Flight Following Phraseology Made Easy: The 15-Second Call That Works
Nine out of ten student pilots make flight following phraseology way harder than it needs to be.
Here’s the truth: If you use the proper flight following phraseology and sound like you know what your doing then workload permitting the controller will pick you up.
Universal 15-Second Flight Following Phraseology
When you’re airborne and ready (usually 5–15 miles from the airport):
“[Facility name] Approach (or Center), Cessna 123AB, VFR request.”
That’s it. That’s literally all you need for the initial call.
What Happens Next (and Exactly What to Say)
Controller comes back (90% of the time): “Cessna 123AB, go ahead.” or “Cessna calling, say request.”
Your full response (everything we need in one breath):
“Cessna 123AB, 15 miles [direction] of [airport/fix], [altitude], VFR to [destination or “practice area and return”], request flight following.”
Example: “Cessna 123AB, 12 miles northeast of Denver Centennial, 6,500, VFR to Fort Collins and return, request flight following.”
Controller will usually say one of these:
- “Cessna 123AB, radar contact 12 miles northeast of Centennial, squawk 1234, altimeter 30.12.” → Your readback: “Squawk 1234, 30.12, Cessna 3AB.”
- “Cessna 123AB, remain outside Bravo airspace, expect flight following in 5–10 minutes.” → “Remain outside Bravo, will maintain VFR, Cessna 3AB.”
- “Flight following terminated, squawk VFR, frequency change approved.” (when they’re done with you) → “Squawk VFR, frequency change approved, thanks for the help, Cessna 3AB.”
Common Mistakes That Make Controllers Sigh
- Calling too early while still on Tower frequency
- Giving your life story on the first call
Full Example
Student: “Denver Approach, Skyhawk 512RW, VFR request.”
Me: “Skyhawk 2RW, go ahead.”
Student: “Skyhawk 512RW, 18 southeast of Centennial at 7,500, VFR to Greeley, request flight following.”
Me: “Skyhawk 512RW, radar contact, squawk 0421, altimeter 30.08.”
Student: “Squawk 0421, 30.08, 2 Romeo Whiskey.”
Done! Zero stress.
You Might Also Like
Once you’ve mastered flight following, check out these posts to level up even more:
- How to Talk to Air Traffic Control on Your First Solo – Exact Phraseology From a 20-Year Controller
- “Say Again?” – How to Handle When ATC Asks You to Repeat (Without Panicking)
- Why New Pilots Are Terrified of ATC (And How to Fix It in One Week)
- Simple Student Pilot Radio Mistakes – And How to Never Make Them Again
Want the official FAA rules? FAA AIM – Class C Airspace (current edition)
