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To:  lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:38:57 -0400
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 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=207.97.245.124; envelope-from=lalcorn@natca.net
Subject: Re: [LML] Flight Following in SoCal
From: lalcorn@natca.net
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=0AFilling a flight plan does help controllers, so something is in the syst=
em.  If you are flying around doing instrument work with a local approach c=
ontrol, they do not enter a flight plan for you.  They put you on a local s=
quawk code.  Those flights will never show up in flightaware.  Even if you =
go to an airport that is within the approach controls airspace, they will s=
ometimes not put an external code in for you.=0A =0AIf you file your flight=
 plans online you can file a VFR flight plan and that will be put it into t=
he system.  When you call up ATC, they will depart that flight plan, but no=
t the VFR flight plan it selft.  That sounds confusing, but what it means i=
s that flight service is responsible for tracking VFR flight plans.  The en=
route centers and approach controls are responsible for IFR flight plans. I=
f you want to activate the VFR flight plan, it always has to be done with f=
light service.  So by filling a VFR flight plan online, and the controller =
departing the flight plan, you do not have to deal with flight service at a=
ll and they will not be looking for you, because the "VFR" portion of the f=
light plan was never activated with flight service.  When ATC terminates yo=
u at your destination, the flight plan is removed from the system.=0A =0ATh=
e only trick with filling IFR flight plans and then converting them to VFR =
"flight following" is if you are departing from a towered airport with an I=
FR on file.  The tower still has get a release from the approach control to=
 let you depart VFR.  That could lead to a delay at busier airports.=0A =0A=
Luke Alcorn=0ANATCA ZJX Safety Rep
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<font face=3D"arial" size=3D"2"><p>Filling a flight plan does help controll=
ers, so something is in the system.&nbsp; If you are flying around doing in=
strument work with a local approach control, they do not enter a flight pla=
n for you.&nbsp; They put you on a local squawk code.&nbsp; Those flights w=
ill never show up in flightaware.&nbsp; Even if you go to an airport that i=
s within the approach controls airspace, they will sometimes not put an ext=
ernal code in for you.</p>=0A<p>&nbsp;</p>=0A<p>If you file your flight pla=
ns online you can file a VFR flight plan and that will be put it into the s=
ystem.&nbsp; When you call up ATC, they will depart that flight plan, but n=
ot the VFR flight plan it selft.&nbsp; That sounds confusing, but what it m=
eans is that flight service is responsible for tracking VFR flight plans.&n=
bsp; The enroute centers and approach controls are responsible for IFR flig=
ht plans. If you want to activate the VFR flight plan, it always has to be =
done with flight service.&nbsp; So by filling a VFR flight plan online, and=
 the controller departing the flight plan, you do not have to deal with fli=
ght service at all and they will not be looking for you, because the "VFR" =
portion of the flight plan was never activated with flight service.&nbsp; W=
hen ATC terminates you at your destination, the flight plan is removed from=
 the system.</p>=0A<p>&nbsp;</p>=0A<p>The only trick with filling IFR fligh=
t plans and then converting them to VFR "flight following" is if you are de=
parting from a towered airport with an IFR on file.&nbsp; The tower still h=
as get a release from the approach control to let you depart VFR.&nbsp; Tha=
t could lead to a delay at busier airports.</p>=0A<p>&nbsp;</p>=0A<!--WM_CO=
MPOSE_SIGNATURE_START-->=0A<p>Luke Alcorn<br />NATCA ZJX Safety Rep</p>=0A<=
!--WM_COMPOSE_SIGNATURE_END--></font>
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