LiveATC Discussion Forums

Aviation => Pilot/Controller Forum => Topic started by: trekkerj on July 19, 2011, 11:40:47 AM

Title: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: trekkerj on July 19, 2011, 11:40:47 AM
I am curious about different ways of entering and exiting the Hudson skyline route from New Jersey and wondered if my fellow pilots or some controllers could help.  I did this with a CFI to show me the ropes and our first radio call was basically to LGA tower 126.05 just northwest of Alpine tower.  He said we weren't in his sector yet (even though the TAC chart says to do this) and to continue and call us 3 miles south of Alpine.  Descended to 1300' to stay clear of the Bravo, then got clearance up to 2000.

Question -- is there a better way to do this leaving Morristown?  Would it be better to call Approach (126.4?) approaching the Alpine and make my request with NY Approach and get handed off to LGA?

Also, I am wondering about entering the area from the south.  Can one enter the Hudson by doing a transition over Newark, or was that before the new SFRA was created?
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: MikeNYC on July 19, 2011, 12:23:34 PM
Trekkerj, not sure if you've checked out the NYC Heli feeds but they're a great way to get a feel for the radio calls in the area. Plenty of fixed-wing traffic on them. Coming from MMU you could transition over EWR...just call up EWR Tower on 127.85. You'll most likely be given overhead 22 numbers at 1500 or 2000, then can descend into the exclusion shortly after.

Coming down from the north, you can make your call upon passing Alpine Tower. You likely won't be cleared in for another few miles, but LGA will be aware of you. You could go via NY Approach (may be 120.8 or 126.4 there, not sure) and ask for a handoff but I haven't tried that method yet.
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: Jason on July 19, 2011, 01:33:24 PM
From the north, call NY approach on 120.8 (HARRP sector) or 126.4 (NOBBI sector). If close by the alpine, 120.8 is probably the best bet. If further north (tappanzee bridge) then try 126.40. Request Hudson southbound in the Bravo with them. If they clear you into the Bravo they will hand you off to LGA TCA on 126.05 prior to the GWB.
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: trekkerj on July 19, 2011, 01:46:59 PM
Thanks, I'll probably try that next time instead of actually flying in the exclusion for a couple of miles waiting for the Bravo clearance.

So, more of a random, but related question.  Why isn't the 120.8 frequency actually listed anywhere on the TAC chart?
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: Jason on July 20, 2011, 07:36:34 AM
Thanks, I'll probably try that next time instead of actually flying in the exclusion for a couple of miles waiting for the Bravo clearance.

So, more of a random, but related question.  Why isn't the 120.8 frequency actually listed anywhere on the TAC chart?

I think most people who enter from the north call by the TZ and are then handed off to 120.80 before the Alpine Tower.  FYI, NOBBI sector is normally combined with HAARP (120.80) after 2300 local or when its relatively quiet.
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: mymussliveatc on August 08, 2011, 02:18:28 PM
This is a question more to controllers than pilots.

I was told at local FBO that Boston TRACON controllers prefer pilots requesting Bravo clearance for a city tour to call them on the landline phone before departure rather than just pop up.

Is it the same with NY TRACON? What's the phone # (please PM if you'd rather not publish it)

I flew Hudson corridor once. Departed KISP and told clearance delivery that I'll be flying down the Hudson corridor and apparently confused them. So then I just requested northwest departure and once in the air asked approach control for clearance. They handed me over to LGA tower and later to NY tower. BTW everyone was very nice and helpful even tough I was barely familiar with the area.
Title: Re: Hudson bravo clearance advice
Post by: MikeNYC on August 14, 2011, 08:10:12 PM
People fly the Hudson in the Bravo every day, no need to phone ahead. Just contact either NY Approach or EWR/JFK/LGA towers, depending on where you're coming in.

I imagine here the controllers would rather just handle you on the radio instead of dealing with an advance phone call, as long as you're familiar with the airspace. Having a copy of the NY Heli Route Chart can be helpful.