Which brings up the question, if you were near the edge of the class
C, why didn't you just ask for enroute decent?

My airport is still 15+ miles from the edge of the Class C. I like to
remain high until I clear the small mountains (hills?) between the
Class C and my destination airport. Never really thought about an
enroute decent.


Also, why did you climb to 5500 to begin with?
Mountains & safety I guess. I usually pick 5500 or 6500 for my local
Cross countries.


Most C airports want you to cross midfield above the pattern
altitude, but I've never heard of one that wanted you above the
C to cross.
He asked me what altidude I would be climbing to and I told him
5500... that was the end of conversation.

I go through C on a regular basis to get back to the home airport.

The drill is get flight following on or shortly after takeoff.

As I approach the C, request enroute decent to 4500 and get handed
off to the tower when I enter the C.

Ask the tower for enroute decent to 3500 and cross midfield. I know
from experience they don't want you crossing lower than that.

Once across the runway, request decent to 2500 which puts me about
300 feet above pattern altitude for the destination.

About half the time tower asks if I have the airport in sight as
I'm about to tell them I have it.

Squak VFR, thank you, announce on Unicom and enter the pattern.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I was not sure and
have read and re-read the FAR and just was not sure on this one.

Mike Flyin' 8