Greg wrote:
I was going to ask my CFI these questions but I figured these groups
are so rich with information and opinions that I would start here.
I am a 120 hr PP planning a VFR X/C from Bowman field Louisville, KY
(KLOU) to Mattoon, IL (KMTO) this weekend. According to the new AOPA
flight planner (very cool, by the way)this takes me right through the
middle of a TFR southwest of the Hoosier Vortac. To complicate things
there is a restricted area smack dab in the middle of the TFR (these
are ground to... well higher than I can fly right?). My gut is
telling me not to chance being where I'm not supposed to be and make
the trip via Bloomington,IN (KBMG)to avoid any possible trouble . If
you look at the sectional there aren't too many land marks in that
area and it would be easy fly over the TFR but through the resticted
area. I have a rather old GPS on board that is very small, in a
strange place (down and to the right of the yoke), and it is as old as
dirt..no telling when it was last updated. So here are some
questions..
1)So what do you guys think? Do I fly over it? Or am I asking for
trouble? (this TFR, if I understand correctly, is from the ground to
5000 AGL). Obviously, this would be a bad place to loose the engine!
I haven't looked at the charts, so taking what you say at face value. If you're
not confident you can navigate so as to miss the restricted area, don't go that
way. Make a plan you can be confident in. I wouldn't worry too much about losing
an engine over the TFR. If your one and only engine goes quiet, busting a TFR is
the least of your troubles.
2)If I fly direct will ATC (flight following) help me stay clear or
will they let me wander into the restricted area and then say, "now
look what you've done dumbass...land and give us a call" (In so many
words) My girlfriend isn't a huge fan of small planes anyway so an
F-16 on my wingtip would be bad, really bad.
Controllers will generally try to be helpful, but they have no obligation to
keep you clear of the restricted area. That's your responsibility. Have a plan
that you can execute without their help.
3) If I go via BMG how do I ask for flight following? I am assuming
that I just tell them that I am going to MTO via BMG at 7,500. If
this is correct and I am granted flight following am I obligated to
fly all the way to BMG or can I turn on course to MTO a little south
of BMG?
Asking for flight following doesn't obligate you to follow any particular route,
unless the controller says "advise of any changes in heading or altitude". As a
courtesy, tell the controller you're turning off the route you had told him you
were taking. The response will probably be "roger, maintain VFR".
4) I have never used Fligh****ch. How do you know when to call on
122.0 and when to listen on VOR's, etc.
Fligh****ch is always on 122.0, period. You may or may not raise anyone on the
fligh****ch frequency, however. Coverage is spotty. There is better coverage, at
least in mid-Atlantic states where I mostly fly, for the discrete FSS
frequencies (other than 122.0).
The frequency box for the VOR on the sectional chart has frequencies for
contacting FSS. Learn how to read it. It tells you when to listen on the VOR
frequency, and what frequency to transmit on to contact FSS.
The callup is (for example) "Raleigh Radio, Cessna 12345, 10 south of the
Kinston VOR, listening Kinston VOR", or "Raleigh Radio, Cessna 12345, 10 south
of the Kinston VOR, 122.65". You give your location so FSS knows which
transmitter to use. You give the freq you are listening on, because the FSS
specialist may be monitoring multiple freqs and might not catch which one you
are calling on, otherwise. Of course, as always, listen first, then talk.
Also what is the correct
phraseology to ask for a weather update?
"Request current and forecast weather for location" or "we'll be following V45
northwest, request forecast weather along that route", etc. No need for any
stilted, formatted request style, just be conversational and tell them what you
want.
Thanks in advace guys and gals!
Greg
Have a nice trip. You probably will benefit from discussing your questions with
your CFI as well.
Dave
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