VFR: Confused between contacting tower or approach.

[Ryan Geckler]

I'm not sure if there are any in California or not

There is indeed! KBFL - Meadows Field, Bakersfield is a Delta tower with approach control.

Yuma and Point Mugu (albeit both military) are also Class D's with approach control facilities.

[fmmike]

Ryan

Thanks for the response. So that would be true for Class B as well? If I want to transition Class B airspace or land at a Class B airport I only need to contact Tower before entering airspace? (VFR)

Thanks
Mike

[Ryan Geckler]

Ryan

Thanks for the response. So that would be true for Class B as well? If I want to transition Class B airspace or land at a Class B airport I only need to contact Tower before entering airspace? (VFR)

Thanks
Mike

Oh no. Absolutely not. There are very strict Class B entry requirements (FAR 91.131). Transiting a Bravo is very different than transiting a Delta.

[Keith Smith]

Mike,

Some Class D airports do utilize approach controllers for sequencing (Reading, PA is a good example of this, KRDG). It's not published anywhere that pilots can see it, other than the fact that there's a Reading TRACON (since the comms section of the AFD lists Reading Approach/Departure), nor is it in the ATIS, but if you are an arriving aircraft and you attempt to contact the tower, they'll send you straight off to approach. Is it the pilot's fault? No. This is the exception rather than the rule, though. For Class D's, 99% of the time, you're going to be fine calling the tower directly.

Regarding Class C's...if you are under the outer shelf and approaching the surface area, you will often be fine talking to the tower directly. This is the case at Oakland and San Jose up in Norcal (from personal experience). It's also the case with Bravos, too. Aircraft out of KSQL (a Delta just outside the surface Bravo in norcal) contact SFO tower directly for transitions.

If you're a little further out at a Charlie or Bravo, I would, without question, contact the approach control. This way, you can get properly sequenced and put into a flow that's going to work for everyone.

[Keith Smith]

Ryan, I have to disagree. I've transitioned the SFO Bravo, LGA Bravo, EWR Bravo and JFK Bravos before...sometimes I've done it with the tower (if I'm approaching the surface area below one of the outer shelves, and close enough that the tower would be controlling that airspace). Other times, it's with the approach controller.

[fmmike]

Kevin

Ok, Well with regards to Class D airports like KRST in MN with there own approach control. Is it just a good idea to call approach control when flying into the airport VFR for sequencing. Or is it required?

Thanks
Mike

[Keith Smith]

It's not legally required. However, if you notice that tower always just sends you over to approach for inbound sequencing, then you have your answer. Reading, PA is precisely like that.

[fmmike]

Ok thanks Keith

Mike

[Ryan B]

I work in Duluth, a class D tower served by approach control. On our ATIS it states for arrivals to contact approach... it's assumed that you would call approach for transitions through the D too. We do have a few low flying planes that simply call the tower and that's fine.

So if landing class D airport and you're not sure whether or not there is an approach facility, check the ATIS and it should say something about it.

Of course in PE there's not a great way to tell unless you check the AFD (online check Skyvector.com's info page about the airport)

[Keith Smith]

Reading's ATIS does not say it.