On Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:59:45 GMT, B A R R Y
wrote in
:

My local Delta base (HFD) will contact nearby BDL TRACON and obtain a
squawk code for VFR flight following or traffic advisories. This
service is "advertised" on the ATIS and is requested from ground
control on initial call up by departures. Ground calls you back with
a code and the proper departure frequency, similar to an IFR
clearance.

Last week, I was at a Charlie airport (PVD) during a very quiet
period. Upon calling ground with the usual VFR information, I also
requested a VFR flight following to my destination. This was the
first time I'd tried this outside of HFD. The controller mumbled
something unintellible, along with "since it's slow", and to stand by.
He honored my request and returned with my code and the current
departure frequency. My flight following commenced automatically as I
was handed off to that area's TRACON from the tower.

Should I have asked for this service via the clearance delivery
frequency as in IFR, or was I asking for a service not normally
available? I can't find the answer in the 2007 Jeppesen FAR-AIM.

In hindsight, I'm guessing I should have been on clearance delivery.




All VFR flights departing KSNA (a Class C airport) receive radar
advisories/flight following unless they indicate that it is not
desired by appending the word 'local' to the departure name they
request:

When departing Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne (KSNA) (Class
Charlie airspace) VFR it is customary to add the word 'LOCAL' to your
departure clearance request with Clearance Delivery to signify that
Radar Advisory Service (Flight Following) is not desired. IE:


"Cherokee 1234A is a PA28A/A at executive hangars east with
Oscar, request Mesa Local departure."


VFR departures and arrivals are published in the John Wayne-Orange
County Airport FIXED-WING CLASS-C VFR PROCEDURES manual by the John
Wayne tower Pilot/Controller Work Group, copies of which may be
obtained from the tower by telephone request.


That document contains the following information:


Requesting Class-C Departure Instructions From Clearance
Delivery - 121.85


Contact Clearance Delivery _prior_ to taxi. Include your
position on the airport in addition to the following
information as appropriate.


_Surface area service only:_ include type aircraft and
direction of flight or route name. _Example:_ JOHN WAYNE
CLEARANCE, CESSNA 12345, C172 (DIRECTION OF FLIGHT OR,
MESA/NEWPORT/ORANGE) LOCAL.


_Note:_ The term "LOCAL" advises the controller that surface
area service only is requested, Radar service will be
terminated at the boundary of the Class-C surface area.
*Remain outside Class-C airspace thereafter.* This should not
be confused with a local area flight in which the pilot
desires flight following with Socal Approach. In that case,
advise the clearance delivery controller of your specific
request as indicates below.


_For radar service/flight-following beyond the surface area:_
include destination of intentions and departure route name
(optional_:


_Example:_ JOHN WAYNE CLEARANCE, BARON 54321, BE58
DESTINATION (FAN NUYS/SOUTHWEST PRACTICE AREA/SENIC FLIGHT
SOUTHEAST ALONG SHORELINE/ETC.) REQUEST MESA/NEWPORT DEPARTURE
(OPTIONAL)


_Note 1:_ The pilot may request the desired route by name
(Newport, Mesa, etc.) if known. Of primary concern to the
tower is the destination/intentions. The controller will
assign the most appropriate initial heading, and forward the
destination/intentions to Socal Approach.


_Note 2: _ Avoid the use of the term 'LOCAL' which indicates
surface area service only, as described above.