PilotEdge Forums

I occasionally run across some non-towered airports on the charts that state in the remarks approach/departure services are provided by LAX ARTCC.

Remarks:
APCH/DEP SERVICE PROVIDED BY LOS ANGELES ARTCC (BLYTHE RCAG) ON FREQS 128.15/285.6

Newbie question: Does PilotEdge simulate this service? If so, a couple more questions.

1) Are the frequencies on SkyVector charts correct?
2) Where can I look up the proper procedures to follow as a VFR pilot (with regards to when to contact app/dep)?

Thanks!

I'd assume so, this just means the radar that the ARTCC (en route facility - LA Center) uses is probably near BLH so they can see almost down to the ground and can provide good radar service to pilots. Those freqs should work if you call in the blind - IE if you're departing BLH and needing an IFR pickup or VFR flight following.... they could get you on freq and on radar.

Skyvector is kept current so the freqs work great. Once in a while the PE freq might not match the real world...but rarely.

Your question 2 is really general hehe.

I recommend the Pilot Edge training workshop videos and definitely the training program for that:
http://training.pilotedge.net/page/ratings

Ryan B wrote:Your question 2 is really general hehe.

I meant with regards to the current question about app/dep, edited OP for clarity.

Well even that has a few options... depending on what fight rules you're under...

VFR - call approach for radar services - flight following, tfc advisories, practice approaches, heck you can call approach for any assistance, field conditions, altimeter etc... they can tell you your ground speed once you're radar IDed. Maybe you departed an uncontrolled field or even class D and now you want radar services... they are your go to guys/gals.

Don't enter any airspace without two way radio establishment (class D and C), and without a specific clearance into the airspace (class B).

I think the VFR workshops cover some of this stuff.

Thanks Ryan. If the VFR workshops covered this then I missed it so will review again. So for example, would I treat the non-towered airport like it had a tower and call > 10nm out for landing clearance? Sorry for being so thick, trying to soak all this up.

Kerbo wrote:Thanks Ryan. If the VFR workshops covered this then I missed it so will review again. So for example, would I treat the non-towered airport like it had a tower and call > 10nm out for landing clearance? Sorry for being so thick, trying to soak all this up.

Hi Kerbo,
Nope. At non-towered airports there is no need to call any one other than the CTAF - when landing or taking off from a non-towered airport - you will need to check what freq. is used for that airport, but 122.8 is quite a common one for example.
When taking off, landing, pattern work, etc - you tune to the CTAF and say something like "Villenuve traffic - 5 mile out at 2500 ft HDG 190 for straight in landing on 2-0 - Villenuve traffic"
This is just for the local traffic within the area. You say the "traffic" part at each end of your statement in case it was missed by someone at the beginning of the transmission. Just tell the local traffic what you are doing when it is appropriate. Landing, taking off, clear of runway, pattern work etc...
Now, if you indeed did want the services as Ryan B has mentioned then you would find you nearest APP/DEP/CTR freq. and tune into them to ask them for assistance.
If you can stay clear of any controlled airspace you really do not have to talk to anyone - just fly around happily squawking 1200 and obeying VFR rules
Villenuve airport in this instance is totally made up just for the example.
The CTAF can normally found noted somewhere near the airport on the VFR sectional charts.
CTAF stands for Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

So the remark is there to let you know ATC service is available should you choose to use it? If that's the case then I understand now. Thanks everyone for the input.

Kerbo wrote:So the remark is there to let you know ATC service is available should you choose to use it? If that's the case then I understand now. Thanks everyone for the input.

You essentially become your own ATC service when you are on the CTAF. You are just broadcasting to whoever is in the area at the time. If there is someone there and there is a conflict to what you are proposing to do, then that aircraft should make him/herself known to you.
All local air traffic for the non-towered airport will be on the CTAF and you(and They) have to have communication between each other to know what each other is doing and when. E.G. - who is landing first, where you( and they)are in the pattern or where you or they are on the taxi way even or clearing the runway...
I hope this explains it better.

If you are departing a non-towered airport and would like traffic advisories and the such then you would contact the nearest DEP frequency

Vincent Meier wrote:You essentially become your own ATC service when you are on the CTAF. You are just broadcasting to whoever is in the area at the time. If there is someone there and there is a conflict to what you are proposing to do, then that aircraft should make him/herself known to you.
All local air traffic for the non-towered airport will be on the CTAF and you(and They) have to have communication between each other to know what each other is doing and when. E.G. - who is landing first, where you( and they)are in the pattern or where you or they are on the taxi way even or clearing the runway...
I hope this explains it better.

If you are departing a non-towered airport and would like traffic advisories and the such the you would contact the nearest DEP frequency

Thanks, I understand all that now (I think).

Let's say I'm flying VFR with advisories and am going to land at a non-towered airport. What is the difference in procedure/handoff/whatever between a non-towered airport that does have this remark and one that does not? That's the part that is unclear to me. Maybe there isn't any and I'm just making this more complicated than it is? :/

If you're already talking with ATC, then the information is irrelevant. That note is there to help you establish contact with ATC if you're not already speaking to them.