PilotEdge Forums

I read somewhere that PE provides coverage in the KOAK area on the weekends. Is that still true? Would love to do a Bay Tour!
Thanks

Unfortunately, ZOA service was stopped late last year. We only operate ZLA at this time.

Ok, thanks for your reply Ryan. Hope someday that will be an option again.

ronnyeicher wrote:I read somewhere that PE provides coverage in the KOAK area on the weekends. Is that still true? Would love to do a Bay Tour!
Thanks

Yes, indeed. Getting Northern California, back into the mix (northern (napa/sonoma) wine country, golden gate entrance to the bay, low level morning and evening fog banks, mount diablo, silicon valley, half moon bay, sacremento valley, lake tahoe, northern california sierras, san francisco, KOAK, KSJC, KSMF, KSQL, KHWD, KRHV, etc. All of that would be a very nice addition, no doubt.

We had the service operating every weekend for quite a long time and the traffic levels were almost non-existent. We were staffing it in a way that reduced the ZLA staffing, so I made the decision to pull the plug. I'm not sure if it was because it was weekend-only, or because we simply didn't have a large enough user base to support it, but whatever the reason, it wasn't working out.

I miss having it, too, the SFO-LAX run and back never gets old.

We had the service operating every weekend for quite a long time and the traffic levels were almost non-existent.

Did the number of PE user increased a lot since NorCal was closed?
Maybe you should try to reopen it one day and see what kind of traffic would show now or in the future if there is enough resources of course.

I would also love to do some NorCal flights, especially around San Carlos where I got one of the hardest VFR clearance in my PE experience.

Something like VFR to KHAF via San Carlos from the North ramp at KOAK. Talk to N.Twr first then 30 Sec. later South Tower try to stay below SFO Bravo while keeping out of Haywards Delta. Then San Carlos twr before ur homefree to Half Moon Bay. Then fly the Bay Tour back to OAK via the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza and 880! Too Fun!

If ZOA is reopened make it an "event" like, the "Santa" event last year. That was very clever, well-timed and a lot of fun. Try to bill it as something along the lines of, "California Dreamin'" or something catchy publicized well in advance (a month?) on the PE main page. Be sure and get some "buzz" going about it. Maybe make a game with riddles (a checkpoint air race?), possibly with *inexpensive* prizes or not. Personally, I'd be willing to donate a tidy sum to allow something like the Jetstream or PMDG (I am not suggesting anyone do likewise) to make some excitement!**

I don't think having it only on the weekends is bad as it allows lots of time for pilots to plan. I do think it will be necessary to keep it high on the radar for a time until it develops its own momentum.


** I know the folks at PE already know all this. I am only voicing *my* thoughts and volunteering to help, if I can.

Ronny,

I used to do exactly the same flight since my private pilot training was done out of SQL. It was a blast, no doubt.

And yes, we might consider doing occasional "one night only" events that include ZOA, that is the plan.

I learned to fly in Central Oregon (RDM) (BND) 15 yrs ago. Needless to say when I moved to OAK, flying was much different! Look forward to anything we do in SFO area but I have plenty to keep me busy in LA for now. Thanks for all you guys do!