Ultralights Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Even though i have a PPL, and held it for over 16 yrs, i have no experience with Flight following or how it is used, especially in Australia. Can somone please enlighten me, and other readers what Flight following is and how is it used?? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Hi Rob, Flight Following is only available if your fitted with transponder. I make a habit of calling for it if flying over difficult (tiger) country just for the reassurance that (1) someone is watching in case I get into trouble and (2) ATC knows of my whereabouts and intentions to alert other pilots nearby if req'd and let me know of other nearby traffic. The controllers usually ask if I have a plan in the system (which I don't because I rely on friends with whom I leave my flt plan to act as SarWatch). They then suggest it would be better if I had done so butstill go ahead anyway. Providing you're within radar range they will usually oblige unless under heavy workload. Just call up on the area freq in use something like this ... Me ... "Melb Centre this is CT****" ATC ... "Go ahead CT****" Me ... "CT**** is tracking Cooma to Tumut at 7500. Request Flight Following" ATC ... "CT**** squawk ident please" Me ... "Sqwark ident, CT****" ATC ... "CT****, sqwark code is 0571 (or whatever)" Me ... "Sqwark 0571, CT****" ATC ... "CT****, I have you at 4 miles NW of Adaminaby, confirm preferred alt" Me ... "Confirm 4 miles NW Adaminaby and maintaining 7500, CT****" Now, if you decide to change alt or heading or decide you no longer want flight following, it's important (not to mention courteous) to advise ATC. These Air Services links will help http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/pilotcentre/training/nas/default.asp http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/pilotcentre/training/nas/nasfaq.asp#1 Hope this helps, PaulN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted May 26, 2006 Author Share Posted May 26, 2006 Thank you very much, greatly appreciated.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Hi again Rob, Further on Flight Following (FF). I was told today by Airservices that FF is not a substitute for submitting a flight notification and sartime. ATS will not be inclined to get anxious if an a/c on FF disappears from the radar screen. While flying from Cooma to Merimbula and return today I also noted that this must be at the discretion of individual ATS operators. A couple of times I faded off the radar screen and the operator called to check and advise that reception was poor before finally terminating radar service. It can sometimes be difficult for the radar to pick up a small plastic craft in fringe areas. I was tracking at 7500 eastbound and managed only about 5 mins of radar service. On the westbound return leg at 8500 the operator tried to connect with me several times before giving it up. I guess this is something I just have to live with when flying over these mountainous areas. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 PS As of today I am now using the NAIPS flight notification system ... simpler than I thought it might be. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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