What are the Chances I get Flight Following

Jonathan Weimer

Jonathan Weimer

Filing Flight Plan
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Bobcat
I’m planning a local flight to KPCW and I’m going to have to fly through the Cleveland Bravo. I’m not concerned about busting airspace but I was wondering what the chances are I actually get flight following considering the “Rona”
 
I wasn’t sure because Indy Closed and most of the traffic has been rerouted to Columbus. I guess is should have mentioned that’s my weather backup.
 
CLE STL and a few other bravos are dead dead dead even outside of the RONA slowdown. I wouldn't even think twice about flying into CLE i dont even know if CLE even has a mainline presence anymore outside of the occasional 73 or airbus.
 
CLE still has a decent amount of mainline flights and cargo. Don’t get me wrong it had no business being a Bravo still
 
CLE is a Bravo because they used to have multiple hubs, then had the Continental hub. CVG/MCI/STL (they're still kinda busy thanks to all the corporate) are similar. They all have little business being Bravos. PDX almost should be a Bravo, but I think it stays Charlie to protect the GA stuff around there from terrain. ANC is similar.

Anyway, ATC still wants people on FF. There's a bit less staffing, but way less traffic, right now.
 
N1120A said:
CLE is a Bravo because they used to have multiple hubs, then had the Continental hub. CVG/MCI/STL (they're still kinda busy thanks to all the corporate) are similar. They all have little business being Bravos. PDX almost should be a Bravo, but I think it stays Charlie to protect the GA stuff around there from terrain. ANC is similar.

Anyway, ATC still wants people on FF. There's a bit less staffing, but way less traffic, right now.
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PDX almost should be a Bravo? Based on what? Traffic count or passenger count? Terrain? How does remaining C provide more protection? Are you thinking of the Phoenix and Las Vegas incidents?
 
luvflyin said:
PDX almost should be a Bravo? Based on what? Traffic count or passenger count? Terrain? How does remaining C provide more protection? Are you thinking of the Phoenix and Las Vegas incidents?
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PDX and the surroundings get super busy. Certainly more than places like MCI/STL/CLE/PIT/CVG. Certain airspace complexity as well.

Remaining Class C does provide greater protection from incidents like Phoenix and Vegas. It also makes VFR transit easier.
 
I'm not sure ZID is still shut down, and even when it was, the airspace below FL230 was still open, it was being handled by local approach controls. That should not affect getting VFR flight following on your route.
 
I did a flight yesterday with a departure out of a non-towered field and wanted to get FF in air. A little over a month ago, on that same route at approximately the same time of day, ATC gave me a pretty stern, "not doing VFR services at this time." Yesterday's flight was a complete 180. Maybe it was the controller but I figure with less air traffic in general, the odds of getting the service are almost certain.
 
Check Notams very carefully before you fly. Several ATC sectors have gone to 'Zero' -shut down at very limited notice. Indy opened up on us a couple of days ago on a PHL-LAS trip. Dispatch had us going almost as far north as Canada!
To say the US Airspace system is dynamic right now is an understatement. I'll never forget calling on the Mcarren CTAF...
 
neilki said:
I'll never forget calling on the Mcarren CTAF...
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Wait, the bus drivers remembered how to do that?

[ducks...and runs!]

I REALLY want hear on LiveATC..."McCarran Traffic, Southwest Flight 1234 straight in runway 1-9 Right...any traffic in the area please advise"
 
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