Hello again from Cyprus island. I have a two questions that I would like to share with you.
I just took off from Singapore Changi WSSS and was instructed by the tower to contact “Arr” approach and I complied. I requested flight following to Tan Son VVTS. The controller told me to “please check the User Guide from the home screen for help using ATC instructions”…I actually don’t know where to find this but I do learn much better by asking anyway…in other words I am better on learning on the job rather than trying to find and read endless information. I am not sure what the controller was trying to tell me, but I suppose that he meant that it is not the “approach” controller’s duty to give you flight following clearance, but to guide you to your final destination. So the flight following is actually requested by the pilot at the “departure” or “center” frequency and not the “approach”. Am I being right ? If not, pleas let me know.
If I am at an airport that has only tower frequency (no ground), what do I do ? As you know, without ground frequency I cannot request pushback, taxi clearance etc. So is it ok if I just push back, taxi to the runway and contact tower when ready for departure, or do I have to contact befor pushback/taxi ?
Do you perhaps know who the radar controller was at the time? Or, could you provide the time that this happened at? I’d be happy to find the controller that was on duty at the time so he/she could help you out and perhaps explain what happened.
Announce taxi on unicom (using proper pilot etiquette), then when you are ready for takeoff, contact tower for your departure clearance :)
@Thunderbolt Hello! Thanks for replying. My controller was something like “Alejandro C”. I took off from WSSS about 20 minutes ago. Now I am on my way to Tan Son - I am about 350 nm North East from departure airport
IFR Flight Following can be requested as well. But you should really stick to just checking in. Don’t request flight following after the check-in, since the “radar contact” response means you’re good to follow your FPL. Choose only one (preferably check in).
The official user guide can be found at User Guide. If you’re seeking a more in-depth explanation and breakdown of Pilot-ATC Comms, check out this tutorial a few of us IFATC members put together! Infinite Flight Pilot Communications Manual
In Infinite Flight, more often than not, the Approach controller will act as Departure as well. Everything is just bundled into one frequency in these cases, so the “title” of the command doesn’t matter in the slightest. If you’re told to contact Approach after taking off, just do so and check-in. Treat them the same way you’d treat Departure; don’t let the fact that they’re called Approach make you think and act differently. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to PM!
I know. I just wanted to elaborate a bit on some of the other outstanding questions he had that are general enough to be answered here, so others can also learn from it.
@Thunderbolt thanks for the info. So I just announce e.g. “Singapore Changi Unicom, Vietnam Airlines 165, taxiing to runway 20C”…right ? May I also ask you what is meant by the term “proper pilot etiquette” that you mentioned
Yes, only if ground is not active though. Keep an eye out, as it may be active and you might not be tuned in.
As for “pilot etiquette”, I’m referring to keeping a safe distance from others, not pushing back/taxiing into others, cutting others off, etc. Taxi in an appropriate manner and make sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Thank you all very much for your help. If you ever have questions I will be happy to help as well. Goodbye for now as I am nearing my destination and I will have to start descending. God bless you all and safe flights ☺☺