Can you ask ground for flight following?

Flight following can be requested from the ground at certain airports. Generally larger airports are equipped to provide flight following services for departing aircraft. At smaller airports you may or may not be able to request flight following prior to departure.



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They vector IFR traffic, issue approach clearances, landing clearances, traffic alerts, and coordinate with other controllers. Therefore, I should note, flight following does NOT open your flight plan. You must call to open your flight plan through the FSS, then you can call Center and get flight following.

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For locating the correct frequency to request flight following, consult the Chart Supplement (A/FD) or sectional chart for published Center or Approach control frequencies. Many GPS navigators and charting apps will also provide frequency information.

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As a VFR aircraft, altitude is the pilot's discretion unless there has been an explicit assignment by ATC for traffic purposes. You should advise the controller of any altitude changes.

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Example of Communication with ATC: Pilot: “Columbia Approach, Cherokee 12345, request VFR Flight Following.” ATC: “Cherokee 12345, Columbia Approach, squawk 0322, Columbia altimeter 2992.” After the initial transmission, ATC will need additional information, including type aircraft and destination.

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If you are receiving flight following, you are automatically cleared to enter the outer ring of a TFR and to enter Class C or D airspace. However, there is one circumstance that flight following will not protect you from, and that is flying into Class B airspace.

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The approval needed to enter Class C airspace is like Class D in that you do not need a specific clearance, but you do need to establish two-way communication with control. To be able to enter Class C airspace, a pilot must contact ATC prior to arrival.

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Whether you call it VFR advisories or-as the FAA labels it in the Aeronautical Information Manual, the AIM-radar traffic information service, flight following is provided by ATC to advise VFR flights of observed radar targets warranting their attention.

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As a pilot performing a VFR flight and departing from a controlled airfield, you must contact the ATC before taxi in order to have the initial VFR clearance. You will obtain this clearance from a ground or tower controller. In other airports, you may ask the approach controller to obtain your clearance.

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Flightradar24 is a free flight tracker app and includes all the above features. If you want even more great features from Flightradar24 there are two upgrade options—Silver & Gold—and each comes with a free trial. Silver and Gold upgrade prices are listed in the app as they vary depending on your country and currency.

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