Your Comment and Ideas Wanted

6 Comments

1. What are the latest thoughts on updating the the VFR special flight rules corridor? This is probably one of the more hazardous areas in the entire SoCal area. With ADS-B in place seems things could be simplified and safer. For openers why not use flight following through the area instead of multiple frequency and xponder changes that only help to distract the pilot. Entry to the required N/S altitudes also cause flights to cross through those altitudes just before or after flying the corridor setting up additional hazards.

2. I agree with your opinion that the LAX SFRA is “probably one of the most hazardous areas in the entire SoCal area”. For me personally, I would rather do pretty much ANY other route over LAX than that route, and I haven’t flown the SFRA in over ten years now. I am an area CFI and airplane owner, and I have occasion to traverse that area quite often. But let me offer you a couple tidbits of information.

   First, note that it is not a “corridor” in the true sense of the word. Once upon a time, there was a VFR Corridor over LAX, and you would be in Class E airspace, with Class B above and below, following that route. However, today, this “corridor” is inside the LAX Class B area. It is one of very few occasions in the country where it is okay to be inside Class B airspace without a clearance (one of my favorite questions to ask in airspace lessons and flight reviews). In exchange for that privilege, you are required to follow special rules, and hence the name Special Flight Rules Area.

   If you are uncomfortable following these Special Rules, then you have the option of flying along one of the other routes that cross LAX, talking to SoCal TRACON, using a single transponder code, and receiving a clearance to enter the Bravo and Flight Following. This is my preference, and what I do. My favorite route is the Mini Route, but it is often not available recently, due to manning in the LAX Tower.

   If we were to implement the suggestions you make, they would have to be mandatory for everybody. And that would then essentially be the same as one of the other published routes.

   I hope others will chime in with their better knowledge of the history of the SFRA and why it was created, but I know that there are pilots who prefer not to talk to ATC. In order to accommodate their interests, we have the SFRA.

   The main reason I do not like the SFRA is the blatant disregard for the rules, as published. For instance, two of the rules posted are: No turbojets; and, max airspeed of 140KIAS. The first (and only) time I flew the corridor, I was in my 182 at about 130 knots, and was passed by a Cessna Citation like I was standing still. I don’t care to operate in an area like this that is the modern day example of the Wild, Wild, West. This is why I prefer the Coastal Route or Coliseum Route, or even an IFR clearance, depending on where I’m going that day.

   Hope this helps,
   Mike Jesch
   ATP, CFI

3. Thanks Mike,

   When I began flying long ago it was a corridor, now I appreciate the difference. I need to learn and use the mini route-if available. Guess I just got habituated on the SFRA.

4. Reference AC 90-66B – Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations
   http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-66B_CHG_1.pdf

   Please give special attention to safe operations at non-towered airports during flight planning, student through advanced pilot training, Practical Tests, WINGS/Flight Reviews, airmen currency checks; whenever a pilot is being trained and/or evaluated by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Designated Pilot Examiner ( DPE ), Chief Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor, Check Airman, etc..
   With the safety concerns at non-towered airports (the U.S. has approximately 500 airports with control towers compared to about 20,000 non-towered airports) along with temporarily reduced hours of operation for towers across the country, this is especially timely and will serve safety now and later.

   Thank You!
   Lee Unger
   FAASTeam Representative
   Scottsdale FSDO

5. August 11, 2020 – From Lee Unger, Arizona

   Hi, Pat, Ron and Mike,
   Thank you for another interesting and productive SCAUWG meeting!

   Looking at the Chart Supplement for Chino, I think many transient pilots would be lacking in important information about ATCT closed operations.
   https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dafd/search/results/?cycle=2008&ident=cno&navaid=

   What do you think about requesting an added note and a link to the Letter to Airmen in the Chart Supplement?
   https://notams.aim.faa.gov/lta/main/viewlta?lookupid=2332922497315378800

   This catches pilots who have not familiarized themselves with LTA’s when checking NOTAMs.
   Apologies if I am missing something obvious.

   Thank you all for your work on this and so much more. The SCAUWG website is amazing!

   Sincerely,
   Lee Unger
   FAASTeam Representative

6. For VFR convenience I recommend listing the assorted VPL VFR visual points. I think a listing would be of help to those trying to load a GPS with a VFR plan to manage their way through the LA area.
   VPLAC 110 & 101 Fwy Intersection (Chandler ????)
   VPLBP Banning Pass
   VPLCC Chaffey College, Ontario
   VPLCP Cajon Pass
   VPLDL Disneyland
   VPLDP Dana Point
   VPLDS Dodger Stadium
   VPLFX 91 & 605 Fwy Intersection, Near Lgb
   VPLGP Griffith Park
   VPLHF 110 & 405 Fwy Intersection, Near Blimp
   VPLHP Huntington Pier
   VPLKH Redondo King Harbor
   VPLLC La Coliseum
   VPLLM Lake Mathews
   VPLLU 10 & 215 Fwy Intersection, Near Sbd
   VPLMB Manhattan Beach Pier
   VPLMM Magic Mountain
   VPLMS Mile Square Park
   VPLPD Prado Dam
   VPLPP Pacific Palisades
   VPLQM Queen Mary
   VPLRB Rose Bpwl
   VPLRT Santa Anita Race Track
   VPLSF San Fernando Reservoir
   VPLSR Scenic Route (405 & Hawthorne)
   VPLSS Santa Susana Pass
   VPLTW Tujunga Wash & Foothill
   VPLWT Water Tank In Thousand Oaks