a couple of questions...

Let me start by saying that I consider myself a new pilot, although I've had
my certificate for 2 years and a little over a 100 hours. I had to take some
time off from flying when my plane was damaged by my partner, then totaled
by Katrina. (I've made a few posts with regards to the above.) Anyway, I am
back flying again, so please indulge a question or two.

I know this is somewhat backward from most people, but I did my training and
most of my flying from a controlled field. It's actually a class D situated
inside of a class C. Uncontrolled fields are a little foreign to me. I am
flying tomorrow to see a friend. The field is class E, but situated inside
of a TRSA. Getting in and out doesn't bother me, I'm okay with that. The
issue is that my friend wants me to take him on a local sightseeing trip. No
problem, I've got a map and a GPS, I can navigate. My problem is that I
don't know what to tell the TRSA guys once I get airborne. What do I say? Do
I tell them an area I want to fly to, or just a general direction? Also,
there is a larger commercial airport nearby (still class E). Of course I
want to avoid that airport, but what's the best way? Should I just plot a
course around it or will they want to vector me? Any other help will be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help...

Talk to them on the way in if the frequency is not busy..
Tell them what you want to do... they'll assist.

BT

"GE" wrote in message
...
Let me start by saying that I consider myself a new pilot, although I've
had my certificate for 2 years and a little over a 100 hours. I had to
take some time off from flying when my plane was damaged by my partner,
then totaled by Katrina. (I've made a few posts with regards to the
above.) Anyway, I am back flying again, so please indulge a question or
two.

I know this is somewhat backward from most people, but I did my training
and most of my flying from a controlled field. It's actually a class D
situated inside of a class C. Uncontrolled fields are a little foreign to
me. I am flying tomorrow to see a friend. The field is class E, but
situated inside of a TRSA. Getting in and out doesn't bother me, I'm okay
with that. The issue is that my friend wants me to take him on a local
sightseeing trip. No problem, I've got a map and a GPS, I can navigate. My
problem is that I don't know what to tell the TRSA guys once I get
airborne. What do I say? Do I tell them an area I want to fly to, or just
a general direction? Also, there is a larger commercial airport nearby
(still class E). Of course I want to avoid that airport, but what's the
best way? Should I just plot a course around it or will they want to
vector me? Any other help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help...

Uncontrolled fields are a little foreign to me.
[...] My problem is that I
don't know what to tell the TRSA guys once I get airborne.

You already have some good answers about how to handle the radio. I'll
add to this that unlike class C or D airspace, communications is =not=
required in a TRSA. You can remain totally silent as you do your
sightseeing (although it's a good idea to avail yourself of the added
eyes of the TRSA folks in its busy airspace). Thus, others can also be
radio-silent, so be on the lookout.

Also, unlike class B, C, or D, you do not need =permission= from the
TRSA folks to do stuff. You tell them what you will be doing, so that
they can help keep an eye out for you, or call you as traffic to other
folks.

With that in the back of your mind, it should feel easier to handle the
radio. They are advisory in nature, though quite helpful.

Jose
--
The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Also,
there is a larger commercial airport nearby (still class E). Of course I
want to avoid that airport, but what's the best way? Should I just plot a
course around it or will they want to vector me?

(I should have added this to my previous reply.) I would just plot a
course around it. They may want to suggest headings to you, it would
probably be a good idea to cooperate (though it is not required). If
you have two radios, keeping one tuned to the CTAF of that airport as
you go by is probably a good idea.

You can also fly above pattern altitude, say, 1000 feet above TPA.

Jose
--
The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Also, you can often contact the primary airport while on the
ground at the small field. Depends on the distance and
intervening terrain. Often one of the frequencies, such as
ground or approach will work, you can save a lot of time. A
telephone call before hand will answer the questions about
local procedures. Often if you will be staying within 20-25
miles they will give you a discrete squawk and traffic
advisories the whole time.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Jose" wrote in message
t...
| Also,
| there is a larger commercial airport nearby (still class
E). Of course I
| want to avoid that airport, but what's the best way?
Should I just plot a
| course around it or will they want to vector me?
|
| (I should have added this to my previous reply.) I would
just plot a
| course around it. They may want to suggest headings to
you, it would
| probably be a good idea to cooperate (though it is not
required). If
| you have two radios, keeping one tuned to the CTAF of that
airport as
| you go by is probably a good idea.
|
| You can also fly above pattern altitude, say, 1000 feet
above TPA.
|
| Jose
| --
| The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
| for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Years back, I was flying with my Dad and they wanted to get some pictures of
a relatives house. The problem was that their house is under the Class C of
Nashville (BNA) and directly under one of the approaches. It was a slower
time of the day for BNA, but by telling them what we were doing and how long
we would be doing it, ATC accomodated and we were able to make several
orbits of the house and take quite a few pics. Got REAL close and personal
with a landing MD80 in the process, but they saw us, we saw them and ATC was
involved the whole way.

