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The other day I flew some patterns over at KRAL. On the downwind I informed the controller I wanted to go over to KONT. I think I asked if I should expect to go directly to tower or over to approach. I believe we both planned on me being handed off directly to ONT tower. Anyway I was cleared option and then crosswind departure approved (it was last week I can't remember which runway I was using). Then the radio got really busy as the controller (single controller again) was helping a pilot work his airplane (which he didn't/shouldn't have to to) as well as aid a pilot going for a rating with some specific question. Being that RAL is a class D I switched to ONT tower on my own, remained clear of the inner class C, and stayed under the outer class C shelf. Not gonna lie I got kinda close though and made a hard turn to the east (in hopes I'd get straight in Ry 26L). Out there I remained clear of the RAL class D and the ONT class C. Is this what I should do? I mean we pretty much coordinated that I'd depart to the north on the crosswind then I'd get switched directly to ONT tower. But I could never get a word in. I realize it would be totally different in RW because it would probably be coordinated via landline (or if not I would be able to get a frequency change right away to ONT tower for class C entrance), but it was just weird to me.

I didn't want to stay in the pattern at RAL because both him and I knew I was departing. But I didn't want to set 7600 and enter the C because I thought it was unnecessary as well. Once I left RAL frequency I figured I can't come back to the D so I left it behind me.

Did I do the best thing? IE orbit and wait for a break in the radio?

p.s. Looking at skyvector, man it's a cluster of controlled airspace right there (not as bad as near LAX but still)... I did have GTN750 onboard and was using that to remain clear of the other deltas and March AFB.

Simple answer is yes you did just fine (I was controlling that day).

Remember there is no requirement for you to stay on a tower frequency when you are not in the towers airspace (at a Class D and G towered airport anyway). So once you cleared the RAL Class D you could have switched to ONT tower on your own.

If this was yesterday, then I can understand the congestion. Couldn't get a word in to John Wayne, so I had to circle VFR over Dana Point (about 20 miles south, but since I was /A, I don't trust my judgement of where airspace starts) for a few minutes. I don't think its actually "legal/acceptable" to go 7600 if the radio is just congested, you'd have alarm bells going off in every Bravo APP facility in the world (i.e. JFK) - Peter can probably answer that 200%+ better than I can though.

Peter Grey wrote:Simple answer is yes you did just fine (I was controlling that day).

Remember there is no requirement for you to stay on a tower frequency when you are not in the towers airspace (at a Class D and G towered airport anyway). So once you cleared the RAL Class D you could have switched to ONT tower on your own.

I did right away... just couldn't get a word in to enter the C hehe. That's why I went orbiting off to the ESE (right near that darn "mountain"!)

Nelson L. wrote:If this was yesterday, then I can understand the congestion. Couldn't get a word in to John Wayne, so I had to circle VFR over Dana Point (about 20 miles south, but since I was /A, I don't trust my judgement of where airspace starts) for a few minutes. I don't think its actually "legal/acceptable" to go 7600 if the radio is just congested, you'd have alarm bells going off in every Bravo APP facility in the world (i.e. JFK) - Peter can probably answer that 200%+ better than I can though.

Ya I know that... I'm a rw controller. The alarms are asinine... trust me.

I see the ATCS now!

Ryan B wrote:Ya I know that... I'm a rw controller. The alarms are asinine... trust me.

And, we in TechOps are happy to test them all weekly!