Originally Posted by
Longbow64
OK, let's see if I got it. Let's say I'm flying from Lano(AQO) to Austin(AUS). So If I wan, I can contact a FSS, and request/file a VFR flight plan to Austin, so that Austin have me on file even before I contact Austin Approach. I still need to do my solo since I had to change my flight school. I've already soloed on a C150, but since this is a different flight school, I have to solo again on the C172. Let's say that I'm lost on my CX flight, can I contact a FSS to help me out? Thanks for the help.
Filing a VFR flight plan has nothing to do with contacting Austin Approach control. You don't need a flight plan to contact any approach or even fly VFR anywhere. You only need to contact the proper agency before entering their airspace. Flight following and a VFR flight plan are two totally separate ways of protecting you in case something goes wrong enroute. Flight following is 'active' protection and flight plan is 'passive'.
IMHO, you should sit down with a CFI and go over this and other aspects of cross country flight planning and enroute procedures before you take your next trip. You need to know what to do if you get lost, wx goes bad, etc.