In article kiZxc.5044$2i5.1188@attbi_s52, G. Burkhart wrote:
But Dan said he's Slant X-ray. Is it possible (or worth it) to get FF
without a transponder? I've never tried asking for it since flying slant
X-ray.

It's interesting to see the different approaches of different parts of
the world; we essentially have three different types of 'flight
followingy type' services you can just call for and ask:

- Radar Advisory Service: Generally used when flying in poor visibility
or IMC in class G airspace (over most of the British Isles, this goes
up to FL245). If you ask for RAS, ATC will advise headings for traffic
avoidance.
- Radar Information Service. Pretty much the equivalent of flight
following. ATC advises you of traffic and you choose what to do.
- Flight information service. A bit less than RIS, you'll be advised of
general things happening in your area. You don't need radar contact or
a transponder, ATC just needs a general clue about where you are.

FIS sounds a bit useless at first, but when you're crossing the Irish
Sea (all cross country flights where I live involve at least 30nm over
open water) I consider it essential that someone knows where I am in
case the chips go down and I have to make an unpleasantly wet landing
somewhere. If I'm already in radio contact with someone who knows my
general location, it means much less radio chatter in the mayday call!

--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net
"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"