Re: Route Advice? KGEU (Phoenix) -> KEMT (Los Angeles)

[Eclipsme]

Winds can be high through the pass, from the west. Expect lower groundspeed.
Oh yes, keep your head on a swivel!

It should be a good flight!

Harvey

"Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
news:xMgSc.26111$Uh.25928@fed1read02...
> Thanks for the tip on expecting to get dropped by Palm Springs and
> reestablishing flight following after flying through the pass. It's local
> knowledge like this that helps me anticipate what's going to happen on
> flights into unfamiliar territory like this.
>
> Another poster suggested going north towards Apple Valley. Coming from
KLAS
> that makes sense, but from Phoenix, it takes me well north of my intended
> route, so I think I'll stick with the Banning Pass. If anyone has other
tips
> on what to expect flying through the LA basin, it would be appreciated. I
> did some early training in the San Francisco area, but even that is fairly
> mild compared to LA. It'll be good experience if nothing else.
>
> Thanks!
>
> "Dan Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It's a no-brainer. Fly the Banning Pass (Palm Springs-Riverside route).
> > Save the $100. You can get flight following, but expect Palm Springs
> > Approach to abruptly drop you, then you have to reinitiate it with Socal
> > Approach when you get through the pass. They can be busy and it can be
> > frustrating.
> >
> > "Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
> > news:EW8Sc.24898$Uh.10443@fed1read02...
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > After a year long flying hiatus, it's time to jump back in. There's a
> > family
> > > function in the Los Angeles area (landing KEMT, El Monte, California)
> that
> > I
> > > plan on flying VFR to from Glendale Muni (KGEU), in western Phoenix.
> I've
> > > looked at a couple different route options, including flying north of
> the
> > LA
> > > area through Victorville, towards Palmdale VOR, and then south to El
> Monte
> > > thereby skipping the entire LA basin area, although it would add a
> little
> > > more than an hour round trip (which translates to another $100). I
don't
> > > have unlimited funds for this so saving $100 would be nice. The more
> > direct
> > > route would be this:
> > >
> > > KGEU - BXK - BLH - PSP - RIV - PDZ - POM - KEMT
> > >
> > > This would take me over Palm Springs, then west through the Los
Angeles
> > > basin. I plan on flying 8,500 feet past Palm Springs, so I'd be well
> above
> > > the congested mix of airspace beneath me. However, this will be my
first
> > > trip into the Los Angeles Basin in a Cessna 172 (or any light plane
for
> > that
> > > matter). I will obviously be taking full advantage of flight following
> if
> > > they can accomodate me. Are there any LA locals who can provide some
> > advice
> > > on this proposed route? Would it be wise to take the northen route
given
> > my
> > > year off from flying and my inexperience in LA? I'm not adverse to
> > > navigating airspace (in fact, I enjoy a more challenging flight) but I
> > > thought I'd pick some brains here first.
> > >
> > > If you were going to go north, what route would you take given the
> oxygen
> > > requirements and limitations imposed on my aircraft by density
altitude
> in
> > > the summer near Big Bear and the restricted areas near Twentynine
Palms?
> > > I've looked at a couple options but none of them seem to justify the
> added
> > > expense just to save some flight time over a congested area.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any advice you might be able to give.
> > >
> > > Scott
> > > PP-ASEL
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[lance smith]

The flight into the LA basin via Banning is fine, you'll be out of the
way for traffic into LAX and SNA; ONT isn't that busy. Stay high in
the desert before PSP and you'll stay on radar, the turbulence/wind
and traffic is lighter in the mornings as well.

