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Silly question about the mini-route.. I'm sitting here staring at the VFR sectional for LAX -- and I'm trying to figure out how the transition is intended to work from the north into the mini-route. I understand the clearance is obtained from the Santa Monica tower, and the mini-route is intended to be flown at 2,500.. What I don't understand is where on the sectional it is depicted that Class-B airspace does not apply at 2,500ft

The confusion is because Santa Monica is inside the Class-B airspace, but I don't understand why you don't have to talk to approach to get a clearance... Below 2,500 is Class-D? If so, where does it say this on the sectional?

Maybe I need a good nudge in the right direction for "how to read a sectional, 101". =)

On the scetional there should be a callout telling you to look at the details of the VFR Class B transitions - all routes are written out in detail on the side of the sectional for your convenience.

KSMO is in class D under the shelf of Los Angeles B. AFAIR on the recording from one of the firsts workshops should be pretty detailed explanation how to read VFR charts.

Aha.. I found it.. thanks guys!! It's the 100/25 on the top (10,000 ft ceiling, 2,500 ft floor)...... And then I can now see how it changes as you get closer to LAX.. but just south of santa monica, it becomes 100/50.

GOT IT.

brianshell wrote:Aha.. I found it.. thanks guys!! It's the 100/25 on the top (10,000 ft ceiling, 2,500 ft floor)...... And then I can now see how it changes as you get closer to LAX.. but just south of santa monica, it becomes 100/50.........

I think you have misread the chart. I find it is easier to refer to the LA FLY chart when trying to see the different layers of the cake in the Bravo.
From North to South the 100/50 is not an issue as you are below this at 2500 but you are in the SMO Delta (sfc to 2700) which extends south of SMO up to the narrow KLAX Bravo (100/SFC)

After receiving clearance from LAX to enter the Bravo you are good to enter - when clear of the Bravo you will be handed off to Hawthorne as you are in their Delta (SFC to 2500) Once clear of Hawthorne Delta you only need to worry about the Bravo lower level at 5000 (100/50), the Deltas at Torrence SFC - 2400 & Long Beach SFC - 2600. You can weave your way in between them on VNY R140 or just climb to 3500 but keep below 5000.

If I am wrong I stand to be corrected by those with a greater knowledge.

I agree that the FLY chart is probably the easiest way to see the Bravo boundaries and altitudes, at least until you're used to reading the more complex TAC chart.

Flying the mini-route transition southbound requires you to call Santa Monica tower to coordinate the transition WELL BEFORE you reach the KSMO class Delta airspace. I would certainly call them by the time I reached the Sepulveda Pass reporting point. KSMO tower will give you clearance to fly the first part of the transition, which will be to cross the SMO VOR at 2500' and join the mini-route southbound. "Join the mini-route southbound", in this case, just means "turn to a heading of 128 degrees at the VOR and track R-128 outbound". This instruction from KSMO tower permits you to enter (and transition) their class Delta at 2500' but is NOT a clearance to enter the Bravo airspace yet. Indeed, you should be told to remain clear of the Los Angeles Bravo and to contact LAX tower over the SMO VOR -- at which point you'll receive your clearance to transition the Bravo airspace via the mini-route.

If you haven't watched my tutorial on the V-03 rating (which covers Bravo transitions, and which uses the mini-route for the southbound transition) you might want to look at part 2, starting at 28:30. This point in the video begins the communication sequence with SMO tower and mini-route southbound. I think this URL will get you directly to the right spot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTTC1l4C ... age#t=1710

-M.