Flight Following, officially known as "Radar Traffic Information Service," is a voluntary service provided by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to pilots flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). While it is not a requirement for VFR pilots, it is highly recommended for safety. When a pilot requests flight following, a controller at a radar facility (such as a TRACON or an En Route Center) will track the aircraft on their scope and provide real-time traffic advisories, alerting the pilot to nearby aircraft that may pose a collision risk. Controllers can also provide weather updates, suggest vectors to avoid busy airspace, and offer an extra layer of security; if the aircraft's radar target disappears unexpectedly, ATC can initiate Search and Rescue (SAR) procedures much faster than if the pilot were flying "dark." It is important to note that even when receiving flight following, the pilot remains the "Pilot in Command" (PIC) and is solely responsible for seeing and avoiding other traffic, maintaining cloud clearance, and navigating correctly, as the controller provides these services only as their workload permits.