En-Route VFR Flight Following

DairyCreamer · Posted: 07-30-2009, 10:59 PM

Ok... pardon me for stirring the pot here, but...

Who out there can tell me, with references, where the 7110.65 gives en-route controllers authorization and methodology/phraseology to provide VFR flight following?

Remember... if it says "terminal," it's for terminal controllers

~Nate

Roddy_Piper · Posted: 07-30-2009, 11:23 PM

Not sure if this suffices for what u are looking for. ATC service is our job. We don't sell any goods, so our only reason for being is for providing a service. Be it IFR services or more specifically for your question...an additional service. Of course, additional services are not optional. Anyway I know this isn't what your looking for. I see VFR flight following as an additional service.

Quote:

2-1-1. ATC SERVICE

The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system and to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense. In addition to its primary function, the ATC system has the capability to provide (with certain limitations) additional services.

This paragraph doesn't differentiate between terminal and enroute.

meatasaurusx · Posted: 07-30-2009, 11:30 PM

You can be vfr and not in a terminal airspace. There are some areas that are low altitude and under center jurisdiction. All flight following is is being an extra set of eyes for vfr aircraft. The phraseology is simply standard traffic calls

DairyCreamer · Posted: 07-31-2009, 01:16 AM

First, I should have clarified, I provide dozens of VFR guys flight following every day I'm at work at ZAB. I'm used to it, but this is an academic point I discovered while searching through the .65 last week for something related to visual rules.

Everything describing services to VFR aircraft is under a terminal heading so far as I can tell, with two possible small exceptions. The "capability to provide" per 2-1-1 doesn't define how to or who does provide services.

So, my question still stands.

~Nate

atcbrownie · Posted: 07-31-2009, 10:57 AM

you have to understand that when a center provides the low altitude radar coverage they are essentially performing the terminal role. Just because you work at a center which typically provides en-route services does not mean that you never perform terminal services. The rules are different than some terminal facilities because of the multiple radar feeds that centers run on but the services being provided are the same. Just my 2 cents on the issue.

Don't look at it as, I work in a center so the only traffic I control is enroute.

AW

DairyCreamer · Posted: 07-31-2009, 04:01 PM

I understand the services I'm providing, so, no worries there.

Think of this as a legal question since we're in the Regulations forum.

Since the .65 regularly and clearly delineates specific sections that are applicable to terminal or en-route controllers (or even USAF, USN, etc), the fact that all VFR flight following rules appear to be under terminal only headings is my issue, and why I am asking the question.

I'm looking at this from a legal/regulatory angle more than anything else.

~Nate

joecoolinsc · Posted: 07-31-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES- Advisories issued to alert
pilots to other known or observed air traffic which
may be in such proximity to the position or intended
route of flight of their aircraft to warrant their
attention. Such advisories may be based on:
a. Visual observation.
b. Observation of radar identified and nonidentified
aircraft targets on an ATC radar display, or
c. Verbal reports from pilots or other facilities.
Note 1: The word “traffic” followed by additional
information, if known, is used to provide such
advisories; e.g., “Traffic, 2 o'clock, one zero miles,
southbound, eight thousand.”
Note 2: Traffic advisory service will be provided to
the extent possible depending on higher priority
duties of the controller or other limitations; e.g.,
radar limitations, volume of traffic, frequency
congestion, or controller workload. Radar/
nonradar traffic advisories do not relieve the pilot
of his/her responsibility to see and avoid other
aircraft. Pilots are cautioned that there are many
times when the controller is not able to give traffic
advisories concerning all traffic in the aircraft's
proximity; in other words, when a pilot requests or
is receiving traffic advisories, he/she should not
assume that all traffic will be issued.

This is the definition of traffic advisories in the pilot/controller glossary. It doesn't specify terminal or en route. Best reference I can find for you. All of the references in Chapter 7 are extra things terminal controllers are required to do.

I guess for en route controllers it's just traffic advisories. And a few other references about providing service ONLY in your area, phraseology for issuing traffic, beacon code assignment, RADAR identification etc.

cubcruiser · Posted: 07-31-2009, 11:07 PM

As a pilot who uses FF out of the Terminal Area and into Center's space, I appreciate it very much. I also feel that my students on their solo cross-countries benefit from it tremendously. Whether or not you can back it up by a legal requirement in the rules, please continue to provide this valuable service.

I believe the old Budweiser commercial said: "Why Ask Why?"

DairyCreamer · Posted: 08-01-2009, 01:33 AM

Don't think I'm trying to find an excuse to say unable to flight following. Again, I provide the service to the maximum extent I can.

I am an academic though, which is why I ask.

~Nate

Roddy_Piper · Posted: 08-01-2009, 02:32 AM

i give in bro. i can't find it anywhere in the .65 where it specifically say "en route controllers shall provide VFR flight following". but like i pointed out earlier. additional services are our job and VFR flight following is an additional service.

i know your not trying to scam out of VFR FF. i'm just saying i can't find something that tells us to do it specifically.

En-Route VFR Flight Following

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