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FIRST FLIGHTS AND MEMBERS PILOT'S NOTES

 

Flying “THE CORRIDOR”  submitted February 2012

By Scott Diffenbaugh, RV-7A
 

A few weeks ago I had occasion to fly to Long Beach & figured I had better do some research since it is smack in the middle of a very congested area.  I have flown to So Cal a number of times and usually skirt LAX Bravo to the east, fly over, or sometimes get cleared through part of it.  Not being current on my IFR, I had to go VFR & with the stagnant high pressure system, fortunately weather was not a factor.  I consulted with a pilot who used to live in Long Beach and he recommended taking “THE CORRIDOR”.  I studied the charts and notes carefully, took another current IFR pilot with me, & departed, not without some trepidation.   With VFR flight following, So Cal Approach directed us to cross Santa Monica VOR at 3500’ and said “see you later”.  You are now on your own & need to know the procedure to know to squawk 1201 and fly the SMO 132 radial right smack over LAX then contact LGB tower as soon as you exit the inner Bravo ring.  No time to look at all the targets on my traffic screen or take a photo of LAX!  As you are watching all the heavies & other traffic you can only hope they are all under positive control & approach is keeping them away from you, which they did!  The LGB tower controller was so laid back, it was a bit disconcerting, especially when he extended our downwind due to a blimp crossing the runway & said he would call base.  When it looked like we were going to cross the Los Alamitos military runway, I queried tower & he said it would be a good idea to turn base immediately, & cleared me to land.  The departure was a non-event, retracing our steps but flying “THE CORRIDOR” at 4500’.   All in all, it was a safe & efficient way to get thru LAX Bravo.  The key was to be prepared & know the simple SFRA (Special Flight Rules Area) procedure.  No need to be nervous.  Plan your next trip to So Cal thru “THE CORRIDOR”, you will not regret it.

 

On Saturday November 18th, 2006 Mark Cary's RV-10 flew for the first time. Jim Rore was the pilot with Keith Peterson flying chase.

   

                                                preflight pilot briefing                                                      taxi out                                                                     Airborne

      

                                            Keith looking it over                                                               post flight debriefing                                            Pilots & workers  

                                                                                                                      

 

On Saturday May 20th, 2006 Scott Diffenbaugh flew Scott and Lana's RV-7A, N814SD for the first time.

           Taxi in after first flight with Keith Peterson flying chase                                  Life is good                                                                                    The RV Grin

Ground & Flight crew

Keith. Dick, Scott & Lana

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On Tuesday April 18, 2006  Greg Munkres flew his RV-7A for the first time.  Dennis Mangan did the initial

 flight a few weeks ago and this was Greg's first flight... Now to the get the 40 hr's done...

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James Roe flew his RV-10 on April 29, 2006. He said it flies like a Cherokee on steroids. Congratulations James.

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Frank Storm flew his RV-6A on April 30, 2006. No problems reported. Congratulations Frank.

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On Tuesday, Oct 11th, 2005  Richard Suffoletto flew his RV-7A for the first time

     Do I really want to do this?                                                Taxi out                                                                      First take off...   forgot about  telephoto lens

        20 min later...   taxi back                                                           The RV grin                                                                My support through this ordeal

 

 On Saturday, Sept. 24th, 2005  Richard Van Kesteren flew his RV-4 for the first time.

          

                     Taxi out                                                                                            First Takeoff                                                    First Landing            

            

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