ATC's Best Kept Secret: VFR Flight Following

BECOME A PILOT WITH ANGLE OF ATTACK

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.
. Have you ever flown with VFR Flight Following? Do you even know what Flight Following is? What if I told you it was a free service from ATC where they give you traffic alerts, severe weather alerts, while also being a great time to practice ATC communications? Yes, it's all true. VFR Flight Following is one of the most underutilized tools by private pilots, all the way up to commercial pilots.

It's quite simple to get VFR Flight Following. As your flight instructor for this video, I'll take you through the step-by-step process. All you have to do is be a bit comfortable on the radio talking to ATC, although this is also a good way to practice even if you aren't comfortable.

Dive right in with us at our flight school studio, and in our flight school airplane (a Cessna 172) and learn how to do VFR Flight Following.

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 Welcome
0:18 Intro
0:32 Coming Up
1:21 Why Flight Following
3:24 Finding the Frequency
5:47 Contacting ATC
6:05 Squawk Code
6:33 Radar Contact
7:00 Services Available
8:50 Online Ground School
10:06 Switching to Tower
10:25 Landing
10:53 Thanks for Watching
11:21 Throttle On

#flightfollowing #flighttraining #learntofly

[angleofattack]

Hey Aviators! Thanks for tuning in. Make sure to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the notification bell.

[alk]

Flight following gives you one more thing that is the most important one - and nobody talks about it. It gives you an option to key in the mic at any moment and say MAYDAY three times. Even if you're flying around without flight following - it's always a good idea to tune in the frequency of the closest TRACON (approach/departure) or ARTCC (center). You don't have to say anything, just fly around with it tuned in. When it hits the fan, just key in the mic, say the magic word and tell them what you need. If you can remember to squawk 7700 - even better. They'll drop everything and give you what you need, including sending the search and rescue mission to get you. The best thing ever, saves lives.

[mahdivrahat]

"This gonna be on YouTube" was so awesome.

[skyepilotte]

Very concise explanation of flight following ...Great job...thank you...there's always stuff to learn...never stop learning..

[AkPacerPilot]

Good stuff!!! Flight following saved my bacon that year we had the big fires on the kenai. Ended up getting over run by smoke and viz went way south…

[jeffreybryner]

Love your videos, your channel and your style!
On initial callup, along with the squawk code, the Altimeter setting ATC gives you is another key data item. That helps them correlate your ALT to what they see on their scope. FF is also good for when you're out in the training area practicing maneuvers. Instead of telling them your dest on the callup, you just say "local maneuvering." It's a great service.

[budowens]

Thanks for sharing, excellent tool to use, I use FF every time on cross country flights.

[SmittyPilot]

I fly around a busy Class Bravo Airspace and the DC SFRA, I always get Flight Following on Cross Country Flights. Another benefit to add on to your list is often if they are not busy, they will clear you through the Class Bravo Airspace. I have a video on my channel where I get the on the ground at my home Class Delta airport

[JeremyMyersmusic]

One big benefit is that aircraft without ADSB flying would have no traffic marker on an EFB. Control has radar which bounces a radio signal off objects in the sky to see. So even without ADSB they see others.

[markmaccani]

Chris, Great video here. I am always on with flight following if I am going anywhere. Near the airport I fly out of the radar coverage is poor at lower altitudes so if I am local flying I sometimes cannot but any type of cross country I would always recommend it. Thank you for the effort on putting these out. Hope your Thanksgiving was great.

[richardbonander]

I really like the in flight communication establishing flight following, that is one of the things I am nervous doing

[Erik]

In Denmark we don't have ADS-B, so we often use flight following. I have a mode sierra transponder

[alaskanmike]

The controller you were talking to on initial contact is an avid flyer himself, flies out of Birchwood I believe. Hopefully we can get you up to ZAN so you can see what we can offer in the HOM area. I will send you an e-mail in the next few days and give you more details.

[WinterSky]

Hello Chris, great video. I'm wondering why ATC did not ask you to click the Ident button.

[airmackeeee]

Another great vid Chris! Fight following underutilised huh? I guess I lucked out in the past with a good CFI. He always emphasised requesting FF was standard with every trip away from my home airfield.

[michaelyablonicky]

Great video, what kind of sunglasses are those, I like them!

[OSUfan]

ATC: "This gonna be on Youtube?"
Camera: *Zooms*
Chris: *Slight panic* "yeah"
Me: Lmao!

[TylerR]

Wouldn't mind a lost comms video if you're taking suggestions. Really weird flying around at midnight on Flight Following with no comms (from anyone) in the last 10 min, having to do a Radio Check to see if Center's even still with you.

[tonyabdalla]

Curious if you've ever been denied flight following in busy airspace? Is ATC obligated to give it to you if requested? Keep up the great work Chris! Love your videos and learning a lot!!

[kennedygolfhead]

I am looking forward to flying above the Rocky mountains one day. Please tell me one day a thing or two about flying at high altitudes and mountain flying in general. What is different, and what to look for?? Also, I'd love to see some beautiful images of the mountains!!