LAX airspace

I would like to venture out on some longer flights now that I have made it through my 40 hr flight testing. Im thinking about flying from home base at Santa Ynez CA to Carlsbad CA (Palomar) to visit friends, which isnt all that far, but entails dealing with LAX airspace, which I have no experience with and is a bit intimidating. My ideas are to either (1) avoid it, by cruising over the top at 11,500 or (2) proceed through the "Special Flight Rules" area that lets you go VFR right over the top of LAX at 3500/4500 feet, providing you squawk 1201, have all your lights on, and keep your speed below 160 mph. After transiting LAX, it looks like you exit out under the controlled airspace and can proceed southeastward to Palomar, skirting the coastline.

Any recommendations/comments by those familiar with the area?

thanks
erich

LAX Class B

Erich,

The LAX airspace can be intimidating, but it isn't really a big deal with a little planning. Having spent most of my career flying in and around LAX, I would be happy to give you a briefing. Send me a PM and we can get together.

John Clark ATP CFI
FAAST Team Member
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

Grab your friendly local CFI, and go for a flight. Fly to Carlsbad, and have him/her work with you on the procedures.

And if you are close to needing a BFR, well, that is even better, two birds with one stone.

You are wise to get advice. Looks like a restricted area or two and possibly an MOA closer to Palomar. All that has to be considered as well.

Personally I avoid VFR flight corridors. I am also a strong believer in VFR flight following that may be problematic in that area. At least it was when I went over the top of LAX Class B.

http://tinyurl.com/dxn3ef

This link might help:

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/air_traffic/lax-vfr.html

Many options

Both are reasonable options. There are also a handful of other VFR transition routes through the LAX area, but they require coordination with ATC. See the LA terminal area chart. If you do take the SFRA or one of the other transitions, make absolutely sure you can navigate it successfully. You really don't want to screw up over LAX. In any case I would advise you to be in contact with SoCal Approach while transitioning the LA area. It can get pretty crazy over there, and it's nice to have another set of eyes looking out for you.

Other options are to file IFR, if you're rated and your airplane is suitably equipped. They'll typically route you inland via V597.

You can also take an inland route VFR by going east until you can scoot under the class B 7000 ft shelf to the south. This is a good option if you want (or have to) go VFR, and weather conditions on the coast are unsuitable. Of course, CRQ will then also likely be socked in.

Well that should give you some options to work with. Given the choice and weather permitting, I would go VFR over the top or take one of the LAX transitions and follow the coast down to CRQ (but be mindful of Camp Pendleton's restricted airspace!). The coast is much prettier than going inland.

Either works fine

I have flown both methods over and through LAX class Bravo. I'm based at Ramona east of Carlsbad. If it is this week or weekend, with the east flow that is predicted, the views should incredable! Coming from the north, the special use VFR corridor will allow you to decend in a non ear popping way into Carlsbad.

Enjoy!

Bill
KRNM
RV7A - Flying!

LAX Special Flight Rules

Erich,

I'm based out of SMO and my route of choice is the Special Flight Rules Area for transitioning the LAX Class B, it's the easiest way to transition from north to south.

The chart tells you to follow the 132 radial off the SMO VOR, but as long as you stay between the coast and the 405 (both easy to spot) and on your altitude you'll be fine. If you have any questions feel free to drop me a PM and we can talk about it.

Even better if you fly down to SMO I'll take you up in my plane and you can experience it first hand.

With respect to flight following:

In my experience SoCal Approach has always been helpful and I highly recommend getting flight following, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area. I don't know if they will keep you on flight following as you pass through the SFR corridor though. When proceeding south bound I usually give them a call when I'm over TOA. When coming north they always ask my intentions for transitioning the Class B and I tell them VFR corridor. Then around Long Beach Harbor they tell me to squawk 1201 and cancel flight following (remember I'm flying into SMO, just on the other side of the corridor). My guess is (and it is truly that, a pure guess) is that they'll tell you to squawk VFR through the corridor and to give them a call when you're on the other side, I'm not sure on that one.


-John

thanks guys - I think Im on the right track here.

Can someone chime in with the expected contacts for flight following? Starting from Santa Ynez, I expect to contact Santa Barbara approach/departure soon after departure to pick up flight following, but who would I be handed off to heading southeast to Palomar? I know they tell you during the flight, but I would like to be expecting something, so it sounds familiar when I get it. I realize I may well be dropped in the LA area.

erich

SoCal 127.2 over TOA

Erich,

If you get dropped by approach through the corridor contact approach on 127.2 once you're over TOA. I would expect that you'd get handoffs up to the corridor, and once you get back on they'll hand you off all the way to Palomar. I've flown from SMO to MYF and SDM several times and have never had a problem with being dropped once I'm on flight following after I've transitioned the corridor.

SoCal Approach

erich weaver said:

thanks guys - I think Im on the right track here.

