Route to TOA
Brian,
I've been based at TOA and flying out of both TOA and SMO for the past 15 years. I pretty much have the same advice as everyone else, but figured I?ll thrown in my 2 cents with a picture to try and help out. I'm not sure if the picture is showing in the post or not, if a link is showing it should take you to the picture.
I think the easiest way to transition the LAX Class B is to use the LAX Special Flight Rules (SFR) Corridor shown on the LAX TAC. You don?t have to receive a clearance from LAX tower like you do for the mini route and the landmarks are much easier to spot if you?re not familiar with the area. You?ll have plenty of time to descend from 3,500? to the TOA pattern of 1,100? after you exit the SFR.
There are two routes I recommend to get to the SFR when coming from the north. Route #1 shows the course coming over VNY. This route will require that you pick up flight following because you will transition the Burbank Class C. I know it?s possible to do it without talking to SoCal, but there is a lot of traffic out there and I can?t think of 1 good reason not to be talking to them. They?ll cut you free over SMO and tell you to squawk 1201 as you approach the corridor. I?ve shown the approximate location of the start of the LAX Class B, you?ll want to make sure you?re below 5,000 before your cross the Santa Monica Mountains. I usually fly just north of VNY and pick up the SMO VOR (128 radial I believe is the course for the SFR) and plan my decent to level off at 3,500? by the time I reach the VOR.
Route #2 brings you down the coast and if you go this way you don?t need to talk to SoCal as there is no Class C airspace you?ll need to transition. I would still recommend talking to them as there is a fair amount of traffic up and down the coast and it never hurts having that second set of eyes looking at for you. Again I?ve shown the approximate location of the start of the Class B. I would fly direct to SMO and again plan to cross the VOR at 3,500?, which is located at the west end of the runway.
I usually make 5 reports when in the SFR, more than most people but I think more information is better than less. I report when over the SMO VOR, when entering the SFR over Ballona Creek (it?s the river running to the Marina, you can?t miss it), over the north and south runways and when exiting the SFR. When you pass the red and white striped smoke stacks of the power plant you are now out of the corridor and below the LAX Class B. I would call TOA at this point and report that you?re exiting the corridor and in bound for landing. They will most likely tell you to enter a right base for 29R and to report when downwind.
It?s a lot easier thanI'm making it sound, I?m sure you?ll have no problems. If you have any questions feel free to send me a direct message, I?m more than happy to help out.
