A Christmas Miracle

[Hank]

This morning, I took my wife to see her mother in central NC. The direct path is almost over ATL airport; ATL Approach guards the sacred Bravo airspace like nothing I've ever seen--in 17 years of flying past Atlanta (where my direct path lies inside the Bravo), I've never been allowed inside.

First it was "remain clear of the Bravo," then it became "stay out of the Bravo."

So with beautiful VFR conditions widespread across the Southeast, we loaded up and took off. My route was KALX-->KOPN-->KFAY, to stay out of the Bravo without being told. Well, about ten minutes after I got set up with flight following, ATL Center asked, "are you direct to your destination?"

I said no, I was going via OPN to avoid the Bravo, since I'd not been allowed inside for 17 years. He came back with, "today may be your day, if any is." Sure enough, a minute later it was "cleared direct destination through the Bravo." So I turned from 092 to 073 and went with it. I changed freqs and confirmed clearance with that controller (VFR through the Bravo), and he said "you are cleared through the Bravo at 7500."

My first ever penetration of the ATL Bravo! On Christmas morning!! It's a Christmas miracle!!!

[dkkim73]

8 minutes ago, Hank said:

This morning, I took my wife to see her mother in central NC. The direct path is almost over ATL airport; ATL Approach guards the sacred Bravo airspace like nothing I've ever seen--in 17 years of flying past Atlanta (where my direct path lies inside the Bravo), I've never been allowed inside.

First it was "remain clear of the Bravo," then it became "stay out of the Bravo."

So with beautiful VFR conditions widespread across the Southeast, we loaded up and took off. My route was KALX-->KOPN-->KFAY, to stay out of the Bravo without being told. Well, about ten minutes after I got set up with flight following, ATL Center asked, "are you direct to your destination?"

I said no, I was going via OPN to avoid the Bravo, since I'd not been allowed inside for 17 years. He came back with, "today may be your day, if any is." Sure enough, a minute later it was "cleared direct destination through the Bravo." So I turned from 092 to 073 and went with it. I changed freqs and confirmed clearance with that controller (VFR through the Bravo), and he said "you are cleared through the Bravo at 7500."

My first ever penetrative of the ATL Bravo! On Christmas morning!! It's a Christmas miracle!!!

Were you using the CLAUS1 call sign?

[Rick Junkin]

Merry Christmas @Hank!

I transit the ATL Class B north to south and south to north, 90 degrees out with the runways, a few times a year and have never been denied. Your flight path alignment with the runways is a different story. Congrats on hitting it “just right”.

[RoundTwo]

Yeah, it’s hit or miss, getting in. If we’re flying to Florida in the morning, fuhgeddaboudit. No way you’re getting cleared through. I have a much better success rate mid to late afternoon.

[T. Peterson]

On 12/25/2024 at 6:02 PM, Hank said:

This morning, I took my wife to see her mother in central NC. The direct path is almost over ATL airport; ATL Approach guards the sacred Bravo airspace like nothing I've ever seen--in 17 years of flying past Atlanta (where my direct path lies inside the Bravo), I've never been allowed inside.

First it was "remain clear of the Bravo," then it became "stay out of the Bravo."

So with beautiful VFR conditions widespread across the Southeast, we loaded up and took off. My route was KALX-->KOPN-->KFAY, to stay out of the Bravo without being told. Well, about ten minutes after I got set up with flight following, ATL Center asked, "are you direct to your destination?"

I said no, I was going via OPN to avoid the Bravo, since I'd not been allowed inside for 17 years. He came back with, "today may be your day, if any is." Sure enough, a minute later it was "cleared direct destination through the Bravo." So I turned from 092 to 073 and went with it. I changed freqs and confirmed clearance with that controller (VFR through the Bravo), and he said "you are cleared through the Bravo at 7500."

My first ever penetrative of the ATL Bravo! On Christmas morning!! It's a Christmas miracle!!!

All your good living has caught up with you!

[hubcap]

Merry Christmas @Hank  !!

[201er]

On 12/25/2024 at 7:02 PM, Hank said:

Sure enough, a minute later it was "cleared direct destination through the Bravo." So I turned from 092 to 073 and went with it. I changed freqs and confirmed clearance with that controller (VFR through the Bravo), and he said "you are cleared through the Bravo at 7500."

My first ever penetrative of the ATL Bravo! On Christmas morning!! It's a Christmas miracle!!!

Wow, that is a miracle.

Have you had any luck IFR or something higher?

[Hank]

Just now, 201er said:

Wow, that is a miracle.

Have you had any luck IFR or something higher?

IFR, VFR, anywhere from 5000 to 9500 msl. Been flying "around" the ATL Bravo for 17 years, finally cleared "through the Bravo at 7500" on Christmas Day.

Other Bravo airspace isn't nearly as restrictive. I've flown over the center of the CLT field, VFR, at 5000' as instructed, after being diverted from my route around the Bravo. Oh, and I wasn't even ADS-B compliant then! (But finally am now.)

[201er]

20 minutes ago, Hank said:

Oh, and I wasn't even ADS-B compliant then! (But finally am now.)

Did you have to respond "unable" to any bravo clearance between when the mandate went into effect and you became ADSB compliant? Or were you allowed into the veil/bravo if they gave it to you?

[MooneyMitch]

That's super fun!!  A fun Christmas gift indeed. 

[Hank]

2 hours ago, 201er said:

Did you have to respond "unable" to any bravo clearance between when the mandate went into effect and you became ADSB compliant? Or were you allowed into the veil/bravo if they gave it to you?

When Charlotte cleared me in several times, I followed ATC instructions. The Bravo clearances were in conjunction with altitudes and vectors.

[Hank]

Well, it's back to the real world now. Came home this afternoon, ATL Approach was business as usual . . . . At least they were polite when I asked and said "remain outside of the Bravo for now," about 30 miles before here, then just kept me out.

[201Steve]

I get N-S over the top about 50% of the time going in and out of PDK or RYY 

[laytonl]

I live under the ATL class B airspace.  I rarely get cleared thru IFR.  Sometimes when I cancel IFR, they clear me thru.  My house/runway is 25 miles due west of ATL.  Lee

[201Steve]

@Hank I would suspect it's harder to get an E-W cross over than a N-S since the runways are all E-W.....