On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 00:09:28 GMT, Roger Halstead
wrote:

I've found that a simple and relaxed request such as "MBS approach,
this is Debonair Eight Thirty Three Romeo out of Midland Barstow for
Muncie Indiana. I'd like flight following if you have time".

Well yes, except that I was taught to give more information than that
during the initial call in. Example: "Boston Center, Cessna 123 Alpha
is departing Lebanon direct to Glenn's Fall's, climbing through 3,000
for 6,500 and is now five miles west of Lebanon. I'd like to have
flight following, if you have time." Or wait until I've reached
cruising altitude and call in at that height.

The first time I tried to contact Center during a dual cross country,
the instructor spelled out what he expected me to say and allowed me
to run it through in my mind for a few minutes before I keyed the
mike. Screwed it up anyway, but Center was patient with me.

What I've noticed is that even with practice, it's not easy to fly the
airplane, write down the requested frequency changes as I get
handoff's to be sure I got it right, and respond quickly on the radio
all at the same time. While I'm writing, Center is asking me to
aknowledge the frequency change.

Now that I know what's expected of me, I can of course look up the
frequencies and write them down in sequence during flight planning and
just check it off when the time comes, I suppose.

Corky Scott