Short Final

Editorial Staff

Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) to confirm they were still receiving flight following, expressing concern over a lack of recent communication.
ATC confirmed the aircraft was still on radar and receiving flight following services.
The controller humorously explained that "flight following is like a marriage," implying that minimal communication from ATC typically means everything is proceeding smoothly.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Overheard in IFR Magazine's 'On the Air' Section

Heard on descent, about 100 miles north of Sacramento, California:

Cessna 12345:
“Oakland Center, Cessna Four Five Six. Am I still getting flight following? I was looking at my chart and might have missed a call.”

Oakland Center:
“Cessna Four Five Six, you’re still on my radar and receiving flight following.”

Cessna 12345:
“Thank you, ma’am. I just hadn’t had a call for a while.”

Oakland Center:
“Flight following is like a marriage. The less I talk to you, the better off we are.”

Norm Champ
via e-mail