Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:

I am planning a short hop from F70 to L00 via KSBD at 7500.

Which pass are you going through?

I plan on flying through the Cajon Pass along the I15.

.... However, I think I am safe since the MOA is not active on
Saturday, and it look like L00 is under a ring that is clear of the
MOA up to 1500AGL.

All true, but active or not, you can always fly through an MOA. I fly
out of KTSP and KMHV all the time, and there's rarely any military
traffic down low. Just keep your eyes open, which you should be doing
all the time anyway.

Gotcha. I am scared of the UAVs and have never been comfortable with
MOA's.


From Fallbrook (L18) I'll normally fly to POM then V197 direct to PMD.
Going through Cajon Pass and then over towards Palmdale would actually
increase your exposure to potential UAV activity near Adelanto. See my
recent post under 'high winds in Palm Springs' regarding UAV activity
in the area. Personally, I have yet to spot one -- but that doesn't
mean they aren't on my six. :-) If you do overfly Palmdale (what
was that suggestion for knowing when your over a point? Roll inverted
and look up?) take a moment to scan the ramp. On various flights in
the past I've seen SR71s and U2s sitting on the tarmac there.

... Other than flying over some Class D South East is
there anything else that I am missing? In particular around Edwards
AFB. I do not want to be on the news. :-)

Just stay out of the restricted airspace R-2515 - the MOA is no
problem. Talk to Joshua Approach (124.55 from your direction) once
you get past the San Gabriels and get flight following - they'll tell
you where everyone is (if anyone's even around). On weekends, the
restricted area is usually cold and you can fly through at or above 6K
ft., if you feel like getting a good look at Edwards' 15K ft. long,
300 ft. wide Shuttle landing runway.


Calling Joshua Approach is excellent advice. Although I've yet to
be lucky enough to get permission to transit any of their restricted
airspace, they will help you avoid hazards in and around their
airspace.

If you're flying by pilotage, the 'shore' of the bone dry Rosamond Lake
is pretty well defined when viewed from the air, so you can easily
thread between Palmdale, Fox and and the restricted/MOA areas if you
are flying low -- just aim for the south west point of the lake.

So If I am above 6000 I can go right through the R-2515 area? I get
way freaked out with the MOA & Restricted stuff... I am gonna go dig
up my AIM/FAR and see what is says.

You definitely want to talk to Joshua Approach -- do not just
'go right through' R-2515.

Not that one should count on this in general, but in the 'Midair
Collision Avoidance Handbook' provided by the Edwards test pilot
referenced in the Palm Springs thread, it says:

"Additionally, to avoid spilling out the lateral boundaries
of R-2508 Complex (the FAA frowns on such transgressions),
military pilots often give themselves a 3-5 mile buffer
along all boundaries."

For good reason, R-2508 itself is not depicted on the sectional since
it extends from FL200 on up. But the footprint matches basically all
of the Edwards resticted and MOA airspace depicted on the chart, hence
the entire collection of Edwards special use airpsace is referred to as
the R-2508 Complex.

So if the MOA is cold, a hot R-2515 should have a nice safety buffer
on the inside of the restricted area boarder. A comforting thought,
although it isn't guaranteed.

Have a safe flight.

Steve