Two firsts for me today!!!

[terrykohler]

Chris:
I certainly agree with most of the earlier posts - Use Flight Following whenever possible, as much as possible, until it's second nature.
The real benefit comes when you really need assistance - if you've blundered into a cloud, perhaps get a little lost, or God forbid, lose the engine, you don't have to search for a frequency. Just hit the button. Ask for help or declare an emergency. Why wouldn't you want help or priority over everyone else in the air (that's where the declaration comes in). Good to see you've taken the first step.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP

[edbooth]

We just went from here (Trenton, SC) to LaBelle, FL. Flight following is the only way to go. Besides traffic advisories, they get you around and through the numerous restricted areas down the coast and north Florida. Plus gives you something to do , 15 frequency changes and.... they even cleared me through class B airspace at Orlando.

[jpowell13]

On a recent trip I was going from an area of low traffic into a high traffic area. At the first class C space I entered into I asked for FF and was given a unique transponder code for the rest of the trip. It's just another option.

FF is great, but an instructor once told me you still have to watch out for the MOAs, restricted areas, TFRs, etc. Controllers will typically steer you around them, but they're not required to do it.

Also, if you want to know what enroute IFR is like use FF.

John

[330drvr]

Good job. Can you give me details about how you secured the dog and provided for his/her comfort and needs?

I am going to look into doing this myself. Thanks for the motivation.

[SoCal Flyer]

How do you all secure your dogs in the cockpit? I have always wanted to try it. Do you use ear protection for the dogs?

Flight Following is very useful here in SoCal. When I first started flying, I always figured I was bothering the controllers. Since they had so much IFR going on with our busy airspace. Then I went on a tour of the SoCal TRACON. That tour was very enlightening. What I found out, I was more of a nuisance not contacting them. Having a 1200 code flying along their radar with no way to contact them, and no idea what their intentions are, is a lot more of a issue for the controller.
I use FF pretty much whenever I fly.
I figure one more set of eyes watching for traffic is a good thing. If they don't have time to help you, they will let you know.

[ccsmith51]

I removed the passenger seating and placed blankets on the floor in the passenger and baggage areas. The dog had both a harness and a collar, each with a leash. I tied them off to the cross bar behind the seats. I left enough slack so that he could lay next to me but could not jump on me.

He was a bit nervous when we took off because of the turbulence and noise. I had to stay under 1800' for the first five minutes or so to remain under class C, and it was bumpy. He nuzzled next to me for comfort and I scratched his ears and head and he calmed down.

Once we cleared C I climbed to 6,500 and it was cool, calm, and smooth. He spent a few moments next to me then retired to the baggage area where he curled up on the blankets and went to sleep for the remainder of the trip.