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Need guidance flying LA Basin


wp4

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Hoping to fly our R44 From Alberta to TOA for a Robinson Factory Safety Training Course.

 

Have two routes picked out to get to TOA

 

1. From Las Vegas to TOA and/or

2. From Santa Maria (SMX) to TOA

 

I need help in trying to identify best routes. Any suggestions?

 

Also, am I better just to contact socal approach and let them vector me or choose one of the heli routes and have an adventure?

 

Thanks

Wayne

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The choice between Vegas and Santa Maria is up to you. I'd probably choose Santa Maria, your final leg into SoCal and TOA would be more attractive than flying across the desert. Unless you want to enjoy Vegas itself or want to be more conservative about the weather. The chance of being delayed by typical SoCal marine layers may be greater from Santa Maria. There is an inland route from Santa Maria but its not much nicer than the desert. However, the desert route is no guarantee if the marine layer or weather system closes the Cajon Pass.

 

As far as flight following from TRACON, that is all you will get. They will not give vectors to your destination, through or around the class bravo. Also, depending on your route, the altitude for radar and radio reception can be quite high coming into the LA Basin. Best thing is to take a look at the Helicopter or VFR transitions through the class B on the respective charts.

 

In a nut shell, I'd take Santa Maria and a flight down the coast. Stop in Camarillo for fuel and lunch if needed. Transition LAs Class Bravo along the shoreline at 150' or the Sepulveda transition over the top of LAX at 1500'.

 

Have a good flight.

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Both routes are fun to fly.

Via SM you'll likely be sticking close to the shoreline.

You'll have to keep your eyes on WX, mostly fog. Don't fly into it, bad things happen :blink:

Plenty to see, dolphins and maybe a whale or two. Don't venture into open water without floats, and even then I wouldn't, unless you absolutely have to, and unless you've had HUET, oh and if you really think you can land on floats (most can't)...

 

For the LV route, flying over the desert is fun. The weather is very pleasant right now but you'll have to watch for wind. You'll be coming over the mountains or through the Banning Pass, either of those are bad options in high winds. Especially in something light like a R44. High wind = don't do it or have someone onboard with some experience.

 

For nav, you're going to have be kinda high if you want flight following. That's why you want to be on with TRACON, right? Socal will cut you loose if you fly too low. They have better things to do than vector all the low flying aircraft around the basin, and there's A LOT of them! A LOT.

Unless you're flying IFR ,which is dull? :blink:

You're flying in the LA basin, one of the funnest places to fly in the US.

You're a helicopter man! You'll be low enough to see all the cool things around LA so have those charts ready and be prepared to deal with airspace and towers.

And even if you do get on with Socal, they will hand you off to a tower almost guaranteed. So expect it.

 

Few pointers about the basin, especially around LAX, Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach etc.

 

1. Helicopters tend to fly between 500 and 1,000. Most tend to fly around 700.

The CTAF around LA is 123.02, please use it!

Once you're around the shoreline south of Rhedondo use 122.85.

 

2. LA is a flat concrete jungle, and it's huge.

Position reports are usually obvious landmarks like stadiums or freeway intersections.

 

3. Note the altitudes in point 1. We care about noise, a lot. Please do not fly any lower.

Most airports have arrival and departure routes. Be aware of them.

But please don't fly low, we are already fighting a tedious battle with noise complainers.

Also don't fly directly over piers.

 

Enjoy the factory course, it's been many years but I'm sure it's still as much fun!

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I'd recommend refueling at Camarillo, KCMA, and follow the shoreline to KTOA. Call MAGU on 124.7 for flight following. It's way too easy to get lost over the eastern portion of Los Angeles. Too many freeways and easy to confuse. You'll have much easier navigation along the coastal route, and LAX will clear you to fly low over the beach which is a real hoot!

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