Vfr flight following / in flight wx brief

[Ben2k9]

Question: I’m using vfr flight following and I want an in flight wx briefing. Do I just switch over to 122.2 or how does that work? I might miss a freq change or traffic alert while talking to wx

 

[mscard88]

Just request with ATC that you want to contact FSS and will be off freq for a few minutes.

 

[Shawn]

“Approach, Skyhawk 345 request frequency change to flight service for weather brief”

Usual response:

“Frequency change approved, report when back on this frequency”

Never leave frequency unannounced.

 

[EdFred]

Or keep ATC on radio one and check with FSS on Radio 2.

 

[jaymark6655]

Or keep ATC on radio one and check with FSS on Radio 2.

But don't turn down radio 1 and then forget and wonder why you aren't getting a response to your calls. Not that I have personally done that

 

[frfly172]

I have asked the controller for an update at the destination,always say if you have time. Has worked several times. I also rely on ForeFlight and stratus.

 

[Lachlan]

Just make sure you say, "....aaaaaaaaaand, N1285Z is back with you again," upon your return to FF frequency. Otherwise, how would they know?

 

[Ben2k9]

Just request with ATC that you want to contact FSS and will be off freq for a few minutes.

Awesome...that worked. Except I could not get a hold of FSS on any frequency

I did get some excellent pics along the way. Which plane is mine?

 

[mscard88]

View attachment 64912 View attachment 64910
Awesome...that worked. Except I could not get a hold of FSS on any frequency

I did get some excellent pics along the way. Which plane is mine?

Do you how to receive FSS on a VOR while transmitting on 122.1?

 

[simtech]

View attachment 64912 View attachment 64910
Awesome...that worked. Except I could not get a hold of FSS on any frequency

I did get some excellent pics along the way. Which plane is mine?

Looks like KMEI

 

[Ben2k9]

Do you how to receive FSS on a VOR while transmitting on 122.1?

Nope...do tell! plane not equipped with VOR, in case that matters

 

[Ben2k9]

Looks like KMEI

Genius!

 

[simtech]

Genius!

I fly in there often and have the same type photo

 

[mscard88]

Nope...do tell! plane not equipped with VOR, in case that matters

Really, you don't know this? Are you a student, Private?

You transmit on 122.1 to FSS, say you're listening ABC VOR, and FSS transmits on the ABC VOR frequency. Remember to turn the volume up on the VOR.

 

[Ben2k9]

Really, you don't know this? Are you a student, Private?

You transmit on 122.1 to FSS, say you're listening ABC VOR, and FSS transmits on the ABC VOR frequency. Remember to turn the volume up on the VOR.

Just got private on Monday. This technique never came up

 

[Ben2k9]

I also don’t think my radio can tune to two stations at once...............

 

[mscard88]

I also don’t think my radio can tune to two stations at once...............

So no comm/nav? Just GPS? No VOR head?

 

[iamtheari]

Really, you don't know this? Are you a student, Private?

You transmit on 122.1 to FSS, say you're listening ABC VOR, and FSS transmits on the ABC VOR frequency. Remember to turn the volume up on the VOR.

For what it’s worth, I have never done this and never had an opportunity as all the VORs in my area have the underlines that indicate they don’t work that way. The OP doesn’t have a VOR receiver apparently. It’s totally conceivable that someone would be able to pass the private pilot written and practical tests without needing to learn how to use that feature of a VOR.

 

[iamtheari]

So no comm/nav? Just GPS? No VOR head?

If his plane is the CT in the picture, there’s a good chance it has a single comm radio and a Garmin 696 or similar GPS. Many of them have Dynon glass cockpits but I doubt many, or any, are equipped with a full IFR stack. They’re great, fun little planes.

 

[mscard88]

For what it’s worth, I have never done this and never had an opportunity as all the VORs in my area have the underlines that indicate they don’t work that way. The OP doesn’t have a VOR receiver apparently. It’s totally conceivable that someone would be able to pass the private pilot written and practical tests without needing to learn how to use that feature of a VOR.

Yes I realize that. Really a shame though as its a handy feature.

 

[iamtheari]

I also don’t think my radio can tune to two stations at once...............

Dad had a CTSW and its comm radio had a standby listen festure, where you tune in the standby frequency and can listen on it while keeping the primary frequency tuned in and active. Check if yours has that.

 

[iamtheari]

Yes I realize that. Really a shame though as its a handy feature.

True. I like knowing how it works. And I do listen to HIWAS on our non-voice VORs. But I think it’s easier for most people to just use one of the comm frequencies specified for FSS at the VOR station, and in my experience it’s rare to find one that doesn’t have at least one comm frequency specified.

 

[Ben2k9]

If his plane is the CT in the picture, there’s a good chance it has a single comm radio and a Garmin 696 or similar GPS. Many of them have Dynon glass cockpits but I doubt many, or any, are equipped with a full IFR stack. They’re great, fun little planes.

These planes are VFR only

 

[Ben2k9]

Dad had a CTSW and its comm radio had a standby listen festure, where you tune in the standby frequency and can listen on it while keeping the primary frequency tuned in and active. Check if yours has that.

I’ll check it out - thanks

 

[EdFred]

I just realized I can listen to five different frequencies simultaneously in my airplane and that does not include any sort of handheld device.