Taxi into position. Note the time off on the navigation log,  verify that the heading indicator and magnetic compass are  in agreement, the transponder is in the ALT position, all the  necessary lights, equipment, and pitot heat are on. Start the  takeoff roll. To avoid the 737’s wake turbulence, make note  of its lift off point and take off prior to that point. After departure, climb straight ahead to 2,100 feet as directed  by the Birmingham Three Departure. While continuing a  climb to the assigned altitude of 4,000 feet, the following  instructions are received from the tower: “Cessna 30A contact Departure.” Acknowledge the clearance and contact departure on the  frequency designated by the DP. State the present altitude  so the departure controller can check the encoded altitude  against indicated altitude: “Birmingham Departure Cessna 1230A climbing  through 2,700 heading 240.” Departure replies: “Cessna 30A proceed direct to Brookwood and resume  own navigation. Contact Atlanta Center on 134.05.” Acknowledge the clearance, contact Atlanta Center and  proceed direct to Brookwood VORTAC, using the IFR- approved GPS equipment. En route to Kewanee, VORTAC  Atlanta Center issues the following instructions: “Cessna 1230A contact Memphis Center on  125.975.” Acknowledge the instructions and contact Memphis Center  with aircraft ID and present altitude. Memphis Center  acknowledges contact: “Cessna 1230A, Meridian altimeter is 29.87. Traffic  at your 2 o’clock and 6 miles is a King Air at 5,000  climbing to 12,000.” Even when on an IFR flight plan, pilots are still responsible  for seeing and avoiding other aircraft. Acknowledge the call  from Memphis Center and inform them of negative contact  with traffic due to IMC. “Roger, altimeter setting 29.87. Cessna 1230A is in  IMC negative contact with traffic.” Continue the flight, and at each fix note the arrival time on  the navigation log to monitor progress.  To get an update of the weather at the destination and issue  a pilot report, contact the FSS servicing the area. To find the  nearest FSS, locate a nearby VOR and check above the VOR  information box for a frequency. In this case, the nearest VOR  is Kewanee VORTAC which lists a receive-only frequency  of 122.1 for Greenwood FSS. Request a frequency change  from Memphis and then attempt to contact Greenwood on  122.1 while listening over the Kewanee VORTAC frequency  of 113.8: “Greenwood Radio Cessna 1230A receiving on  frequency 113.8, over.” “Cessna 30A, this is Greenwood, go ahead.” “Greenwood Radio, Cessna 30A is currently 30 miles  south of the Kewanee VORTAC at 4,000 feet en  route to Gulfport. Requesting an update of en route  conditions and current weather at GPT, as well as  PNS.” “Cessna 30A, Greenwood Radio, current weather at  Gulfport is 400 overcast with 3 miles visibility in light  rain. The winds are from 140 at 7 and the altimeter  is 29.86. Weather across your route is generally IFR  in light rain with ceilings ranging from 300 to 1,000  overcast with visibilities between 1 and 3 miles.  Pensacola weather is much better with ceilings now  at 2,500 and visibility 6 miles. Checking current  NOTAMs at GPT shows the localizer out of service  and runway 18/36 closed.” “Roger, Cessna 30A copies the weather. I have a  PIREP when you are ready to copy.” “Cessna 30A go ahead with your PIREP.” “Cessna 30A is a Cessna 182 located on the Kewanee  195° radial at 30 miles level at 4,000 feet. I am  currently in IMC conditions with a smooth ride.  Outside air temperature is plus 1° Celsius. Negative  icing.” “Cessna 30A thank you for the PIREP.” With the weather check and PIREP complete, return to  Memphis Center: “Memphis Center, Cessna 1230A is back on your  frequency.” “Cessna 1230A, Memphis Center, roger, contact  Houston Center now on frequency 126.8.” 10-32 En Route