Reasons to talk to ATC...

"Dylan Smith" wrote in message ...


ATC wouldn't just lose contact with me, well, not unless the plane broke
up in mid air,

I was getting flight following from Pax River one day (they're very helpful crossing
the Chesapeake Bay as there are a number of frequently hot restricted areas there
and PXT can sometimes arrange a transition even when they are active). Way out
over the Eastern Shore heading to Ocean City, I just got too far away from them
to hear them at my altitude...so I just broadcast cancelling services in the blind and
dialed up 1200. By the time I showed up on the OXB unicom, there were other
planes relaying calls from PXT wanting to make sure I was OK.

ATC is really supposed to be concerned about aircraft that suddenly disappear.
Of course, excrement happens. A few years ago an aircraft was on an instrument
approach into an uncontrolled airport. The pilot upon being told he could switch
to the CTAF frequency, said he'd most likely be back on the missed approach in
a few minutes because the weather was pretty bad. He crashed on the approach and
ATC forgot about him (never cancelled IFR either). The local constables found him
the next day...