Posted: 5/30/2025 6:54:48 PM EDT
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A TRSA question for our ATC folks, please. What are your feelings about small GA aircraft that don't avail themselves of TRSA services when operating to and from the airport inside the TRSA? I've got a 1600NM ferry to do in an R44 next week and, for the first time, find myself stopping at not one, but two TRSA-serviced airports. I know they are optional for VFR. Since I work through Class C all the time, and sometimes Class B, I've got no issues with how to do it. My natural inclination is to call approach. But it got me wondering how ATC feels when someone blows off the TRSA? |
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I can only speak for what the controllers in Fairbanks, AK told me when I spoke with them about it. I was told it didn't bother them one bit if you elected "negative services" because it let them concentrate more on IFR aircraft. Most of the TRSA's I've seen charted cover some pretty inhospitable terrain, so I feel you'd be remiss in NOT using them- I always did in Fairbanks. |
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Originally Posted By aa777888-2: The two TRSA's in question are KMLU and KBGM. Neither has any challenging terrain around it. I've been to KMLU a time or 6. I used services there to keep up on the MOA there. |
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I have a lot of time in KTRI area and the TRSA is great. To answer the question, nobody likes people who are in a TRSA and don't avail themselves to the services available. I'd say it would be like wearing a speedo and a mesh tank top to the park. Yes, technically it meets the rules, but everyone hates you and secretly knows there is something wrong with you. |
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Contacted both TRSA approach controllers on the way in, but the only directions received were to set the transponder and fly direct to the airport. On departure, both towers nicely asked if we'd like flight following, which was politely declined. Assigned transponder codes, cleared for takeoff, and not another word from anyone until "Squawk VFR..." The Canadian wildfire smoke and haze was nasty, but otherwise there was fine weather and a nice tailwind the entire way 
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Having worked in a TRSA (many years ago), I would ask why not call approach and get flight following? Many airports with TRSA's are ideal training spots for high speed military aircraft, Parachute jumps, and other activities. Flying around those sort of activities in my slow old 140, I'd like to know about T38's, F16's and CH47's doing drops. |
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This is already kind of a necro thread. If you read my last post, you'd understand that these TRSAs were deader than a doornail, plus we didn't need flight following it was just a matter of a VFR approach to the airport. Our experience was that the approach controllers were not very excited about our traffic either coming or going, and the tower controllers offered flight following on departure and when we declined we're very happy to just send us on our way. |
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Originally Posted By aa777888-2: This is already kind of a necro thread. If you read my last post, you'd understand that these TRSAs were deader than a doornail, plus we didn't need flight following it was just a matter of a VFR approach to the airport. Our experience was that the approach controllers were not very excited about our traffic either coming or going, and the tower controllers offered flight following on departure and when we declined we're very happy to just send us on our way. As a young controller (at a VFR tower), I first heard the term 'FLIB' from a controller at C90. I thought it was somewhat mean, but gave it no thought.... ...fast forward some years and I am now working in a TRACON: "Dulles Approach, Cessna 2241E, four miles northeast of MRB at 3500; Requesting VFR flight following to Front Royal...." This is at 3:30 in the afternoon. At that point, I fully understood why the term FLIB was coined. It all depends upon how busy a controller is (and how long you will be transiting the airspace --- > see above) that determines willingness to provide services cheerfully. At slower places, controllers like the practice/work that vfr a/c requesting services provides them. At busy places, it depends on the time of day. A C172 on V143 from MRB to MOL at 2 am is not an issue. At 330 pm, GTFOH. |
FLIB  Yeah, I know when I'm a "FLIB". It's not my lack of comm's proficiency. It's when they just can't be bothered to let little ol' me transition the core of their Class C, or any part of a their Class B, or giving me "FU" vectors. That's when I say "Nevermind" and climb or descend as required to remove myself from that nonsense  As for the subject TRSAs, we were practically the only traffic in the airspace, and in this case I think we were interrupting their naps 
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[size=4As for the subject TRSAs, we were practically the only traffic in the airspace, and in this case I think we were interrupting their naps ][/size=4] Yeah, that's probably true. As for the busier Class C's and B's it's probably more of a case of workload (or laziness). |
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