PILOT DECISION MAKING
Lindell Wilson, WVFC CFI LindellWilson@PilotNow.com
VFR Flight Plan versus Flight Following?
Last month we discussed how to file, open and close a VFR
flight plan. This month let’s explore the question that many pilots ask, “Which
is best? … should I open a VFR flight plan OR request VFR flight following?”
The answer is simple. Yes to both. It is recommended to
file/open/close a flight plan AND request flight following. Below is a table which compares the
features of VFR flight plans and VFR flight following. You can add your own
comments too.
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VFR Flight Plan
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VFR Flight Following
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Optional - Is an optional (but highly
recommended) service, provided by Flight Service (FS), to trigger a search-and-rescue (SAR) operation if
the pilot does not arrive at the expected time at their destination. The
flight plan provides SAR information; aircraft departure/arrival airports,
route, ETE, ETA, fuel onboard, souls onboard, home base, aircraft color/type,
pilot contact info, etc.
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Optional - Is an optional service, In-flight-traffic-advisories is
provided by ATC on a workload available basis, only in radar coverage, and
does not guarantee separation. ATC can provide other en-route flight
information (i.e. significant weather).
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File – The pilot files a flight plan
with Flight Service (FS) before flight, but can also file en-route (less
desirable) if Flight Service has time. Pilot MUST additionally open and close
flight plan with FS.
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Request – Flight following can be
requested with ground/tower prior to takeoff OR requested from ATC after
takeoff.
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Search and Rescue (SAR) – Yes.
If the pilot does not arrive at the
expect time, then SAR will be triggered.
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Search and Rescue (SAR) – Not
available.
However, ATC may have an approximate
(last known) aircraft position if within radar coverage, and possibly the
destination airport.
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Availability – Always available.
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Availability – Only within ATC radar
coverage, and on an ATC workload available basis.
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Traffic Advisories – Not available
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Traffic Advisories – Yes.
Note: Traffic advisories are provided
by ATC on a workload available basis, only within radar coverage, and does
not guarantee separation.
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Changes – The pilot can easily call FS
during flight (or prior to flight) to amend their flight plan including
route, time, stops, destination, etc.
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Changes – The pilot can easily request
a change to their flight route, altitude (not required, but best practice),
and destination via ATC.
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File, Open and Closing flight plan –
The pilot must file, open and close their flight plan with Flight Service
in-order to be provide the service.
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Request and Terminate flight following
– The pilot must request flight following in-order to be provide the service
by ATC. The pilot must terminate (stop) ATC flight following when the pilot
wishes to stop flight following.
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