Things to put in the "remarks" section of the flight plan

I've often had controllers issue me "direct to foobar instersection"
even though I filed /A after putting VFR GPS on board. I've also had
controllers ask me if I have a GPS while IFR. The FAA won't allow me to
file /G because my GPS is not IFR (I know Steven has some disagreements
with this) so its the next best thing for me.

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...

The FAA won't allow me to file /G because my GPS is not IFR (I know Steven
has some disagreements with this) so its the next best thing for me.


Who? Me? I have no disagreement with that.

I was taught the same thing about "VFR GPS on board". The reasoning was
that if things started going bad it was a tool they knew you had without
having to ask.
--
Chris Ehlbeck, PP-ASEL
"It's a license to learn, have fun and buy really expensive hamburgers."

"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...

I put in the remarks section when applicable:

1. This is an "Angel Flight" positioning flight. (a leg NOT carrying
the patient).

2. VFR GPS on board.


For what purpose?

"Chris Ehlbeck" wrote in message
...

I was taught the same thing about "VFR GPS on board". The reasoning was
that if things started going bad it was a tool they knew you had without
having to ask.


What do you expect them to do with that tool?

1. This is an "Angel Flight" positioning flight. (a leg NOT carrying
the patient).


2. VFR GPS on board.



For what purpose?
**********************************
1. Because Angel Flights get slightly higher priority in routing if
needed and
2. To give the controller information about the flight that might help
in an emergency.

wrote in message
ups.com...

1. Because Angel Flights get slightly higher priority in routing if
needed and


Lifeguard is given priority handling by ATC, Angel Flight is not.



2. To give the controller information about the flight that might help
in an emergency.


How would knowing a VFR GPS was aboard help the controller in an emergency?

1. Because Angel Flights get slightly higher priority in routing if
needed and



Lifeguard is given priority handling by ATC, Angel Flight is not.


****************
Officially, you are correct. Unofficially, Angel Flights are treated
with a special (and detectable) "consideration".



2. To give the controller information about the flight that might help
in an emergency.



How would knowing a VFR GPS was aboard help the controller in an
emergency?

*****************************

It seems to me that what kind of navigational equipment the pilot has
on board is "relevant to the flight", and I can think of scenarios
where knowing the pilot has a GPS might help in an emergency involving
failure of one or more instruments, or partial electrical failure. Let
me ask you, Steven, how could it HURT the controller to have this
information?

"Jonathan Goodish" wrote in message
...

How would knowing a VFR GPS was aboard help the controller in an
emergency?


Not sure about emergency, but it does tell the control that you have the
ability to reliably navigate direct to anywhere.

Wouldn't simply filing direct to anywhere tell the controller you have the
ability to reliably navigate direct to anywhere?



I have been given clearances to navaids that are well outside of reception
range, as well as direct to my destination field from 350nm away. If I
put the "GPS" note in there, the controller will often ask if I can
navigate direct, or if I would like direct, to wherever he needs to clear
me. If I don't put the "GPS" note in there, I rarely am asked if I can go
direct to a navaid outside of range, for example.


Have you filed direct to navaids that are well outside of reception range or
direct to your destination field from 350nm away without putting "VFR GPS"
in remarks and had your requested route denied? Did you file those same
routes with "VFR GPS" in remarks and been cleared as filed?



The GPS isn't necessarily relevant to the controller's ability to give the
direct clearances, but it tells him that I am likely able to go direct
without wandering around, and without being baby-sat with vectors along
the way.


Why would the controller believe you might be unable to navigate what you
filed without "VFR GPS" in remarks.

On 2005-06-14, C J Clegg wrote:

something like "Amateur 146.52 MHz, GMRS Channel 1"?

My understanding is that you get a lot more room for "remarks" than the
conrollers see. So if you want to alert SAR that you have a life raft
(and it is therefore worth looking for you when you crash in freezing
water) go for it. But if your message is "VFR gps" (ie please cheat and
give me direct) or "I want X, Y, Z approaches" you have to keep it short
and near the front.

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

Ben Jackson wrote:
On 2005-06-14, C J Clegg wrote:

something like "Amateur 146.52 MHz, GMRS Channel 1"?


My understanding is that you get a lot more room for "remarks" than the
conrollers see. So if you want to alert SAR that you have a life raft
(and it is therefore worth looking for you when you crash in freezing
water) go for it. But if your message is "VFR gps" (ie please cheat and
give me direct) or "I want X, Y, Z approaches" you have to keep it short
and near the front.


The controller only sees the first 24 characters.

My favorite is still "Brian donor on board."