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Transcript: VFR flight in Bravo Airspace



N132KT: John Wayne Clearance, Piper 132KT Coastal Route through the Bravo with the weather.

SNA_CD: Piper 2KT, John Wayne Clearance, after departure fly heading 240, maintain VFR at or below 2400 until advised, departure frequency 127.20, squawk 0326.

N132KT: hdg 240, at or below 2400, 127.20 and squawk 0326 for November 2KT

N132KT: John Wayne Ground, Piper 132KT, southeast ramp, ready for taxi

SNA_GND: Piper 132KT, John Wayne Ground, Runway 19L at Kilo, taxi via Alpha, Hotel, Charlie

N132KT: taxi to 19L at Kilo via Alpha, Hotel and Charlie, November 2KT

Reaching rwy 19L, we swap over to the tower.

N132KT: John Wayne Tower, Piper 132KT 19L at Kilo ready for takeoff.

SNA_TWR: Piper 2KT, John Wayne Tower, rwy 19L at Kilo cleared for takeoff

N132KT: cleared for takeoff 19L at Kilo, Piper 2KT

After taking off and reaching a safe altitude, we turn to hdg 220 and await further instructions.

SNA_TWR: Piper 2KT, contact departure

N132KT: over to departure, 2KT

We dial in 127.20 and make the call...

N132KT: Socal departure, Piper 132KT 500 climbing 2400.

SNA_APP: Piper 2KT, socal departure, radar contact, resume own navigation

N132KT: own nav for 2KT

We make a right turn and follow the shoreline towards LAX. Once we're clear of the surface based Charlie airspace, socal gives us the boot. We hadn't asked for flight following, so he has no reason to keep us on frequency.

SNA_APP: Piper 2KT, remain clear of the Charlie, resume appropriate VFR altitudes, squawk VFR, freq change approved

N132KT: so long, 2KT

We squawk 1200 and monitor Socal approach (LAX_APP for VATSIM, or as published for PilotEdge ) to get a feel for what's happening over there, since we'll be talking on that frequency soon. Approaching the Vincent St Thomas Bridge, while below the 5000ft Bravo airspace shelf, we contact Socal Approach to request our first Bravo transition, the Coastal Route

N132KT: Socal approach, Piper 132KT is type Piper Warrior, 5 miles southeast of the Vincent St Thomas Bridge, 4500, request Coastal Route

LAX_APP: Piper 2KT, socal approach, squawk 1305 and ident

N132KT: squawking 1305, 2KT.

LAX_APP: Piper 2KT, radar contact. Cleared into the Bravo airspace, proceed via the Coastal Route, maintain VFR at 6500, LAX alt 30.12

N132KT: up to 6.5 on the Coastal Route, 2KT

After being treated to a spectacular view of the departures off our right wing, Socal unceremoniously says goodbye

LAX_APP: Piper 2KT, leaving the Bravo in 1 mile, squawk VFR, remain clear of the Bravo, freq change approved.

N132KT: Thanks, g'day, 2KT

Well, that was so much fun, let's do another one! Let's head back to the south, but via the Mini Route this time. The chart calls for us to contact SMO_TWR if they're open, otherwise we should call LAX_TWR directly. Let's assume we're now a good distance north of LAX, north of the shoreline, at 6500ft. We no longer have a Bravo clearance, so let's get below the 5000ft Bravo shelf, then head towards LAX in the descent.

N132KT: Santa Monica tower, Piper 132KT is type Piper Warrior, 10 miles northwest 3500, request Mini Route to the southeast.

SMO_TWR: Piper 2KT, Santa Monica tower report overhead at 2500, remain outside of the Bravo airspace until advised, altimeter 30.12

N132KT: will report overhead at 2500, November 2KT

We toodle along towards Santa Monica, descending to 2500 and then make the call.

N132KT: Tower, Piper 2KT is overhead at 2500

SMO_TWR: Piper 2KT, proceed via the Mini Route, contact Los Angeles Tower 119.80

N132KT: join the Mini Route, and over to LA tower 119.80, November 2KT

Make the switch to 119.80 and make the call.

N132KT: Los Angeles Tower, Piper 132KT is type Piper Warrior, 10 miles northwest at 2500, request Mini-route to the southeast, landing Torrance

LAX_TWR: Piper 2KT, Los Angeles Tower reset transponder squawk 0310, alt 30.12

N132KT: 0310 for November 2KT

LAX_TWR: Piper 2KT, rdr contact 9 NW LAX, cleared into the Bravo airspace, proceed via the Mini Route, maintain VFR at 2500.

N132KT: into the Bravo at 2500, November 2KT

Once we cross over LAX to the southeast, they'll hand us over to Hawthorne tower, who will ultimately pass us on to Torrance tower.

To be continued...