Ask an ATC: VFR Questions
These questions deal with issues specific to VFR flights under ATC control.
- If I have flight following and about to enter an MOA, do I need to contact the controlling authority regarding its status (hot or inactive)?
- When departing VFR from an airport with a tower (already filed a VFR flight plan, requested flight following, and received a transponder squawk code), what is the best way to contact Flight Service to activate the flight plan?
- I'm flying VFR receiving flight following from ATC. When I am getting close to my destination ATC will say "Radar Service Terminated, Squawk 1200." If I'm only doing a touch-and-go, can I request staying on my original squawk code and re-join the controller once I'm on my way back to my destination?
- I'm flying VFR receiving flight following from ATC, and I'd like to practice some maneuvers during my trip. Should I advise the controller that I'd like to engage in some maneuvering flight?
- Can I request flight following from Tower or Ground Control on my request for takeoff clearance?
- If I am assigned a squawk code while en route, and I enter another controller's airspace to land, when, if at all, do I change back to 1200?
- Should I bother calling for flight following services if ATC is busy?
- How do you establish flight following for flights in formation and what is the proper procedure regarding squawk codes in formation?
- When flying VFR VOR to VOR and receiving flight following services, should I report to ATC when I’m crossing the VOR or turning to a new radial?
- I fly an aircraft with no electrical system, no transponder, and a handheld radio. Can I get VFR flight following with this configuration?
- If I observe traffic while receiving flight following services, should I call “traffic-in-sight” before ATC does, or should I wait for ATC to identify the traffic?
- If I file a VFR flight plan, do the controllers know my route?
- If while receiving flight following I am unable to maintain an assigned altitude due to weather, what is the appropriate communication with ATC?
- While on flight following, what changes in altitude and heading corrections do I need to report to ATC? Can I be reprimanded if I do not maintain my original altitude?
- If transitioning through Class D airspace while receiving flight following services from Center, am I cleared to enter the Class D airspace, or must I communicate with tower prior to entering?
- I’ve heard pilots request both, but what is the difference between VFR flight following and traffic advisories?
- What is the best way to request VFR flight following?
Q: If I have flight following and about to enter an MOA, do I need to contact the controlling authority regarding its status (hot or inactive)?
A: If you are receiving flight following, the controller should advise you of the status of the MOA. This information should also have been received during a preflight briefing.
Q: When departing VFR from an airport with a tower (already filed a VFR flight plan, requested flight following, and received a transponder squawk code), what is the best way to contact Flight Service to activate the flight plan?
A: Advise the controller you would like to leave the frequency and then talk to Flight Service. Usually, the controller will ask for you to report back on the frequency so he/she knows you are in communication.
Q: I'm flying VFR receiving flight following from ATC. When I am getting close to my destination ATC will say "Radar Service Terminated, Squawk 1200." If I'm only doing a touch-and-go, can I request staying on my original squawk code and re-join the controller once I'm on my way back to my destination?
A: Depending on the workload of the radar sector, this might be an option. It could be a distraction to have an unassociated code on the radar scope. Because flight following is based on workload, the controller may not be able to provide the service on your return trip.
Q: I'm flying VFR receiving flight following from ATC, and I'd like to practice some maneuvers during my trip. Should I advise the controller that I'd like to engage in some maneuvering flight?
A: Yes! In certain types of airspace (e.g., Class B, C, D, and TRSA) the controller has separation responsibilities between VFR and IFR aircraft, so maneuvers may not be available there.
Q: Can I request flight following from Tower or Ground Control on my request for takeoff clearance?
A: Clearance Delivery or Ground control would be preferred. Making that request with the tower may distract the controller from other more important duties while he/she coordinated flight following for you.
Q: If I am assigned a squawk code while en route, and I enter another controller's airspace to land, when, if at all, do I change back to 1200?
A: Change back to 1200 when told to.
Q: How do you establish flight following for flights in formation and what is the proper procedure regarding squawk codes in formation?
A: As you would normally; advise the controller you are a flight of aircraft and normally the flight lead would squawk the beacon code and others would squawk standby.
Q: When flying VFR VOR to VOR and receiving flight following services, should I report to ATC when I’m crossing the VOR or turning to a new radial?
A: No report is necessary unless the controller has requested it.
Q: I fly an aircraft with no electrical system, no transponder, and a handheld radio. Can I get VFR flight following with this configuration?
A: Yes, but you must remain out of the Class Bravo airspace, and also you may not fly under the Class Bravo veil.
Q: If I observe traffic while receiving flight following services, should I call “traffic-in-sight” before ATC does, or should I wait for ATC to identify the traffic?
A: Normally the controller would rather you wait until they call it, but there is nothing wrong with the pilot advising he/she has the aircraft in sight.
Q: If I file a VFR flight plan, do the controllers know my route?
A: Controllers do not receive VFR flight plan routes unless the aircraft departs from a controlled tower and the tower enters the flight plan in their Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO). This is not normally done.
Q: If while receiving flight following I am unable to maintain an assigned altitude due to weather, what is the appropriate communication with ATC?
A: Advise ATC that you are unable to maintain the altitude due to weather.
Q: While on flight following, what changes in altitude and heading corrections do I need to report to ATC? Can I be reprimanded if I do not maintain my original altitude?
A: If you're not assigned a heading and/or altitude by ATC, you are not required to stay on any particular one. However, if you request flight following, you’re asking for traffic advisory services and if you make significant altitude or heading changes, you should let the controller know. For instance, if you're inbound to an airport, you don't have to ask or even let ATC know when you descend, but it doesn't hurt to let us know when you start your descent.
Q: If transitioning through Class D airspace while receiving flight following services from Center, am I cleared to enter the Class D airspace, or must I communicate with tower prior to entering?
A: If talking to Approach Control or Center, you are not expected to obtain your own authorization through each area (Class D airspace) when in contact with a radar facility. The Approach or Center controller is required to coordinate with the appropriate control tower if the clearance you are issued takes you through Class D airspace. This coordination may be specified in a letter of agreement between the two facilities, or you may be switched to the tower frequency to transit their airspace.
Q: I’ve heard pilots request both, but what is the difference between VFR flight following and traffic advisories?
A: There is no difference.
Q: What is the best way to request VFR flight following?
A: First, get the controller’s attention. Something like, “SOCAL Approach, Cherokee 21K requesting VFR flight-following” works just fine. This accomplishes several things. First, the controller isn’t surprised by too much information. Remember, he or she has to type everything into the system while you are talking. It also gives the controller the option of performing a higher priority task before answering you. It also reduces frequency congestion. When the controller initially replies, keep your information short and to the point. ASF recommends the four Ws: Who you’re calling (ATC facility), who you are (Aircraft model and N-number), Where you are (distance and altitude), and What you want (request VFR flight following to [destination name]) . That’s it! Everything else is extraneous and creates more workload for both you and the controller. In cases where the controller needs more information the controller will ask.
Finished? Go back to view other topics.
Don’t see your question? Just email it to us. We’ll transmit your question to ATC and post the answer here when we get it. Please read the disclaimer before sending us your email.
Note: Please allow several weeks for answers to be posted. Be aware that questions will not receive personal replies. Not all questions will be answered.
