kaputt

Is there a reason some Class D towers/airports will not coordinate flight following for you? I can’t seem to put a finger on it. I used to think it was workload permitting but I’ve noticed around where I fly that the super busy Class D airports are more than willing to coordinate it for you, both on the ground or in the air. But there are two low traffic Class D airports within the region that refuse to get you a squawk, whether on the ground before taxi or if you’re in their pattern doing work and preparing to head somewhere else.

Is it an equipment thing, or maybe even an agreement with the local approach control? Or is it actually the staff/management choosing not to offer the service? I get that it’s within their prerogative to not do that for VFR traffic, but the application of who does and who doesn’t seems inconsistent.

PerfInit

The title of this thread is a bit misleading. It is actually your perception of differences in ATC facilities level of coordination at certain airports that you are referring to. When you say “Airports” it implies the Part 139 Airport Management personnel. I would suggest calling the ATC facility on the LL and ask them. Some ATC Facilities have SOPs or agreements with other facilities for coordination. It is not automatic. The AIM is a great resource for pilots on this topic. Also, JO 7110.65 is ATC’s SOP Order. Remember that ATC’s primary responsibility is sequencing and separation of IFR traffic. VFR flight following is secondary.

JamesNoBrakes

What did they say when you called the Tower and asked the manager about this? Every Tower I've ever called was more than happy to provide this kind of information (why things are the way they are).

senecacaptain

never heard of this. call Tower via phone and ask. every tower I have dealt with will coordinate flight following, providing a squawk for you during the taxi phase. need to tell them destination and requested altitude. most of them need a physical airport as destination (not a "waypoint") so their computer will accept it.

JamesNoBrakes

I suspect it may have something to do with whether that tower is "part of" a radar environment, which class D is often not. I know of several Class D that will, but in all of those cases there's an approach/departure facility nearby that essentially overlays the airspace. But best way to know is to call. Maybe some information in the ATC JO as indicated above.

kaputt

I flew out to one of them today. Asked if they could coordinate flight following and they said they “Don’t have the equipment.” Interesting. I may have to call on the phone at some point and find out the full story.

And no need for it to be a secret what airports I’m talking about. I fly in SoCal and I’ve been to a lot of Class D airports here, and the only two I’ve come across that do this are San Bernardino (SBD) and Camarillo (CMA). SBD falls under the SoCal approach umbrella and Camarillo uses Point Mugu.

EMAW

Just out of curiosity, if you are on an IFR and doing an approach into CMA does approach terminate radar service before handing over to tower. It’s been a while since I was in CMA. The two procedures/policies may be related.

42Av8RE

When arriving IFR, Mugu approach will certainly hand you off to tower. As for the flight following issue, it may have something to do with the lack of overlying/nearby Charlie or Bravo. At least, I’ve heard that opined by some locals.


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geosync

Whiteman Field in LA and Montgomery Field in San Diego won't do it either. Both close to/under C or B airspace.

ComingInHot

Montgomery does arrange flight following for you on the ground.

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