Hand off?

linuxjim

linuxjim

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jul 8, 2014
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299
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Wilmette, IL
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Display name:
JJ
What's protocol when you lose ATC on flight following? Typically ATC hands you off with:
ATC: N15728, switch to [AGENCY] on [FREQUENCY].
Me: [FREQUNCY], N14728
(switch freqency)
Me: N14728 at [ALTITUDE]


What I've done when I've lost communication and could no longer communicate on the current frequency was to switch over to the new controlling agency and say:

Me: N14728 at [ALTITUDE]

Maybe it was just me, but that seems to lead to the new controller less likely to hand me off. I'm a newer pilot (160 hrs). Is it coincidence or is there a recommended way to stay on fly following when you weren't handed off before losing reception?
 
Yep, you're doing it right. If they aren't expecting you they will let you know and work from there.
 
Look up the nearest airport, find the controlling authority and make your call. They will get you to the right controller.
 
The receiving controller might not have a clue but there's a good chance the previous controller "flashed" you to them. Check in, if they have no idea who you are then rattle off all your info to them. Use whatever means available (AFD) to determine who that next controller is.
 
The 430 has a nice feature to find out what the next agency is. So that part isn't really the question. What should I tell the new controller? Should I be requesting FF from scratch or is there a recommended way to say "I was in flight following but lost communication before being handed off?" Just looking for the most succinct and professional way to get back on FF all of the way to my destination.
 
I'd just check in with a wake up with altitude. "XYZ approach N14728 at four thousand five hundred." If they got the handoff, then you'll hear "N14728 XYZ approach, altimeter 29.92." If they didn't get the handoff then they'll ask what your request is.
 
Velocity173 said:
I'd just check in with a wake up with altitude. "XYZ approach N14728 at four thousand five hundred." If they got the handoff, then you'll hear "N14728 XYZ approach, altimeter 29.92." If they didn't get the handoff then they'll ask what your request is.
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Thanks for the confirmation. That was how I was doing it.
 
Plain old English...no need to complicate things or look for the "correct" phraseology while making it a guessing game for ATC...

"Approach, Skylane 12XYZ checking in level 6,500. Lost contact with previous controller, confirming I am on the right frequency with you?"

They will respond with a yup or point you to the right frequency without having to play 20 questions if they are not expecting you.

Have done it may times.

Just to make it clear why I am calling, that is the only time I would utter the words "checking in"!

On a side note...this is also one reason why pilots are supposed to monitor Guard "whenever able". If you lost contact and are flying along fat, dumb and happy obvious to the radio silence...they can try and hail you on Guard frequency...do I do it all the time?...well, sometimes.
 
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Also can also always call up flight watch on 22.0 and get the freq for the nearest ATC and let them know your ok
 
On my trip to Jekyll last thursday the controller more or less "forgot" about me. It started sounded like static I right next to Charleston SC, just outside Charlie and I could hear him handing people off to Charleston.

I piped on the radio, let him know I had flight following and asked for a frequency change because it was getting faint... he handed me off to a center in North Carolina instead.

I switched, not catching it at first, made one call, they could hear me once. Finally I just said "you know what, its supposed to be Charleston so I'm calling Charleston". I called them, explained the situation, they gave me a new code and said good evening. That was it.
 
FACILITY YOUR_CALL ALTITUDE

Washington Center Navion 5327K LEVEL 6000.

No extra prepositions needed, no "with you", Salutations (Good morning, etc...) are non-standard but generally tolerated.
 
flyingron said:
FACILITY YOUR_CALL ALTITUDE

Washington Center Navion 5327K LEVEL 6000.

No extra prepositions needed, no "with you", Salutations (Good morning, etc...) are non-standard but generally tolerated.
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I guess my question is if we lose comm with the assigned controller and switch to a new frequency on our own, might the old controller wonder what happened to us and have to waste his time trying to figure out if we have re-entered the system with another controller?
 
JOhnH said:
I guess my question is if we lose comm with the assigned controller and switch to a new frequency on our own, might the old controller wonder what happened to us and have to waste his time trying to figure out if we have re-entered the system with another controller?
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They might wonder where you went especially if they lost radar and comms on you unexpectedly. If they just lost comms and it was in an area where it's common, most likely they'll just key up the landline and make sure the next facility is talking to you. It's not a hassle or anything.
 
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