to talk to each other and announce their movements and intentions. It becomes an uncontrolled airport without ATC. When Midway shut down a few months ago airlines were still departing and small aircraft were doing touch and go's. My facility shuts down at night and planes still arrive and depart without us.
Imagine my disappointment when I realized it wasn't UNICORN
Still hoping to make contact after all these years
LOL! I saw “unicorn“ too