I have gotten Flight Following without a transponder, but it was one of
those corner cases. Basically, the transponder was inoperative, but it
would have required a very long flight to go around the airspace that
required a transponder (a Class C up against a Mode C veil). So, we
contacted ATC, advised them of our transponder issue, and asked to
transition over the top of the Class C (transponder is required except
by prior arrangement... which was the purpose of asking). They RADAR
identified us, and followed our primary return. Indeed, they continued
the service until they lost RADAR contact quite a peice out from over
the Class C.

-Rob

Guy Elden Jr wrote:
Off topic, but related: Can a radar center offer flight following to a
plane not equipped with a transponder? I would guess no, but I'm curious.

I think that you can have an IFR clearance and at points along the
route not be in radar coverage. In those cases you get a much larger
zone of protected airspace around you, and you have to radio in your
position at compulsory reporting points.

As for flight following, I would think the value would be pretty much
useless. The whole point is to gain a second pair of eyes for you on
the ground with the assumption that you are still responsible for
separation from other aircraft. If the folks on the ground can't see
you on their scopes, then there's really no point to flight following.

--
Guy