Handoffs to Class D tower when with Aprch Ctrl...

[Boltonpilot]

So my flight tomorrow will be putting me in a situation that I have not been in for a long time. Back when I was with my flight instructor for my PPL, I remember asking this question, but I don't remember the answer, so I need someone's help...

Tomorrow I will be fliying cross-country and I plan on using flight following the whole way. However, I think that my cruising altitude will put me into two Class-D airspace rings while en-route.
Do I have to get off the Approach Control's frequency and establish comm. with these fields, or will Apprch. Ctrl. advize the facilities of my transition?

Thanks.

[EatSleepFly]

[ QUOTE ]
However, I think that my cruising altitude will put me into two Class-D airspace rings while en-route.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cruise higher.

You'd generally have to be lower than 2500' to run through a Class D.

[woodreau]

Normally if you're talking with approach, you won't need to talk to the tower. You'll be told to switch to tower if you need to...

Otherwise, as ESF said cruise higher.

[Boltonpilot]

Well, I will certainly fly higher if I can, but they're predicting low ceilings in the morning, and these two airports have Class D going up to 3400 and 3600MSL.

After checking DUAT, I may not go at all, seeing as ther're calling for wide-spread MVFR all morning . I'm flying from Columbus to Dayton OH to see the airshow there, and I have to get there before 11a.m. local to avoid the TFR...things are looking kinda grim, but I may just do the un-cool thing and drive there, (JK) .

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Its not the uncool thing to decide to drive. Its worse to fly down in MVFR and then get stuck after the show and cant get back home.

[Boltonpilot]

I know.

[Grabo172]

But, to answer your first question, they may and they may not.

If the Approach control is talking to the tower on the phone they might just tell them your comming through and keep you on approach frequency.

But depending on work load, they might have you "contact xxx tower on xxx.xx". Then just report in. If they do, the tower will hand you off again to approach once they are done with you.

I'd bet on the first scenerio though.

Hope you got to fly, but don't worry if you didn't... There'll be other days!

[MidlifeFlyer]

Under normal circumstances you are okay when =tranitioning= Class D (entering for landing can be a different story). Class D only requires "communications" and you are satisfying that requirement with Approach.

Here's what the ATC Handbook (the controllers' version of the AIM) has to say about controller responsibilities in this area (b. deals with transiting aircraft):
==============================
2-1-16. SURFACE AREAS

a. Coordinate with the appropriate nonapproach control tower on an individual aircraft basis before issuing a clearance which would require flight within a surface area for which the tower has responsibility unless otherwise specified in a letter of agreement.

b. Coordinate with the appropriate control tower for transit authorization when you are providing radar traffic advisory service to an aircraft that will enter another facility's airspace.

NOTE-
The pilot is not expected to obtain his/her own authorization through each area when in contact with a radar facility.

c. Transfer communications to the appropriate facility, if required, prior to operation within a surface area for which the tower has responsibility.
==============================

[Kingairer]

For what its worth since I havent flown VFR in a few years, but here is another view point. When you are getting flight following, you arent getting cleared anywhere. You are just being watched and given advisories. So you dont have a clearance to enter without verbal acknowledgment.

[MidlifeFlyer]

[ QUOTE ]
For what its worth since I haven't flown VFR in a few years, but here is another view point. When you are getting flight following, you aren't getting cleared anywhere.

[/ QUOTE ]True, but the only lettered airspace you need to be "cleared" into when VFR is Class B. All the others have just a communication requirement. And the ATC handbook says you've met it.

[Windchill]

If you have a second radio, you could call the tower while still monitoring approach. Give them your request, and usually they'll acknowledge you're transit and that will be the end of it.