Question about flight following

jrwit

jrwit

Looking to Ride-Along
After a 4 year break I'm getting back into the cockpit and need to complete 17 hours of cross country time before I head off for flight school in July. I'm looking to do some fun cross countries that will take me around the area of the DC SFRA. I figured the easiest way to do this without accidentally busting airspaces was to get flight following along the way.

Here's the question, a lot of the routes that I have planned, specifically from THV to FFA would go right through a bunch of 'difficult' airspace, so I planned around it (THV-58M-KRJD-KTGI-CCV-NTU-KFFA). If I want to fly this route, how would I go about requesting flight following for that route, or do I just request flight following to FFA and then follow whichever route I would like? I've only ever done flight following as a direct flight to somewhere, so this is a bit confusing for me.

Thanks!
 
After requesting flight following you will be told to maintain VFR. The responsibility of keeping clear of restricted airspace and obstacles is yours and yours alone. I would suggest requesting flight following to FFA and go about your business. If the freq is relatively clear you may give them a general heads up out of courtesy but it is not required.

I'll edit this to say that my previous statements are accurate until you enter the Class B. Be sure to get clearance before entering and follow their instructions until exiting.
 
Would I get my clearance from the Class B Approach Control or from whoever I'm on flight following with?
 
If you are continuously on Flight Following, by the time a Class B clearance becomes an issue, you will likely already be in touch with the proper approach control facility.

But in the case of doubt, since you are VFR, unless you hear the words "cleared into Class Bravo" you are not. Worst case scenario: you ask for the clearance and the controller you are speaking to gives you a different frequency to ask.

Also, a Class B clearance is not a given. You might have to go around or under or over.
 
Just request flight following and then fly your route. If ATC want's to know, they'll ask. Usually this will happen once you start approaching class C or B surface areas.

If you're departing class B, C, or D with overlying B or C (or near by with in a few miles) is us helps to contact clearance delivery(required in B or C) at your airport of departure and give them a destination & altitude. This will get you set up with a squawk, departure freq, departure instructions and radar advisories before you get airborne.
 
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