Arrival Procedures Now Available Online For AOPA Expo 2004

Arrival procedures for pilots planning to fly to AOPA Expo 2004 in Long Beach (CA) Oct. 21-23 are now available on AOPA Online.

AOPA Aviation Services personnel worked closely with FAA air traffic controllers to develop five VFR (visual flight rules) arrival routes for pilots coming from the north, south, and east. The online procedures include both text and graphical depictions of the routes. The graphical depictions are not approved for navigation — pilots are advised to obtain a current Los Angeles Terminal Area Chart (TAC). In addition, one of the routes skirts the edge of the temporary flight restriction over Disneyland, which is not depicted on the Los Angeles TAC. Pilots need to be sure to obtain the latest NOTAMS before flying to Long Beach.

For pilots planning to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR), the FAA has established a special traffic management program. Pilots will be required to obtain a "slot reservation" for a landing time. VFR flights are the preferred method of arrival.

Long Beach Airport (LGB) has one of the most complex ground operations in the United States. A link on the AOPA Arrival Procedures page will take pilots to the FAA's Runway Safety page, which includes a "high alert chart" for LGB, pointing out some of the problem areas that pilots need to be alert for. Another link allows pilots to request a free DVD version of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Runway Safety course, which uses LGB as part of the lesson plan.

Upon arrival, pilots will be directed to parking areas. Due to security procedures at the airport, which also has airline operations, pilots need to remain with their aircraft until a shuttle bus arrives to take them to the host FBO, Airflite. There, they will need to register. Airflite has agreed to reduce its parking fee to only $15 for the entire event.

FMI: www.aopa.org