Pembina Muni Airport

[ywgflyboy]

Hey all,

Flew a CC from Winnipeg to KMSP with a stop at Pembina Muni for customs. Prior to crossing the border my instructor and I called up Princeton Radio to get our SSR code prior to crossing. First attempts resulted in no reply from the FSS. My instructor quickly took a look at an Low IFR that just happened to be in the seat pocket and dialed in a VOR (HLM) freq. We then started to transmit on the VOR freq? (Need clarification)

I was hoping someone could walk me through what happened above because if I were to fly this trip solo, I think I would have a few nervous moments trying to contact the FSS. I have read the legend on the twin cities chart and the LO charts but they do not fully clarify the issue.

Second question being, if you were flying an aircraft not capable of receiving and transmitting through two different channels, would it not just be easier to ask Winnipeg for flight following and then be handed off to MSP Center?

[Pratt X 3]

It is possible to communicate with FSS through a VOR. Using your example of the Humboldt (HML) VOR, look at the info box for HML on your LO chart and you will see 122.1R sitting on top of the box and [PRINCETON] underneath. This indicates that the Princeton FSS receives transmissions on 122.1 and transmits on the VOR frequency of 112.4. So you would tune in 112.4 on your VOR receiver, monitor the VOR, use the voice filter switch (if installed) to mute the morse code identifier and tune 122.1 on your VHF radio. Transmit on 122.1 "Princeton Radio, Cessna Charlie (or Canadian if you prefer) Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo, On 122.1, Listening on Humboldt VOR (or 112.4)". They will respond on 112.4 and you can request your squawk/weather/etc.. The same info should be found on your Twin Cities Sectional. If you happen to look at a Jeppesen LO chart, they show 2.1G-PRINCETON above the VOR info box. Just add 12 to the 2.1 to make 122.1 and the G means that Princeton Radio guards (receives) on 122.1 and transmits through HML VOR on 112.4. If the frequency on top of the VOR box does not have the R on the end, the FSS will transmit and receive on that frequency. In that case, there is no need to monitor the VOR frequency to communicate with FSS.

As for your second question, I would think that would be the easier way to cross the border VFR. That way you are taking out the middle man (FSS) and talking directly to the people who are assigning the squawk code and should, workload permitting, be able to provide the handoff to the other county's controllers. I would think that would satisfy the requirement to be in contact with the controlling agency responsible for the airspace before crossing the border. Knowing how to do it the FSS route will help in case they are unable to provide flight following.

Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion. I am not part of ATS; just a pilot. There might be slight variations to the procedure for crossing the border VFR as I do all my cross-border flying IFR. That is by far the easiest as all the requirements are met already by the IFR procedures. Make sure you verify this info with your instructor. That is what they are for. Remember that you are the client; your money is being spent to learn this. If your are not 100% sure of what is required, ask. If you are too busy to bring up something at the time, make a note of it and bring it up as soon as possible so its still fresh in both of your minds.

[W0XOF]

If you don't want flight following/or might not get flight following, you can get your transborder transponder code at the same time you file your VFR FP.

[ywgflyboy]

Thanks guys. Clears that all up now!

[bigfssguy]

Not sure how things work down south but i know a lot of our FIC people have a lot of frequencies on the go. If some calls for example "Arctic radio this is GABC on 126.7" the frequency lights up for approx 2 seconds after transmission. The problem is FSS are doing a bunch of things and monitoring a lot, if they have say 15-20 RCO';s to moitor by the time they turn around the frequency si no longer lit up. So they have no idea which of the 20 frequencies you called on. A tip to use to alleviate this is to call "arctic radio this is GABC calling thorugh Churchill" it takes a second longer and even if the FSS isn;t facing the frequency panel they will still know where you are calling and canb switch to the appropriate frequency. But like i said the americans have a much different system than us and may be totaly different!

[roger.roger]

so the solution is go at night turn the lights out and don't talk to anyone (best keep the transponder off too)

[ywgflyboy]

so the solution is go at night turn the lights out and don't talk to anyone (best keep the transponder off too)

You try first!