KRIR - VFR & IFR Flights

[ceranes]

In looking at the Flabob Airport (KRIR) on the sectional chart provided by skyvector, I notice the airport lies in a "notchout" of the Class D airspace surrounding Riverside (KRAL). You will also see the Ontarior Class C airspace running from the departure end of the running, running through the middle of the Riverside Class D.



My ultimate goal is to depart Runway 24, Southwest bound towards PDZ to join the 278 Radial outbound towards El Monte airport (KEMT).

Departing VFR, I believe I would be ok by climbing to 2,500, I would slip underneath the Ontario Class C, and the LAX Class B. My question is in regards to the immediate departure. Should I contact Riverside Tower for Clearance to transition their Class D before I take off or after? As soon as I exit their Class D, I'll have to immediately call Chino Tower and request to transition their Class D. Is these the steps I would have to take?



As far as IFR is concerned, I read in the AF/D for KRIR, that for IFR clearance, I need to contact Socal Approach on 135.4 as shown below. So I get a clearance from Socal Approach, depart on Unicom, since Flabob is a non-towered airport, then immediately call Socal, or do I still need to contact Riverside first?




I hope everything I said makes sense...

Thanks,

Chris

[Ryan B]

The vfr question is interesting... If you're doing the route to challenge yourself then ya that's an option. If you're just going VFR from Flabob to EMT I'd depart 6, clear the RAL D, make a climbing right turn to 6500, be careful to avoid the RIV C (and ONT C). All you have to do is be above 5000 before turning back to PDZ (but above 55 near March AFB). Once at PDZ278R you'll be clear of the LAX B at 6500. Start a descent to just above the western edge of the ONT C (near POC), descend to just above the D at EMT, call tower and land. Check out the Los Angeles FLY chart on skyvector... a bit less busy than the TAC.

For IFR, if on the ground at Flabob, and you get your clearance on the ground, you don't need to call anyone until you contact socal departure. They basically block everything for your IFR departure. IF VFR then departing with IFR pickup, you'd basically need to do the above (or avoid any airspaces until two way comms established). In that case, depart Ry 6, and call socal (or is it March departure I forget?) flying eastbound between the NW corner of RIV's C and the Eastern side of ONT's C.

This is why people file IFR in socal lol!!

[Chompski]

http://www.flabobairport.org/home/pilot-briefing/

Might help solve who to contact vfr

[ceranes]

Thanks Ryan B and Chompski...your replies were very helpful.

It's definitely going to take time to get used to the SoCAL airspace!! Or like Ryan said, just fly IFR all the time.

[Keith Smith]

Ceranes,

Your plan of departing VFR is ok. Not sure if you could reach RAL tower from the ground in real life. I would takeoff east if possible, but I suspect the prevailing winds will often require a west departure. If time allows, call RAL TWR as soon as you takeoff, but prepared to make it a left downwind departure to the east until you establish comms. Then, transition RAL Class D westbound, request a frequency change to Chino if you don't get one in a timely fashion, then transition the Chino Class D.

Looks like a fun exercise.

[stevekirks]

This sounds like a fascinating airport and odd combination of exceptions and rules. Might be time to head over there...