Can you call center for flight following?

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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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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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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Anyone can use an aviation scanner to hear what's going on in their area. Public airwaves in the US are free to listen to. A few states have restrictions about listening in your vehicle, you can read more about scanner laws in the US.

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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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Requesting 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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Aircraft dispatchers are held just as legally responsible for the flight plan and flight execution as the pilot, where flight followers do not hold the same legal responsibilities. And, even though the title flight follower or aircraft dispatcher does not scream “superhero,” you might as well be Clark Kent.

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Flight following by itself doesn't clear you into airspace. If you were looking to transit a Class B for example, you'd need to be explicitly cleared in.

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Pilots may request to terminate VFR Flight Following. ATC may deny the request while in controlled airspace to ensure positive separation. ATC will automatically terminate VFR Flight Following when the aircraft arrives at its destination.

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You should generally plan on making your initial call to the Class D tower when you are roughly ten miles out. Check the ATIS or AWOS first and let the controller know that you have listened to the current weather broadcast. Your initial call should follow this mnemonic: DDAA.

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Class C service requires pilots to establish two-way radio communications before entering Class C airspace. If the controller responds to a radio call with, “(a/c call sign) standby,” radio communications have been established and the pilot can enter Class C 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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