PilotEdge Forums

I just passed the i3, but am confused about how to use TEC routes.
Are we supposed to file and/or refer to TEC routes by Name, or explode them into the full route sequence?
If full route, how is this different than simply filing a historically preferred route?
I noticed in Kevin Smith's video that he never used the word TEC route on the radio. Would you in the RW? Because in the RW you would not have filed the TEC all, correct?

The route for CSTN1 is specified as:
SLI V23 POPPR SMO125R SMO SMO311R SILEX

Is this any different than filing:
SLI POPPR SMO SILEX
?

In the air i got:
Direct POPPR SMO SMO300R vectors to BUR

So really POPPR to SMO was the only part of CSTN1 that was used.
Is that common in PE and/or the RW?

Lot's of '?'s in there, soory.
Have I mentioned that PE and the PTP in particular are rocking my world...thanks for that.

wisner wrote:I just passed the i3, but am confused about how to use TEC routes.
Are we supposed to file and/or refer to TEC routes by Name, or explode them into the full route sequence?
If full route, how is this different than simply filing a historically preferred route?
I noticed in Kevin Smith's video that he never used the word TEC route on the radio. Would you in the RW? Because in the RW you would not have filed the TEC all, correct?

Filing the TEC (Tower Enroute Control) code only is perfectly fine. You can file a TEC route in the real world, but it is not required. You could call up clearance with your aircraft type and request "Tower Enroute" to Burbank and that's perfectly fine. Just make sure you can look up a TEC because there is a good chance you will be cleared to Burbank Airport via the CSTN1 TEC route. If you do file it though, it does save a little bit of time.

wisner wrote:The route for CSTN1 is specified as:
SLI V23 POPPR SMO125R SMO SMO311R SILEX

Is this any different than filing:
SLI POPPR SMO SILEX
?

It is slightly different. You're expected to track the 125 radial inbound to SMO. If you overfly POPPR, then turn direct to SMO, you may not be right on the 125 radial. Depending on how fast you're flying, you could be on the 128 or 129 radial to SMO. That said, plugging POPPR SMO into your GPS works fine as the plane will fly the proper track between the 2 points and the GPS will anticipate the turn and make the autopilot turn the plane just prior to POPPR to get you on the correct track. This obviously doesn't work if you're /A

wisner wrote:In the air i got:
Direct POPPR SMO SMO300R vectors to BUR

So really POPPR to SMO was the only part of CSTN1 that was used.
Is that common in PE and/or the RW?

You were probably given "Depart SMO heading 300 or something along those lines. Normally you'd be closer to SILEX before being vectored but in the case if the I3 exam, it requires you to fly the ILS 8 with radar vectors. It's just easier and quicker to vector you from that point. You could be cleared for the ILS 8 from SILEX next time, but that isn't part of the requirements for the I3 exam.



Hope this helps.

Totally helps.
Thank you.

Follow up q:
When referring to Cstn1, Does one say...
See-es-tee-en-wun
Or
Charlie sierra tango November wun
?

wisner wrote:Follow up q:
When referring to Cstn1, Does one say...
See-es-tee-en-wun
Or
Charlie sierra tango November wun
?

"Coast Novemeber One TEC Route"

and another thing...

how does one know that in CSTN1,
CST == coast

I haven't seen it in writing anywhere, not in the AFD afiak.
Is it a local knowledge kind of thing?

I don't have an AFD in front of me, but I believe the CST routes, for example, are under the heading "Coast Area."

http://aeronav.faa.gov/afd/05jan2017/SW ... f#page=100