VFR Flight Plan - Relevant?

[DBI]

I have been pondering an issue for a few years now regarding the relevancy of a VFR Flight Plan.

Like most of you I consider myself a safe and responsible pilot and aspire to always do better. I wanted to get a perspective on how many of you file VFR flight plans?

When I travel cross country I usually file VFR flight plans and utilize flight following. As most are also aware, it can be cumbersome to verify closure in some areas and impossible in some cases. With the advent of spot, PLB's, elt's, gps, sat/cell phones, portable transceivers, texting etc., etc. technology has certainly caught up with old fashion VFR flight plan.

I have formulated my own flight plan w/ a family member that works well and I still use the FAA system when possible. Just wanted to get a perspective on how many of you are still using the FAA system or have your own method??

Be Safe -

[Dale Moul]

I havn't filed a VFR flight plan in over 20 years. I spend to much time flying in planes without radios, and most small airports now do not have a pay phone or the price to use it is rediculous. On cross country flights I tell someone where I am going and when I will get there, and check in when I land. I do carry a PLB all the time (flying, at work, driving, etc.), and I know a lot of pilots carry SPOTs or the other 2 similar devices on the market. Also search and rescue seems to start a search now days by checking where your cell phone is or was last "pinged" by a cell site, so I leave my phone on in the plane.

[Noe Flightrisk]

I filed my last one before buying my plane in 2004. On longer flights I usually use flight following. Many of my favorite destinations have unreliable radar, land line, or cell tower coverage, meaning that FAA flight plans or flight following only provide partial insurance. So, I always "file" a detailed plan with family or friends, along with specific check-in-by times and instructions on actions to be taken if I don't check in. I also carry a 406 PLB, SPOT, handheld, and cell phone, and am seriously considering a sat phone.

[58Skylane]

I've only used VFR Flight Plan while training. I never used it since.

I use the same method as you guys. Tell family and friends where I'm going and when I'll get there. If it's local flights, I'll send a text or call some friends and let them know what area I'll be flying.

Most importantly, I never fly without my SPOT on Track mode. And I press the OK button every time I land. And I also leave my phone on and near the windows. Make sure you have an extra phone charger in the plane. Sometimes when your out in the middle of nowhere, the battery goes quick.

[Trimtab]

I have only filed VFR flight plans for training and if renting. got distracted once and forgot. fortunately the A/P manger - FBO knew who I was and told the FAA that all was great with the world.

Now, I always call for a full briefing before a longer flight for one critical reason:
The call is kept on 48 hr tape. - allegedly - That way I have a record, if needed, that I DID ask for all NOTAMS, and most important these days TFRS.

Other than that I just rely on my only rule of thumb, which is to never let my thumb get lost on the chart.

Trrim

[iceman]

I still use flight following occasionally but flight plan not for years.... Got a spot, portable and cell phone with me though...

[Bonanza Man]

If you have a spare cig lighter socket you can charge your phone with one of these. I have two.

http://tinyurl.com/8xnws56

[Stol]

Flight following for me every time.... If something goes haywire during a flight a quick key of the mic will bring help and they know your exact location...

[Cary]

I can't remember the last time I filed a VFR flight plan--at least several years ago. When I'm on a long cross country, I habitually file IFR even in good weather, and if it's a shorter cross country, I'll frequently use flight following. I always monitor the nearest ATC frequency, anyway. Last summer I bought a PLB, and I have the "I'm here and safe" service (406 Link), so that I can notify my SO that I've arrived, if I have no cell phone coverage.

The problem I've always had with VFR flight plans is that for them to work, one would have to fly exactly as planned. But one of the joys of VFR flight is the ability to divert, to go see that "whatever" over that way, or circle that lake over there, or take a closer look at that building--or stop for lunch or a potty break. Or sometimes it's necessary to divert, due to weather, mechanical issues, or personal issues. Yet to change the routing of a VFR flight plan is pretty cumbersome. Even extending it to account for delays can be problematic at times. I first began to realize how questionable their value was, when I was a student eons ago. On the return leg for my long solo cross country from Homer to Anchorage in January 1973, I had to make a significant diversion to circumvent a storm. If I'd gone down on that diversion with only a VFR flight plan, they'd have never found me. But diverting but staying in contact with Anchorage Center was a no-brainer.

All FWIW.

Cary

[907Pilot]

I only file one with FAA if I am flying over expanses of water, and then I make sure to be as descriptive as humanly possible about my intended path.

Other than that, I have a spot, a 121.5, a hand held, and a cell phone.

[dogpilot]

It has lost it relevance with me for some time as well. Up here in N AZ, we have limited radio coverage and spotty cell service. Combine that with all the cool stuff located near uncontrolled fields in back county areas, begs the question of how to close it out? Most accidents happen takeoff and landing. So if you cancel at altitude, before landing, what's the point.

Recently, REI handed out their obligatory dividends (I really wish we got bigger dividends and less support of angry old folks pet projects), along with a 20% off coupon. So I sprung for a SPOT unit, $85, so why not! Well it is cool, does track and my wife can call it up with a click on the iPad. It is good for flying and for mountain biking. Cell phones never seem to work when you need them, like last time my bike had a broken part. I ended up carrying it several miles to where I could get cell coverage and a pick up.

