On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:04:35 GMT, wrote:

When I am IFR, and the tower does not issue some heading instruction
on takeoff, I get suspicious, and I double check. More often than
not (not always), I have found the situation to be as described - the
tower didn't get the word. So the risk/reward has been favorable.

Your experience may be different.


I would opine that there is something wrong with the procedures at that
facility if the tower controller is "not getting the word" and that it
would be best to try to change something at the facility so that they are
operating in accordance with published procedures.

I'm not being critical of your method of "prompting" the tower -- it's for
your own safety at that point. But perhaps you could consider, when on the
ground, contacting the tower supervisor. Certainly ASRS forms could be
filed -- safety can be compromised when proper procedures are not followed.
And pilots from other parts of the country may not be aware that at your
facility the tower controllers are prone to this kind of lapse and require
special handling.

I operate in the NE, frequently from towered facilities, and I can't recall
a situation where I've received an IFR clearance (from ground control or
clearance delivery) and then have the tower be unaware of that fact.

KASH is a case in point. It is a busy facility; privately staffed; with a
mix of non-commercial operations. About the only time I get a direction to
fly instruction from Tower is if it is different from the one I received
from Ground.
Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)