When coming into LAX during an FNO, things move FAST! There are complex procedures and a number of items everyone should know. We want everyone to be challenged and have fun.
To help ensure everyone has a great time, here is a briefing for arrival into LAX:
https://laartcc.org/article/arriving-into-lax-with-metroplex.
Key points to note:
- Check the ATIS! When you check in with SoCal approach, give the current ATIS code along with your callsign and current altitude.
- Be sure to select the correct transition on the ILS approaches into KLAX. All too often, pilots select the wrong transition on the approach and fly from SEAVU or CRCUS direct HUNDA or MERCE. That is incorrect and throws sequencing out of whack!
- ILS 24R approach (when arriving from the east): In your FMC, you must see CRCUS or SEAVU and then SKOLL DECOR BREEA PALAC and so on all the way to JETSA.
- ILS 25L approach (when arriving from the east): In your FMC, you must see CRCUS or SEAVU and then KRAIN TAROC DYMMO FUELR and so on all the way to LIMMA.
- If you see CRCUS or SEAVU and then GAATE, HUNDA, MERCE or something other than what's on the plate, it's setup wrong! Practice before the event to get it right!
- Be prepared to dial in the correct frequencies! Make special note of the frequencies listed on the approach plates and listen carefully! Also, make note of the correct tower frequency and have it ready to switch over!
- If the weather is VMC, we'll be using visual approaches. Keep your eyes out the window and look for planes when we call them! Visual approaches help us get you in faster. Respond with "NEGATIVE TRAFFIC" or "TRAFFIC IN SIGHT." (Having an aircraft on TCAS does not count for visual separation and doesn't help us.)
- Even if we're running visual approaches, we will still use the localizers to make it easy. Have the ILS frequency dialed in and ready. Your controller will tell you to fly a heading to "INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER/JOIN FINAL APPROACH COURSE." Once you hear the magic words, then hit the LOC button to capture the localizer. Once you're cleared for the visual or ILS approach, you can follow the full approach and capture the glideslope.
- Listen carefully for speed instructions and maintain them. Speed maintenance is critical with heavy flows. Depending the situation, your approach controller may tell you something like "MAINTAIN 170 KNOTS OR GREATER UNTIL JETSA/LIMMA." Know where those fixes are and watch your airspeed. (Note: Once you are cleared for a visual or instrument approach, any speed restriction is cancelled UNLESS your controller restates a speed restriction.)
- After landing at LAX:
- Exit the runway as soon as safely feasible. Make use of the same-direction high-speed turnoffs.
- Remain on the tower frequency until instructed to switch to ground. This is noted on the airport diagram. Tower will give runway crossing instructions and then tell you to switch to ground.
- Keep your transponder on altitude-reporting mode until parked.
For KBUR, KVNY and KSMO arrivals:
- Again, check the ATIS in advance and report it with your initial check-in with approach.
- If the weather is VMC, we'll be using visual approaches. This is especially so at KSMO where arrivals are close to KLAX. Again, it helps us get you in more expeditiously.
- For arrivals into KBUR RWY 8, look out the window and be prepared to report both KVNY and KBUR in sight. You may be asked to cross KVNY at or above 3,000 depending on traffic conditions.
As always, if you have a question, post here or email me.
We hope everyone has a great time!