-lance smith


"Scott Schluer" > wrote in message news:<xMgSc.26111$Uh.25928@fed1read02>...
> Thanks for the tip on expecting to get dropped by Palm Springs and
> reestablishing flight following after flying through the pass. It's local
> knowledge like this that helps me anticipate what's going to happen on
> flights into unfamiliar territory like this.
>
> Another poster suggested going north towards Apple Valley. Coming from KLAS
> that makes sense, but from Phoenix, it takes me well north of my intended
> route, so I think I'll stick with the Banning Pass. If anyone has other tips
> on what to expect flying through the LA basin, it would be appreciated. I
> did some early training in the San Francisco area, but even that is fairly
> mild compared to LA. It'll be good experience if nothing else.
>
> Thanks!
>
> "Dan Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It's a no-brainer. Fly the Banning Pass (Palm Springs-Riverside route).
> > Save the $100. You can get flight following, but expect Palm Springs
> > Approach to abruptly drop you, then you have to reinitiate it with Socal
> > Approach when you get through the pass. They can be busy and it can be
> > frustrating.
> >
> > "Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
> > news:EW8Sc.24898$Uh.10443@fed1read02...
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > After a year long flying hiatus, it's time to jump back in. There's a
> family
> > > function in the Los Angeles area (landing KEMT, El Monte, California)
> that
> I
> > > plan on flying VFR to from Glendale Muni (KGEU), in western Phoenix.
> I've
> > > looked at a couple different route options, including flying north of
> the
> LA
> > > area through Victorville, towards Palmdale VOR, and then south to El
> Monte
> > > thereby skipping the entire LA basin area, although it would add a
> little
> > > more than an hour round trip (which translates to another $100). I don't
> > > have unlimited funds for this so saving $100 would be nice. The more
> direct
> > > route would be this:
> > >
> > > KGEU - BXK - BLH - PSP - RIV - PDZ - POM - KEMT
> > >
> > > This would take me over Palm Springs, then west through the Los Angeles
> > > basin. I plan on flying 8,500 feet past Palm Springs, so I'd be well
> above
> > > the congested mix of airspace beneath me. However, this will be my first
> > > trip into the Los Angeles Basin in a Cessna 172 (or any light plane for
> that
> > > matter). I will obviously be taking full advantage of flight following
> if
> > > they can accomodate me. Are there any LA locals who can provide some
> advice
> > > on this proposed route? Would it be wise to take the northen route given
> my
> > > year off from flying and my inexperience in LA? I'm not adverse to
> > > navigating airspace (in fact, I enjoy a more challenging flight) but I
> > > thought I'd pick some brains here first.
> > >
> > > If you were going to go north, what route would you take given the
> oxygen
> > > requirements and limitations imposed on my aircraft by density altitude
> in
> > > the summer near Big Bear and the restricted areas near Twentynine Palms?
> > > I've looked at a couple options but none of them seem to justify the
> added
> > > expense just to save some flight time over a congested area.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any advice you might be able to give.
> > >
> > > Scott
> > > PP-ASEL
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

[Scott Schluer]

Excellent tips, everyone. Thanks!

