On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:51:32 +0100, Mxsmanic wrote:

It sounds like a mess, but why can't you just contact one frequency and
request flight following?

Because they can't see the sailboats, whales, etc. I'm looking at/for. Besides,
note the earlier posting that says it takes ~15 minutes or so for the local ATC
to deign to notice anyone who calls up in that area.

Or for that matter, why can't you just fly IFR?

Neither the plane nor myself are IFR certified, and in any case, it doesn't make
sense for a 45-minute sightseeing flight. Puget Sound is great in that contact
navigation is very easy due to the distinctive terrain, and if the weather's
VFR, everyone's going VFR. It's one of the curses of Commencement Bay, it's
such a distinctive feature that everyone routes through it.

Or just fly around the complex airspace to the extent possible.

Take a look at the south end of the Sea-Tac Class B airspace. Eliminate the gap
in the Class B/D airspaces where Commencement Bay is, and imagine flying from
Auburn Municipal to Vashon Municipal. Either I have to fly ~25 miles north to
go around the north end of the Class B, or I've got to fly south of the Class D
airspaces for Tacoma Narrows, McChord AFB, Ft. Lewis AAF, and Olympia airport.
Not an insignificant jog in a ~80 knots airplane.

I once flew as passenger in a plane that departed Renton Airport IFR to fly
south. I couldn't believe how far around ATC routed us.

Ron Wanttaja