Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

1 Answers

Flight following with complex routing

Asked by: 4878 views General Aviation, Private Pilot

As a fairly novice VFR private pilot, I virtually always use flight following for flights out of my local area.  Usually, it's just a matter of, "...VFR direct (destination) at (altitude), request flight following."  Later this summer I'll be flying from my home in the NE US to Florida, where I'll be doing a fair amount of flying around the state for the week or so I'll be there.

Given that several of my anticipated flights will involve somewhat complex routing, in order to reduce the risk of becoming alligator food or extended over-water ops, I'm wondering what the proper procedure for a FF request is, in those cases.  For example, flying from central FL to EYW will, by my own choice, involve navigating via various VORs and intersections, far from "direct".

When I make my FF request, do I give all the intersections and VORs in my route?  Or do I just give my destination and does ATC not really care how I get there, since I'm VFR?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

1 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Jul 05, 2012

    Ususally ATC only is concerned about the destination and if you are heading in that general direction.  They will be able to see that you are following victor airways or going direct to a VOR.  I would ask for flight following like you normally do.  Cessna 123AB over Miami VOR at 3500ft requesting flight following to Key West.  If they are curious, they will ask you for your planned route.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.