I'm sure most of you know what SPOT's pages look like, but here is a screenshot of mine, for those that don't. You can click on the individual points for more info. I was moving kind of fast on this flight, so the points are far apart:

[DBI]

This is some great info and certainly does not suprise me much at all. I currently have the following;

1.) PLB w/ both 406 and 121.5 capability.
2.) Obviously- an aircraft mounted 121.5 transmiter.
3.) Cell phone.
4.) Handheld transceiver.

Thinking about getting a spot next year and that would certainly end any motivation to ever file a VFR flight plan again. Where I normally fly it is just not an option.

[flightlogic]

Dogpilot, do you have a more expensive tracking subscription, or do you just hit the I am OK button alot?
I fly with 406 beacon in the pocket.... 406 in the tail, cellphone... plan and details with family. SPOT only has the cheapest yearly fee... so I have to hit the button to mark the spot at the moment.
Maybe I should upgrade???
Have not filed VFR in so long they have forgotten my voice over at flight service. OH... that's right it is Lockheed Martin. Actually they are pretty helpful on the phone... do it to be on the recording having asked where OBAMA is that day.

[dogpilot]

Yes, I most likely do have a more expensive plan. Beware: the Spot web page is very confusing and adds in charges for things you may or may not want so read carefully and select wisely. The basic subscription is $99 a year. Gives you 4 customized messages, depending on the button you push, sent to up to 10 email addresses. Ramp the subscription up to $149, then you get track logging, what you see (push the bootprint button). It bursts up a position every 10 minutes, automatically, even if your dead or just dead stupid, to a public web page. There are more options for a private rescue service (reminds me of the "Thunderbirds", or for you younger folks, "Team America", "Burka, Burka" you all).

One cautionary note, which I got in the reviews of SPOT. It will automatically renew your service every year, charging your card. It will not charge your card until 30 days after your service is about to end, but 30 days is the maximum time to cancel your service. So if you don't remember to cancel your service before, by the time you see the charge on your card, your boned.

[dirtstrip]

No VFR flight plan since I jump started my flying again in 2002, but always call for the weather with anything beyond a local flight.
Spot. Cell. The IPad has gps locator built in also but who would think to look for that.

The $99/year for the spot is only wasted if you never need it. One time saving my ass would be well worth getting boned the rest of the time, unless I'm dead and my card is still being billed. Somebody please call that one in.

[Durango Skywagon]

I still do a few VFR flight plans a year especially if I am gonna be going through busy airspace (NYC) or when I am headed to a towered airport near military stuff i.e. Vegas. Also if I am gonna be VFR on top, I feal like having a plan filed is nice.

The other time I use it is for single plane ops in northern Canada when I am on floats. I have found those guys (Canadian Flight Service) great. I call in the A.M. get a briefing, file my days itinerary by sat phone and then close the plan at the end of the day. SPOT is great, I got one, 406 is great, I got 2, one on me at all times when I am in a remote area. But for places like Alaska or Canada when on floats off airport I don't think you can beat the back up of Flight Service having your itinerary on any given day. I asked the Canadian folks about a few what ifs. What if my sat phone is inop. and I can't cancel and you guys come looking for me? No problem they said thats what they are here for.

-Brad

[geopilot]

Likewise, I rely on flight following rather than file a vfr flight plan. I have a 406 ELT in the tail with a remote switch up front. I have been thinking about getting a plb that posts my location on a web page. Delorme has a unit that can receive and send text messages.

[Troy Hamon]

I always file a vfr flight plan anytime I go out of the local area. Flight following doesn't exist out here, we're too far from big airports. The spot device works great when it is working (but mine just quit...a replacement is on the way...) but I don't necessarily expect my 'team' of folks to be faithful about paying attention to the clock and looking to see how I'm doing. So I put my spot page on my master flight plan with Kenai FSS and file for every flight. Problem solved. I know they'll be checking to see if I made it in case I don't call, and the spot gives the added bonus of having a good chance of guiding any SAR if it is ever needed...

[Glidergeek]

I always file a vfr flight plan anytime I go out of the local area. Flight following doesn't exist out here, we're too far from big airports. The spot device works great when it is working (but mine just quit...a replacement is on the way...) but I don't necessarily expect my 'team' of folks to be faithful about paying attention to the clock and looking to see how I'm doing. So I put my spot page on my master flight plan with Kenai FSS and file for every flight. Problem solved. I know they'll be checking to see if I made it in case I don't call, and the spot gives the added bonus of having a good chance of guiding any SAR if it is ever needed...

Wow that's cool that Flight service will use a Spot do they all? I don't use it because I too many times forget to close.

[Troy Hamon]

I've spoken with the folks at Kenai FSS about this a bit. They don't pull up your master plan and follow along. But if you don't show up when the plan says you will, they will pull up the master, and if you have a spot page that is part of the information they will work with. I don't know if LM is set up to allow you to submit a master flight plan or not, but FSS up here is.

I have had calls from FSS to my cell phone a few times when I space closing out. I'd rather remember, but I don't mind getting the call. It shows that they do what they are supposed to, which is make sure you arrive safely. In the pre-cell phone days when it was hard for them to find a person who didn't close out, that was more stressful. But the contact number they have is my cell, so they aren't going to be calling all my friends, relatives, or neighbors and getting everybody excited, they are just calling me, so no big deal.