Question - departing an uncontrolled field, right underneath a shelf

[Matthew]

I might be in a situation I haven't been in yet.

Class C field, with an uncontrolled field right next door, just outside the inner ring, well underneath the outer ring.

The class C field is between me and the uncontrolled field. Getting in, I can understand talking to C approach and getting cleared through C to that field. They probably do it all the time.

The airport has no A/FD published TPA, so if I assume a +1000' TPA, the class C shelf starts less than 150' above TPA.

Getting out - call C approach while still on the ground and get clearance to transition C space? Circle at TPA and then call C approach to get a transition approval?

Skirting around underneath isn't much of an option - there are too many 500'-600' towers in the area.

 

[MAKG1]

Get away from the airport outside class C and contact approach. It's difficult to contact approach while making non towered radio calls.

Most C shelves are only 10 miles radius. You should be able to go around that way, failing all else.

Remember, all you need to enter class C is two way communication. You do NOT need a squawk code (yet). But you might be told to remain clear.

"Podunk Approach Bugsmasher 123XY"
"Bugsmasher 123XY say request"

Is adequate.

Then you can sort out the squawk code.

 

[bjohnsonmn]

If it is a busy Class C, and you want to go through, I might also suggest calling into an RCO, or the approach control requesting a squawk prior to start up. Otherwise, you can do what I do when I want to transition my local Bravo VFR... I climb away from the center of the Bravo (our field is uner the 3,000' ring at 906') and get to a point where I can easily hit teh 5,500 transition altitude they will want me at. Works 75% of the time. It also creates a margin of safety in the event that aircraft are in the C, and near the bottom of the shelf. In this case, you would call approach in the air.

Happy Flying!

 

[ja_user]

You can likely get approach or someone from ground level on the field for a squawk. If not

A. Go IFR,
B. Find a path outside of the airport environment that is void of towers to go on your own till you get a squawk..
C. Don't plan on being allowed into the charlie airspace. But if it is under a shelf there has to be a way in or out of the airport..

 

[ARFlyer]

We have an airport next to Little Rock that is like you discribe. You basically can skirt under the shelf to get into KORK if you know the area. However, with restricted airspace west of the runway and LRAFB a few miles to the north it's not recommended.

When leaving Little Rock depature doesn't mind you calling when you're airborne. Most of the time they will come back with just a sqauwk.

Just inform depature that your just off XYZ and like to transition through the airspace. As long as they readback your tail # your good to go until further instructions.

 

[dmspilot]

I might be in a situation I haven't been in yet.

Class C field, with an uncontrolled field right next door, just outside the inner ring, well underneath the outer ring.

The class C field is between me and the uncontrolled field. Getting in, I can understand talking to C approach and getting cleared through C to that field. They probably do it all the time.

The airport has no A/FD published TPA, so if I assume a +1000' TPA, the class C shelf starts less than 150' above TPA.

Getting out - call C approach while still on the ground and get clearance to transition C space? Circle at TPA and then call C approach to get a transition approval?

Skirting around underneath isn't much of an option - there are too many 500'-600' towers in the area.

My airport (W96) is under a Class C shelf about 3nm from the surface area. There is usually enough time to contact approach after departing. If you don't have time, you can fly parallel to the surface area until contact is established.

 

[Matthew]

You can likely get approach or someone from ground level on the field for a squawk. If not

A. Go IFR,
B. Find a path outside of the airport environment that is void of towers to go on your own till you get a squawk..
C. Don't plan on being allowed into the charlie airspace. But if it is under a shelf there has to be a way in or out of the airport..

You probably know the airport I was looking at.

Was looking at the logistics, just for fun. I got curious about easiest/best/other alternatives on how to deal with that situation.

I've been on the landing side of this equation before, but on the takeoff side I think I remember heading out and then around, so I didn't deal with getting a clearance on the ground or in the air.

 

[ja_user]

Departing west, I think turning directly north after that tower is the best option. 2300-2400 feet should clear everything tall. Departing east, I would just continue east until cleared to turn left and climb. Worst case with either and you are outside of the Charlie shortly. My first option would be to try to raise them right before take off though.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I might be in a situation I haven't been in yet.

Class C field, with an uncontrolled field right next door, just outside the inner ring, well underneath the outer ring.

The class C field is between me and the uncontrolled field. Getting in, I can understand talking to C approach and getting cleared through C to that field. They probably do it all the time.

The airport has no A/FD published TPA, so if I assume a +1000' TPA, the class C shelf starts less than 150' above TPA.

Getting out - call C approach while still on the ground and get clearance to transition C space? Circle at TPA and then call C approach to get a transition approval?

Skirting around underneath isn't much of an option - there are too many 500'-600' towers in the area.

I frequently fly MWC-C29 and back, so pretty much the same situation with MSN's class C.

Departing away from the C, it's pretty easy - I won't climb into the outer ring, so if I can't get a hold of Approach before I get to the outer limits I can start a turn there. If I'm departing toward the C, I'll try to call pretty much as soon as I'm airborne (100 AGL maybe) as the C starts less than mile from the runway I think. In the event I can't make it, left turn and stay in the pattern. Never had to do that.

Get away from the airport outside class C and contact approach. It's difficult to contact approach while making non towered radio calls.

Not really, if you've got two radios. Departing towards the C, I make my departure call on CTAF on #2, then switch the mic to #1 with the appropriate TRACON frequency as I'm taking the runway. As soon as the gear's up, I'll call Approach - "Madison Approach, Mooney 9er7SierraTango off Morey VFR eastbound" is enough on the first call, they'll give me a squawk and I'm on my way. Even with less than a mile to the Charlie, that still gives me 20+ seconds at 120 knots to hear "Mooney 7ST, squawk 0423" and at that point I'm good to go.

 

[poadeleted20]

Getting out - call C approach while still on the ground and get clearance to transition C space? Circle at TPA and then call C approach to get a transition approval?

You can try the first, and maybe it will work. If it does, then take off on CTAF, get clear of the traffic pattern, and reestablish 2-way comm with the TRACON before entering the C-space. If it doesn't, get clear of the traffic pattern before switching off CTAF and calling the TRACON. Circling around the traffic pattern at TPA while off CTAF seems a less than prudent choice if it's at all possible not to do that.

 

[timwinters]

Going into 3DW eh?

I don't think SGF approach can hear you on the ground. I always call them airborne. It's not a busy class C and you should get promptly cleared.

Watch out for the 600' tower that's IN the traffic pattern! It's really not a factor but it's only about 1/8 mile north of the runway, on airport grounds, and freaks people out.

 

[Matthew]

Going into 3DW eh?

I don't think SGF approach can hear you on the ground. I always call them airborne. It's not a busy class C and you should get promptly cleared.

Watch out for the 600' tower that's IN the traffic pattern! It's really not a factor but it's only about 1/8 mile north of the runway, on airport grounds, and freaks people out.

That's the one. Might have a reason to go there some day and was checking it out today.