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  #1  
Old 07-10-2010, 07:50 PM
Steve Steve is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Roy, Utah
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Default Chicago VFR corridor

I'll be departing OSH heading south to Florida. A couple of questions for the local pilots.
Is there a VFR corridor along the Lake Michigan shoreline?
Is a clearance easily obtained from (O'Hare?) Approach?
Is it a too big a bother so I should go around Chicago on the west side?

Thanks all
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  #2  
Old 07-10-2010, 08:31 PM
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midwest rv-10 midwest rv-10 is offline
 
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Location: Pleasant Prairie,Wisconsin
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Default Chicago VFR corridor

Steve,
Yes there is a VFR corridor. Review a terminal area chart @ runwayfinder.com because the altitudes do change going down the lakeshore. I use the shoreline frequently. it's one of the most scenic skylines around.
Don
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  #3  
Old 07-10-2010, 08:52 PM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
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I avoid VFR corridors. See if flying high works....talking to ATC if they want to play nice.
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  #4  
Old 07-10-2010, 09:50 PM
alcladrv alcladrv is offline
 
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Location: Southeast
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The Chicago Class B tops out at 10,000. Enroute to or from OSH in my -7A, I cross overhead at 10,500 or 11,500 depending on direction and attempt to contact approach control just to let them know I'm there. If they don't respond, I know I'm legal and just keep a sharp eye out for climbing traffic.

For ORD traffic, All of the arrivals enter on the "corners" and are lower than 10,000 within the lateral limits of the Class B. The departures generally fly out the sides North, South, East or West.

Hope this helps.
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  #5  
Old 07-11-2010, 05:42 AM
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robertahegy robertahegy is offline
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The bottom of the class B airspace is 3000 msl over the lake. I used to fly it all the time heading to GA to visit the kids. I never could raise atc while doing it and no one seemed to care. I would fly at about 1200 msl, which put me about 600 feet above the lake and below the tops of the skyscrapers. Awesome flight past the Chicago skyline. Especially in the AM. It can get foggy, though, so be aware of conditions. And be mindful of other smaller airports and their space.

Enjoy the view,

Roberta
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  #6  
Old 07-11-2010, 06:21 AM
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apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
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The lakeshore corridor is a really nice flight. Beautiful vistas of the Chicago skyline. There is lots of VFR traffic. Approach will give good service if they can find the time. The VFR route keeps you at 2500 or so and about a mile off shore. It's pretty tight for about 5 miles, but opens up on both ends. If it were me I'd go over the top. But, it's not that big of a deal using the corridor.
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  #7  
Old 07-11-2010, 08:57 AM
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Alan Carroll Alan Carroll is offline
 
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin
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I've also flown this corridor a number of times, including trips to Meigs field before it was closed. Great views along the way, just need to pay close attention to airspace and traffic. I've usually been able to get advisories from approach but this probably depends on time of day. The tradeoff is that options are few if you develop engine trouble.
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  #8  
Old 07-11-2010, 01:18 PM
jrs14855 jrs14855 is offline
 
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Location: Lake Havasu City AZ
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Default Chicago Bravo airspace

I have to take issue with any suggestion that there is a VFR corridor along the lakeshore. You are simply flying under the Bravo lower altitude limits. There is absolutely no need to fly offshore. Below 3000' one can fly along the shore with 1-1.5 nm to spare.No requirement to talk to anyone. Or one can fly further inland at a lower altitude, staying outside the ORD six nm ring and respaecing the Midway Charlie airspace.
The only VFR corridor thru Bravo airspace that I am familiar with is the Los Angeles corridors which are depicted on the charts and require ATC clearance.
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  #9  
Old 07-11-2010, 01:31 PM
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BuckWynd BuckWynd is offline
 
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I agree entirely! There's no "VFR corridor." You don't need to talk to anyone to fly along the shoreline, as long as you stay out of the Class Bravo airspace. So let's not give Chicago's 'Mayor Doofus' any ideas...
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  #10  
Old 07-11-2010, 02:50 PM
grover grover is offline
 
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Location: savannah
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Default easy flight

I was through a couple weeks ago, and approach let me into the TCA and everything. they were very helpful and it was some good sightseeing.
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