Was my first experience in learning that ATC doesn't have to respond to
every request with the same phrase

jf

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Years back, I was flying with my Dad and they wanted to get some pictures
of a relatives house. The problem was that their house is under the Class
C of Nashville (BNA) and directly under one of the approaches. It was a
slower time of the day for BNA, but by telling them what we were doing and
how long we would be doing it, ATC accomodated and we were able to make
several orbits of the house and take quite a few pics. Got REAL close and
personal with a landing MD80 in the process, but they saw us, we saw them
and ATC was involved the whole way.

Was my first experience in learning that ATC doesn't have to respond to
every request with the same phrase

jf

"Unable?"

;O)

Jay B

Also, remember that TRSA service isn't mandatory. Once airborne, and
outside of the Charlie airspace, you can say "negative TRSA services."

Cheers,
Wiz

GE wrote:
Let me start by saying that I consider myself a new pilot, although I've had
my certificate for 2 years and a little over a 100 hours. I had to take some
time off from flying when my plane was damaged by my partner, then totaled
by Katrina. (I've made a few posts with regards to the above.) Anyway, I am
back flying again, so please indulge a question or two.

I know this is somewhat backward from most people, but I did my training and
most of my flying from a controlled field. It's actually a class D situated
inside of a class C. Uncontrolled fields are a little foreign to me. I am
flying tomorrow to see a friend. The field is class E, but situated inside
of a TRSA. Getting in and out doesn't bother me, I'm okay with that. The
issue is that my friend wants me to take him on a local sightseeing trip. No
problem, I've got a map and a GPS, I can navigate. My problem is that I
don't know what to tell the TRSA guys once I get airborne. What do I say? Do
I tell them an area I want to fly to, or just a general direction? Also,
there is a larger commercial airport nearby (still class E). Of course I
want to avoid that airport, but what's the best way? Should I just plot a
course around it or will they want to vector me? Any other help will be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help...

Oops, rereading I realized the class C is only an issue at your home
field. You need only say "negative TRSA services" on getting airborne,
though personally, I like all the help I can get.

Cheers,
Wiz


Wiz wrote:
Also, remember that TRSA service isn't mandatory. Once airborne, and
outside of the Charlie airspace, you can say "negative TRSA services."

Cheers,
Wiz

GE wrote:
Let me start by saying that I consider myself a new pilot, although I've had
my certificate for 2 years and a little over a 100 hours. I had to take some
time off from flying when my plane was damaged by my partner, then totaled
by Katrina. (I've made a few posts with regards to the above.) Anyway, I am
back flying again, so please indulge a question or two.

I know this is somewhat backward from most people, but I did my training and
most of my flying from a controlled field. It's actually a class D situated
inside of a class C. Uncontrolled fields are a little foreign to me. I am
flying tomorrow to see a friend. The field is class E, but situated inside
of a TRSA. Getting in and out doesn't bother me, I'm okay with that. The
issue is that my friend wants me to take him on a local sightseeing trip. No
problem, I've got a map and a GPS, I can navigate. My problem is that I
don't know what to tell the TRSA guys once I get airborne. What do I say? Do
I tell them an area I want to fly to, or just a general direction? Also,
there is a larger commercial airport nearby (still class E). Of course I
want to avoid that airport, but what's the best way? Should I just plot a
course around it or will they want to vector me? Any other help will be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help...

Was taking my mother up for a sight seeing tour, in Montreal (the "Ville
Marie Circuit" for those in the know), shortly after getting my private.
Did a route around downtown and the 'Big O', and was heading back West...
typically routed well South of Dorval (now "Pierre Elliot Trudeau" - YUL)
airport, the big class C (class B to you Americans) in the area. On my way
West this time, they had me flying pretty much right over the field. I
actually had a controller at YUL contact me to say that traffic was light,
and asked if I wanted to do a touch and go. I was in a 152... at a huge
international airport... with 11,000 ft runways. Hell... even with low
hours, I probably could'a landed crossways to the runway. He had to ask me
twice... I don't think I believed it the first time. Needless to say, I was
now pretty much right over the runway, and needed to get down quick. I
turned to my mother and said, "OK. I'm going to do a manouver now that makes
the plane turn a little sideways, and it will feel funny, but it is all on
purpose. There is no need to worry." ... and I slipped that little 152 down
hard to a greaser.

I had a new respect for controllers after that. That guy could have just
let me go on and clear the area easily. I think he must have been a pilot.

(BTW... my mother was OK with the slip, and was quite impressed with the
landing. This should not be considered a brag on my piloting skills... I've
effed up many before and since... I just got lucky that time!)



"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Years back, I was flying with my Dad and they wanted to get some pictures
of a relatives house. The problem was that their house is under the Class
C of Nashville (BNA) and directly under one of the approaches. It was a
slower time of the day for BNA, but by telling them what we were doing and
how long we would be doing it, ATC accomodated and we were able to make
several orbits of the house and take quite a few pics. Got REAL close and
personal with a landing MD80 in the process, but they saw us, we saw them
and ATC was involved the whole way.

Was my first experience in learning that ATC doesn't have to respond to
every request with the same phrase

jf