North Las Vegas VFR arrival and class B

[pabloip]

Flying to KVGT (North Las Vegas) there is a VFR route called "Rocks 2". This route starts abeam Jean airport at or above 7000. It then takes you northwest bound to a point called "Blue Diamond Gypsum Mine".

The thing I don't understand is that the route tells you to remain clear of class B, yet a small segment of it seems to take you right through it. I assume that you need to get clearance to enter class B before you fly that segment.

And, you also need to get clearance to fly this route in the first place. What should I expect?

Thanks in advance!

[AdamFrisch]

I don't have that terminal here with me, but I'm assuming it might be something like the Special Flight Rules through LAX Bravo airspace. It's basically a corridor of E airspace where you self announce on a unicom frequency and responsible for your own separation. In the case of the LA SFR, you do not need a specific clearance through the Bravo.

There's also a lower crossing at 2500ft called the Mini-Route and to fly that you need to contact LA tower and get a Bravo clearance. It could be something like that in Vegas, too. Normally the procedure is printed on the side of the terminal chart or at the back.

[MR.X99]

I remember flying around down there. Just remember the place is loaded with restricted military airspace. Area 51 being a famous one. We were time building(air head kids) and flew into restricted airspace....... unbelievable how fast those scramble jets are,the controllers are pretty cool usually.A 172 isn,t much of a National security threat though.

[Mark 1]

I've just looked at the TAC and can understand the confusion.

It seems to route you straight through the Class B but twice mentions that you should remain clear of Class B. Without a clearance to enter Class B you would need to be above 9500. But if you don't enter Class B why do you need a clearance for the arrival route? I suspect a clearance wouldn't be forthcoming if McCarran was busy in that sector.

You could go a few miles further west and be clear of Class B at 7500, but with an 8500 peak nearby. Not a good one for a night flight.

I think I'd be tempted to find a simpler arrival route.

[2high2fastagain]

I flew it the other way around (leaving N Las Vegas via Blue Diamond Road), as I recall we reported our intentions to use the VFR route at 7500' and the controllers seemed happy. The sectional panel I note tells you to be above 7000. Give them a call would be my counsel. They were great.

One thing I can advise. I arrived from the east with a southerly breeze. You route in via the Cortez Hotel though I had to land on the southeast runway. Even though I aimed to fly over the Lava Butte, the controllers were very keen to keep me north of the VFR route as the heavies were heading into McCarran on a parallel routing. I loved it when they asked if I had visual with Southwest xxx. I looked left and I'm sure I could see the pax waving at me. Watch out for that one. Caught me a bit by surprise because I was trying to be bang in the middle of those VFR arrows!

Super place to fly. Highly recommended.

[pabloip]

Thanks for your help.

In the end, the controllers were truly amazing for me. I called LV approach near Jean airport and they asked me if I was familiar with the area. I said "no", so they immediately gave me vectors and cleared me for Bravo. A few minutes later, they cleared me direct to KVGT and cleared me for Bravo again since the arrival had taken me out of it. KVGT tower gave me a right base for 12R. On the ground, a van waited for me and guided me to a parking space. All that for a rookie in a 172...

Overall a superb experience - I am truly thankful to the LV controllers for making it so easy.

[2high2fastagain]

Fantastic news. Really pleased to hear it went well.

I didn't get the chance when I was in the LV area, but I would really like to fly into Furnace Creek in Death Valley. I did drive over and stay there though. The airfield looked OK and the accommodation was good. There's even a golf course if you want to throw your clubs in the back.