Opening a VFR flight plan in NJ

[cougar6903]

Any NJ locals know the best way to open a VFR flight plan? I'm going to be flying there for the first time next week and was told the FSS(Milville?) has closed down and all VOR's are not being monitored.

 

[aucfi]

1-800-WXBRIEF always works

 

[cougar6903]

1-800-WXBRIEF always works

Thanks. I always thought that VFR flight plans needed to be opened in the air.

 

[LearLove]

call williamsport FSS and listen thru PNE vor (112.0). When you call on 122.2 or 122.0 or whatever it is tell them your receiving thru PNE vor.

We did it this way back in the late 80's/early 90's.

 

[mcjohn]

To open it you'd have to file it first. I wouldn't file in the air. That what 800 wx brief is for. I have my students file a VFR flight plan for X-C and then request flight following. If consistently unable to recieve flight following then I tell them they should open in the air by calling the FSS freq.

I have question. What is the difference in the ATC protocol and handling of the aircraft on a VFR flight plan as opposed to using flight following successfully. What differences would one notice on in flight communications?

 

[yasir1212]

To open it you'd have to file it first. I wouldn't file in the air. That what 800 wx brief is for. I have my students file a VFR flight plan for X-C and then request flight following. If consistently unable to recieve flight following then I tell them they should open in the air by calling the FSS freq.

I have question. What is the difference in the ATC protocol and handling of the aircraft on a VFR flight plan as opposed to using flight following successfully. What differences would one notice on in flight communications?

There is no difference, ATC will not provide separation for VFR aircraft and you really don't talk to them when you have a open VFR flight plan unless you specifically contact them and get flight following. You can have an open VFR flight plan and not talk to any ATC facility (besides the required one) and fly as if it was a regular VFR flight. If you're a student on a x-c flight, a wiser way would be to file a VFR flight plan AND activate upon departing (because so many people tend not to or forget to open their VFR flight plan once they have it filed), once you have it open, contact ATC and get flight following to your location, and once you get there, CLOSE the flight plan (again, many forget to close it!).

 

[groundpointsix]

I have question. What is the difference in the ATC protocol and handling of the aircraft on a VFR flight plan as opposed to using flight following successfully. What differences would one notice on in flight communications?

It doesn't make one bit of difference if you've filed a VFR flight plan or not. VFR plans are never passed along to ATC-- they remain with the flight service station.

 

[mcjohn]

Thanks ya'll. But that kind of makes me think about whether or not its worth it file a VFR plan considering that so many people forget to close them.

 

[JimNtexas]

Thanks ya'll. But that kind of makes me think about whether or not its worth it file a VFR plan considering that so many people forget to close them.

Senator Kennedy spent two hours on the phone to get a search going for JFK Jr when he disappeared on an unfiled VFR flight.

If you crash, how long do you think it will be before anyone starts looking for you? And when they do, how will they know where to look?

A VFR flight plan is like a NASA form, its free and reduces your risk. Its a no-brainer.

Oh, and as far where to open, if you have a recent gps then the 'nearests fss' function will look up the freq for you.

 

[mcjohn]

Due to the risk of being categorized with JFK Jr. I have to agree. It's a no brainer.
BTW I'm guessing JFK Jr. should have filed an instrument flight plan considering why he crashed.

 

[gkrangers]

Was JFK Jr instrument rated?

 

[mcjohn]

I don't think so and should not have been flying b/c it was marginal VFR and then he got over the water (no horizon) in a situation where one must fly with instruments.

 

[A Squared]

BTW I'm guessing JFK Jr. should have filed an instrument flight plan considering why he crashed.

And Filing IFR would have done what for him? Recorded his last screams on the ATC tape? IFR skills would have saved his butt, an IFR clearence wouldn't have done a d@mn thing as he spiralled out of control.

 

[mcjohn]

Good point. He should have know IMC existed and not flown of course. What kind of idiot plans on taking a long flight over water with out being instrument proficient.

 

[Catbert]

It doesn't make one bit of difference if you've filed a VFR flight plan or not. VFR plans are never passed along to ATC-- they remain with the flight service station.

File a VFR flight plan and put "request flight following" in the Remarks block. In most cases, it will generate a strip all along your route of flight, just like an IFR flight. Each ATC facility will be expecting you and you'll get handed off from one to the next without asking.

It's very nice, I know from experience.

 

[Alin10123]

File a VFR flight plan and put "request flight following" in the Remarks block. In most cases, it will generate a strip all along your route of flight, just like an IFR flight. Each ATC facility will be expecting you and you'll get handed off from one to the next without asking.

It's very nice, I know from experience.

From my private training my instructor told me that if you dont arrive in X number of minutes prior to when you say you are going to when you file VFR, that they will start search and rescue to look for you.

However... what i didn't follow up to ask him was... if you file and request flight following, and you are delayed because of the winds aloft being different than forecasted, or you are vectored around for traffic, do they still send out search and rescue even if you are late and still have ATC contact with them?

 

[groundpointsix]

They will start trying to figure out where you are 30 minutes after your ETA. That doesn't mean that they're going to send out the CAP right away, but they'll start calling around to try to find you. They might call the number in your flight plan, the airport that you said you were going to land at, airports along your route of flight or ATC facilities along your route of flight. In that case, they'd probably be able to figure out that you were still alive and you'd probably just get a reminder from ATC, if anything.

 

[Alin10123]

They will start trying to figure out where you are 30 minutes after your ETA. That doesn't mean that they're going to send out the CAP right away, but they'll start calling around to try to find you. They might call the number in your flight plan, the airport that you said you were going to land at, airports along your route of flight or ATC facilities along your route of flight. In that case, they'd probably be able to figure out that you were still alive and you'd probably just get a reminder from ATC, if anything.

I see, thanks for the info.
If i was in the air and figured out i was going to be late. Do i just turn to 122.0 to tell them i'm going to be late?

thanks

 

[JimNtexas]

I see, thanks for the info.
If i was in the air and figured out i was going to be late. Do i just turn to 122.0 to tell them i'm going to be late?

thanks

The FSS guys have a protocol they start if you don't close your flight plan. It's certainly a good idea to call and revise your eta if you are going to be more than half an hour late.

I wouldn't use 122.0 to update your eta because that is supposed to be used for weather only. Use any of the other FSS freqs for your area as shown on the charts and in the AFD.