Requesting altitude changes with default ATC?

[YodaNYC]

Is there a way to request altitude changes with the default ATC?  Want my flight to be more realistic (such as staged climbs and ability to avoid weather).  It's annoying that once I reach cruising altitude, I stay there until ATC clears me for the descent and approach.

[Dan]

As far as I know there is no way to do it. Are you talking about an IFR flight plan?
Dan

[YodaNYC]

Yes, IFR flight plan.  I didn't think there was but I was holding out some hope that I had overlooked something.

[garymbuska]

This and the clouds that FS2002 had was one of the reasons I bought FS2004. Not only can you request altitude changes while flying IFR . But you can start out flying VFR and file a IFR flight plan while in the air.