Flight Following

[mhorowit]

No xpndr, fabric a/c, handheld radio.
What's been your experience with requesting flight following? - MIke

[ROllerton]

Re: Flight Following

Nxyzzy to flaggogelhorn center, over.

Flaggogelhorn center Nxyzzy go ahead.

Can you see Nxyzzy on radar? we are fabric, with wood prop.

Flaggogelhord: nope.

Nxyzzy: thanks. out.

[ROllerton]

Re: Flight Following

Just Kidding...

[mhorowit]

Re: Flight Following

Comedians.
We need dry hangers and grass airstrips and we get comedians

[David Bloomberg]

Re: Flight Following

Actually, I have had good luck getting flight following on cross country trips. If I report from over a good fix, like a lake or airport, ATC can usually find me as a primary target without the transponder return. Sometimes they have asked me to turn 90 degrees left and then 90 degrees right to confirm who I am on the scope. After that they just ask me to report prior to altitude change. With the remote antenna mounted on the belly, radio communications with ATC have been no problem as well.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Flight Following

I have been "real close" to the class C airspace here and with wood prop. They could not detect me on radar. Just my experience in the air . Your mileage may vary. Personally I would not count on being seen with a wood prop. Then again my experience was pre 911 . Lets hope oue "homeland defense" is doing better these days. After all the lil old ladies getting on planes get a routine cavity search......

[paulnuss]

Re: Flight Following

"Good morning, Cleveland Center. Taylorcraft 44274 (heavy) off Altoona, out of 5 for 16.5, enroute to 2D1, requesting flight following." Followed by long silence...

Actually, I enjoy things better not talking to anyone. Mk. I Mod. A eyeball for collision avoidance. Money saved by not buying transponder, not buying radio(s), not buying electrical system, and instead spent for auto fuel at $2.00+ per gallon or even Avgas when necessary at $3.00 per gallon, buys an awful lot of grins. The airplane performs much better! I can successfully avoid enough Class D & C; I'm below most general aviation & airline stuff, and above the low-level training missions (usually!). I fly on nice days. Take along a friend who likes to fly if you want someone to talk to. Even the airport hamburger trips aren't all that expensive in a Taylorcraft. Those unfortunate enough to live in the shadow of DC or the big cities, well, I chose the boondocks instead, and have no regrets. My most enjoyable view of the Big Apple and Philly and DC and all those places which I, of necessity, travel to a lot is that in the rear-view mirror as I head home!

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Flight Following

Ah well said Paul. That Is the way flying started and is should be!!. I remember Old Duane Cole telling me with my old T Craft 94984 that he flew his all over the country and spoke to NO ONE. Just mind the weather and the rules. Still works today in the good ole US of A By the way I have the sister airframe (another 1940) all perfectly cleaned up and epoxied (sp?) . Its now ready to accept parts off of old 24085 which will also be scrubbed spotless with similar series of wire high speed wheel brushes and painted . Wings will be disassembled soon and same process . The new spars are almost complete ( 31 inches shorter for each side!!) Hope it goes like hell!!

[Marcus Bates Jr]

Re: Flight Following

Jim....31 inches off each side is not enough!!!! Mine will be 28 ft total.....Marcus

[jgerard]

Re: Flight Following

I never seem to get high enough to be seen on radar

Jason
N43643

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Flight Following

FYI The new radars can now pick fabric very well. Don't how many are installed yet, but they are a coming. Here in Lafayette LA, we have them.

I use a hand held and no txp. I have an intercom, plus a 196 GPS. Enjoy playing with it. Reason for the alternator, not having to change batteries.

Have never used flight following in the T-Craft. However, I have filed IFR in my L-2. Had TXP Nav-Com, and GPS. The controllers would always "say type aicraft?" Nothing serious, just for fun.