I need to get in to the LAX Mode C veil without a transponder. The plane does have a electrical system so I am not exempt. I have read I need to contact the Class B Radar Facility by phone at least one hour before arrival and they will give me a code to Relay to ATC. The destination airport is class D.

I also read that it is up to the Class B radar facility if they will grant permission or not. Has anyone done this at LAX and is it doable on a regular basis? I don't have a transponder and I really don't need one usually. Thanks

I did it once to get into Concord without a transponder which is in the San Francisco mode c veil. I was having my transponder repaired over there. No one seemed to care at all when I asked and told me I was good to go. Concord is just barely within the veil and not even under the class B so maybe that's why it wasn't a big deal.

I suspect timing will be important. Try to go in when they're busier than all heck, and it'll be harder than when things are slack. Every Class B has busy and slack times. For instance, I know that the Denver B is very busy early in the morning and from about 4:30 to around dinner hour in the evening, but mid-day just before the lunch hour is very quiet. Don't have any idea about LAX, but that would be my suggestion, find out.

Cary

That's exactly why I was worried about it. I don't know if LAX ever has slack time. I have been stuck on the freeway there and see that line of planes coming in as far as you can see. Between the Class B and the winds over the mountains, I am wondering if I should land in Hesperia and drive the rest of the way down. I need to leave a car there so it will be a regular thing for a while. I'll be in a C150 so I am not too excited about climbing those mountains with the wind too. Driving out in the morning is bad enough in a car and I'm sure my car will get over the mountain faster than a 150 will.

We have done it before as a flight where one has transponder on others don't, I am in the LAX area if you need an escort.

Also you can get into Corona AJO with out transponder, have done that many times in from Hesperia area.

Thanks John
That might make life easier for all concerned. Torrence would be the best but anywhere close would work.

Here is my number 714-325-2244

The big jet traffic doesn't necessarily equate to busy for ATC in the LAX bravo. Just my observation flying there ifr while getting my rating but the small piston crowd is almost entirely managed by separate sector controllers and in the mornings early it was pretty quiet compared to the rest of the day. Not sure how they route vfr traffic so your experience may differ...

Thanks Big John and I will hopefully see you guys down there soon! I did contact Socal Approach and there is a way to get into Torrence but they said it would be best later at night because they are busy from 6 AM. I would need to go down past Corona and turn after John Wayne Apt. Then head up the coast to Torrence. Sounds like I'm being a PITA as usual but good to know it is possible.

Life without a few PITAs would be pretty boring.

Cary

That's some of the busiest airspace in the world why would you want to do that? The bottom of the B airspace is 5000' and Torrance is D airspace. Fricking helos, airplanes, blimps, jets, drones, kids with lasers, it'll be like tip toeing through a mine field plus the weather..... marine layer. Good luck

John is in Corona and I'm in riverside if you need help either of us can get you to a rental car place if you choose
Russ

Why most you go into LAX?

Other option is Hawthorne, Torrance, Santa Monica, and even Compton. All close to LAX.

But, I too would like to bag LAX someday. Been told 2am-5am is the easiest for small GA aircraft. But, can be prime time for marine layer.

Also, been told of at least a $100.00 landing fee!!

Have fun it you go in.

Torrance is going to be a really big challenge, and that challenge is going to be based in reality and safety, not just creative paperwork.

What you need to do is sit down and plan out a route that keeps you completely out of everyone's B and C airspace. This may mean that you are going around the east side of the Mode C veil, and thread the needle between Long Beach's airspace and LAX's airspace.

Corona to Fullerton to Compton to Torrance/Zamperini. Duck under the LAX Class B at 2400 feet and stay north of Long Beach's control zone.

Using this method, you will have to be in contact with Fullerton's tower. So contact Fullerton tower first, explain your route, and ask them if they would be willing to allow you to come in on a one time letter of agreement, and of course if they say yes you will also get it approved by Long Beach FSDO. If they say yes, then contact Long Beach FSDO, and go in with the position that you have a tentative OK from Fullerton AND Torrance.

This will be a pretty complex project if you want to do it the legal and low-risk way.

I spoke with Jerry on phone and I think we have a plan to get him into Corona clear of mode C, and all class C & D airspace.

I thought he needed to fly into TOA.

Jerry if you can flyinto one of the less troublesome airports and drive wherever you need to be, you will likely have a safer and less stressful experience. As Russ and John have already offered assistance at their airports, you're in pretty good hands on the southern approach. If you can get to whether you need to be by flying into Whiteman, I'll be happy to provide as much help here as I can, work permitting.

If Corona will work for you, it's a pretty good bet. As close to a sleepy little home town airport as we have in the LA area. Aircraft Spruce will come and get you at the airport, drive you in to their store, and then you can shop till you drop.

Also remember that in addition to Big John, you probably have some more infrastructure available at Corona... 182 STOL Driver has a close friend (Bruce), and he has a good friend at Corona if I recall.

Yep, I think Corona is probably my best bet. I don't like Class B even with a Transponder! I don't mind driving a little. I have been working on an old sailboat in Long Beach Harbor. I have been trying to spend a week a month down there but that has been challenging lately. I usually fly from Provo to LAX on Allegiant. All winter it was only $40.50 one way when I book it about 5 weeks out. From LAX I jump on the 232 Bus to Long Beach and it takes me right by Torrence and the Marina. Works out great till I need to haul parts or tools down and back. That's where the 150 will come in, I really need a way I can just go on the spur of the moment because it's an 11 hour drive from here. Thanks for all your help!

I skimmed and disn't see a date. Forgive me if there was one buried in there.
Be aware of Wednesday's Presidential TFR's.

Jaerl wrote:Yep, I think Corona is probably my best bet. I don't like Class B even with a Transponder! I don't mind driving a little. I have been working on an old sailboat in Long Beach Harbor. I have been trying to spend a week a month down there but that has been challenging lately. I usually fly from Provo to LAX on Allegiant. All winter it was only $40.50 one way when I book it about 5 weeks out. From LAX I jump on the 232 Bus to Long Beach and it takes me right by Torrence and the Marina. Works out great till I need to haul parts or tools down and back. That's where the 150 will come in, I really need a way I can just go on the spur of the moment because it's an 11 hour drive from here. Thanks for all your help!

I think Corona is a good choice for you, from there to Long Beach is only about 40 miles, although renting a car probably going to cost you 35-40 bucks a day probably be a heck of a lot safer and we won't read about you in the newspaper. You might even be able to take the Metrolink train into Long Beach from Corona if you don't want to have to Rent-A-Car.

The Metro system works pretty good in general. I started using it in January of this year,a nd it saves me a lot of time and money and ammunition on my daily commute.

However, if you would need the part of the Metro system that goes from LA city to to Long Beach, called the Metro "Blue Line"... I'd have to say rent a car instead.

I just had to ride the Blue Line last week, and unfortunately on that day I didn't have all my hip hop tunes playing loud enough, I didn't have any of my gold teeth installed, or my 25 gold chains hung correctly around my neck, and I didn't have my stylishly loose baggy pants dragging on the ground in quite the correct way. The friendly gestures, and helpful stares from the local style advisors (who are also the Blue Line's regular clientele) remided me on how much my style needed to be adjusted to fit in.

And for some reason, the classy demeanor of these friendly style advisors also reminded me that I was also missing an important style accessory from the Glock jewelry company.... an accessory I will not forget the next time I visit.