Thanks, yes, the IFR plan and ATC is more representative of the real (USA) world within the limitations of the sim with allocations of STARs, approaches etc.
You’re right ‘flight following’ is the very basic VFR service, ie…someone listening out for you. Replaced here in the UK with a more specific service in recent years.
In real world flying in many parts of the world including here in the UK there is no requirement to file an actual flight plan for VFR, but most airfields require a ‘PPR’ (prior permission required) telephone call to book in to the destination so they know who you are and what you require in terms of fuel, parking, customs etc.
As an example when I’m flying from say EGMC (Southend) to EGUW (Wattisham) in the UK under VFR, I would telephone EGUW prior to setting off to get permission and book my arrival details. Prior to start I would tell EGMC what I’m planning to do. After take off I would be told to change from EGMC tower to Approach where I would request a Basic Service (flight following), approaching EGUW I would tell EGMC I was changing to EGUW Approach and they would terminate my Basic Service and either clear me to free call EGUW or hand me over.
EGUW Approach would have my details if I’ve been handed over and give me the requested Basic Service, or if it’s a free call I would have to give them all of my details and confirm my intention to land at the airfield, as I near the airfield they would tell me to call the Tower who would give me the joining instructions followed by landing instructions and finally permission to land.
It should be a smooth flow from one airfield to another, but in the Sim it seems that EGUW forgets that they’re your planned destination and Approach ATC forgets to hand you over to tower. The only way around it is to cancel flight following (you don’t have to but you’d be receiving a one way interview without coffee after landing in the real world if you left the frequency without cancelling the service)
then bring up the nearest airfield list, choose the tower frequency of the ATC you’ve just been talking to, and request a landing (not realistic).