For example, pilots may become distracted, may not fully understand how to utilize the airplane’s GPS or other navigation resources, or may not have completed sufficient flight planning. Thorough flight planning includes identifying where temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are located along the route of flight.

One way to avoid airspace deviations is to request VFR flight following. By using this resource, air traffic control becomes an extra set of eyes for you. Advantages include avoiding airspace violations and having an additional layer of safety by receiving traffic alerts and having ATC available should you need them urgently. If you need to know the nearest airport, minimum vectoring altitude, vectors to an airport, pilot reports (or pireps), weather reports, and more—all of that information is available by simply asking ATC. And since you are already communicating with controllers, there’s no need to scramble to find the correct frequency.

To request flight following, contact approach/departure control and tell the controller where you are and what your request is. For example, “Boston Center, Cherokee 1234R, 25 miles northeast of LEB at 5,500, en route to LCI, request flight following.” ATC will respond with a transponder code that they will use to identify the aircraft. Once identified, you will receive flight following until reaching your destination or canceling. New frequencies will be provided by ATC as you fly through different ATC sectors along the route.

VFR flight following is a service provided by ATC on a workload-permitting basis. There are times when the workload is such that ATC declines requests for flight following. While most of the time flight following will be available, you should also be prepared for flying without that service.

Lastly, if, despite your best efforts, an airspace violation does occur you should fill out an Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) form—otherwise known as a NASA ASRS form—within 10 days. Completing this form for unintentional violations provides protection against certificate action. It also provides safety information that is analyzed and can help improve the air traffic system for all users.