Okay low time pilot here with a quick question. I live in Logan, Utah and I want to fly to cedar city, utah after I get my license. Problem is SLC airspace takes all the area from high mountains on one side to the great salt lake on the other. How should I get thru? I have landed at SLC once with my instructor but I don't know how it would work if I wasn't landing but just flying through. Should I call approach? What should I say? Or should I just fly around (Probably add at least 45 minutes on both ways.) I figured that if I called approach I would say something to the effect of "I want to pass thru your airspace at 8500 on my way to cedar city" But what would you say/do?
How do I get thru class B airspace?
- Thread starter Spbeyond
- Start date
mavsfflife
Well-Known Member
You just about got it, call approach, tell them who you are, where you are, and your intentions. They will give you a sqauwk and and vectors. Don't forget to make sure they say you are cleared in it before you enter.
MSUDAWG
Well-Known Member
Once you get airborne off of the airport you are departing you can pick up flight following from salt lake center or whoever the controlling agency is out there...
"Salt Lake Center, Cessna 123XY is a cessna 172 off of XYZ airport going direct to ABC airport at 8500, request flight following...."
They will then come back with a squak code and prob tell you to remain VFR. You can fly direct to the airport you are going to and once you get within the approach's range center will pass you off to appch....."Cessna 123XY contact Salt Lake Appch on 1xx.xx" Call them up and tell them Appch Cessna 123XY, 8500" They will then come back with "cleared into the bravo airspace" or they will give you radar vectors to follow to be clear of traffic or they will tell you to stay clear of the bravo which you would at that time decend below the TCA and keep on your current trek unless they give you a heading...
But dont be scared to call them. ATC is there to help and not to hurt you..Its better to call them and get clear b4 hand than to get in there and screw up big time....But they will walk you through the steps and help you along the way...
"Salt Lake Center, Cessna 123XY is a cessna 172 off of XYZ airport going direct to ABC airport at 8500, request flight following...."
They will then come back with a squak code and prob tell you to remain VFR. You can fly direct to the airport you are going to and once you get within the approach's range center will pass you off to appch....."Cessna 123XY contact Salt Lake Appch on 1xx.xx" Call them up and tell them Appch Cessna 123XY, 8500" They will then come back with "cleared into the bravo airspace" or they will give you radar vectors to follow to be clear of traffic or they will tell you to stay clear of the bravo which you would at that time decend below the TCA and keep on your current trek unless they give you a heading...
But dont be scared to call them. ATC is there to help and not to hurt you..Its better to call them and get clear b4 hand than to get in there and screw up big time....But they will walk you through the steps and help you along the way...
TheAlchemist
Well-Known Member
Good luck on you oral test then!!!
Thank you very much guys!
I'd definitely ask your instructor about this scenario before going on your checkride... It's hard during training to get all the small scenarios like this through, but it's something I'd discuss with your instructor to get a step by step idea of how it's supposed to work.
Now, to answer your question. You'd have to call the approach frequency for your area (you can find that in the AFD). You'd tell them the standard information, and then tell them what you'd like to do. They'll give you a transponder code. You'll then have to hear the magic words--"cleared into Class Bravo" before you can go into their airspace. After that, they'll either let you go on your merry way or give you vectors until you're clear of their airspace.....
good luck on the checkride....
P&H
Well-Known Member
Or a student pilot certificate with an endorsement from his CFI endorsing him for Class B airspace.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
If they are busy, make sure you just say, "Salt Lake Approach, Cessna 123AB, with Request" and wait for them to come back to you.
TFaudree_ERAU
Mashin' dem buttons
...with VFR request. If you simply say request, they're going to probably assume you're IFR and go scrambling for your strip since a lot of the times, a request means you want a shortcut on your route.
meyers9163
Well-Known Member
Or simply get flight following and you should be good to go as long as they dont drop you like some do. But for the most part they are good with flight following.
MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
Spbeyond,
Before you take those last two posts as gospel, recongnize that neither are required operating practices and that while saying them will never be a problem, saying them is not required and the need to say either "Request" or "VFR Request" varies tremendously. For example, I have rarely used "Request" and have never used "VFR Request" in, under or around Denver's Class B.
But a small more useful tip. Take a look at your Class B runway confiiguration. Think about the pattern for jets as they approach and depart. The more likely is is that your route will interfere with that pattern, the less likely it is that you will be cleared through.
Before you take those last two posts as gospel, recongnize that neither are required operating practices and that while saying them will never be a problem, saying them is not required and the need to say either "Request" or "VFR Request" varies tremendously. For example, I have rarely used "Request" and have never used "VFR Request" in, under or around Denver's Class B.
But a small more useful tip. Take a look at your Class B runway confiiguration. Think about the pattern for jets as they approach and depart. The more likely is is that your route will interfere with that pattern, the less likely it is that you will be cleared through.
A300Capt
Freight Dawg
While I can't add anything about VFR flight through class B airspace that hasn't already been said here, let me just add one other thing. The ATC controllers are human just like you and they are there to help.
