2026 todays flight for 2026

[Rick Junkin]

I got cleared VFR through the ATL Bravo today both southbound and northbound but had to descend to 4,500’. Still a pretty impressive sight at that altitude.

[Hank]

30 minutes ago, Rick Junkin said:

I got cleared VFR through the ATL Bravo today both southbound and northbound but had to descend to 4,500’. 

I'm SOOOOOO jealous! They almost always tell me "stay out of the Bravo," or vector me to the far hinterlands if I'm IFR, even when I offer to descend to wherever is necessary. Last time they sent me to RMG.

[Mooneymite]

59 minutes ago, Hank said:

I'm SOOOOOO jealous! They almost always tell me "stay out of the Bravo," or vector me to the far hinterlands if I'm IFR, even when I offer to descend to wherever is necessary. Last time they sent me to RMG.

There has been a "secret passageway" over KATL for years and years for transiting the Class B.  Though "top secret", virtually everyone knows about it.  ATL approach is very liberal in granting passage, though it seems they want to know the pilot is competent to adhere to clearances.  The view over top of KATL is fun for passengers.  If you hear some random pilot asking approach for an Alley-oop, that's code for going over the top.  Expect 4000-5000', or whatever the controller feels like and don't be intimidated by an ocean of Delta jets in all quadrants.

Hank, the controllers are very persnickety about AL versus Auburn, so make sure you answer their questions correctly.    In most cases, the proper response is, "Go Dawgs!"

Wrong answers will get you RMG, AHN, or BFE.

Edited April 11 by Mooneymite

[Rick Junkin]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

I'm SOOOOOO jealous! They almost always tell me "stay out of the Bravo," or vector me to the far hinterlands if I'm IFR, even when I offer to descend to wherever is necessary. Last time they sent me to RMG.

Interestingly enough, I didn’t even have to ask for it on my southbound leg. I was under flight following from my departure at GKT with OPN as my destination, lined up for T319 north to south when ATL center handed me off to approach. I checked in with my altitude and said “request”, and he immediately gave me the Bravo clearance with a heading and descent to 4,500. A couple of 5° and 10° heading adjustments, easy passage. Almost the same thing happened going north from OPN when I called up approach for flight following.

Saturday in the morning to midday must be a generous time at ATL approach.

[varlajo]

7 hours ago, Hank said:

I'm SOOOOOO jealous! They almost always tell me "stay out of the Bravo,"

Overhead midfield KSFO at 1200. Gets me every time! 

 

[Rick Junkin]

15 hours ago, Hank said:

I'm SOOOOOO jealous! They almost always tell me "stay out of the Bravo," or vector me to the far hinterlands if I'm IFR, even when I offer to descend to wherever is necessary. Last time they sent me to RMG.

@Hank have you tried filing T319 when you're IFR? That's worked for me, and I was going to request that routing VFR but didn't get the chance. My route of flight was already lined up for T319 and the vectors they gave me were basically the same routing.

[Hank]

On 4/11/2026 at 6:56 PM, Mooneymite said:

There has been a "secret passageway" over KATL for years and years for transiting the Class B.  Though "top secret", virtually everyone knows about it.  ATL approach is very liberal in granting passage, though it seems they want to know the pilot is competent to adhere to clearances.  The view over top of KATL is fun for passengers.  If you hear some random pilot asking approach for an Alley-oop, that's code for going over the top.  Expect 4000-5000', or whatever the controller feels like and don't be intimidated by an ocean of Delta jets in all quadrants.

Hank, the controllers are very persnickety about AL versus Auburn, so make sure you answer their questions correctly.    In most cases, the proper response is, "Go Dawgs!"

Wrong answers will get you RMG, AHN, or BFE.

Maybe I'll try that coming home, they're less likely to suspect anything if I'm leaving the Carolinas. Anything to avoid SINCA & GRANT!

[wombat]

Headed home from Corvallis, Oregon today.   

Mt. Rainier was looking good as usual.

[dkkim73]

17 hours ago, wombat said:

Rainier never gets old. Have you flown over Mt. St. Helens? I have a memory of being backseat in the Eagle and breaking out of a cloud deck very close to over the crater... it was otherworldly. 

[wombat]

@dkkim73 I don't think I've ever flown directly over the Mt. St. Helens crater, but I've gone past it many times.

