What to do? Pseudo "Lost Comms"

[Ryan B]

The other day I flew some patterns over at KRAL. On the downwind I informed the controller I wanted to go over to KONT. I think I asked if I should expect to go directly to tower or over to approach. I believe we both planned on me being handed off directly to ONT tower. Anyway I was cleared option and then crosswind departure approved (it was last week I can't remember which runway I was using). Then the radio got really busy as the controller (single controller again) was helping a pilot work his airplane (which he didn't/shouldn't have to to) as well as aid a pilot going for a rating with some specific question. Being that RAL is a class D I switched to ONT tower on my own, remained clear of the inner class C, and stayed under the outer class C shelf. Not gonna lie I got kinda close though and made a hard turn to the east (in hopes I'd get straight in Ry 26L). Out there I remained clear of the RAL class D and the ONT class C. Is this what I should do? I mean we pretty much coordinated that I'd depart to the north on the crosswind then I'd get switched directly to ONT tower. But I could never get a word in. I realize it would be totally different in RW because it would probably be coordinated via landline (or if not I would be able to get a frequency change right away to ONT tower for class C entrance), but it was just weird to me.

I didn't want to stay in the pattern at RAL because both him and I knew I was departing. But I didn't want to set 7600 and enter the C because I thought it was unnecessary as well. Once I left RAL frequency I figured I can't come back to the D so I left it behind me.

Did I do the best thing? IE orbit and wait for a break in the radio?

p.s. Looking at skyvector, man it's a cluster of controlled airspace right there (not as bad as near LAX but still)... I did have GTN750 onboard and was using that to remain clear of the other deltas and March AFB.

[Peter Grey]

Simple answer is yes you did just fine (I was controlling that day).

Remember there is no requirement for you to stay on a tower frequency when you are not in the towers airspace (at a Class D and G towered airport anyway). So once you cleared the RAL Class D you could have switched to ONT tower on your own.

[Nelson L.]

If this was yesterday, then I can understand the congestion. Couldn't get a word in to John Wayne, so I had to circle VFR over Dana Point (about 20 miles south, but since I was /A, I don't trust my judgement of where airspace starts) for a few minutes. I don't think its actually "legal/acceptable" to go 7600 if the radio is just congested, you'd have alarm bells going off in every Bravo APP facility in the world (i.e. JFK) - Peter can probably answer that 200%+ better than I can though.

[Ryan B]

Simple answer is yes you did just fine (I was controlling that day).

Remember there is no requirement for you to stay on a tower frequency when you are not in the towers airspace (at a Class D and G towered airport anyway). So once you cleared the RAL Class D you could have switched to ONT tower on your own.

I did right away... just couldn't get a word in to enter the C hehe. That's why I went orbiting off to the ESE (right near that darn "mountain"!)

[Ryan B]

If this was yesterday, then I can understand the congestion. Couldn't get a word in to John Wayne, so I had to circle VFR over Dana Point (about 20 miles south, but since I was /A, I don't trust my judgement of where airspace starts) for a few minutes. I don't think its actually "legal/acceptable" to go 7600 if the radio is just congested, you'd have alarm bells going off in every Bravo APP facility in the world (i.e. JFK) - Peter can probably answer that 200%+ better than I can though.

Ya I know that... I'm a rw controller. The alarms are asinine... trust me.

[Nelson L.]

I see the ATCS now!

[gavink42]

Ya I know that... I'm a rw controller. The alarms are asinine... trust me.

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