Here's a sample transcript and procedural walk-through for those who would like some guidance on flying this event:
Leg 1: SQL - STS via the SFO Bravo
Route map:
http://bit.ly/HeZqpO
High level plan: depart San Carlos (KSQL), transition the SFO Bravo with flight following to Sonoma County (KSTS). We'll be talking to San Carlos ground, then tower, then SFO tower, then norcal departure on several frequencies that will be provided for us, then handed off to Sonoma County tower.
Transcript and procedures:
- use the San Francisco TAC chart on skyvector (use the route map link above), zoom in on SQL and SFO for now (note the highway passing just west of SFO, that's Highway 101)
- pick up the ATIS for SQL
- think before we call...where are, who are we and what do you we want? For the 'where are we', looking at the
SQL Airport Facility Diagram we will either be on the SW or NE side of the runway, so make the call relative to that...
- contact SQL ground, 121.60, "San Carlos Ground, Skyhawk 123AB, southwest side of the field with [ATIS code], request taxi for VFR to Sonoma County, request flight following and Bravo transition."
"Cessna 3AB, San Carlos Ground, runway 30 taxi via Juliet, Kilo Golf and I have your request."
For brevity, I'll skip our responses unless there's anything meaningful.
Then, shortly after:
"Cessna 3AB, maintain VFR west of highway 101 at 1500, remain outside of the Bravo until advised, squawk 1234."
Pulling up to the runway, we swap to San Carlos tower frequency and call with:
"San Carlos Tower, Skyhawk 123AB, short of runway 30, VFR to Sonoma County."
"Skyhawk 3AB, San Carlos tower, straight out departure approved, runway 30 cleared for takeoff."
Off we go. Once clear of the pattern, we jog slightly left to get onto the left side of Highway 101 and we climb to 1500ft.
"Skyhawk 3AB, remain outside Bravo airspace until advised, contact San Francisco Tower 120.50"
We respond and swap to SFO tower, listen for a few seconds for any activity (you'd be shocked how many people just chime right in over the top of an existing conversation)...
"San Francisco Tower, Skyhawk 123AB, level 1500 just out of San Carlos." DO NOT repeat your request, we already know you're coming, that was the point of coordinating it on the ground. We do need your altitude, though.
"Skyhawk 3AB, San Francisco Tower, ident."
Hit the ident button and say, "ident, Skyhawk 3AB."
"Skyhawk 3AB, radar contact 2 miles southwest of Bay Meadows, cleared into Bravo airspace, maintain VFR at 1500, remain west of Highway 101. SFO alt [altimeter setting]"
"Cleared into the Bravo, west of 101 at 1500, N3AB."
Woohoo! Enjoy the view.
Continue over the hill, ATC will eventually remove the altitude restriction entirely or give you something less restrictive, and then hand you off to Norcal departure:
"Cessna 3AB, maintain VFR at or below 4500, contact norcal approach 135.10."
Read it back, change to 135.10, make the call:
"Norcal approach, Skyhawk 123AB 1500 climbing 4500."
"Skyhawk 3AB, Norcal approach, roger, San Francisco altimeter [altimeter setting]."
And so it continues, all the way to Sonoma County. At some point, ATC will tell you when you're leaving the Bravo airspace. This is important for the pilot because:
1) it means ATC is no longer providing positive separation (that means you need to put the magazine down and pay more attention)
2) it means the VFR minimums just got more conservative (3 miles vis, 1000ft above, 500ft below or 2000ft laterally from clouds instead of 3 miles vis and "remain clear of clouds" that we were enjoying in the Bravo).
We'll probably be handed to Oakland Center at some point...don't worry it's just a matter of changing freqs and checking in with your altitude.
Next thing we hear, "Skyhawk 3AB, Sonoma County 12 oclock 8 miles, advise when you have it in sight."
"In sight, N3AB."
"Skyhawk 3AB, radar services terminated, remain on your present beacon code, contact Santa Rosa Tower 118.50." OR
"Skyhawk 3AB, radar services terminated, squawk VFR, contact Santa Rosa Tower 118.50."
Note: radar services are no longer being provided. In the second case, they have no radar to speak of, they use binoculars, smoke signals, and stone-etched tables written in cuneiform. Nothing wrong with that!
"Santa Rosa Tower, Skyhawk 123AB 6 southeast, landing with [atis code]" or check in with "negative ATIS" if you weren't able to get the weather prior to swapping over.
"Skyhawk 3AB, Santa Rosa Tower, report 2 mile straight-in for runway 30."
On a 2 mile final, we call with:
"Tower, N3AB, 2 miles out for runway 30"
"Skyhawk 3AB, wind [winds], runway 30 cleared to land."
You'll either be handed to ground, or tower will ask where you're parking (Sonoma Jet Center, baby!) and send you there himself via one or more taxiways.
I'll make a separate post for Leg 2.
We will have ZOA open on Easter?