Are there any unofficial VFR transitions through Portland Class C airspace besides the "Northbank Transition" from Vancouver-Pearson east? Sometimes I use quite a bit more radio time then I need to when asking for a transition, I think it would be more efficient to ask for "XYZ" transition instead my long explanation. Keep them controllers from getting wondering WTF.
Specifically crossing over from the west hills to sandy or overflying the willamette/downtown north-south above the Class C floor.

Thanks,

-Matt

I do not know the answer to that question but I will coment on what jerks the controlers are at Portland. I have gone over their class C on many ocasions and I used to let them know even though I was 500 plus ft over them.

I do not do it anymore cus what usualy happened was that I get the Transponder code and then they vector me way to the west cus sombody is departing. After I spot the trafic I reallize that if I had just kept on going I would have been about 2500 ft above them or ten miles laterally out of their way. I meen it never failed. The last time it happend I told them that was going to be the last time they heard from me and that I would just clear their top by 500 ft. and Hotel Alfa.

I also go over Sacramento a lot and I always check in with them. They seem a lot less inclined to do what Portland does. They only vector you when it is really necessary.

Of course, all this only applies to clear days. Broken or scattered I still check in.

Rant over.

tim

North Bank is the only one I know. I have talked to approach to fly through the Class Charlie and they vector you around. I have found it is a lot easier to keep out of the core and fly under the outer shelf. Usually only adds 5 minutes.

Cheers

fern_hopper wrote:
Specifically crossing over from the west hills to sandy or overflying the willamette/downtown north-south above the Class C floor.

Thanks,

-Matt

You can fly the Willamette through down town without talking to controllers as long as you stay over the river and under their floor.

Thanks for the info, sounds like keeping it simple works the best.

I have noticed that controllers have been issuing vectors and altitude restrictions to VFR pilots operating outside of the PDX Class C airspace who are receiving flight following services from PDX approach. For example I was cruising along back to Scappoose at 5500 approaching the west hills when I started to descend and I was told to "remain at or above 3000." They were using the Columbia Visual Approach at PDX that day, so maybe they were just trying to keep me from becoming a hood ornament on some heavy iron on approach over the river...

-Matt

Small Tail Caddy wrote:You can fly the Willamette through down town without talking to controllers as long as you stay over the river and under their floor.

Was driving through the Pearl the other day and saw a turbine Otter on floats buzz over headed SE toward the river. I did not expect that.