filing IFR plan for VFR flight conditions

I am saying that Houston APPROACH will not hand off outbound VFR's to
Center, and Approach will RARELY accept inboung VFR's as handoff's with
regards to flight following. It is particularly frustrating because
folks at Regional Approach (Dallas) work the handoff's both ways pretty
much 100% of the times I've been there. I personally would much rather
be talking to someone, or be in the system. I dont mind taking a vector
even though its "voluntary" if it helps me stay separated. And while I
dont rely on it, it's nice to have another set of eyes calling pertinent
traffic when able

The occasions that I have departed from towered fields in the HOU
terminal airspace, I have only recieved a local (tower or Tracon) code
with regards to VFR flight following. Never a center code, even when
they know you are heading out of bounds. The drill is "get terminated,
call up the center in a few miles"

I apologize for not being more clear in my initial post.

Dave

John Clonts wrote:
"Dave S" wrote in message
link.net...

I have tried to do such a thing down here in the Houston terminal
airspace to try and circumvent a common practice by the TRACON. It didnt
work for me.

What I did, which I garnered from usenet, was file an IFR plan under
DUATS with VFR in the altitude block, and VFR flight following in the
remarks section.

The rationale was based on the fact that when you are placed in the
system from a flight following standpoint, you have to submit nearly the
same info that you would to get an IFR plan (pop up or pre-filed). You
are assigned a data block just like any other IFR plan, the only diff is
that unless in Class B, separation isnt the controllers "fault".

Well.. it may work elsewhere, but it does NOT work in Houston. The
standard practice in Houston is NO HANDOFFS for VFR's at all. Cant even
get a "center" code, rather than a "local" code if you call up early on
clearance delivery. If its night, and slow, sometimes I can get Houston
to take the handoff coming back IN from the Center's territory but never
on the outbound leg.



Hello Dave,

Regarding VFR flights departing the Houston area...

Are you saying that Houston Center will generally not take a VFR handoff
from Houston Approach? Or are you saying Approach will not accept a VFR
handoff from a tower? Which airport exactly are you talking about, as an
example? DWH? SGR? ??

Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ

"Dave S" wrote in message
link.net...



The occasions that I have departed from towered fields in the HOU
terminal airspace, I have only recieved a local (tower or Tracon) code
with regards to VFR flight following. Never a center code, even when
they know you are heading out of bounds. The drill is "get terminated,
call up the center in a few miles"

We do this as standard procedure because that's what people want. We have
found that virtually nobody wants center flight following, less than 5% ask
for it, whether on the ground before departure or in the air.

We have
found that virtually nobody wants center flight following, less than 5% ask
for it, whether on the ground before departure or in the air.


If somebody calls asking for center flight following, do you still assume they
dont' want it?

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

"Teacherjh" wrote in message
...

We have
found that virtually nobody wants center flight following, less than 5%
ask
for it, whether on the ground before departure or in the air.


If somebody calls asking for center flight following, do you still assume
they
dont' want it?

Nope, then we'll give you a center code and hand you off to the center. But
you have to ask for it. Simply telling me your destination, which happens
to be a long way away, won't do it.

Nope, then we'll give you a center code and hand you off to the center.
But
you have to ask for it. Simply telling me your destination, which happens
to be a long way away, won't do it.

What if you saw someone pop up out of Columbia Missouri, heading East. They
call you up and inform you they want VFR flight following to Wichita KS.
What exactly would you say to him? ;-()

"Bill Gamelson" wrote in message
. com...
Nope, then we'll give you a center code and hand you off to the center.
But
you have to ask for it. Simply telling me your destination, which
happens
to be a long way away, won't do it.

What if you saw someone pop up out of Columbia Missouri, heading East.
They
call you up and inform you they want VFR flight following to Wichita KS.
What exactly would you say to him? ;-()



Flight following are the magic words. I work at a class C, you will get a
transponder code when you depart VFR. But unless you specifically say you
want flight following you will be terminated at 20 miles.

Flight following are the magic words. I work at a class C, you will get a
transponder code when you depart VFR. But unless you specifically say you
want flight following you will be terminated at 20 miles.

Yea, I know. Obviously you didn't catch that goof. A plane takes off out
of Columbia Missouri and heads 090 and then asks for flight following to
Wichita KS which is 270. I though you would catch it. I was embarrased
when the controller said "Well I'd be happy to...but..there's something I
can't quite understand....[10-15 second pause]...I'll tell you what, turn
heading 270 and that should get you to Wichita." I was so embarrased I know
I literally double-backed on his screen!

Regional Approach in Dallas does it without being asked.

Houston approach in Houston wont do it, even when asked.

Dave

Newps wrote:
"Teacherjh" wrote in message
...

We have
found that virtually nobody wants center flight following, less than 5%

ask

for it, whether on the ground before departure or in the air.


If somebody calls asking for center flight following, do you still assume

they

dont' want it?


Nope, then we'll give you a center code and hand you off to the center. But
you have to ask for it. Simply telling me your destination, which happens
to be a long way away, won't do it.