TEC route issue

[kullery]

Please note that effective today the FAA has {inadvertently ?} created considerable ambiguity in regard to the TEC route from coast area airports (i.e. KSNA) to KSMO when KLAX is operating to the east (fortunately a rare occurrence). I have communicated with some FAA representatives about this. While they have acknowledged the ambiguity, they have not provided any clarification.

Should you happen to fly this route, it might be a good idea to request a full route clearance from the controller to insure you and the controller have the same understanding of your route.

TEC.jpg (78.24 KiB) Viewed 4160 times

[Keith Smith]

seems like one just needs to be deleted. The good news is, there's no real ambiguity as to the ground track because the two routes are the same track over the ground (VNY095R and V186 are co-located). All that differs is the altitude, and that will be included in the clearance even without a FRC, so practically speaking, it's not a disaster. Administratively, though, something is amiss there.

[kullery]

You may have missed the 3rd route (scroll to bottom of image). That version of CST11A takes you all the way to FIM instead of DARTS.

[Keith Smith]

Oh my, you're absolutely right, I did miss that. That is a big difference. Thankfully, under lost comms (which is when the route really matters, other than fuel planning purposes, which isn't a factor here), DARTS is an IAF for an approach at SMO, so if it all goes quiet, you can still shoot the approach from DARTS without continuing to FIM.

That said, I'd still want clarification, too! As you said, though, LAX E is a very rare config, thank goodness for small miracles.

[rtataryn]

Thankfully, under lost comms (which is when the route really matters, other than fuel planning purposes, which isn't a factor here), DARTS is an IAF for an approach at SMO, so if it all goes quiet, you can still shoot the approach from DARTS without continuing to FIM.

Keith,

Actually, I think ELMOO is the IAF, not DARTS, but on the topic of lost comms: If your clearance limit is KSMO and you lose comms, do you immediately shoot an approach from ELMOO while along the TEC route? Or do you continue on to KSMO at the assigned altitude and then proceed back to ELMOO to commence the approach? Is FAR 91.185(c)(3)(ii) a pointless or ignored rule in a radar environment?

[Keith Smith]

Sorry you're right, ELMOO is the IAF, DARTS if the IF. Same concept though, if your route of flight overflies an IAF, there's no reason to continue to the clearance limit, then double back (on a random route) back to an IAF to shoot the approach.