Contact departure/approach from Class D Airport on ground?

[limbo696]

I was planning a flight from Chino (KCNO, class -D) to John Wayne (KSNA) and Chino exists underneath the Ontario (KONT) class C airspace and is very close the the John Wayne class C airspace. My thought was it would be best to obtain clearance delivery while on the ground to best keep ahead of the curve for this short flight. However, there is no clearance delivery for class-d airports. Is it possible to contact ATC for clearance delivery or approach at a class D airport while on the ground or am I forced to contact approach only once I'm up in the air? My first intuition was to contact Ontario clearance delivery but this is seemingly not correct procedure.

** EDIT ** This would be a VFR flight.

[Peter Grey]

Hello,

You can obtain flight following from ground control at class D airports on PilotEdge.

However doing so at CNO does NOT allow you to enter Class C airspace for ONT or SNA prior to being in contact with approach control. The benefit is that you deal with setting the aircraft up for flight following on the ground as opposed to it the air.

[limbo696]

So Chino ground can give me a squawk code?

[Peter Grey]

Yes

[stevekirks]

Yes, but as I've learned in other threads, a squawk code is not permission to enter airspace.

Suggest:

Route - PDZ PDZ270R V363 POXKU V8 SLI - altitude 4000
This is the TEC route available between airports. In real life, you'd file this IFR (even as a VFR rated pilot) so the route is available to controllers. Fly to the Paradise VOR, pick up the 270 radial, follow Victor 363 airway, switch to Victor 8 at POXKU then direct Seal Beach.

After takeoff you'd stay below 2700, get clearance to enter the Class C at Ontario (from SoCal Approach). Climb to 4000 and follow the route, pickup clearance for the the Class C at John Wayne BEFORE POXKU and inform them that you have the weather and inbound to land at KSNA. At that point, you might get direct to the airport or pattern entry instructions.

If IFR, then your Charlie clearances are dealt with for you since you're under control by ATC instead of on your own VFR.

If I get this right, I want to add a Junior Peter Gray badge to my sig...

EDIT--sadface..I lose...see below

[Pieces]

You'll be waiting a long time, because you'll never receive a clearance to enter the charlie airspace. In my opinion, that is way more complicated than you need.

Request flight following from CNO ground. Depart as instructed. Contact SOCAL when tower gives you the frequency change (make sure not to enter the charlie airspace before SOCAL responds by saying your callsign) then fly pretty much direct KSNA. Once you've established 2-way communication with SOCAL (by having them answer you with your callsign) you can enter the ONT and SNA airspace at your leisure.

[PenfoldPilot]

It is my understanding that only an IFR current pilot can accept an IFR clearance, would be interested to hear otherwise.

[Ryan B]

He's talking about flight following. Unless I missed something else. But ya, you've got to be instrument rated to get an IFR clearance in real life.

edit: Oh I see the thread you're talking about.

[HRutila]

Keep your workload minimal. Depart CNO to the southwest below 2,700 so as to remain outside of the ONT Class C. Upon exiting the CNO Class D, obtain the SNA ATIS and contact SOCAL for entry into the SNA Class C.

I can't think of one reason why it would be necessary to climb into the ONT Class C shelf area on this flight. In the amount of time it'll take you to leave the CNO Class D and establish two-way comms with SOCAL, you'll be outside of the shelf area anyway.

[limbo696]

Thanks for the information guys. I was unaware that you could request flight following from ground control similar to what you do with departure in a class C airport--if you wish to try to fly VFR direct from KNCO to KNSA this is probably the best option in my opinion. I would assume that most pilots would fly a non-direct route to get into uncontrolled (or Class E) airspace first and then contact approach to get clearance as HRutila points out. I did some additional searching on the internet regarding this situation and here was a response I found form someone that flies out of Chino for real:

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I fly out of KCNO and normally request a squawk code for flight following from Chino Ground. They will normally come back on the radio and say Cessna 502 Tango Mike remain clear of the class charile (ontario) airspace until two way communication has been established, squawk will be assigned by chino tower. Once the run-up is complete and I contact the tower to let them know I'm holding short 26 right, they will at that point give me the code and freq to contact So Cal. I've found that Chino is different than other such as Camarillo who will tell you to contact Mugu Approach for FF, Whiteman who passes you to Burbank Tower or Fox who tells you to contact Joshua Approach. Just my two cents for whatever it's worth.
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Here is the complete thread from someone asking the same questions: http://studentpilot.com/interact/forum/ ... 41558.html