Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
While enroute flight following from ZZZ to KMIE weather was reporting clear sky; 12000 feet. Approximately 40 South of Fort Wayne I asked Fort Wayne Approach to convert my flight following to IFR Flight Plan; anticipating the weather was not going to be clear sky as I was on top at 3500 MSL and noticing sky was not becoming clear as reported. I asked Fort Wayne Approach for RNAV 21 into Muncie starting on the CIKEP and they reported they could not grant the request. I noted I was never handed off to Indianapolis Approach which normally would occur at least 20 miles North of Muncie KMIE; and I was approximately 8 miles North. Fort Wayne Approach stated I was cleared for a visual to Runway 21. At this time I would have over flow KMIE if I had requested Indianapolis Approach. I saw an opening in the clouds and started a descent. I should have notified Fort Wayne Approach immediately and then was reminded by Fort Wayne Approach I was descending; at this point I immediately asked to cancel the IFR clearance and contacted KMIE Tower for permission to land. I should have asked Fort Wayne Approach for a hand off to Indianapolis Approach sooner. I should have reported descent and cancel IFR clearance sooner. I believe with the Government Shutdown ATC had distractions also leading to failure to hand me off to Indianapolis Approach. I shall be more observant in the future.
C172 pilot reported issues relating to VFR flight to IFR flight and confusion of when to cancel IFR.