Approach Control Frequencies

[John]

Flew to West Virginia yesterday from Lee Airport, nead Annapolis, MD.
Filed an ADIZ flight plan, called Potomac Approach and got a squawk code.
Flew out of the Baltimore-Washington ADIZ with no trouble, but requiring
several frequency changes as I was handed off from one controller to the
next. However, when I returned, I took a different, more southerly route.
Here is a copy of what I sent AOPA describing the events surrounding my
attempt to re-enter the ADIZ:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Filed to enter the ADIZ at 11:15 local at the Brooke VOR (BRV). Arrive
exactly on time. Called the frequency on the chart for that area: 119.85.
No response. Tried another freq for that area (on the chart): 124.65. No
response. I had decended from 4000' down to 2000' to go under the Class B.
I tried 126.75 (typically for VFR North of this area. No joy. Called
Stafford Reginonal airport nearby. They suggested 120.82, which they told
me was a "new one" they were using. They also reported that I was "loud and
very clear", when I told them the problem.

Several times I heard, "8593V, you are loud and clear. How do you read?".
However, when I responded they didn't hear me. I climbed to 4000', and
tried 124.65 again. This time I got a response and they could hear me. I
got a squawk code and was told to proceed (after being led to beleive that
he could not find my flight plan). He told me that below 1200', I could
have contacted Quantico Approach on 127.05. I asked him how I was supposed
to know that, and he told me that he did not know. How are we supposed to
know the approach frequencies and their limitations, if not on the chart?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is there some place we can get the approach control frequencies for a
specific are, ... and their limitation?

TIA

-john

[Ron Natalie]

"John" > wrote in message ...

> Several times I heard, "8593V, you are loud and clear. How do you read?".
> However, when I responded they didn't hear me. I climbed to 4000', and
> tried 124.65 again. This time I got a response and they could hear me. I
> got a squawk code and was told to proceed (after being led to beleive that
> he could not find my flight plan).

They try to find the filed plan, but if they can't, they'll let you in provided
you assure yourself you've met the regulatory requiremements to have done so.

>He told me that below 1200', I could
> have contacted Quantico Approach on 127.05. I asked him how I was supposed
> to know that, and he told me that he did not know. How are we supposed to
> know the approach frequencies and their limitations, if not on the chart?

127.05 is listed in Quantico's AF/D communciations sectoion..
119.85 might have been better, the BRV is a major entry point for DCA
traffic.

If you have an issues with PCT, you are encouraged to log a QA issue
(540 349 7541) and they will follow up on it. They've still got a lot to
work on. The last meeting I went to where they tried to show how easy
it was to get into the ADIZ, they started by calling the FSS and got
routed to Altoona which didn't know what the procedure was, then they
found their flight plan for EMI got routed to ZNY etc...

[[email protected]]

On 1-Oct-2003, John > wrote:

> How are we supposed to know the approach frequencies and their
> limitations, if not on the chart?

What I do is look on an approach chart for a nearby airport. Approach
frequencies are shown (or Center frequencies if they handle approaches
there). If it's not also the frequency to use for local VFR handling they
should be able to tell you which one is.

--
-Elliott Drucker

[EDR]

In article >, John
> wrote:

> Is there some place we can get the approach control frequencies for a
> specific are, ... and their limitation?

If they frustrated me to that extent, I would just dial up 121.5 and
call "Any radio..."

[John]

Thanks, Ron, but that doesn't answer my question.
I tried the frequencies on the chart and they didn't work.
Once I climbed up to 4000', I got 'em on one of the frequencies I
mentioned, but I can't remember which one.

Where do we find the working frequencies for ATC?
If there are any limitations to the frequencies given, that should be
posted, too.