"lance smith" > wrote in message
om...
> The flight into the LA basin via Banning is fine, you'll be out of the
> way for traffic into LAX and SNA; ONT isn't that busy. Stay high in
> the desert before PSP and you'll stay on radar, the turbulence/wind
> and traffic is lighter in the mornings as well.
>
> -lance smith
>
>
> "Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
news:<xMgSc.26111$Uh.25928@fed1read02>...
> > Thanks for the tip on expecting to get dropped by Palm Springs and
> > reestablishing flight following after flying through the pass. It's
local
> > knowledge like this that helps me anticipate what's going to happen on
> > flights into unfamiliar territory like this.
> >
> > Another poster suggested going north towards Apple Valley. Coming from
KLAS
> > that makes sense, but from Phoenix, it takes me well north of my
intended
> > route, so I think I'll stick with the Banning Pass. If anyone has other
tips
> > on what to expect flying through the LA basin, it would be appreciated.
I
> > did some early training in the San Francisco area, but even that is
fairly
> > mild compared to LA. It'll be good experience if nothing else.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > "Dan Thompson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > It's a no-brainer. Fly the Banning Pass (Palm Springs-Riverside
route).
> > > Save the $100. You can get flight following, but expect Palm Springs
> > > Approach to abruptly drop you, then you have to reinitiate it with
Socal
> > > Approach when you get through the pass. They can be busy and it can
be
> > > frustrating.
> > >
> > > "Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
> > > news:EW8Sc.24898$Uh.10443@fed1read02...
> > > > Hello All,
> > > >
> > > > After a year long flying hiatus, it's time to jump back in. There's
a
> > family
> > > > function in the Los Angeles area (landing KEMT, El Monte,
California)
> > that
> > I
> > > > plan on flying VFR to from Glendale Muni (KGEU), in western Phoenix.
> > I've
> > > > looked at a couple different route options, including flying north
of
> > the
> > LA
> > > > area through Victorville, towards Palmdale VOR, and then south to El
> > Monte
> > > > thereby skipping the entire LA basin area, although it would add a
> > little
> > > > more than an hour round trip (which translates to another $100). I
don't
> > > > have unlimited funds for this so saving $100 would be nice. The more
> > direct
> > > > route would be this:
> > > >
> > > > KGEU - BXK - BLH - PSP - RIV - PDZ - POM - KEMT
> > > >
> > > > This would take me over Palm Springs, then west through the Los
Angeles
> > > > basin. I plan on flying 8,500 feet past Palm Springs, so I'd be well
> > above
> > > > the congested mix of airspace beneath me. However, this will be my
first
> > > > trip into the Los Angeles Basin in a Cessna 172 (or any light plane
for
> > that
> > > > matter). I will obviously be taking full advantage of flight
following
> > if
> > > > they can accomodate me. Are there any LA locals who can provide some
> > advice
> > > > on this proposed route? Would it be wise to take the northen route
given
> > my
> > > > year off from flying and my inexperience in LA? I'm not adverse to
> > > > navigating airspace (in fact, I enjoy a more challenging flight) but
I
> > > > thought I'd pick some brains here first.
> > > >
> > > > If you were going to go north, what route would you take given the
> > oxygen
> > > > requirements and limitations imposed on my aircraft by density
altitude
> > in
> > > > the summer near Big Bear and the restricted areas near Twentynine
Palms?
> > > > I've looked at a couple options but none of them seem to justify the
> > added
> > > > expense just to save some flight time over a congested area.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for any advice you might be able to give.
> > > >
> > > > Scott
> > > > PP-ASEL
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >

[Dan Thompson]

I'm not local to LA, but from Texas. I have flown to LA about a dozen times
though, always over Banning, and it is always the same. The irony is the
"locals" don't know this stuff either unless they make a lot of cross
country flights.

"Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
news:xMgSc.26111$Uh.25928@fed1read02...
> Thanks for the tip on expecting to get dropped by Palm Springs and
> reestablishing flight following after flying through the pass. It's local
> knowledge like this that helps me anticipate what's going to happen on
> flights into unfamiliar territory like this.
>
> Another poster suggested going north towards Apple Valley. Coming from
KLAS
> that makes sense, but from Phoenix, it takes me well north of my intended
> route, so I think I'll stick with the Banning Pass. If anyone has other
tips
> on what to expect flying through the LA basin, it would be appreciated. I
> did some early training in the San Francisco area, but even that is fairly
> mild compared to LA. It'll be good experience if nothing else.
>
> Thanks!
>
> "Dan Thompson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It's a no-brainer. Fly the Banning Pass (Palm Springs-Riverside route).
> > Save the $100. You can get flight following, but expect Palm Springs
> > Approach to abruptly drop you, then you have to reinitiate it with Socal
> > Approach when you get through the pass. They can be busy and it can be
> > frustrating.
> >
> > "Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
> > news:EW8Sc.24898$Uh.10443@fed1read02...
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > After a year long flying hiatus, it's time to jump back in. There's a
> > family
> > > function in the Los Angeles area (landing KEMT, El Monte, California)
> that
> > I
> > > plan on flying VFR to from Glendale Muni (KGEU), in western Phoenix.
> I've
> > > looked at a couple different route options, including flying north of
> the
> > LA
> > > area through Victorville, towards Palmdale VOR, and then south to El
> Monte
> > > thereby skipping the entire LA basin area, although it would add a
> little
> > > more than an hour round trip (which translates to another $100). I
don't
> > > have unlimited funds for this so saving $100 would be nice. The more
> > direct
> > > route would be this:
> > >
> > > KGEU - BXK - BLH - PSP - RIV - PDZ - POM - KEMT
> > >
> > > This would take me over Palm Springs, then west through the Los
Angeles
> > > basin. I plan on flying 8,500 feet past Palm Springs, so I'd be well
> above
> > > the congested mix of airspace beneath me. However, this will be my
first
> > > trip into the Los Angeles Basin in a Cessna 172 (or any light plane
for
> > that
> > > matter). I will obviously be taking full advantage of flight following
> if
> > > they can accomodate me. Are there any LA locals who can provide some
> > advice
> > > on this proposed route? Would it be wise to take the northen route
given
> > my
> > > year off from flying and my inexperience in LA? I'm not adverse to
> > > navigating airspace (in fact, I enjoy a more challenging flight) but I
> > > thought I'd pick some brains here first.
> > >
> > > If you were going to go north, what route would you take given the
> oxygen
> > > requirements and limitations imposed on my aircraft by density
altitude
> in
> > > the summer near Big Bear and the restricted areas near Twentynine
Palms?
> > > I've looked at a couple options but none of them seem to justify the
> added
> > > expense just to save some flight time over a congested area.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any advice you might be able to give.
> > >
> > > Scott
> > > PP-ASEL
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Scott Schluer]

Well, thanks again to everyone who responded! I've decided to take the
Banning Pass route and upgraded my aircraft for the trip from a 1978 172N to
a 2003 172SP, complete with MFD, dual axis autopilot, GPS, etc. Just decided
it would be better for situational awareness in the LA area and little more
fun to take the newer bird for a trip, especially considering I'll probably
be giving some family members and friends a quick flight around the area
while I'm in town. The SP makes for a much more "friendly" introduction to
flight than the "well-used" '78 N model. ;-)

Anyways, expect a detailed PIREP when I return on the 23rd!

Scott

"Scott Schluer" > wrote in message
news:EW8Sc.24898$Uh.10443@fed1read02...
> Hello All,
>
> After a year long flying hiatus, it's time to jump back in. There's a
family
> function in the Los Angeles area (landing KEMT, El Monte, California) that
I
> plan on flying VFR to from Glendale Muni (KGEU), in western Phoenix. I've
> looked at a couple different route options, including flying north of the
LA
> area through Victorville, towards Palmdale VOR, and then south to El Monte
> thereby skipping the entire LA basin area, although it would add a little
> more than an hour round trip (which translates to another $100). I don't
> have unlimited funds for this so saving $100 would be nice. The more
direct
> route would be this:
>
> KGEU - BXK - BLH - PSP - RIV - PDZ - POM - KEMT
>
> This would take me over Palm Springs, then west through the Los Angeles
> basin. I plan on flying 8,500 feet past Palm Springs, so I'd be well above
> the congested mix of airspace beneath me. However, this will be my first
> trip into the Los Angeles Basin in a Cessna 172 (or any light plane for
that
> matter). I will obviously be taking full advantage of flight following if
> they can accomodate me. Are there any LA locals who can provide some
advice
> on this proposed route? Would it be wise to take the northen route given
my
> year off from flying and my inexperience in LA? I'm not adverse to
> navigating airspace (in fact, I enjoy a more challenging flight) but I
> thought I'd pick some brains here first.
>
> If you were going to go north, what route would you take given the oxygen
> requirements and limitations imposed on my aircraft by density altitude in
> the summer near Big Bear and the restricted areas near Twentynine Palms?
> I've looked at a couple options but none of them seem to justify the added
> expense just to save some flight time over a congested area.
>
> Thanks for any advice you might be able to give.
>
> Scott
> PP-ASEL
>
>