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Use of radio during XC flight

Asked by: 3639 views General Aviation, Helicopter, Private Pilot

My CFI has been quizzing me on the sectional and he'll ask me who do I need to call at a particular point during XC flight. And i continuously mix up "radio" and "approach" (in my location: Fort Polk Approach, and DeRidder Radio.) Who are the two and for what reasons is it necessary to call them?? Thanks in advance!!

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1 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Jan 27, 2015

    When calling Flight Service, you address your radio call to “Radio”.
    When calling an approach control facility, you address your call to “Approach”.

    You would call Flight Service to open or close a flight plan or to obtain inflight info such as updated weather.

    You would call approach when approaching an airport served by an approach control facility (Class B, Class C or TRSA).

    Your flight instructor should have demonstrated this to you on your dual cross country flights.

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