-john

"Ron Natalie" > wrote:

>
>"John" > wrote in message ...
>
>> Several times I heard, "8593V, you are loud and clear. How do you read?".
>> However, when I responded they didn't hear me. I climbed to 4000', and
>> tried 124.65 again. This time I got a response and they could hear me. I
>> got a squawk code and was told to proceed (after being led to beleive that
>> he could not find my flight plan).
>
>They try to find the filed plan, but if they can't, they'll let you in provided
>you assure yourself you've met the regulatory requiremements to have done so.
>
>>He told me that below 1200', I could
>> have contacted Quantico Approach on 127.05. I asked him how I was supposed
>> to know that, and he told me that he did not know. How are we supposed to
>> know the approach frequencies and their limitations, if not on the chart?
>
>127.05 is listed in Quantico's AF/D communciations sectoion..
>119.85 might have been better, the BRV is a major entry point for DCA
>traffic.
>
>If you have an issues with PCT, you are encouraged to log a QA issue
>(540 349 7541) and they will follow up on it. They've still got a lot to
>work on. The last meeting I went to where they tried to show how easy
>it was to get into the ADIZ, they started by calling the FSS and got
>routed to Altoona which didn't know what the procedure was, then they
>found their flight plan for EMI got routed to ZNY etc...
>
>

[Craig Prouse]

"John" wrote:

> Thanks, Ron, but that doesn't answer my question.
> I tried the frequencies on the chart and they didn't work.
> Once I climbed up to 4000', I got 'em on one of the frequencies I
> mentioned, but I can't remember which one.
>
> Where do we find the working frequencies for ATC?
> If there are any limitations to the frequencies given, that should be
> posted, too.

John, your question actually was answered by Ron and also by Elliott.

Examining your chart in the vicinity of Brooke VOR (BRV), the two closest
airports are Stafford (RMN) and Shannon (EZF). When you look up either of
those airports in the A/FD, you'll find that they are serviced by Quantico
Approach on 127.05.

This is a very common and useful strategy for locating "obscure" frequencies
that don't appear on a sectional with big blue or magenta boxes around them.
Just find the closest airport to your position and refer to the A/FD for the
controlling approach facility. If the airport has an IAP and you've got the
plate handy, that works too.

[Ron Natalie]

"John" > wrote in message ...
> Thanks, Ron, but that doesn't answer my question.
> I tried the frequencies on the chart and they didn't work.
> Once I climbed up to 4000', I got 'em on one of the frequencies I
> mentioned, but I can't remember which one.

119.85 is on the chart, just up and to the right of the Brooke VOR.
It's the DCA frequency for the south and west.

> Where do we find the working frequencies for ATC?

Look in the communications block for the variious airports in the AF/D.
I've always raised someone using that approach and if they weren't right,
they gave me the right frequency quickly.

But again, your best bet is to file the complaint with the PCT QA manager
not me. He's in a position to bitch at the NACO guy to make the charts
easier to understand for out of the area pilots.

[John]

Cool!

However, I DID use the frequencies on the chart.
There are two. I used both.
They did NOT pick me up until I was above 3000'.
I have a new radio and it worked like a champ to go out North of DCA.
I talked to Stafford Regional airport with no problem.
The frequency they suggested didn't work either until I was high enough.

I've been flying for 16 years in this area.
However, is has been VFR only.

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the "A/FD"?
Airport Facility Directory?

I REALLY appreciate you guys responding to me.
You've been a big help.

-john

Craig Prouse > wrote:

>"John" wrote:
>
>> Thanks, Ron, but that doesn't answer my question.
>> I tried the frequencies on the chart and they didn't work.
>> Once I climbed up to 4000', I got 'em on one of the frequencies I
>> mentioned, but I can't remember which one.
>>
>> Where do we find the working frequencies for ATC?
>> If there are any limitations to the frequencies given, that should be
>> posted, too.
>
>John, your question actually was answered by Ron and also by Elliott.
>
>Examining your chart in the vicinity of Brooke VOR (BRV), the two closest
>airports are Stafford (RMN) and Shannon (EZF). When you look up either of
>those airports in the A/FD, you'll find that they are serviced by Quantico
>Approach on 127.05.
>
>This is a very common and useful strategy for locating "obscure" frequencies
>that don't appear on a sectional with big blue or magenta boxes around them.
>Just find the closest airport to your position and refer to the A/FD for the
>controlling approach facility. If the airport has an IAP and you've got the
>plate handy, that works too.

[John]

Thanks, Ron.

As I mentioned, they weren't responding to 119.85.
I could not contact anyone until I climbed to 4000'.

Once again. I really appreciate your input.

