Hello! I want to really quickly ask if I will get ghosted if I don’t reply to ATC calls when I am just flying close to a certain airport.
I and a friend are doing an overnight flight, and I noticed that Approach, Departure and Tower are online for CYYZ. We will be flying close to that airport, so we will be in range to be able to contact any of the said frequencies. However, neither of us will be able to, as we will both be asleep by then, so there is no way we will be able to contact any of the frequencies.
So, do we have to contact Approach, Departure or Tower when we’re not arriving at the airport, but flying close to it at a safe altitude (no planes would even be close to having a midair collision with us)? And would that mean a ghost by ATC? I am not familiar with the ghosting system, so if someone could explain if we will be back in Live and how that matters to our rating in IF, I’d really appreciate it!~
@Alex. MaxSez: Consider this my friend; The establish transit altitude for all IF Uncontrolled & Controlled airspace is 050AGL.
If you have filed a complete Flight Plan your good to go if your above 5 grand AGL en-route.
Caveat emptor: ATC have a tendency to challenge transiting aircraft on guard, its one of their things. If Challenged in Transit respond immediately. Send “Request Flight Following” to your Destination which is entered into the NavSystem automatically, (select destination airport in the menu) send it. You should get a go response. The wise guy sends “Flying VFR” LOL. Just a complete Flight Plan, Responsive to that Challenge above 5 grand (Ground level + the 5). Launch, Step climb, Cruise, Recovery, your good to go. (PS: Save Time, used fuelplanner.com. for a no low fuel deviation.)
MaxSends
So, here’s how to think about it. Airspace isn’t 2D (flat), it’s 3D (different layers). Controllers have certain airspaces they control. These are determined by area and height. For example, tower controllers might, and all numbers given here depend on the airport specifically, have an airspace that is 25 nortical miles around the airport, and up to 3000ft. It is then layered. Approach gets the airspace above 3000 over towers, and from the ground up 60 nortical miles around the aerodrome, but only up to around flight level 180 (or 18,000ft). Departure fits into approach.
Simple explanation but the point is, no, your fine. As long as you stay above the airspace, which you will be at cruising altitude, your fine! Enjoy the flight!
@Speedbird…@Alex. MaxSez: Let’s Just KISS this. “Airspace is Regional and Environmentally determined. Airspace is not a fit all. For IF 5000ft above ground level is the floor for IF Airspace. If your above 5000 + the ground level in any IF airspace your legal and should precede unmolested.
MaxSez
@Maxmustang is partially correct. Flight plans are made for your safety, other pilots’ safety and assists ATC maintain knowledge of your course and to help prevent unnecessary on guard messages. Transitions and requests for transitions are done @ 5k AGL. You should always remain on Tower’s frequency if below 10k AGL/or within 25nm of base. If >10k AGL, you can tune to Tower as a courtesy and to monitor traffic, but there are usually no transmissions or requests necessary.
Suppose you are talking about tower airspace, if you fly above the airspace you could fly without the need to request transition. @Alex I suppose that you are flying above 500ft AAL (Above Airfield Level) so there is no problem. (This only apply when no app/dept frec.)
But the case is that there were approach and departure frequencies, which the airspace ceiling it is the same (As said above until FL180) So if you are cruising or flying below FL180 you must contact approach. Otherwise, as normal cruises are way above FL180, I also suppose you are flying above that altitude, so you can fly without contacting any CYYZ frequency!
@BinaryChess@Navy315… It’s still a KISS issue fellows. We’re talking this simulator only. The RW AIM does not apply on this issue.
IF has established it own airway Control procedure to fit its Platform.
050AGL ( height +Airport footprint attitude) is the transiting floor. It’s written in stone in the IFATC Bible. Don’t mix apples and oranges and extrapolate RW on this issue it’s confusing to the fledglings.
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RegardsAll, Max
(My last shot on this issue, G’day all)