More questions on VFR flight following.

"Tman" N/A wrote in message
...

OK, if i call up approach when airborne and ask for VFR flight following,
they'll want to know where I'm going. If i'm following a semi-complex
route, on V airways and going from this VOR to that, perhaps turning at an
intersection to a different V airway, do they really want to know that?
Or do they just want the destination? I know that they need the dest,
since they apparently attach it to my callsign. The impact of the route
is that i won't be making a straight line to the destination, but likely
some minor zigs and zags to get there. I often do this to steer clear of
B airspace or restricted areas, when navigating in a plane without GPS. I
guess I could give them my route of flight, but do they really want
that -- or just the final destination?


Depends what you want from them.

If it's airspace where contact with ATC is required and that's the only
reason you're calling, you don't intend to remain with them when contact is
no longer required, then all they need is a general description of your
route through the affected airspace. They don't need the destination unless
it's nearby.

If you want flight following to your destination and you'd like them to pass
that information along to other facilities along your route you'll need to
provide the destination and route in a format the computer will accept;
airways, navaids, intersections, etc. You don't have to actually fly over
them, a few miles is close enough. The easiest way to do this is to enter a
flight plan through DUAT. Select IFR flight plan and enter "VFR" as the
altitude. Approach will have all of your information when you call, they'll
assign the beacon code selected by the computer, and your information will
be sent to every facility between your departure point and destination.

Tman wrote:
OK, if i call up approach when airborne and ask for VFR flight following,
they'll want to know where I'm going. If i'm following a semi-complex
route, on V airways and going from this VOR to that, perhaps turning at an
intersection to a different V airway, do they really want to know that? Or
do they just want the destination?

If you're not flying directly toward your destination, you'll frequently
get questions from each controller about your heading.

Here's the meat of what works for me:

Simple, but bent route:
"N9999X requests flight following to xxx via abc VOR"

Route following Victor airways:
"N9999X requests flight following to xxx via Victor airways" and let the
controller ask for more info, if wanted

I've had my route details requested only once or twice, and I don't get
the "N9999X, _where_ are you going?" as when I gave only the destination.


#2 When I go VFR into the NY Bravo, I have plans for both flying through
and avoiding it. I've never needed to avoid it yet, but they often
provide me with a specific route (ex:\\ direct Colts Neck VOR with no
altitude changes, while I'm over LI Sound)

In my experience, your initial call up to NY has a lot to do with your
clearance. If you sound like you know what you want and are
comfortable, and your airplane seems to be holding a steady course and
altitude, they're easy to deal with. Stumble, ramble, stutter, etc...
and you'll need plan B. I also find it easy if I'm already be on FF
with NY app before I get near the Bravo space.

The NY folks were even nice enough to solicit airliner PIREPS for me on
one occasion, to help me decide whether to climb over or go under a cloud.

Hi - the thread seems to have been hijacked, but a few thoughts for
you:

Get flight following before arriving at the area - that will make
things easier.

They are pretty likely to accommodate you if you sound competent on
the radio.

You could fly a bit lower, under the class B shelf, and contact
Morristown tower for permission to transit their airspace. This will
be granted, almost certainly.

There is a VFR transit route directly through NYC, down the Hudson
River. It's a bit hard to see on the TAC, but it is there - you can
fly all the way down the Hudson as long as you stay below certain
altitudes (the lowest is 1100 ft for the bits adjacent the city). You
really should do this route, as it is a lot of fun and very very
scenic. just make sure you are well prepared, study the TAC (and the
back of the TAC too) in advance, and perhaps get the advice of a local
pilot too. I can help you with this if you want.

good luck!

Tom


Second question since I'm on the topic. *I've never flown through any class
B airspace. *If i popup knocking on the door, having planned a flight to
avoid the airspace, what is the chance that they will clear me through it
for asking? *For example, I'm planning a flight that will save a couple
miles if i can cut through the NY Class B, on the west side, e.g. over
Morristown field, and I may not want to get up over the 7,000 ceiling due to
winds aloft. *Is it more likely to get clearance to cut a chord through the
outer ring like this -- as opposed to say expecting to, say, overfly the
Statue of Liberty vicinity at 5,500 (which is much closer to the center
rings of the Class B). *I don't see any VFR transit routes from a quick
glance of the NY TAC. *I guess my strategy would be to plan a circutous
route that keeps my clear of the Class B, but then when I'm close (but not
too close), ask if i can cut direct through it to my destination. *IF yes,
I'll just aim for a VOR on the other side.... Any thing I can do to, perhaps
planning the right route through, to increase my chances of getting
clearance?

Thanks -- Tman!

Tom writes:

There is a VFR transit route directly through NYC, down the Hudson
River. It's a bit hard to see on the TAC, but it is there - you can
fly all the way down the Hudson as long as you stay below certain
altitudes (the lowest is 1100 ft for the bits adjacent the city). You
really should do this route, as it is a lot of fun and very very
scenic. just make sure you are well prepared, study the TAC (and the
back of the TAC too) in advance, and perhaps get the advice of a local
pilot too. I can help you with this if you want.

Is there a FLY chart for New York? I don't see one on SkyVector.