Problem #3 - Flight through ABQ Class C airspace

Flight service report at 6:30 AM

· Temp 55 dew point 25

· Clear below 10,000 

· Visibility 10 miles

· Surface winds 319.30 @ 2 knots

· 9,000 330 @ 20 knots

· 12,000 330 @ 35 knots 

· Weather to remain the same for the next few hours

· All equipment is in proper working order and crew available and the pilot is good to go.

· AAAA waiver not in effect

· Additional equipment onboard: Aircraft radio. & magnetic compass. 

Launching from 19th again and ascending to 7,800 I picked up a nice on my compass 324.30 @ 20 and planned to fly for 1 hour in level flight. Now that is a heck of an accurate compass.

Questions: 

What should I do?  Should I call NW approach control, what is this frequency?  How should I phrase the statement?  Or maybe I should call someone else on the radio.  If so who, when, what frequency and what should I do and in what sequence.  What if no one acknowledged me?

Answer #3

You must have ATC clearance to enter Class C airspace and you must establish two way communications.  Thus before entering the Class C of ABQ you must call the tower on 118.300, wait for a free moment of chatter and say the following:  Albuquerque Tower, Hot Air Balloon (HAB)November 601 niner Charlie (N6019C).  You then must wait for the tower to acknowledge your call.    If you are not acknowledged you must either land before entering the Class C airspace or go above 9,400 (above the Class C airspace) and do not descend until South of the large arroyo south of ABQ (its big you can't miss it). 

If communications is established with ABQ Tower (tower responds with your N number) then you must state your intent.  Example: ABQ Tower HAB 6019C request to precede heading 145 at estimated 20 knots.  The go/no-go will be given or other instructions will be given.

A discussed in a previous lesson winds on the ground are magnetic while those at altitude are true.

To convert wind direction from degrees with respect to true north to degrees with respect to magnetic north, or vice versa, the observer shall obtain the local magnetic variation from an aeronautical chart and proceed as follows:

a. To convert from true to magnetic wind:

(1)  Add westerly variation to true direction

(2)  Subtract easterly variation from true direction

b. To convert from magnetic to true direction:

(1)  Add easterly variation to magnetic direction

(2)  Subtract westerly variation from magnetic direction

For example, at ABC Airport, the magnetic variation is 10º west. The local wind indicator is reading 250º (magnetic). When transmitting the wind direction in an observation, because the magnetic variation is 10º west, the observer should subtract 10º to transmit a direction of 240º (true).

(Note: Local displays of wind direction are always in reference to magnetic north. Automated weather observing systems also show direction with respect to magnetic north locally (when the AUX/WX page is displayed), but adjust wind direction to "true" for transmission.)