What is the difference between VFR flight following and VFR flight plan?

Flight Following VS a VFR Flight Plan To open a flight plan you would contact a Flight Service Station (FSS), and once the flight plan is opened, you will not talk to the FSS until you have to close it. With flight following on the other hand, you may be talking to ATC during the entire flight.



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VFR flight plans must be closed within 30 minutes after your estimated time of arrival. They are not closed automatically. Failing to do so may activate needless search and rescue operations. Flight Following, on the other hand, may be thought of as having ATC on the flight with you.

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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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Flight following is a relatively simple concept – it's an aircraft flying under VFR that is taking advantage of Air Traffic Control (ATC) services. Functionally, it indicates the flight is radar identified by ATC and a number of advisories may be available from the controller.

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A pilot in command may deviate from the planned flight path for reasons such as weather conditions or operational considerations. Such deviations do not relieve the pilot in command of the weather requirements or the requirements for terrain and obstacle clearance contained in this part and in part 91 of this chapter.

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VFR flight following allows you to fly VFR; however, it also provides ATC radar coverage and weather/traffic updates. It doesn't provide the same IFR protections, but it's pretty darn close. If you want the same ATC coverage as IFR, choosing to fly VFR with flight following isn't a bad option.

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VFR flight tracking is supported but is subject to the availability of a position source such as radar or ADS-B data. Origin, destination, departure, arrival, and flight plan data may not be available.

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As a visual flight rules (VFR) pilot, if you have activated flight following, ATC will help you navigate restricted areas in the same way as they do IFR pilots. If you are flying VFR without flight following, you are solely responsible for restricted area recognition and avoidance.

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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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Why Do Pilots Prefer IFR Over VFR? IFR provides pilots with greater flexibility when it comes to controlled airspace, weather conditions, and career opportunities.

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In some countries, VFR flight is permitted at night, and is known as night VFR. This is generally permitted only under more restrictive conditions, such as maintaining minimum safe altitudes, and may require additional training as a pilot at night may not be able to see and avoid obstacles.

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