Soaring question

[Cookiezfort]

I have never been in the USA and I am unfamiliar with what I have to say to the controllers. In the UK we follow a specific frequency and we dotn really talk to an ATC but just inform them that we are flying.

I will be flying out of 46CN with ASN weather and thermals froma program called CumulusX. Is there anyone up to help me out a bit?

[Keith Smith]

As always with VFR, the communication requirements depend on the type of airspace in which you'll be flying. My guess is that you'll be starting at a non-towered airport, launching briefly through Class G airspace until 700ft or 1200ft, then Class E above that. There is no communication requirement with ATC in Class E/G airspace, so there is no need to be talking to anyone. If you would LIKE to receive radar service, you can call the nearest approach facility and request it.

The aircraft type (glider) doesn't change much on that front.

[Cookiezfort]

I will lunch from Crystal which according to skyvector is on the southeast of Riverside (cnat read charts to save my life) airspace with a freq of 123.7

[Keith Smith]

The Crystal CTAF is 123.00 and it is southeast of Palmdale. Riverside is the name of the Flight Service facility, which is not an ATC function. They would be addressed as "Riverside Radio" and they would be available for weather briefings and to open/close flight plans. Flight Service isn't simulated on PilotEdge.

[Cookiezfort]

Thank you Keith, I will definately fly when I can for the two weeks.

[Keith Smith]

If you do want to monitor ATC for situational awareness or to call for radar service (if the glider is transponder-equipped), 124.55 is the Joshua Approach frequency (the Palmdale airport information page on airnav.com has the info in the communications section: http://airnav.com/airport/KPMD).