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Flight Following and Transiting Class B/C: Does It Suffice For Or Aid In Contact/Clearance Requirement?

Asked by: 1433 views Airspace

Say you’re on a cross country flight that takes you through a Class B and a Class C air space, and you’ve established Flight Following before reaching them. I assume that Flight Following will at least streamline the contact and clearance requirements you need before entering those air spaces, but is that a valid assumption? What exactly would transpire as you approach the Class B and the Class C?

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2 Answers



  1. ayavner on Oct 23, 2018

    For class B it goes pretty much like this – you’ll pick up flight following (FF) with whatever controlling agency you are closest to. For me its Fort Worth center. As I get closer to the class B, center will pass me on to approach. If I am on a path that will take me through Bravo, at some point they should just say that you are cleared into class Bravo along with your tail number. If I am getting close and I haven’t heard those words, I just ask approach if I am “cleared through Bravo”. If they say yes, then great – if they say no, then you are to remain clear.

    As for class C, i am not 100% sure… this came up in another thread, but unfortunately went down the path of dealing with other minutiae in my response. I think if you are overflying it, you’ll stay with whatever frequency you are on for FF. If its your destination, they’ll pass you to the tower or other controlling agency (maybe the approach for that area) who should be able to clear you.

    Either way the best way is just to get up there and do it. I have always had amazing helpful responses from FF, and they are there to help you.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Oct 31, 2018

    Class C only requires 2-way communication. There are no clearance requirements. If you are already receiving flight following, you will invariably be speaking with \”Approach\” for that Class C. So, unless Approach tells you to \”remain clear of Class C,\” you need do nothing else to enter. In this case flight following is sufficient. In terms of what else happens, listen, follow instructions, and, if you are unsure about one, ask.

    OTOH, Class B entry requires an affirmative clearance. You want to hear, \”cleared into the Class B” and never assume it. Flight following is not sufficient. But, as with Class C, if you are already receiving flight following services, you are speaking with Approach. That\’s the facility which can give you a clearance, so, yes, it streamlines the process.

    After that, there is no real difference between the two.

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