Quick XCountry Questions

clayfenderstrat

clayfenderstrat

Well-Known Member
I'm going on a quick 30nm XC next week. I am leaving from a class C airport going to a smaller, uncontrolled field. All of my XC during training were much longer, which is why I am running into this problem. How and when do I break contact from departure? They usually tell me when radar service is terminated, but I am still under their watchful eye. When should I switch over to the small field's CTAF?

Also, as a rule of etiquette--do small fields usually provide tie downs? I have never stopped long enough to need them.

This small, uncontrolled field also lists approach, departure, and clearance frequencies (from the nearby class C) That is only for IFR traffic correct? I don't use those frequencies until I call up approach, right?

Just thought I needed to clarify this stuff before I go up.

Thanks in advance for all the help!
 
What will probably happen, is that app/dep will call radar services terminated about 10 miles out which would be an appropriate time to make your ctaf call. If not, 10 miles out call field in sight, and you'd like to squak 1200. If you really want to you can fly out at 1000 AGL and cancel 5 miles from the class C airport. Remember YOU call the shots as far as canceling services, do it when you want to if they haven't told you otherwise.

On your way back I'd call at your top of climb, saying "ABC app, cessna 12345 off little airport 2000, inbound for a full stop with Alpha.
 
Once you're out of the class C and want to get over to CTAF, just request a frequency change. I generally request a change about 15 miles out to give me time to get my destination weather (if ATC didn't give it to me) and listen to the frequency for a minute to get a mental picture of the flow before making a call at about 10 miles out. As far as tiedowns go, I generally throw some ropes in the back if there isn't an FBO that'll be open at my destiation airport. The approach, departure, and clearance frequencies won't apply to you under VFR, but you can use the departure frequency to pick up flight following on your way back in. Hope this helps! I'm sure pilots more experienced than I am will chime in with their own advice too.
 
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OldTownPilot said:
What will probably happen, is that app/dep will call radar services terminated about 10 miles out which would be an appropriate time to make your ctaf call. If not, 10 miles out call field in sight, and you'd like to squak 1200. If you really want to you can fly out at 1000 AGL and cancel 5 miles from the class C airport. Remember YOU call the shots as far as canceling services, do it when you want to if they haven't told you otherwise.

On your way back I'd call at your top of climb, saying "ABC app, cessna 12345 off little airport 2000, inbound for a full stop with Alpha.
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:yeahthat:

when I'm flying into smaller fields like that if they haven't told me to switch over or radar services are terminated, I just say "XXX app Cessna XXXXX is about XX miles out from little airport, requesting the switch to advisory for little airport" and they usually just give me the radar services terminated there. Then on the way back, I call them in the climb, but I'm normally entering a Bravo, so I call them before I get into their airspace. Flying into a C I would just call them established at whatever alt you're flying at.
 
You could also do flight following all the way there and back. You can cancel FF when you're close, or they'll ask if you have the field in sight and cancel FF by saying "squawk 1200, Change to avisory Freq. approved" Since the airport is under their control anyway they will probably give you the Freq as well.
 
You'll want to ensure you give enough notice to the pilots/traffic at the smaller airport (10 miles out). All you need to do is simply as departure for a freq change.
 
Smaller fields usually have tie downs. Check the A/FD for your area.

You won't need clerence, approach and depature are probably the same freq.

I like Bills idea of using flight following. If not that just cancel when airport is in sight and switch to CTAF.
 
BillErvin said:
You could also do flight following all the way there and back. You can cancel FF when you're close, or they'll ask if you have the field in sight and cancel FF by saying "squawk 1200, Change to avisory Freq. approved" Since the airport is under their control anyway they will probably give you the Freq as well.
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Yes, what Bill said. And before the flight, call the little airport to determine if they have chains, rope, or even chocks.
 
RICHARD5 said:
Yes, what Bill said. And before the flight, call the little airport to determine if they have chains, rope, or even chocks.
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To add to that, airnav.com will give you the FBO's name and number at the bottom of the page. Just give them a ring and they'll tell you all you need to know...and usually more.

Have fun.
 
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