-john

"Ron Natalie" > wrote:

>
>"John" > wrote in message ...
>> Thanks, Ron, but that doesn't answer my question.
>> I tried the frequencies on the chart and they didn't work.
>> Once I climbed up to 4000', I got 'em on one of the frequencies I
>> mentioned, but I can't remember which one.
>
>119.85 is on the chart, just up and to the right of the Brooke VOR.
>It's the DCA frequency for the south and west.
>
>> Where do we find the working frequencies for ATC?
>
>Look in the communications block for the variious airports in the AF/D.
>I've always raised someone using that approach and if they weren't right,
>they gave me the right frequency quickly.
>
>But again, your best bet is to file the complaint with the PCT QA manager
>not me. He's in a position to bitch at the NACO guy to make the charts
>easier to understand for out of the area pilots.
>

[Bill]

The moral of the story is to file IFR when going thru ADIZ.

BILL

"John" > wrote in message
...
> Flew to West Virginia yesterday from Lee Airport, nead Annapolis, MD.
> Filed an ADIZ flight plan, called Potomac Approach and got a squawk code.
> Flew out of the Baltimore-Washington ADIZ with no trouble, but requiring
> several frequency changes as I was handed off from one controller to the
> next. However, when I returned, I took a different, more southerly route.
> Here is a copy of what I sent AOPA describing the events surrounding my
> attempt to re-enter the ADIZ:
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------
>
> Filed to enter the ADIZ at 11:15 local at the Brooke VOR (BRV). Arrive
> exactly on time. Called the frequency on the chart for that area: 119.85.
> No response. Tried another freq for that area (on the chart): 124.65. No
> response. I had decended from 4000' down to 2000' to go under the Class B.
> I tried 126.75 (typically for VFR North of this area. No joy. Called
> Stafford Reginonal airport nearby. They suggested 120.82, which they told
> me was a "new one" they were using. They also reported that I was "loud
and
> very clear", when I told them the problem.
>
> Several times I heard, "8593V, you are loud and clear. How do you read?".
> However, when I responded they didn't hear me. I climbed to 4000', and
> tried 124.65 again. This time I got a response and they could hear me. I
> got a squawk code and was told to proceed (after being led to beleive that
> he could not find my flight plan). He told me that below 1200', I could
> have contacted Quantico Approach on 127.05. I asked him how I was supposed
> to know that, and he told me that he did not know. How are we supposed to
> know the approach frequencies and their limitations, if not on the chart?
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
>
> Is there some place we can get the approach control frequencies for a
> specific are, ... and their limitation?
>
> TIA
>
> -john

[John]

It's a big enough hassle as it is.

-john

"Bill" > wrote:

>The moral of the story is to file IFR when going thru ADIZ.
>
>BILL
>
>"John" > wrote in message
...
>> Flew to West Virginia yesterday from Lee Airport, nead Annapolis, MD.
>> Filed an ADIZ flight plan, called Potomac Approach and got a squawk code.
>> Flew out of the Baltimore-Washington ADIZ with no trouble, but requiring
>> several frequency changes as I was handed off from one controller to the
>> next. However, when I returned, I took a different, more southerly route.
>> Here is a copy of what I sent AOPA describing the events surrounding my
>> attempt to re-enter the ADIZ:
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>---------------------------
>>
>> Filed to enter the ADIZ at 11:15 local at the Brooke VOR (BRV). Arrive
>> exactly on time. Called the frequency on the chart for that area: 119.85.
>> No response. Tried another freq for that area (on the chart): 124.65. No
>> response. I had decended from 4000' down to 2000' to go under the Class B.
>> I tried 126.75 (typically for VFR North of this area. No joy. Called
>> Stafford Reginonal airport nearby. They suggested 120.82, which they told
>> me was a "new one" they were using. They also reported that I was "loud
>and
>> very clear", when I told them the problem.
>>
>> Several times I heard, "8593V, you are loud and clear. How do you read?".
>> However, when I responded they didn't hear me. I climbed to 4000', and
>> tried 124.65 again. This time I got a response and they could hear me. I
>> got a squawk code and was told to proceed (after being led to beleive that
>> he could not find my flight plan). He told me that below 1200', I could
>> have contacted Quantico Approach on 127.05. I asked him how I was supposed
>> to know that, and he told me that he did not know. How are we supposed to
>> know the approach frequencies and their limitations, if not on the chart?
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-----------------------------
>>
>> Is there some place we can get the approach control frequencies for a
>> specific are, ... and their limitation?
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> -john
>