Paul,
I would second your remarks; I’ve had similar experiences, both with and without the G696 along to confirm. I’ve had
less help in the North Carolina area…there is an area that is “shared” between military and civilian controllers, and the interface/exchange of information is not as good as what I’ve received farther north and to the south.
I expect that time/workload plays a big part, but as this has happened several times, I also sense a different level of assistance.
Bob
Paul Miller said:
I wrote earlier how controllers have been super helpful providing wx advice for flights in the last number of years. Last Sunday I brought the Legacy, my wife and two mutts from Calgary 2100nm to Florida via Minot and Kennett(MO). I
was VFR the entire way but my G696 portable was not with me so I had no WX onboard. On the final leg, the usual buildups were growing and the horizon was grey to black and there was no obvious path. I was at 5500 and could not top anything.
I queried Atlanta center and Atlanta approach. At the point I marked on the attachment, I simply asked what they saw on my route. I got back "moderate to severe across your horizon, cleared to deviate left". I repeated "left?". He replied
"left". Sometimes, the message is just that clear. Blue sky appeared to the east and we had an uneventful, un-wet, un-bumpy flight all the way in. I've been really impressed how much assistance is now given despite busy IFR loads. I've had nothing but
excellent and pro-active help from JAX and ATL and especially various approach controllers in Alabama and other southern states.