Flight Following question

-----Original Message-----
From: Newps ]
Posted At: Sunday, December 10, 2006 9:59 AM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Flight Following question
Subject: Flight Following question



....
What he meant was to file an IFR flight plan except to put VFR as the
altitude. That would generate a strip just like an IFR aircraft but
when you put that transponder code in the data block on the radar
scope
shows you as a VFR aircraft.

That's pretty cool. So if I understand correctly now, I can file an IFR
flight plan, but specify the enroute altitude as VFR/065 (6500') and
that will generate a strip. Can I then call CD and pick up an IFR
clearance to VFR enroute with flight following?

Since I'm still an analog guy in a digital world and like to talk to the
FSS guys on the phone (makes 'em feel needed don't ya know), I've been
filing with them. Do you think they will understand how to take this
type of flight plan?

Jim Carter wrote:



That's pretty cool. So if I understand correctly now, I can file an IFR
flight plan, but specify the enroute altitude as VFR/065 (6500') and
that will generate a strip. Can I then call CD and pick up an IFR
clearance to VFR enroute with flight following?


Just file a regular IFR and pick it up how you normally do. When you
get to the point you want to be VFR tell the controller you want to
cancel and receive FF.

-----Original Message-----
From: Newps ]
Posted At: Sunday, December 10, 2006 6:37 PM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Flight Following question
Subject: Flight Following question

....
Just file a regular IFR and pick it up how you normally do. When you
get to the point you want to be VFR tell the controller you want to
cancel and receive FF.

Duh!! That makes perfect sense; I don't know why I was following the VFR
altitude for IFR plan thread. Of course that prompts another question:
if its that easy to get FF then why bother with the IFR / VFR finagle to
start with? Why not just do as you suggest and file IFR with the
intention of cancelling over to FF after departure?

It can't be that we've got non-instrument rated pilots filing IFR plans
can it?

Jim Carter wrote:
Of course that prompts another question:
if its that easy to get FF then why bother with the IFR / VFR finagle to
start with? Why not just do as you suggest and file IFR with the
intention of cancelling over to FF after departure?



You have to be an instrument pilot to start out IFR.




It can't be that we've got non-instrument rated pilots filing IFR plans
can it?

It's OK to file, not OK to accept an IFR flight plan.

On 12/10/06 18:45, Jim Carter wrote:

-----Original Message-----
From: Newps ]
Posted At: Sunday, December 10, 2006 6:37 PM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Flight Following question
Subject: Flight Following question

...
Just file a regular IFR and pick it up how you normally do. When you
get to the point you want to be VFR tell the controller you want to
cancel and receive FF.

Duh!! That makes perfect sense; I don't know why I was following the VFR
altitude for IFR plan thread. Of course that prompts another question:
if its that easy to get FF then why bother with the IFR / VFR finagle to
start with? Why not just do as you suggest and file IFR with the
intention of cancelling over to FF after departure?

It can't be that we've got non-instrument rated pilots filing IFR plans
can it?


Consider also that departing IFR may mean delays and departure routes contrary
to what you may be able to get if you depart VFR.




--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Hansen ]
Posted At: Monday, December 11, 2006 9:22 AM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Flight Following question
Subject: Flight Following question

....
Consider also that departing IFR may mean delays and departure routes
contrary
to what you may be able to get if you depart VFR.




--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

Very true Mark. In the case of KLIT however, the IFR departures seem to
get the routes they want and the VFR departures all get R or L turn to
270, maintain 2000' or lower until further advised. Seeing you're from
SAC I suspect things are quite a bit different on that side of the hill.

On 12/11/06 17:20, Jim Carter wrote:

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Hansen ]
Posted At: Monday, December 11, 2006 9:22 AM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Flight Following question
Subject: Flight Following question

...
Consider also that departing IFR may mean delays and departure routes
contrary
to what you may be able to get if you depart VFR.




Very true Mark. In the case of KLIT however, the IFR departures seem to
get the routes they want and the VFR departures all get R or L turn to
270, maintain 2000' or lower until further advised. Seeing you're from
SAC I suspect things are quite a bit different on that side of the hill.


I dunno, really ;-) My only IFR departures so far have been training or
local practice flights, most of which head straight for the local VOR
station before going on course anyway.

However, I was speaking in generalities. I'm sure there are some airports
where this won't be an issue, but I thought it was worth consideration
while planning what type of departure is appropriate for the flight.

Best,



--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

"Newps" wrote in message
. ..


Jim Carter wrote:



That's pretty cool. So if I understand correctly now, I can file an IFR
flight plan, but specify the enroute altitude as VFR/065 (6500') and
that will generate a strip. Can I then call CD and pick up an IFR
clearance to VFR enroute with flight following?


Just file a regular IFR and pick it up how you normally do. When you get
to the point you want to be VFR tell the controller you want to cancel and
receive FF.

When I make my initial call to the departure facility, they usually just ask
me to confirm that I want VFR flight following, and then just say something
like "maintain VFR at all times, proceed on course, climb to requested VFR
altitude". They have all the other information already. At most, I have to
tell them that I want VFR flight following to destination, and that there
should be a proposal strip on me. Never any IFR clearance involved.

Stan Prevost wrote:




When I make my initial call to the departure facility, they usually just ask
me to confirm that I want VFR flight following, and then just say something
like "maintain VFR at all times, proceed on course, climb to requested VFR
altitude".



That's a little overboard. A simple "maintain VFR" is all that's needed.