VFR Flight Following -- What's going on here?

That's what I figured. The lack of a squawk code on their screen would mean
they would have to keep on top of my blip, or they wouldn't know it was me.
I also suspect that in mountainous terrain, the return on primary would not
be as strong as from a transponder.

tom


"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
...
Guy Elden Jr wrote:


As for flight following, I would think the value would be pretty much
useless. The whole point is to gain a second pair of eyes for you on
the ground with the assumption that you are still responsible for
separation from other aircraft. If the folks on the ground can't see
you on their scopes, then there's really no point to flight following.

You will appear on the scopes (provided the primary radar is functional)
but it's probably more trouble than it is worth to the controller to
track you.

I have gotten Flight Following without a transponder, but it was one of
those corner cases. Basically, the transponder was inoperative, but it
would have required a very long flight to go around the airspace that
required a transponder (a Class C up against a Mode C veil). So, we
contacted ATC, advised them of our transponder issue, and asked to
transition over the top of the Class C (transponder is required except
by prior arrangement... which was the purpose of asking). They RADAR
identified us, and followed our primary return. Indeed, they continued
the service until they lost RADAR contact quite a peice out from over
the Class C.

-Rob

Guy Elden Jr wrote:
Off topic, but related: Can a radar center offer flight following to a
plane not equipped with a transponder? I would guess no, but I'm curious.

I think that you can have an IFR clearance and at points along the
route not be in radar coverage. In those cases you get a much larger
zone of protected airspace around you, and you have to radio in your
position at compulsory reporting points.

As for flight following, I would think the value would be pretty much
useless. The whole point is to gain a second pair of eyes for you on
the ground with the assumption that you are still responsible for
separation from other aircraft. If the folks on the ground can't see
you on their scopes, then there's really no point to flight following.

--
Guy

"tom pettit peak.org" tompetat wrote in message
...

Off topic, but related: Can a radar center offer flight following to a
plane not equipped with a transponder? I would guess no, but I'm curious.


Possible, but not practical. Some ARSR sites have only beacon
interrogators.

tom pettit tompet wrote:

Off topic, but related: Can a radar center offer flight following to a
plane not equipped with a transponder? I would guess no, but I'm curious.

Sure they can.

How? If they have to rely on primary radar alone, then how could they
reasonably be sure they were watching the plane they thought they were?

Ben Hallert wrote:
How? If they have to rely on primary radar alone, then how could they
reasonably be sure they were watching the plane they thought they were?

If it's a slow day they'll give you vectors and watch to see whether their
target turns.

Ben Hallert wrote:
How? If they have to rely on primary radar alone, then how could they
reasonably be sure they were watching the plane they thought they were?

By watching the blip. I've flown into Dulles with only a receiver
and primary radar return (turns for identification and to indicate
our intents). I've also departed Dulles with comms but with no
transponder while the primary radar is out. ATC can be resourceful
when they have to be.

Ben Hallert wrote:

How? If they have to rely on primary radar alone, then how could they
reasonably be sure they were watching the plane they thought they were?

They'll tag up the primary.

"Bob Gardner" wrote in message
...

The controller had every right to expect notification of some kind that
you were no longer on frequency.


If the reason he's no longer on the frequency is because he's descended too
low, just how is he supposed to get that notification to the controller?

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


[snipped] how is he supposed to get that notification to the controller?



Key up on the frequency in question with an "Attention any aircraft this
frequency, this is Piper 56993, apparently I've lost comm with the Center,
could you relay a message to ATC for me?"


Chip, ZTL