Rarely used Camp Pendleton restricted airspace activated
January 26, 2012
By Jim Moore
A rarely activated restricted airspace area will be activated and expanded Jan. 26 and Feb. 1 in conjunction with an amphibious military exercise near the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in southern California.
R-2503A/B/D restricted airspaces are being activated to facilitate an amphibious operation that will include simulated attacks by helicopter and fixed-wing military aircraft. Live artillery fire is also planned in conjunction with the exercise. A detailed description of the restrictions is available. Pilots who wish to transition the airspace or check on its status should contact Longrifle on 123.2 MHz.
The exercise is planned Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time, and Feb. 1 from noon to 2:30 p.m. local time.
Pilot Skip Gibbs regularly uses his Bonanza A36 to bring medical volunteers and supplies to remote areas of Mexico. Just before sunset, Gibbs was flying to the historic city of El Fuerte in the state of Sinaloa where LIGA International Flying Doctors of Mercy has been doing good works since 1934.
NextGen was intended to improve access and efficiency in the nation’s busiest airspace. But two new RNAV terminal routes proposed west of Washington, D.C.’s, Class B airspace do just the opposite.
The GACE Flying Club, which grew from a club for Grumman employees, prides itself on offering members low-cost, safe flying and social events.