Suggestions flying not LA Class Bravo

[ToddDPT]

I have a meeting I have to go to next week at the Crown Plaza LAX. As much as I would like to put into my logbook that I landed at LAX I dont think it is a really good idea nor would it be cheap. I'm looking for any suggestions. Would Santa Monica be the best bet? Any suggestions and help with what I may expect with that airspace is appreciated. I will be coming from the north (Visalia). I plan on filing IFR for the trip.

[BigTex]

Todd, I'd seriously look at Long Beach (KLGB). It's not far from LAX and it's also pretty GA friendly.

[MooneyMitch]

Santa Monica is certainly an option, however Hawthorne is closest to LAX.

My route of choice into Hawthorne, coming from Visailia using ATC radar service:

Down over VNY area to SMO, pick up the "mini-route" directly over LAX, then a left turn into Hawthorne. Remember, you must have a current Terminal Area Chart if you use LA VFR corridors or the mini-route across LAX.

Below is a little excerpt from an AOPA article:

Let's look at the two low-altitude ones first. There's one called the Mini route that connects the Santa Monica airport and the Hawthorne airport and is now available 24 hours a day. When flying northwestbound (toward Santa Monica) pilots must stay clear of Class Bravo airspace (the floor is at the surface in the vicinity of Los Angeles International Airport [LAX]) until an ATC clearance is received. Clearances are obtained by speaking with Hawthorne Tower when northwestbound and Santa Monica Tower when southeastbound. When a clearance is required and those towers are closed, contact LAX Tower on 119.1. This route is flown at 2,500 feet msl. Update: Departing Santa Monica in a climbing left turn directly to Loyola College (LMU) for entry into the Mini route at 2,500 feet is marginal for the typical trainer. With takeoff clearance, an SMO tower local controller will normally request you fly to the shoreline and then make a right turn around to LMU to ensure you will be at 2,500 feet at LMU for crossing LAX.

[jrwilson]

burbank is pretty easy

[N33GG]

I used to fly into Burbank all the time. Friendly airport and convenient. Media Aviation, if they are still there, were great.

[stevesm20b]

I agree with Mitch. Hawthorne would be your best bet.

[mooneygirl]

I was pretty wary of flying in the Los Angeles basin when I first moved to California in 2005. What I have found is that the controllers are VERY helpful and actually friendly. The only thing I do differently is talk faster on the radio. Hawthorne is a great airport for your needs. Just do your planning, get on flight following when you depart and you will be happy that you conquered your fear of LA airspace and are close to your meeting. We fly to LA on average once or twice a month. No problems at all. Go for it!

[jkenney]

Hawthorne is definitely closest to your destination. Next closest is either Santa Monica or Torrance. I have not flown into either Hawthorne or Santa Monica, but I am based at Torrance and I can attest that it is a great GA airport.

If you are flying IFR into Torrance they are likely to bring you in via V459 from Visalia then usually give you a vector once you are south of the LAX flightpath. Be prepared for a slam dunk approach if you do the ILS 29 into Torrance. You can check out my flights into Torrance on flightaware (N9154X). They are not that bad in VMC conditions, especially if you have speedbrakes. I do not have a traffic system in my a/c so I almost always fly IFR in and out of the basin.

[ToddDPT]

Thanks everyone. I think I will file IFR and go into Hawthorne. I checked fltplan.com and it looks to be pretty simple (famous last words, right?).

[kortopates]

Hawthorne has many advantages - they even used to have a Jag for a crew car! However, IFR service in and out of there got very bad since they lost their LOA with SOCAL - they no longer own the airspace for their loc approach. So if you go IFR be prepared for other options if you hear you could be delayed due to LAX traffic; especially if less than VFR wx. Or better yet, call the SOCAL Tracon at 800-448-3724 and ask a controller what you can expect - they are very helpful.

As jkenny said, for sure you'll enter socal at LHS on V459. If you don't fle that way, be ready to copy as you approach. My guess is you'll probably get V459 - V186 - V394 to the HHR Loc for 25 since the Loc-D isn't approved to start at SLI coming south on V459.

Enjoy your trip!

[ToddDPT]

Thanks everyone for your help. As kortopates suggested, I contacted SOCAL Tracon and they are very helpful. The controller said expect V459 DARTS V186 V394 to HHR Loc. They said starting around Van Nuys they will get me down to 4 to 5000 to get me below the approaching LAX traffic. Very helpful and now I know how to file and hopefully won't have many suprises. Thanks again for everyone's help!