In article ,
"John Harlow" wrote:


What a shame.

I never, ever fly without at least trying to get traffic advisories, and
it's very rare I don't get it. As a student, because NONE of my instructors
ever did, I didn't think to much about it (they are the pros, don't you
know?). Now, I consider anyone who is to lazy to get flight following as
someone too foolish to fly with.

The shame is thinking radar services will save you. Two weeks ago,
while getting traffic advisories from approach, I was climbing to
altitude. I had relaxed a little since I was above 3500' (the real kill
zone here is 2000 and below) and was enjoying the scenery. I looked low
on the left side to find that my 206 now appeared to be a biplane since
there was a wing sticking out on the left below me. It took a
nanosecond to realize what I was looking at...we were same direction and
the other airplane was within 10 feet of me. I broke hard up and right
expecting to feel/hear a collision. Once clear I rolled back and check
to find the other traffic continuing as if nothing had happened. I was
talking to approach, I have a permanently assigned code, the other
aircraft was a Katana so I'm sure he is Mode C equipped as well.
Approach never said a thing.

I fly skydivers. We have a letter of agreement with Approach that
assigns our airplanes specific transponder codes. The usual call is
I'll give them a call at 2000' or so and report on and altitude climbing
to. The service I get depends greatly on the controller. Some simply
acknowledge radar contact and that's the last I hear until I give the 1
minute warning for jumpers away. Others call traffic as if I am the
only airplane they are working....one guy even reports the jumpers once
they open...didn't realize approach radar was that good. Twice last
weekend before I had reported on the frequency the controller came on
and said "81Z you on?", I replied and he called closing traffic for
me...one of which would have been a little close for comfort (this
particular controller is one of two that are friggin' awesome!!).

Point is, the service you get depends greatly on the individual
controller. I've flown all over the country into small airports as well
as Class B areas. I usually use radar services if able, but certainly
don't depend on them and in some cases find it easier to do without.

--
Dale L. Falk

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing around with airplanes.

http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html