Owais Crawford
Flight following is a voluntary service that provides pilots with radar services and a squawk code. It is not an IFR flight plan, but it can help pilots avoid airspace busting, such as accidentally flying into Bravo airspace. When requesting flight following, pilots must provide their callsign, aircraft type, destination, and requested VFR altitude. While some pilots suggest requesting flight following for each destination, others suggest that pilots can request it once and go to multiple airports with the same squawk code, checking in with the ATC after each departure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is flight following? | An extra set of eyes for pilots, which may serve as a backup to save them from "airspace busting", such as inadvertently flying into Bravo airspace. |
| Who provides flight following? | Approach and centre controllers are the main people that "follow you". |
| When to request flight following? | When flying out of a Class C or Class D airport, for a VFR flight following request. |
| How to request flight following? | State your callsign, aircraft type, destination, and requested VFR altitude. |
| How to request flight following to multiple airports? | State your first destination and tell the controller that you will be doing a touch-and-go and would like to keep the code for additional flight following to the next airport. |
| How long does flight following last? | Until you land or cancel. |
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What You'll Learn
Requesting VFR flight following
When requesting VFR flight following, it is important to note that flight following is not mandatory and is a voluntary service provided by air traffic control (ATC) to VFR pilots, depending on their workload. It is a valuable tool for pilots, serving as an extra set of eyes and providing benefits such as immediate communication in case of emergencies, weather updates, traffic advisories, and more.
To request VFR flight following, you can use the phraseology provided by sources:
> " [ATC Facility Name], [Aircraft Type and Tail Number], request VFR advisories."
For example, "Memphis Approach, Mooney five six two hotel, request VFR advisories." After making the request, provide your position relative to a VOR, airport, or charted VFR checkpoint, type of aircraft, altitude, and destination. It is important to note that ATC will usually assume you are going directly to your destination, so you only need to include routing information if you are taking a different path.
Once radar contact is established, acknowledge any ATC instructions with your callsign and a readback of the pertinent information. For instance, if ATC instructs you to change altitudes, respond with your callsign and intentions: "Memphis Approach, Mooney six two hotel, leaving six thousand five hundred descending four thousand five hundred."
In terms of requesting VFR flight following for multiple airports or destinations, there is some discrepancy in the sources. Some pilots suggest that you only need to request it once from the ATC facility servicing the area, and then check in with them after each departure unless you explicitly terminate the service or leave their area. However, others argue that ATC will typically terminate flight following when handing you off to a tower or changing frequencies, so you should request it for each destination if you want to maintain it throughout your journey.
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Squawk codes
Prior to departure, aircraft are assigned squawk codes, which ATC uses to direct the aircraft during its flight. These codes can change during a flight for various reasons, such as to communicate with different towers or when entering restricted airspace. It is crucial that pilots correctly enter their assigned squawk code to ensure safe operations and avoid potential hazards.
There are a few notable squawk codes that indicate specific situations:
- Squawk 1200: This is the default code for all flights operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), indicating that the aircraft is not in direct communication with ground control.
- Squawk 7500: This code indicates that an aircraft has been hijacked or is subject to unlawful interference, requiring urgent emergency support.
- Squawk 7600: This code is used when an aircraft experiences a radio communication failure.
- Squawk 7700: This code signifies any emergency situation on an aircraft, allowing pilots to deviate from normal flight rules if needed to handle the emergency.
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ATC and airspace
Flight following is an additional service that ATC provides, workload permitting. It is not an IFR flight plan, but a helpful extra set of eyes that may serve as a last backup to save you from "airspace busting", such as inadvertently flying into Bravo airspace. ATC may also give you a heads-up if you're flying towards the wrong airport.
To request flight following, you will usually contact an ATC radar controller at an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) or Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), often referred to as "center" and "approach or departure". You can look up the necessary frequency and write it down before departure. At a towered departure airport, the ground controller can also provide you with the correct frequency and potentially set you up with flight following. You will usually make your flight following request once you have completed your ascent and are at cruising altitude.
When requesting flight following, you should provide your callsign, position, destination, type, and altitude. You can also request flight following from the airport, making you a safer and more proficient pilot. If you are flying out of a Class C or D airport, you can usually request flight following with the local ground control.
As you move from sector to sector of airspace, ATC will "hand you off" to the next facility by informing you to switch radio frequencies and will give you the frequency to use. You can find the frequencies by which you can contact Center to request VFR flight following on an instrument enroute navigation chart. Each controller is responsible for a large chunk of airspace that is broken down into smaller segments, and each segment has a separate frequency.
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Flight plans
On the other hand, some pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs) suggest that requesting flight following for each destination is more practical. They argue that ATCs typically terminate flight following when handing off to a tower or advising a change to advisory frequency at a non-towered airport. Therefore, pilots should time their requests accordingly to ensure a smooth transition. This method allows for better coordination and may be preferred by ATCs for organisational purposes.
It is worth noting that some facilities may find it easier to keep the same squawk code and update the destination with each new leg of the journey. In contrast, others may prefer to assign a new code for each destination. Pilots should be prepared for either scenario and understand that the equipment for amending flight plans may vary between facilities. It is also important to consider the proximity of airports, as nearby airports may not offer flight following due to potential confusion with the radar system.
To make a flight following request, pilots should provide their callsign, aircraft type, destination, and requested VFR altitude. It is recommended to speak slowly and clearly, especially when spelling out airport identifiers. Pilots should also be mindful of the controller's workload and avoid making requests during peak congestion. While flight following is voluntary, it can enhance safety by providing an extra set of eyes and preventing "airspace busting." Additionally, it offers benefits in emergencies, facilitating immediate communication and faster search and rescue responses.
In conclusion, pilots should carefully consider their flight plans and decide whether to request flight following for each destination or multiple airports at once. This decision may depend on the specific facilities, proximity of airports, and the controller's preferences. Effective communication and coordination between pilots and ATCs are crucial for a seamless flight experience.
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Radar contact
To establish radar contact, pilots can contact the radar facility overseeing the airport—approach control or centre—and request flight following. The pilot provides their callsign, aircraft type, destination, and requested VFR altitude. For example: "Approach, N12345, off Smalltown, request flight following to XYZ at (directionally appropriate altitude). We’re a Cessna 172 slant Golf.”
Once radar contact is established, the controller will hand off the aircraft to the next controller until it lands or cancels. Controllers can vector, climb, or descend the aircraft as needed to fit it in with other arrivals.
Pilots can request flight following for multiple airports or destinations. In such cases, the pilot can inform the controller of their intentions, and the controller can update the destination as needed. For example: "VFR flight following to ABC, we'll be doing a touch-and-go and then requesting flight following to DEF and XYZ after that."
It is important to note that flight following is voluntary and may not be provided if the airspace is extremely busy. Additionally, some towers may not offer this service or may handle it differently, such as by having the pilot depart VFR and switch to the approach or centre controller for flight following.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request it once from the KABE approach, get a squawk, and then check in with KABE after each departure unless you ask for termination or fly out of their area.
When requesting flight following, you should provide your callsign, aircraft type, destination, and requested VFR altitude.
First, tune into the frequency and listen to ascertain how busy the controller is. If they are not busy, you can make your request. You will then be handed off to the next controller until you land or cancel.
Flight following can help prevent "airspace busting", such as inadvertently flying into Bravo airspace. It can also be helpful in emergencies, providing immediate communication and faster search and rescue if you go missing.
