paul kgyy wrote:
: I'm a pilot, not a controller, but around Chicago it's hard to get
: flight following. So if in doubt I always file IFR. It's normal
: flying into Chicago VFR that FF will be terminated at the point where
: you need it most, around the edge of the Class B.

: I don't think it matters what ATC prefers. You are the PIC. They are
: there to provide service and it's up to you to decide on the level of
: service you require for safe and efficient operation.

My (somewhat limited) experience flying around chicago (actually TRANSITIONING
through chicago is more accurate) is that IFR you'll take the long way around. VFR
they'll clear you "at or below Bravo." About 75% of the time I'll actually get FF
when I ask for it. About 10% of the time they'll tell me of traffic that I haven't
already seen. Given all the RF interference around downtown (lakeshore), and the
25% of the time I actually get properly terminated radar services, FF generally
seems like more trouble and workload than it's worth. Better to just concentrate on
looking for traffic.

-Cory

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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