8/24 PAO fuel emergency ATC

[Cal Goat]

I learned to fly in the north bay in a clapped out /U Cessna 152, and did quite a few bay tours with nothing but a TAC chart. It's do-able, but things can get interesting... especially the San Mateo Bridge mid-span transition between SQL and OAK, when you're wondering exactly where the midspan is (hint: it's east of the high span!) and exactly where the Class B starts. Great situational awareness exercise though!

I just figured light sports, being relatively modern, had some kind of GPS installed. Also, the recreational pilot crowd that would go flying without giving much though to fuel are usually the guys that have the latest handheld technology.

 

[🦈💜]

I think it depends on the supervisors and the facility, but it's worth giving them a call to request a tour if you haven't already been up there!

I definitely intend to do that at some point!

-Fox

 

[ChasenSFO]

I learned to fly in the north bay in a clapped out /U Cessna 152, and did quite a few bay tours with nothing but a TAC chart. It's do-able, but things can get interesting... especially the San Mateo Bridge mid-span transition between SQL and OAK, when you're wondering exactly where the midspan is (hint: it's east of the high span!) and exactly where the Class B starts. Great situational awareness exercise though!

I learned very quickly flying out of SQL that the vast majority of Class B and C shelfs have landmarks around them. Everytime I head East from SQL, its just Sunken ship, climb, Highway 580, climb, aim for the middle of the 2 lakes to get between HWD and the OAK class C, then climb to cruise at the foothills. Simple.