Frequency switching - ATC notifications?

[Turner]

Hi all,

Did the V3 yesterday and after passing south through LAX B, I expected (but didn't receive) a handoff to Torrance tower. I didn't get one, so I asked for a frequency change - but I was already pretty close.

Worked out fine, but I was expecting a handoff; that said, maybe I'm just assuming that ATC knew where I was going...

Typically when flying through local airspace and ask for a B transition and/or flight following, I'm asked my desired altitude destination; I don't actually remember that happening on PE.

Any thoughts?

thx
Andrew

[Keith Smith]

You may get asked for a desired altitude for a random transition of a Bravo, however, if you're requesting the published mini-route, you can have ANY altitude you want, as long as it's 2500.

What will happen at the end of the mini-route (while you're talking to HHR tower) is that you'll either be given freq change approved, or, if you've been proactive to tell the controller that you're landing at Torrance, or you want a freq change to Socal, they'll handle you accordingly (with an instruction to contact Socal on 134.90, or an early freq change approval so you can get onto Torrance's freq asap).

Do not assume the HHR tower controller knows you're landing at TOA unless you've explicitly stated it. Remember, the role of the test examiner for the V3 is separate to that of the controller working HHR tower, even if they might be the same person: http://training.pilotedge.net/page/takingTests

[Turner]

Thanks Keith.

I don't think I spoke with HHR on the return; IIRC it was SoCal > Torrance.

I could be wrong... are these sessions recorded?

[Keith Smith]

Yes, it should be in the recordings, http://pilotedge.net/audio

Sorry, I assumed you flew the mini-route back, perhaps you were on a different transition on the southbound portion. Most people do the mini-route for that leg because it leaves you down low, making it easier to get into Torrance.

[Turner]

Hi Keith -

Thanks for the link.

That assumption is correct – it was the Mini Route. The southbound text notes that the transition is handled by SMO, but I'm curious to see if I noted my final destination. I don't remember doing it, but it was pretty busy.

[Turner]

Went to the recordings - couldn't find the end of it, but I only asked for the transition and probably didn't specify my destination.

I went back to the charts and am not really clear on where the handoff from LA SoCal happens to the next sector (if not a tower)... ?

[Keith Smith]

Charts are not going to show you the approach sector boundaries. As a pilot, you don't need to be concerned about where the handoff between approach sectors is going to be.

The tail end of the mini-route is handled by HHR tower. Their airspace is the Class D ring around the HHR airport.

When you said you couldn't find the end of the recording, did you try listening to the next recording? Or, perhaps there was a staffing change and a tower controller went offline (in which case you'll be on the radar recording) or perhaps a tower controller went online (in which case you'll be on the tower recording).

[Turner]

Hey Keith,

I'll look again but I didn't actually hear myself on the next hour's recording; I'll make note of times and relay it back here.

However, I'm fairly certain I was on with SoCal until going over to TOA tower.

Thanks again!
Andrew

[Keith Smith]

If you were doing the mini-route southbound and you were with Socal the whole time, then something is very wrong.

[Turner]

And I thought the flight was exciting!

(cue suspenseful music)


Also please note from above.. "fairly" certain. I'll find out.