[AndreiC]

Yesterday, ORD from 10500 feet. Apparently Chicago Approach will not let anyone into the Bravo while VFR, and IFR only above FL160, so since I did not have oxygen with me I cancelled IFR and went VFR over their top.

 

 

[wombat]

Good on you for knowing the regs and following them to get the routing you want!

[Hank]

50 minutes ago, AndreiC said:

Yesterday, ORD from 10500 feet. Apparently Chicago Approach will not let anyone into the Bravo while VFR, and IFR only above FL160, so since I did not have oxygen with me I cancelled IFR and went VFR over their top.

 

 

Sounds like ATL, except their airspace goes to 13,000 so no over-the-top for me.

[Ragsf15e]

Into Troutdale Oregon for a little TLC at Advanced Aviation.  I had the same “tail rubbing the fairing” issue that @GeeBee had a while ago.  Real pretty flight in between Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Hood.

[Fly Boomer]

5 hours ago, Ragsf15e said:

I had the same “tail rubbing the fairing” issue that @GeeBee had a while ago.

What was the fix for you?  Replace the same skin as GeeBee?

[Ragsf15e]

Just now, Fly Boomer said:

What was the fix fir you?  Replace the same skin as GeeBee?

Greg at advanced is doing a doubler inside the bottom of the tail.  Structural adhesive.  More importantly, he’s fixing that damn fairing!  Mine was rubbing, but only just barely started to crack the first 1/8” back from the tip.  In fact, there’s a drain hole there that stopped the crack.  Installing the doubler and fixing the fairing is enough for mine as I think it was earlier than @GeeBee’s.  I actually didn’t find it until I read the previous thread, so that was helpful.

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, Ragsf15e said:

I actually didn’t find it until I read the previous thread, so that was helpful.

Mine's a 1989 252 about to go for annual, so I'm anxious to get a look at the tail.  Thanks.

[GeeBee]

I replaced the fairing on mine to prevent any further problems. It is an easy fabrication.

[Ibra]

Not Mooney but I had the chance to do a slow tour around SF Bay in C172, then spending afternoon in San Carlos Aviation Museum before flying commercial back to DFW !

Edited April 25 by Ibra

[varlajo]

9 hours ago, Ibra said:

Not Mooney but I had the chance to do a slow tour around SF Bay in C172, then spending afternoon in San Carlos Aviation Museum before flying commercial back to DFW !

Dude!! You should have done it in my Mooney out of KSQL.. 

[Ibra]

16 hours ago, varlajo said:

Dude!! You should have done it in my Mooney out of KSQL.. 

It was a spontaneous VFR tour that I had to fit between family plannings before heading back to Dallas to catch flight to Paris.

Thanks for the offer, that would have been lovely in your M20E, catch up another time in KSQL ! 

[Rick Junkin]

On 4/11/2026 at 6:56 PM, Mooneymite said:

There has been a "secret passageway" over KATL for years and years for transiting the Class B.  Though "top secret", virtually everyone knows about it.  ATL approach is very liberal in granting passage, though it seems they want to know the pilot is competent to adhere to clearances.  The view over top of KATL is fun for passengers.  If you hear some random pilot asking approach for an Alley-oop, that's code for going over the top.  Expect 4000-5000', or whatever the controller feels like and don't be intimidated by an ocean of Delta jets in all quadrants.

Hank, the controllers are very persnickety about AL versus Auburn, so make sure you answer their questions correctly.    In most cases, the proper response is, "Go Dawgs!"

Wrong answers will get you RMG, AHN, or BFE.

@Mooneymite What headings does that work for? I've almost never been denied going north/south, perpendicular to the runways, but haven't had much luck on other headings.

[Mooneymite]

4 hours ago, Rick Junkin said:

@Mooneymite What headings does that work for? I've almost never been denied going north/south, perpendicular to the runways, but haven't had much luck on other headings.

Yes, the  corridor for going over the top is N-S.  The crossing point shifts E-W based on which way traffic is landing.

[Ragsf15e]

These things are fast! On the way home from Greg at Advanced fixing my tail!

[Ragsf15e]

Awesome trip to my folks house for Mother's Day.  Nothing like a 525nm XC with a tailwind both ways, I must be living right!