Coordinate Request for Santa Clarita Valley

[Jackie Forsting]

Hello Flyers,

 

For the past couple years I have requested that the FAA look into having some kind of repeater/antenna for better communications in the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas. If you don't know, there are antennas on top of Oat Mountain, which is south of Magic Mountain. If I am not mistaken the actual repeater is located near Burbank Airport, thus funneling it's signal through the Newhall Pass (correct me if I am wrong, as this it what I was told). You probably do know that there is very limited communication abilities with So Cal under 5,000 feet in that whole valley starting from Santa Paula and going to the ridge that crosses into the Antelope Valley. Also I don't have to tell anyone that it can be scary flying in that area especially on the weekends, when it is hazy or the sun is setting. Not having flight following or traffic advisories available to those that would like it can be a bit uncomfortable if not downright unsafe.

 

Next Tuesday I have another airspace meeting with the Southern California Airspace Users Working Group (SCAUWG). This is what I was thinking ... and feel free to suggest other ways that might work for getting something done about this ... Would someone be able to send me (by next Monday night), coordinates and altitudes of the areas affected by lack of communication with So Cal? It would take some time, a GPS of course and a bit of coordination and cooperation with SoCal. If the FAA can see the wide swath that has such limited voice communication and such high traffic, maybe funding for another repeater, etc would be more likely.

 

Why did you get this email ?? ... I think it is important for all flyers in the Southern California area since it is a main transition area for General Aviation (read lower altitude flyers) going from east to west, along with funneling in and out of the Newhall Pass. Let me know what you think and especially if you can get me some specific coordinates and altitudes.

 

Safe Flying!

Jackie Forsting

818 720-1661 Cell

775 703-8419 Fax

 

[Gary Schoelen]

jackie,

even more important than the radio coverage is the radar coverage. ask so cal what their radar coverage is over janny intersection, and to the west towards SZP. it's almost impossible to get funding for additional radar sites. and that's driven by need, mostly for IFR traffic. just thought I'd give you a controllers perspective.

[Richard Stonehouse]

Sometimes its good & sometimes its not!!!