Flight Plans for VFR

[bushpilot]

I tried opening a cross country VFR plan from San Luis Obispo to John Wayne, but was informed that VFR flight plans weren't handled on PE. Are VFR flights on the system just free flights or am I missing something? Thanks for the great service.

[Kevin_atc]

Control towers typically won't see VFR flight plans- that's why you still need to tell ground control or tower control what your departure request is despite the fact that you have already filed a VFR flight plan. VFR flight plans go through flight service stations and PE does not simulate flight service stations which, I assume, is what the controller meant.

At SBP (or any airport), there is no need to tell the ground or tower controller about your VFR flight plan as they cannot see it. Instead, just state your departure request. If you are looking to pick up flight following from ground control, state your aircraft type, destination, requested cruise altitude and the fact that you'd like flight following.

[Ryan B]

This happens all the time in the real world too. Heck before I became a controller I didn't know much about it either.

At a controlled airport just ask ground (or clearance if the airport has a separate freq) for VFR flight following to a destination airport. That will be your VFR "flight plan" as far as ATC is concerned. Kevin is more correct about the other side of it. What we ATC refer to as "search and rescue" side - the components you file with flight service, your name, type aircraft/color en route time people on board etc etc etc. I've had many pilots try to give me that info... ATC doesn't take it. FSS does.

So, if you want radar services en route to a destination VFR ask for "Flight Following to xyz airport" They might ask your cruise alt too. In real life that will go into the NAS computer. If you just want radar services to fly around ask for "traffic advisories." If you just want to takeoff to a destination VFR without any services just them them your direction of departure and that you have the ATIS - that's it! edit: Oh I guess I should add at class C and B primary airports they'll give you a squawk code to get out of the airspace and a clearance if at a class B primary airport too. In that case, if upon exiting the C or B you don't want radar services I'd be sure and add (with ground or clrnc) "negative advisories."

Example. Me at KSNA departing SE down the shore, no radar services.

"John wayne clearance N12345 with atis, SE bound departure negative advisories."
"N12345, JWC, on departure fly heading 175 maintain vfr at or below 2400, squawk 0203"
Then when you leave the inner charlie airspace they'll terminate you.

[bushpilot]

That makes sense. I was confused about what the local ATC was telling me about the flight. He did offer me flight following service and I took it. Thanks for the clarification. I know ATC doesn't have time to answer these types of questions and am glad the forums work.

[Kyle.Sanders]

1) saying "negative advisories" or "negative radar services" out of a class C or B airport might have the ATC thinking you are expecting to stay below the T-shelves and exit the Airspace via the surface area. Be sure to clarify exactly what you want to do. You don't always have to use fancy language. Use plain English if needed (remember there is a human on the other side of that radio).

2) the PE ATC don't mind explaining things if it can be answered in a short and direct response. If they are too busy, they will tell you to post on the forums or write an email to support. Even real world ATC would much rather you tell them that you don't understand an instruction or procedure rather than you accepting it and trying to figure it out on your own.