Can someone chime in with the expected contacts for flight following? Starting from Santa Ynez, I expect to contact Santa Barbara approach/departure soon after departure to pick up flight following, but who would I be handed off to heading southeast to Palomar? I know they tell you during the flight, but I would like to be expecting something, so it sounds familiar when I get it. I realize I may well be dropped in the LA area.

erich

Click to expand...

You'll be with SoCal Approach almost the whole way. Between Santa Barbara and SoCal you may get handed off to Mugu (I don't remember for sure, probably depends on exactly what route you fly). But anyway, while you're still well NW of the LA's class B you should already be with SoCal. Then while you're with SoCal you'll get several frequency changes along the way, but it'll be SoCal all the way down to CRQ.

erich weaver said:

thanks guys - I think Im on the right track here.

Can someone chime in with the expected contacts for flight following? Starting from Santa Ynez, I expect to contact Santa Barbara approach/departure soon after departure to pick up flight following, but who would I be handed off to heading southeast to Palomar? I know they tell you during the flight, but I would like to be expecting something, so it sounds familiar when I get it. I realize I may well be dropped in the LA area.

erich

Click to expand...

I've flown the corridor countless times but always approach from the north.

From what I see on the TAC chart (which you will buy and use ;-), I believe that SBA will hand you off to a Los Angeles Center frequency (can't remember it off-hand) then to SoCAL 134.2, then SoCAL 124.6. You need to be below 5K (around the 101 freeway) to the SMO VOR to remain clear of Class B.

SoCAL WILL drop you off somewhere before reaching the SMO VOR.

Squawk 1201, proceed SE bound, heading 132 degrees off SMO VOR at 3.5K on frequency 128.55. Announce your position blindly for entering, midway and exiting. Do not exceed 140 KTAS

I agree with JTRusso: "...stay between the coast and the 405 (both easy to spot) and on your altitude you'll be fine..."

Upon exiting, squawk 1200, and contact SoCAL on 124.3 if you desire.

You'll be fine Erich; have fun flying, Rosie

PS: Depending on the day, I could join you and we could both go (in trail ;-)

Erich,

Just went through this on a recent X-C from Reno to Carlsbad. It'd been a while since I flew in LA/San Diego in small planes, so I figured I'd stay above the Class B...though there are some planned routes that are well accepted. Just make sure you study them first so it goes smoothly...and you're getting some great advice and links here!

I was further inland than you'll be, but I contacted SoCal approach when over Lake Hughes VOR at 9500', and asked for VFR Flight Following. Controller asked me how I planned to navigate the LA Class B airspace, so I told her I was climbing to 11,500' and would remain above the Class B. It was quiet on the freq (unusual), so I asked he what my options would be, and she said I could transition via the Colliseum Route or the Coastal Route. I thanked her, and decided to remain above. SoCal did multiple handoffs, and was very helpful. They also told me I was cleared to descend when they saw I was clear of the Class B to the south. I flew from Lake Hughes direct to HUBRD intersection, to clear the Pendelton Restricted areas, then down the coast for a 45 entry to Palomar...with Flight Following all the way. Coming back I just reversed it, climbed to 10,500 and stayed above the Class B till north of it...though going both ways I actually stayed a little closer to the beach than HUBRD. The 396 showing the R-areas helped keep me clear, but the sectional will give you the same info...just stay a ways off shore abeam the R-areas. Worked slick.

The LA sectional has SoCal freqs to contact when approaching the Class B in white boxes with purple writing. Did a quick check on AirNav.com, and it looks like coming from Santa Barbara, the freq you need for SoCal is either 120.4 or 132.4. From there, you should be able to get good handling all the way through.

Have fun!!

Cheers,
Bob

Wow, good stuff guys, thanks. Ok if I text message you in case I have any questions during my flight?

erich

Note of caution when above the Class B

There are several routes that the big jets regularly traverse when entering/exiting the LA Basin. If you're flying over the Class B and not talking to SoCal I'd tend to stay clear of those routes and keep your eyes open. In fact this is good advice whether you?re over or under the Class B. Depictions fo the jet routes can be found on the back of the LA TAC.

As Rosie pointed out, having a current LA TAC in the plane is a requirement for flying the VFR Corridor. It's not 1/10th as scary or complicated as it sounds. I'm sure you'll have a great flight.

Have fun!

I fly from hawthorne to santa ynez quite a few times a year. (love the casino) From IZA to HHR, I contact so cal flight following (santa barbara) and they hand me off to point mugu. Point mugu will ask if you want the coast route (3500 under class B over malibu to SMO and LAXSFR radial) or inland (following 101 freeway to SMO radial through LAXSFR). Which ever route you take, I advise flight following. One time a guy came up from behind, and ATC asked me to climb 500' to let the guy go underneath. After he passed went back down to 3500'. That guy was not talking to ATC. once on the south side of LAX it is all easy(ier). Just make sure you get below 5000 under the class b or over 10000. The shoreline route and other routes i don't like because i feel it is just too low over a densely populated area.

It is really no big deal and ATC will help you.