Flight following is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools available to VFR pilots. Whether you’re cruising through busy airspace or enjoying a calm cross-country, having air traffic control watching over you can significantly boost your situational awareness and overall safety. Let’s take a further look at day 19 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge 2026 with MzeroA’s Jamie.
1. A Second Set of Eyes for Traffic Advisories
See and avoid is still your responsibility as a VFR pilot, but flight following gives you a huge advantage. With ATC radar coverage, you gain a second set of eyes actively watching for nearby traffic. ATC controllers can call out aircraft you may never spot visually, especially in high-workload or congested areas. That added awareness can be the difference between “never saw them” and “traffic in sight”.
2. Immediate Help in an Emergency
When something goes wrong in flight, time matters. With flight following already established, ATC knows who you are, where you are, and what your plan is. Engine issue? Weather problem? Medical emergency? You’re already connected to someone who can help with vectors, airport identification, and traffic separation, without wasting precious seconds explaining the basics.
3. Consistent Altimeter Settings and Safer Separation
When you’re on flight following, ATC provides updated altimeter settings so everyone in the area is referencing the same pressure. That consistency improves altitude accuracy and vertical separation, especially when flying through changing weather systems or transitioning between areas. It’s a subtle benefit, but one that quietly enhances safety.
4. Extra Support with Weather and Busy Airspace
While you’re always responsible for maintaining VFR, ATC can still be an incredible resource. ATC Controllers may relay pilot reports, turbulence advisories, or changing conditions ahead. Flight following is also especially valuable when flying near or through Class C or Class B airspace, where traffic density is high and radio workloads can spike. Think of it as an added buffer when things get busy.
5. Safety Net for Lost Communications
Radio failures can happen. If you’ve already picked up flight following and then lose communications, ATC still knows your route and intentions. Squawk 7600 and they can proactively clear traffic out of your way and help ensure safe separation while you continue your flight. That kind of built-in safety net is hard to beat.