Long Beach Transition

[Vincent Meier]

Hello,

First time poster and second time PE user. Right of the top, I would like to congratulate PE on a very fine service.
I have about 12 hours of real flying under my belt when I had to stop my PPL due to expense.
So I have had limited real time communications with ATC - 12 hours does not get you much...
and I have been Vatsim for some time now and actually got my I-6 rating at ZLA. Finding PE brings a whole new level of simulated ATC experience.

Now for the question,
I flew from KSMO to KSNA via the SE mini route. I filed a VFR flight(not sure if I had to, but I saw the option on the flight plan) and flew at 2500 ft.
After I got to Hawthorne I was told to assume my own navigation so I set my GPS direct to KSNA moments later I was asked if I wanted the Long Beach transition...I did and still do not know what that is? I told the controller I was VFR and expecting a visual on KSNA. He told me to remain on his frequency and after a few minutes I was told to contact John Wayne tower. I came in on a right hand, downwind for 19R and had a great landing.

Can someone please tell me what the Long Beach transition is?
I have been reading about Class B and D transitions, but I do not see anything about Long Beach transition.

Thanks in advance.

DeadZone44

[Alex Stjepanovic]

Hi,

I was your controller that day - I was referring to "transitioning the airspace" rather than "XXX (Published) Airspace Transition". You were about to enter the LGB Class Delta airspace, which was under the control of another unit, so I wanted to make sure if you were planning to go through there, or not.

See this and this.

[Vincent Meier]

Alex,

Thank you for your swift reply.
I have noticed that a lot of the controllers answer their own flights...that is absolutely fantastic.
So I guess I should have said "affirmative" when you asked the question about transitioning the LGB airspace and then you would have handed me off to another controller? Would that also entail an altitude change in that particular airspace?

Thanks again
DeadZone44

[Alex Stjepanovic]

The handover may or may not have occurred depending on whether he was busy and needed to talk to you.

[Keith Smith]

Just like real life, filing a VFR flight plan is not required here. You can do so if you'd like your flight to be tracked by PEaware, our flight tracking system.

The controller won't see the flight plan, so no need to do it on our account.

Welcome to PE!

[Vincent Meier]

Just like real life, filing a VFR flight plan is not required here. You can do so if you'd like your flight to be tracked by PEaware, our flight tracking system.

The controller won't see the flight plan, so no need to do it on our account.

Welcome to PE!

Thank you Keith,
I see now why the option is there for VFR in the flight plan...it's all starting to make sense...LOL!

DeadZone44

[Vincent Meier]

As a side note I found this link which cleared up a lot of questions I had.

http://www.altairva-fs.com/training/ava ... strahc.htm

I know see that there is a 4 mile radius of Delta airspace around LGB.
I will have to be more situationally aware in this very busy area...

Thanks to all for your prompt answers

DeadZone44

[Keith Smith]

I would suggest not even considering attempting a VFR flight in the ZLA airspace unless you are referring to a sectional or TAC chart. Both of these can be viewed in real time, for free, at http://www.skyvector.com

[Vincent Meier]

I would suggest not even considering attempting a VFR flight in the ZLA airspace unless you are referring to a sectional or TAC chart. Both of these can be viewed in real time, for free, at http://www.skyvector.com

Hi Keith,
I actually have Skycharts Pro for my iPad and was using it at the time, unfortunately I was viewing the KSNA airport diagram when I was in The LGB area... As I said, I will have to be more situationally aware on my next VFR flight, this means also being aware of when I need to be looking at the sectionals....lessoned learned, eyes are now open.

DeadZone44

[Keith Smith]

Gotcha, very good. Enjoy it! This is a learning environment, so you're in the right place.

If you're interested, you might want to check out our Pilot Training program, too. It's a really fun way to step through a structured series of 3 VFR flights and 11 IFR flights right here on the network. There's no written tests or quizes, you simply fly under the watch of the controllers.

Keith