N1120A
Pattern Altitude
Had an interesting situation today. Was flying SNA-CMA via the Coastal Route and SoCal did a few interesting things. First, they cleared me to 6500 once I switched from SNA tower to departure and own navigation from the shoreline to the entry point. Then, they had me level off at 4000 or 4500 for traffic, then let me climb again. Then, they had me turn to 330 just after and sort of point at LGB, clearing me through the Bravo on that heading. They then had me make a turn back toward the route, cleared through that way. When they switched me to 134.9, the controller had me descend to 6000 (reasonably common on the Coastal) and then let me resume own navigation direct at anywhere between 4500 and 6000 as soon as I crossed the LAX VOR, instead of having me turn up along the Sepulveda Pass. He also hung on to me until it was time to switch to Pt. Mugu, instead of handing me to Burbank sector.
Ultimately, this seems like it cut off at least 5-10 minutes off my flight time. Anyone else see something like this happen? The LAX Bravo transitions are usually kept to pretty strictly, with some minor variations. This was definitely different.
Ultimately, this seems like it cut off at least 5-10 minutes off my flight time. Anyone else see something like this happen? The LAX Bravo transitions are usually kept to pretty strictly, with some minor variations. This was definitely different.