More questions on VFR flight following.

Tman N/A 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? 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?

All they want is the destination.

They expect you to be able to navigate to there and stay out of things
like restricted areas on your own.

They may question you on your route if it seems "strange" to them.

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?

The first thing you need to do is look at the appropriate TAC.

Most class B areas have specific routes for VFR traffic that is going
through the area.

Having said that, most class B's are pretty easy going about the outer
rings if it is not an area of heavy traffic.

You can always ask; the worst that can happen is they say no.


--
Jim Pennino

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