Jack Ranga:
Presumably, only traffic also with a transponder. Would you suggest requesting flight following?
Andrew, I've never knocked back a flight following request, try it. It can only be given if you are on radar, if you drop off radar the controller will terminate the service. Radar coverage in that area is pretty good.
In the area I fly, I hear very little useful traffic information on area. Usually, any traffic information is given relative to an already identified aircraft - so I have no idea if they might be referring to me, without knowing where the other aircraft is. I generally go with the odds and assume it isn't.
A VFR aircraft sqwarking 1200 is not
'identified' by the controller unless the Controller
'positively' identifies it. If it's not
'positively identified' it doesn't stop the Controller passing traffic on it, to others. If a Controller sees a situation developing on radar they are obliged, by law, to do something about it. That's why being ignored can be a tad annoying
