On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 11:06:38 +0100, Mxsmanic
wrote:

I notice on the San Francisco TAC that there are letters next to the
altitude indications for the different areas of the Class B airspace.
I don't recall seeing these before on a TAC. The legend says only
"letters identify areas." The SFO TAC is fairly new; perhaps this
will be done with all TACs?

Anyway, I presume that this letter is given just to facilitate
identification of a specific part of the Class B when communicating
with ATC. Is this right? That would be the most obvious explanation,
I think. If so, does this mean that I would ask for clearance into a
specific sector of the Class B now?

No. It's all about flying under the Bravo. The letters refer to the
Echo and Golf airspace.

Suppose I want to depart Half Moon Bay with a passenger and show her
the sights of the city -- fly over the Golden Gate Bridge and
Alcatraz.

For the first part of the flight, I know that if I want to hug the
shoreline (stay in I), I have to fly below 1500 feet. But if I stay
more than 7 nautical miles DME from the SFO VORTAC while flying up the
coast, I'll be in F, so I'll be clear of the Bravo as long as I am
below 2100 feet. Once I'm more than 10 nm DME from the VORTAC (or
halfway between the north end of Lake Merced and the south windmill at
Golden Gate Park, I'm clear of the Bravo if I stay below 3000 ft.

Don