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4 Answers

Can I transition through Class C/D airspace without contacting Tower if I am on VFR Flight Following?

Asked by: 1718 views Airspace

If my flight plan requires me to transition through Class C and D airspaces while on VFR flight following, am I required to contact tower to request transition for those airspaces?

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4 Answers



  1. TonyAtTKI on Mar 09, 2020

    Ask permission from controller to change to tower frequency before entering class c/d airspace.

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  2. bflpilot on Mar 09, 2020

    You do not have to contact the tower if you are receiving flight following from approach control, as long as you are squawking a discrete code and on the approach control frequency. Approach will coordinate with the tower for you.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Mar 10, 2020

    If you want a reference, this is from the ATC manual discussion of a radar facility’s responsibility:

    “Coordinate with the appropriate control tower for transit authorization when you are providing radar traffic advisory service to an aircraft that will enter another facility’s airspace.

    “NOTE− The pilot is not expected to obtain his/her own authorization through each area when in contact with a radar facility. “

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  4. John Scarry on Mar 12, 2020

    If you are on flight following you will be put in contact with the approach controller for the Class C airspace when you get near it. It is up to them whether you will need to contact the tower—it just depends on your flight path.

    If your flight path takes you through Class D airspace then the controller will hand you off to the Class D tower but you must follow the normal rules for entering Class D airspace—positive contact with the tower. If you don’t get in touch with the tower before you will enter Class D airspace, then you must remain outside.

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