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  #1  
Old 08-01-2016, 07:08 PM
petersb petersb is offline
 
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Default Activation of flight plan in USA

Need clarification on how to activate a VFR flight plan in the US.

I understand you look for the nearest VOR on your map and use the frequency on the top of the box.

Example on leaving Sheboygun there is a VOR-DME with 122.1R Green Bay, but that is receive only, Manitowoc the same

So I look at Oshkosk where there is a Vortac with 122.25 Green Bay, that should work

Or if you look at Milwaukee there is Milwaukee RCO 122.4 and 122.65 Green Bay

Seems rather imprecise, Milwaukee at one point suggested 132.95, not sure who that is..

Thoughts please

Regards Peter
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  #2  
Old 08-01-2016, 07:17 PM
mbishop mbishop is offline
 
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I might completely miss the mark here, but I use https://www.1800wxbrief.com and you can send a text message to open and a text message to close it.
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  #3  
Old 08-01-2016, 07:53 PM
petersb petersb is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbishop View Post
I might completely miss the mark here, but I use https://www.1800wxbrief.com and you can send a text message to open and a text message to close it.
I used 1800wxbrief to enter the flight plan by phone, did not know about texting. I thought the flight plan should be activated when airborne by radio
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  #4  
Old 08-01-2016, 08:48 PM
krw5927 krw5927 is offline
 
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The R for "receive only" means FSS can only receive on that frequency, not transmit. To communicate over Sheboygan's Falls VOR for example, tune 122.1 in your com radio and set your nav radio (VOR receiver) to the Falls VOR frequency 110.0. Make sure you have your audio panel and VOR receiver set to hear the dots and dashes identifying the VOR through your headset.

Now transmit on 122.1 and tell Green Bay Radio that you're over the Falls VOR listening 110.0. So you'll talk on 122.1 and listen to their replies on 110.0.
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  #5  
Old 08-01-2016, 09:53 PM
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Dbro172 Dbro172 is offline
 
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Or consider using flight following. Leaving Sheboygan tune up Milwaukee approach on 127.0. "Milwaukee Approach Experimental xyz, VFR request." "Exp XYZ Milwaukee app, go ahead." Milwaukee app, Exp XYZ is an RVX/G, just off Sheboygan at 2500 climbing for xxxx, request VFR flight following to XYZ airport." RVX, squawk xxxx..... RV XYZ radar contact 05 miles SW of the Sheboygan airport, maintain VFR, proceed on course." Now your with ATC and receiving radar services until canceled; typically when destination airport is in sight.
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  #6  
Old 08-01-2016, 10:19 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
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Don't confuse flight following with a flight plan. If you suddenly drop off the radar with flight following, ATC might activate search and rescue. Or they may assume that you flew out of radar range and do nothing.

Besides the FSS frequencies on the chart, the 'universal' frequency of 122.2 works at nearly all FSS in the US. You both transmit and receive on this frequency. As noted in a previous post, an R means FSS receives (you transmit) on that frequency. On call up say "listening on ABC VOR" so they know where to transmit. And do listen to the VOR. Once communication is established, just ask them to activate your vfr flight plan from abc to xyz, tell them time off was xxxx zulu. Do not forget to close the flight plan. After landing you can call 800-flightbrief to do so. Some towers will do it if you ask them, but you must ask.

For any ATC communications, some specialists don't care, but some hate, the use of the word 'request'. (Of course you have a request. Why else would you call?) I suggest you avoid it.
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Old 08-02-2016, 08:17 AM
petersb petersb is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dbro172 View Post
Or consider using flight following. Leaving Sheboygan tune up Milwaukee approach on 127.0. "Milwaukee Approach Experimental xyz, VFR request." "Exp XYZ Milwaukee app, go ahead." Milwaukee app, Exp XYZ is an RVX/G, just off Sheboygan at 2500 climbing for xxxx, request VFR flight following to XYZ airport." RVX, squawk xxxx..... RV XYZ radar contact 05 miles SW of the Sheboygan airport, maintain VFR, proceed on course." Now your with ATC and receiving radar services until canceled; typically when destination airport is in sight.
Thanks for the response Derek

Actually this is exactly what I did. Initially Milwaukee suggested a frequency change to 122.2 then told me to stay with them, I asked to activate the flight plan and for flight following for my flight to Canada ( need flight plan to cross border). . I received transponder codes and was handed off several times ending up with Selfridge before they handed me off to London Canada.

Looks as though the flight plan may not have been activated

So what I have read on the forum so far is to broadcast on 122.2 anywhere in the US, and a FSS somewhere will answer, the call would be "Radio (general term Radio as you may not know who you are talking to initially ) this is Canadian ABCD airbourne Sheboygan requesting activation of flight plan "

Do they also do the flight following ?
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Last edited by petersb : 08-02-2016 at 08:48 AM.
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  #8  
Old 08-02-2016, 09:00 AM
turbosaaber turbosaaber is offline
 
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Default FSS

FSS does not have radar so they can't provide flight following. That service is provided by Approach or Center. Hope that helps....
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  #9  
Old 08-02-2016, 09:39 AM
petersb petersb is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turbosaaber View Post
FSS does not have radar so they can't provide flight following. That service is provided by Approach or Center. Hope that helps....
Ok, so call FSS on 122.2, activate flight plan with whoever answers then tell them you are switching back to App/Dep/Terminal/Centee for flight following.

A little easier in Canada, flight plans are automatically activated at specified time in flight plan, then update actual take off with Terminal who also provides flight following.


So the way I understand it, there are FSS around the US that are only interested in flight plans, not tracking actual movements on radar (App/Dep/ Terminal). You can use the general 122.2 frequency or look for a VOR in the general vicinity and use the frequency on the top of the box
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  #10  
Old 08-02-2016, 11:29 AM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
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I think you've got it. In the US, FSS do flight plans, and weather. So while you're opening your flight plan with them, you can also ask for weather updates. Then go back to ATC if you want radar flight following.
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