Correct freq. for flight following

ozziecat35

ozziecat35

4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
I had this come up yesterday as I was doing a sightseeing flight down the Chicago skyline. Say you're vfr, and in an unfamiliar location (where you don't have freqs. memorized), where do you go to find the correct approach / center freq. for flight following. In my case, I called up the only approach freq. I knew and he gave me the right one, but was curious if there was a more centralized list or a rule of thumb to figure it out in flight.
 
Check the AFD for the airport you're departing from. You can also check the AFD for airports along your route. They will have an approach or center control frequency. That's what I have used.
 
Sectional charts will also have approach control frequencies denoted as "ARRIVING VFR AIRCRAFT CONTACT SOCAL APPROACH CONTROL ON 124.3" or similar. For Center, you'll need either an A/FD or an IFR enroute chart.
 
I guess I should elaborate, I didn't forget about the AFD, but what about an area that you know has multiple approach freq's that aren't necessarily labeled as North or South, etc?

Thanks for the replies. The IAP freq's is a good one.
 
Sectional, afd, IAP....or get an iPad with foreflight then you have it all. If worse comes to worse ask someone at the aiport you're at. Just pick a freq and go with it. Where I'm at we have 4 listed and they are always switching which one they use. They will be monitoring all of them. Just pick one call them up, they will hear you and have you switch you over to the correct one. If you're needing to be cleared into something they will clear you and then have you switch. They seem pretty cool with it.
 
ozziecat35 said:
I guess I should elaborate, I didn't forget about the AFD, but what about an area that you know has multiple approach freq's that aren't necessarily labeled as North or South, etc?

Thanks for the replies. The IAP freq's is a good one.
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Check the TAC or Sectional Chart for frequencies on the side.
 
JustinS said:
Check the TAC or Sectional Chart for frequencies on the side.
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Why golly, there is more than the chart, on the chart.
the_more_you_know2.jpg
 
ozziecat35 said:
I guess I should elaborate, I didn't forget about the AFD, but what about an area that you know has multiple approach freq's that aren't necessarily labeled as North or South, etc?
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Can you give an example? There are always potentially multiple frequencies in use by an ATC facility. Unless you just happen to know them, it would be rare for any FAA reference to give you more than one unless they are labeled for sectors.

Ultimately, Ajax has a good answer. Pick one, any one. The absolute worst than can happen is that they'll give you a different frequency to call.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
Can you give an example? There are always potentially multiple frequencies in use by an ATC facility. Unless you just happen to know them, it would be rare for any FAA reference to give you more than one unless they are labeled for sectors.

Ultimately, Ajax has a good answer. Pick one, any one. The absolute worst than can happen is that they'll give you a different frequency to call.
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Ultimately, that's what I did, 133.5 going North out of DPA (because that's the only one I know) and he just gave me the right one)

JustinS, thanks, I forgot about that bit on the charts.
 
Just call ATC on guard.

Then laugh hysterically at all the guard nazi's stepping all over each other and ATC to tell you that you are indeed, on guard.
 
When I flew around the Chicago Skyline I talked to Midway tower who let me fly over top the airport then up the beach and back...all with traffic advisories.
 
I've called flight watch before and asked for a frequency based my distance and location from the nearest airport. Works most of the time, throw them a bone with a pirep and everyone is happy.
 
If you know you're going to want flight following, when you call ground ready to taxi, ask them for flight following. They'll give you your transponder code and departure/approach frequency.
 
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