En Route & VFR Services
Flight following, Class C & D entry, frequency changes, descent
Requesting Flight Following
Call Center or Approach with: position, altitude, aircraft type, destination, and the request. Pack it into one transmission so the controller doesn't have to ask follow-up questions. Example: "Seattle Center, Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, 12 miles south of KPAE, 4,500, VFR to KBFI, request flight following."
Flight Following Initial Call
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, Seattle Center, squawk 0342, ident.”
“Squawk 0342, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Flight Following Mistakes
- ✗Not reading back the squawk code — always required.
- ✗Saying "squawking 0342" instead of reading it back first, then squawking.
- ✗"0342, wilco" — "wilco" doesn't confirm the squawk code.
Entering Class C Airspace
You must establish two-way communication BEFORE entering Class C. "Establish two-way" means ATC has called you by your call sign — an initial acknowledgment with just your call sign counts. If they say "standby," that counts. If they give no response at all, don't enter.
Class C Entry
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, Honolulu Approach, squawk 3341, report 5-mile final.”
“Squawk 3341, will report 5-mile final, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Frequency Change
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, frequency change approved, good day.”
“Frequency change approved, good day, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Descent Instruction
“Cessna 4 Sierra Uniform, descend and maintain 3,500.”
“Descend and maintain 3,500, 4 Sierra Uniform.”
Altitude Format
Always say all digits: "three thousand five hundred," never "thirty-five hundred." This is an FAA AIM requirement, not a preference. On a checkride, "thirty-five hundred" is a phraseology error.