What the best approach in to Falcon Field (Phoenix area) from the West?

[jd21476]

I am flying in to Falcon Field on Friday from San Diego and I'm looking at a VFR route of:

KSEE BARET IPL BZA AZ06 E63 VPMAR 5AZ3 AZ38 VPREN KFFZ

Or would:

KSEE BARET IPL BZA AZ06 E63 VPMAR VPMHS KFFZ (This one is more direct but it also puts me in the approach path to Phoenix Mesa Gateway but I can swing low under the BRAVO.)

 

[Pilawt]

I don't think swinging east of IWA is of any benefit. You could go over CHD above their Class D and stay under the Class B, or call CHD and get a transition through the upper part of the Delta. Flight following is a VERY good idea, and keep your head on a swivel. There is intense training traffic along your route from E63 all the way to FFZ.

 

[jd21476]

Ok, so I think Ill go VPMAR KCHD KFFZ. I will be on FF the entire time unless I get dumped off

 

[N1120A]

Are you instrument rated? That route out of San Diego isn't far off what you'd get IFR anyway. Might want to just let P90 tell you where to go.

 

[jd21476]

I am not instrument rated

 

[CRQFlier]

No clue about arrival but I will say I personally prefer JLI v460 rather than IPL along the 8 freeway to get out of socal. Especially from KSEE.

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[MarcusSD]

No clue about arrival but I will say I personally prefer JLI v460 rather than IPL along the 8 freeway to get out of socal. Especially from KSEE.

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Any reason why? I did MYF-CHD going IPL BZA GBN.

 

[CRQFlier]

Any reason why? I did MYF-CHD going IPL BZA GBN.

Personal preference. Primarily safety. There's maybe 3-5 min total flight time where you're not glide distance to a reasonable landing area with an engine out at 7500 feet eastbound. Especially true if you cheat a bit south of JLI and not go over the peak/ridgeline. I'm pretty conservative with the mountains - no IFR/IMC or VFR on top for me.

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[jd21476]

So were going to be flying the second route and following the 8 at 9500’

 

[jd21476]

So the flight from SD to Phoenix went well. I changes to 7,500’ from my initial FF request of 9500’ mainly because I didnt need the extra 2000’. Otherwise it was uneventful. The rental car was brought to the plane upon landing. My wife was very impressed. We did hit a few rain squalls enroute and had a few bumps but for the most part it was smooth with a 17kt tail wind.

 

[Rgbeard]

I’m glad you had a tailwind!

I flew to norcal yesterday and hunted for less-than-offensive headwinds. All still sucked.

 

[N1120A]

I’m glad you had a tailwind!

I flew to norcal yesterday and hunted for less-than-offensive headwinds. All still sucked.

Good thing you flew yesterday. Icing everywhere today, though you might have topped it with the turbo

 

[dans2992]

Fly 3200 from CHD to FFZ (CHD is a waypoint as well as KCHD).
Local operators use 3200 from CHD -> FFZ and 3700 from FFZ -> CHD.

 

[jd21476]

Flew back to Gillespie today and the tail wind we had on the way out turned in to a 10kt wind on the way back. The ATC was taking calls form planes above 20k saying they had head winds of 75+ knots...ouch

 

[N1120A]

Flew back to Gillespie today and the tail wind we had on the way out turned in to a 10kt wind on the way back. The ATC was taking calls form planes above 20k saying they had head winds of 75+ knots...ouch

Flew AUN-MYF yesterday and had a cool 35 knot tail wind at 11000.

 

[Rgbeard]

I did Santa Rosa (STS) back to Goodyear yesterday, and had 40-50kt tail winds at 15,000.

Loved every minute.