Question

[MikeyDale]

I have a question and I really don't know where to post it. I was in general parking at Montgomery KMYF this morning and called del/clearance and asked for clearance for a West departure. The guy told me to call ground for taxi instruction and I got the impression that I was not supposed to call del/clearance for a normal departure from KMYF? Can someone set me straight on this? Should I call Ground and forget Del/Clearance?

[tngarner]

If you just asked for a departure to the west then they would most likely assumed no flight following which would be a call to ground only. If you said VFR to John Wayne then they would have most likely given you a sqwak and departure freq I would think.

Class C and B airports are the only ones you have to talk to Clerance before ground. You were at a delta so optional depending what you want.

[wmburns]

A couple of questions. Did any of the following apply?

• VFR with flight following?
• VFR departure from a Class Bravo or Charlie airport?
• IFR departure

If any of the above is TRUE, then you need a squawk code.

Next check out the airport diagram.
https://skyvector.com/files/tpp/1603/pdf/05401AD.PDF

Does the airport have a clearance delivery frequency?

If the airport has a clearance delivery frequency AND you need a squawk code, then contact clearance delivery.

For a VFR departure with negative flight following in class D airspace, contact ground.

If the airport does NOT have a clearance delivery, then contact ground for all requests.

[MikeyDale]

OK, that clears it up for me. I was just departing to the west then no flight following. Thanks for the help!

[Keith Smith]

If the airport has a clearance delivery frequency AND you need a squawk code, then contact clearance delivery.

I have to disagree with that one. At 99.9% of Class D airports, even if there is a published CD freq, you would still request advisories with Ground. It's really only at Class B/C airports where you would think about calling Clearance. At many Class C's you still just contact Ground (SNA is an example of an exception).

[tngarner]

I have to disagree with that one. At 99.9% of Class D airports, even if there is a published CD freq, you would still request advisories with Ground.

Keith, 100% agree with you, however PE seems to always refer you to CD if you call up on ground for flight following, I am talking about class D's by the way, Brown, CRQ, SEE, etc. Is there a reason for this in PE?

Also as a personal curiosity. I do not fly that much RW outside of the southeast. We seem to be able to only get flight following in air from Approch. If you ask for it on the ground they will come back with make that request airborn with Approch and give you the freq. since you fly all over the country do you see this as a regional thing or hit or miss by airport?

[bbuckley]

Keith, 100% agree with you, however PE seems to always refer you to CD if you call up on ground for flight following, I am talking about class D's by the way, Brown, CRQ, SEE, etc. Is there a reason for this in PE? Also as a personal curiosity. I do not fly that much RW outside of the southeast. We seem to be able to only get flight following in air from Approch. If you ask for it on the ground they will come back with make that request airborn with Approch and give you the freq. since you fly all over the country do you see this as a regional thing or hit or miss by airport?

Yep agree, I kept getting told on PE to contact CD for FF at Class D's with CD freq. In RW at D's I always call Ground or just wait until I'm airborne if I know they don't coordinate. As tngarner says, KMLB, (FL) will always tell you to contact Orlando Approach on ... when airborne for FF.
Bruce

[Ryan B]

Also as a personal curiosity. I do not fly that much RW outside of the southeast. We seem to be able to only get flight following in air from Approch. If you ask for it on the ground they will come back with make that request airborn with Approch and give you the freq. since you fly all over the country do you see this as a regional thing or hit or miss by airport?

Must be a regional thing. In duluth where I ATC, I sort of "scold" pilots for not making the request on the ground, where it's easier to get it setup, than with approach who is typically more busy. I guess this explains why sometimes people ask for it from me in the air... hmmm.

[Kyle.Sanders]

It's a regional thing. If the controllers on the ground CAN set you up with FF beforehand, I think they should. Reduces the workload of the controller that is working with airborne aircraft.

[Peter Grey]

Hello,

It is a regional thing, some airports aren't equipped to issue FF from the ground. I agree with the recommendation that if the airport allows you to pick up FF on the ground that you should do so.

Regarding PE. You only need to call Clearance Delivery for VFR departures at Class C/B airports. One of our controllers was mistaken on the policy and was referring pilots to Clearance Delivery at class D airports. This error has been corrected and you shouldn't have that happen anymore.