Class B is very busy airspace. Airtime is at a premium (alot of people and so few frequencies). That being said, be brief and to the point when you talk to the controllers and get his/her attention first before tying up the freq with a long winded dissertation about your intentions. He may have needed you to standby while he tried to keep two aircraft from hitting each other. Leave out the ahhhhh's, ummmmm's, errrrrrrrr's and all the small "filler" words that don't really add anything and just increase airtime.
One final thing. There is nothing like a good face to face with controllers. They're generally friendly folks and enjoy telling new pilots about how they do their job and how you can help them help you. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call your local TRACON and ask to speak to somebody. Ask them the same questions you're asking us and get their input on the best way to transition a class B airspace. Don't forget the VFR corridors dipicted on charts that folks can use to get through the class B.
Relax....Have fun!
Class B is very busy airspace. Airtime is at a premium (alot of people and so few frequencies). That being said, be brief and to the point when you talk to the controllers and get his/her attention first before tying up the freq with a long winded dissertation about your intentions. He may have needed you to standby while he tried to keep two aircraft from hitting each other. Leave out the ahhhhh's, ummmmm's, errrrrrrrr's and all the small "filler" words that don't really add anything and just increase airtime.
One final thing. There is nothing like a good face to face with controllers. They're generally friendly folks and enjoy telling new pilots about how they do their job and how you can help them help you. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call your local TRACON and ask to speak to somebody. Ask them the same questions you're asking us and get their input on the best way to transition a class B airspace. Don't forget the VFR corridors dipicted on charts that folks can use to get through the class B.
Relax....Have fun!
Best advice yet. They will welcome your phone call and will appreciate your effort to work with them and learn. You could even ask them about phraseology, and what words to use and how to say them. Good experience!
subpilot
Squawking 7600
Once I heard a VFR departure contact approach and give all the info at once. The controller came back and said "finally, someone who says it right." They then went into a conversation about whether it is prefered to say the whole request all at once or just say your callsign and "request". The controllers answer was that he prefered the entire request at once but every controller is different.
shooter13
New Member
Was just going to say, the controllers I have spoken with in conversation have said they don't like the request thing.
Their point was if you say request they have to tell you to go ahead when they are ready to listen. It requires four transmissions. If you state your request and they happen to miss it, they will just have you repeat it. So worst case...4 transmissions.
And Spbeyond,
i know exactly how you feel. I really studied all through my private and there were so many things I didn't know. I think that is one of the negatives of flying from an uncontrolled field. You aren't used to dealing with ATC. Special thanks to Grabo for all his help he gave me with a bunch of little questions after I passed my ride.
Their point was if you say request they have to tell you to go ahead when they are ready to listen. It requires four transmissions. If you state your request and they happen to miss it, they will just have you repeat it. So worst case...4 transmissions.
And Spbeyond,
i know exactly how you feel. I really studied all through my private and there were so many things I didn't know. I think that is one of the negatives of flying from an uncontrolled field. You aren't used to dealing with ATC. Special thanks to Grabo for all his help he gave me with a bunch of little questions after I passed my ride.
bwade210
New Member
Thank you very much guys!
Good luck on the checkride and oral exam my friend!
fly22
Well-Known Member
PIkcing up flight following through SLC is easy. You don't however have to do it. Stay below Calss B, stay east of the shore line and I 15. Start you Accent by Provo. 8500 Isn't that much higher then 6500. It does get busy from BTF to the point of the mtn so the smart thing is to get it.
1- get atis 124.75
2- SLC approach from the north is a differnt frec then from the south standadrd approach is 120.90 and from the north its 121.1
3- "Salt lake Approach N...... Request. When they come on say ALT postion tell them you have current atis info Alpha or whaterver it might be and destination. requst flight following.
4- Squawk new code, they will usually cancel you at the point of the mtn. If they are busy they might not at all.
Its not that bad of a process.
1- get atis 124.75
2- SLC approach from the north is a differnt frec then from the south standadrd approach is 120.90 and from the north its 121.1
3- "Salt lake Approach N...... Request. When they come on say ALT postion tell them you have current atis info Alpha or whaterver it might be and destination. requst flight following.
4- Squawk new code, they will usually cancel you at the point of the mtn. If they are busy they might not at all.
Its not that bad of a process.
bwade210
New Member
You: "Salt Lake Center, N123SB is a cessna 172 off of LGU airport transitioning direct to CDC at 8500, request VFR flight following...."
Salt Lake Center: "N123SB sqwak 1200"
You: 123SB sqwaking 1200"
Your communication will go something like this and there are variations but the bottum line is that you tell them what you are, where you are and where you would like to go. SLC Center is there to help you and although you might be a little nervous (it's completely natural) relax and they will help you get to CDC as quickly and safely as possible.
Salt Lake Center: "N123SB sqwak 1200"
You: 123SB sqwaking 1200"
Your communication will go something like this and there are variations but the bottum line is that you tell them what you are, where you are and where you would like to go. SLC Center is there to help you and although you might be a little nervous (it's completely natural) relax and they will help you get to CDC as quickly and safely as possible.