Survivalist Pro
Photo by SpaceX Pexels Logo Photo: SpaceX

Do you need a flight plan for flight following?

Filing a VFR flight plan and using Flight Following are excellent ways to provide an added margin of safety on all flights. Although these services are not mandatory for VFR flights, they are highly recommended. Many pilots are confused about the two services, what they provide, and are unsure of how to use them.

What is the minimum amount of water per day to survive?
What is the minimum amount of water per day to survive?

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters)...

Read More »
How often do Alone contestants get medical checks?
How often do Alone contestants get medical checks?

'Alone' Rules: contestants are subject to medical checks According to executive producer Shawn Witt, the checks occur weekly when the show begins....

Read More »

Filing a VFR flight plan and using Flight Following are excellent ways to provide an added margin of safety on all flights. Although these services are not mandatory for VFR flights, they are highly recommended. Many pilots are confused about the two services, what they provide, and are unsure of how to use them.

VFR Flight Plans

VFR flight plans are used to inform ATC about your planned flight. It is important to note that VFR flight plans do not provide any in-flight services, such as traffic advisories. The purpose of a flight plan is to activate search and rescue procedures if your flight plan is not closed within 30 minutes after your proposed arrival time. The process to file, activate and close a flight plan is straightforward and simple. However, there are several methods to do so. You may file a VFR flight plan by speaking to a Flight Service Station briefer by calling 1-800-WX-BRIEF and providing the agent with the necessary information about your flight. Alternatively, you may visit 1800WXBRIEF.com and file your flight plan online. Many electronic flight bag (EFB) apps can also file flight plans. Once a VFR flight plan is filed, it will be held by Flight Service until 1 hour after the proposed departure time, unless the actual departure time is received, a revised proposed departure time is received, or Flight Service is informed that communications will be inadequate but the proposed departure time will be met. Once you have filed your Flight Plan, you may either activate it on the ground by calling 1-800-WX-BRIEF, or in the air by communicating with a Flight Service Station over the radio. If you filed online through Flight Service, you will be emailed a link to open your flight plan using the Leidos EasyActivate service. Closing a flight Plan is just as simple, and you may do so through the same services. VFR flight plans must be closed within 30 minutes after your estimated time of arrival. They are not closed automatically. Failing to do so may activate needless search and rescue operations.

Flight Following

Flight Following, on the other hand, may be thought of as having ATC on the flight with you. ATC will monitor your flight in real time and may provide weather and airspace advisories, , assist with diversions, and traffic avoidance. Remember that the ultimate responsibility to see-and-avoid other traffic when flying in VFR conditions always rests with the pilot. Flight following is only available on a workload-permitting basis. If the air traffic controller is occupied with other essential tasks, you may not receive services. More often than not, flight following will be available, which will provide you with in-flight ATC services. To request flight following, contact ATC on the Departure or Center frequency. You will remain in contact with ATC until flight following is terminated. When you are in the vicinity of your destination, with the airport in sight, you should contact ATC to terminate flight following. To help you understand VFR flight plans and flight following, and demonstrate how to use these services in flight, please watch the informative video below. For more information on Flight Plans and Flight Following, refer to the Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapters 5 and 6 in your Gleim FAR/AIM.



Written by: Ryan Jeff, Aviation Research Assistant

Pilots: Paul Duty and Ryan Jeff

What are the four categories of skills?
What are the four categories of skills?

Benefits of testing the four skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking) When we say that someone 'speaks' a language fluently, we usually...

Read More »
Can a mobile phone get a virus?
Can a mobile phone get a virus?

Phones get viruses the same way computers get viruses. Clicking on a suspicious link or attachment from unknown sources is a common way phones get...

Read More »

What is the maximum amount a food handler can be fined?

If you are facing a potential food offence fine and prosecution, it's important to note that a magistrates' court can impose a fine of up to 20,000 for each offence, depending on such section of the law has been breached.

Food hygiene & safety prosecutions

It is the responsibility of every local authority to enforce the Food Safety Act 1990 with regard to restaurants, cafes and any other establishments that make food for human consumption. All restaurants will be inspected to ensure that their food hygiene and safety practices are in accordance with industry-wide guidelines, and that the premises in which the food is prepared, and any equipment used, is also of an acceptable standard. These inspections are often carried out as a matter or course, but may also be in response to a complaint or concerns that have been voiced to the team about your premises or food hygiene and safety practices. If the inspection finds that there are serious issues with your premises, equipment or practices, you may be ordered to cease trading whilst the problems are sorted out. In severe cases, where there are serious food hygiene offences or food safety offences being committed, you may be fined and/or prosecuted for the breaches. We have experience in helping restaurants and other food businesses to successfully defend food safety prosecutions and food hygiene prosecutions. Call us on to find out how we can help you.

How long does it take for someone to get to heaven?
How long does it take for someone to get to heaven?

We enter heaven immediately upon our death, or our souls sleep until the second coming of Christ and the accompanying resurrection. Most have...

Read More »
How do you know if you are a minimalist?
How do you know if you are a minimalist?

A minimalist person is someone who has a simple, uncluttered lifestyle. They don't believe in owning things for the sake of owning things — they...

Read More »
What reading level is Goosebumps books?
What reading level is Goosebumps books?

They are written at a 3rd to 7th grade level. The chapters are a few pages each, and most if not all the chapters end with a cliffhanger. Jul 18, 2017

Read More »
Who in the world has the best military?
Who in the world has the best military?

the US armed forces With military bases in many parts of the world, the US armed forces remain the most powerful of any on the globe. Sep 25, 2022

Read More »