First time IFR route question

[C-JBCS]

Hello, I've only flown VFR so far on PilotEdge and contemplating trying an IFR flight. My last VFR flight was from KONT to Boulder City Municipal near Las Vegas (KBVU). I was thinking of flying back to Ontario via IFR... I've watched most of the training materials on IFR procedures. As there doesn't appear to be a TEC rout I've planned the flight below. I was hoping someone might comment on what they thought of it.

KBVU DICSA V21 HEC, ZIGGY FOUR Arrival, KONT (I plan to file a 10000' alt as I see that's the MEA on V21 to HEC)

I also had just a couple of questions about it. Boulder City is uncontrolled. Would I have to call Mc Carran Intl clearance on 118.0 for IFR clearance? And would I be vectored directly to the DICSA intersection to pickup V21? I ask that as I can't find any DPs for Boulder... And lastly, should the above plan even be a viable one, how exactly would my route string look like?

As always, thanks for everyone's time, and I'd really appreciate the help.

Jay

[ncsterno]

Jay

I think you're routing looks good, but when filing leave off KBVU and KONT
"DICSA V21 HEC ZIGGY FOUR"

If ATC doesn't like this route, they will change it for you. I think it goes.... "N123AB expect full route clearance"

I'd contact LAS APP/DEP at 118.4, say you're at the ramp BVU ask to pick up your IFR clearance to ONT, again if they want you to contact someone else they will advise.
Controllers are very helpful, believe me I know.....

Jump on in, the IFR world is great!!

Chris

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Hello, I've only flown VFR so far on PilotEdge and contemplating trying an IFR flight. My last VFR flight was from KONT to Boulder City Municipal near Las Vegas (KBVU). I was thinking of flying back to Ontario via IFR... I've watched most of the training materials on IFR procedures. As there doesn't appear to be a TEC rout I've planned the flight below. I was hoping someone might comment on what they thought of it.

KBVU DICSA V21 HEC, ZIGGY FOUR Arrival, KONT (I plan to file a 10000' alt as I see that's the MEA on V21 to HEC)

I also had just a couple of questions about it. Boulder City is uncontrolled. Would I have to call Mc Carran Intl clearance on 118.0 for IFR clearance? And would I be vectored directly to the DICSA intersection to pickup V21? I ask that as I can't find any DPs for Boulder... And lastly, should the above plan even be a viable one, how exactly would my route string look like?

As always, thanks for everyone's time, and I'd really appreciate the help.

Jay

Hi Jay, welcome! I look forward to seeing you fly IFR on the network.

Have you ever looked at an FAA Airport/Facility Directory? When you look up an airport, there is a Communications section that will list all of the applicable frequencies. In an uncontrolled field, you will see all or some of the following: CTAF, UNICOM, ATIS/ASOS, and a radar frequency, either an APP/DEP CON or CENTER. For an IFR clearance, you would contact the appropriate radar control frequency. (Or, in reality, the FSS (flight service station) if listed, or an RCO (remote communications outlet).)

Here are some good digital A/FD's:

1) FAA Digital Airport/Facility Directory
2) Airnav
3) AOPA Airports


As an exercise, use the first link to the FAA A/FD. Type in "AVX" and make sure to drop the K (since, when referencing airports by their FAA designation, we drop the K). Click on the PDF for APT/NAVAID Listing. AVX is the first airport on the page. Locate the COMMUNICATIONS section and notice the SOCAL APP/DEP CON frequency. You would request an IFR clearance from this frequency.

Now, let's throw a wrench in this method. Do the same thing as above, except search for "BVU." Do you notice that the only thing that is listed is a CTAF/UNICOM frequency? This means we need to do some more investigative work. Let's use the second link from above, Airnav, and see if there are any DP's or STAR's that may list a radar control frequency. After going to Airnav, selected Airports, and then typing in BVU, we scroll down to find several STAR's that service this airport. Click on anyone of them and you have an approach frequency listed. You can use this frequency to try and obtain your clearance. Worst case scenario, you are told to contact another controller on another frequency.

Now, let's investigate a little further in the event the controller is unreachable due to the fact that you may be out of range. I would locate a nearby airport and see what frequency is listed for that facility. For example, let's look at HND. HND lists the LAS VEGAS APP/DEP CON frequency as being 118.4 (as Chris mentioned earlier). Seeing as though this radar sector would also handle departures, I think this would be your best choice.

In reality, you can call up Flight Service and they can relay the clearance prefixed with the following phraseology "ATC clears." Again, not on PE but in reality, if you needed to know what FSS frequency to call from the plane, you can phone 1-800-WX-BRIEF for further guidance, and can even file over the phone.

I hope I didn't lose you in my response, but I wanted to share with you my thought process in the hopes that it will help you to better investigate such inquiries in the future.

[Keith Smith]

The radio transmitters in PE are a little stronger than in real life to allow for the case where you're trying to reach the overlying approach controller on the radio while parked at the ramp at a non-towered airport. This is done to allow for the fact that we don't have phone-based communications on PE yet.

[Marcus Becker]

You may want to look at the MEAs along your planned route one more time. Don't forget about the MEAs on the arrival procedure.

[C-JBCS]

Thank you guys so much! ncsterno, Anthony, Keith, and Marcus, this helped out huge! I plan to give'er a shot tonight. If it wasn't for you guys, I don't think I'd attempt to go wheels up on this flight. I have a bit of reading to do to prep, but I think I'll be set to try today. Thanks again. Great info!

Jay

[C-JBCS]

Well I just got through it! And it was fantastic! Thanks guys.

One thing I've noticed is my filed flights aren't spilling over to PEaware. But no biggie, that was just way too much fun!