Traffic pattern flying near Charlie Airspace

[uncertifiedpilot]

Hi fellow aviators,

I'm planning to practice my fundamental flight skills around the KBNG (Banning) area.
http://skyvector.com/?ll=33.82684712119 ... 301&zoom=3

1) When flying traffic patterns on KBNG only, should I also establish contact with SoCal App (next to announcing my intentions on CTAF) – since I would by flying within the 20 nm range of many neighbouring Charlie's?

2) And if I instead decided to depart from KBNG and practice flight manoeuvres in the area 10 nm south of KBNG (with no intentions to transition through Charlies), should I then contact SoCal to let them know what I'm up to?

3) I wondered the same thing when visiting KIZA (Santa Ynez) with respect to KSBA's (Santa Barbara) Charlie airspace. Should I contact KSBA Approach when I'm inbound from the North and plan to just land on KIZA? If so, what do I say to approach?
http://skyvector.com/?ll=34.46942633355 ... =24&zoom=3

Really appreciate your answers

Tim

[Anthony Santanastaso]

Hi Tim,

I would not contact either approach controller unless I wanted to receive traffic advisories within the vicinity of the airport. Specifically, with regard to Banning, I would not be active on any other frequency except for the CTAF frequency in order to maintain proper situational awareness. Unless you will be flying in or through the area of airspace as depicted on the chart, you do not need to contact ATC.

Palm Springs' surrounding airspace is a TRSA - Terminal Radar Service Area. It isn't a Class C. For this reason, you are not obligated to contact Approach. PSP is a Class D with TRSA services as an option to VFR pilots.

From the text of AOPA's "Airspace for Everyone" (a great resource):

In some Class D airspace, traffic sequencing is handled by radar approach together with the tower. In these areas, radar assists the tower outside its Class D airspace. Some of these areas are depicted on sectional charts and are called terminal radar service areas (TRSAs), as shown in Figure 6. TRSA radar only assists the tower in Class D airspace; the two function independently. Radio participation in the TRSA is voluntary, though recommended, and the airspace within the TRSA maintains its original class designation. TRSAs are simply Class D airspace surrounded by airspace in which radar coverage is provided.

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/students ... eryone.pdf

[Keith Smith]

The airspace at pattern altitude at Banning and Santa Ynez is Class E. There is no requirement to be in touch with ATC in Class E airspace as a VFR pilot. The notes you're seeing about contacting approach within 20nm are generally directed at aircraft inbound to SBA.

Always consider the type of airspace in which you'll be flying, that will pretty much determine what the communication requirements are, if any.

[uncertifiedpilot]

Thanks for your swift replies, Anthony and Keith.

The notes you're seeing about contacting approach within 20nm are generally directed at aircraft inbound to SBA.

So, in context of (3): even if I decided to touch-and-go at KIZA (Santa Ynez) and practice my flight manoeuvres south east of KIZA, but stay outside of Santa Barbara's airspace at all times, I still wouldn't have to contact Santa Barbara approach as I'm not intending to transition or land?

PS. I guess I worry too much about flying ignorantly around those kinds of Charlies, practicing my flight skills while only monitoring CTAF, while unknowingly forcing Santa Barbara controllers to frantically redirect all inbound and outbound traffic around me

[Anthony Santanastaso]

So, in context of (3): even if I decided to touch-and-go at KIZA (Santa Ynez) and practice my flight manoeuvres south east of KIZA, but stay outside of Santa Barbara's airspace at all times, I still wouldn't have to contact Santa Barbara approach as I'm not intending to transition or land?

Yes, so long as you are on the outside of the solid magenta line (designating the SBA Class C airspace) you do not need to talk to ATC as you are in uncontrolled airspace.

[Anthony Santanastaso]

To expand, I'll reference airspace in which I regularly fly.

Check out http://skyvector.com/?ll=40.67251427908 ... 301&zoom=1. The area south of the Captree Monument (or approximately 15 miles SE of FRG where it says "Caution Intensive Student Training) is known as the "South Shore Practice Area." When operating in this area, it is both outside the ISP Class C and the New York Class B airspace; however, due to the numerous quantity of aircraft flying along the shoreline, I often call ISP Approach (named "New York Approach") for traffic advisories. I do not need to contact them while I am going through my maneuvers, but they provide some additional eye sight in avoiding the other aircraft.

If you would like similar services while operating around IZA, you can similarly call up Santa Barbara Approach and, on a workload permitting basis, they will point out traffic as well. While not necessary, it does provide some assistance to you, but it is in no way obligated as a consequence of the airspace in which you are flying.

[uncertifiedpilot]

Got'ya.
Thanks for that last bit.

[Justin Lerner]

There's tons of drone traffic at Banning, by the way.