This feels SO illegal! NO ATC over LAX + Landing at Van Nuys 

From an old man who's been flying 50 years and seen a lot of pilots in those days, you're one of the best. You possess knowledge, but more importantly you have wisdom about flying beyond your years. I'd fly anywhere, any time, in any weather with you and know we would be safe.

When I saw this title, I thought it meant you were able to fly over it because they had shut the airport down due to the virus lol.

Yeah, first time I did the VFR corridor over LAX and heard "out of the Bravo" when I was directly over LAX's tower, just said "wait . . . what? How can I be out of the Bravo when I'm directly over LAX?" You get used to it.

In busy airspace the best place to put airplanes is directly over the airport. Very little traffic, no arrivals or departures directly overhead.

I fly out of Van Nuys. In fact, the plane I usually fly, N910SE, was on frequency in the video - pretty cool!

Just did this with Jason Miller of The Finer Points yesterday in Harvey (1959 C-310)...It worked!! As an ATP who flies B-777 out of LAX I found this very intimidating initially...most airline pilots have no idea this procedure even exists....right over the top of us!

I’m taking advantage of this isolation to binge watch aviation 101 videos. Keep up the good work!

10:35 Interesting how they build the houses along the top of the ridge line

I rode in a buddy's Cirrus from Santa Monica to San Diego and was likewise astonished we flew right over LAX. What a view! And the port of Long Beach was a spectacular view too.

Great video! One minor point - since 128.55 is a dedicated frequency for the SFRA, you don't need to repeat "L A Special Flight Rules" at the end of each transmission. There are times when the SFRA has a lot of traffic and keeping radio transmissions short helps keep the frequency clear.

1:50 Aviation aside, anybody else think it's amazing that little camera can hang on for dear life out there?

A few years ago I flew out to the Hamptons from North Jersey and then back west directly over the top of Newark Class Bravo out to Pennsylvania. Of course at a legal VFR altitude. Squawked 1200 and didn't have to speak with anybody. Of course I monitored approach just in case. It did feel a little "illegal" looking straight down over Newark Airport but it wasn't. And it was safe as well. Both eyes scanning the skies along with traffic on the Garmin 530W in a Mooney. People who haven't learned to fly don't know what they are missing.

I took all of my flight training out of Hawthorne Airport which was to the southeast of LAX. Runway was aligned with LAX runways and was displaced about 2 miles south of the centerline of the south runways. I used to fly over LAX almost every flight. After getting my license I kept my 182 at Hawthorne and got my IFR ticket. It was interesting to make IFR approaches flying next to commercial aircraft just off to my right. I did a lot of flying around the LA basin. Head on a swivel at all times. Lunch at Catalina was always a great trip. Keep it high on the approach because of the wind shear at the cliff.

Hearing the Morse Code at 5:25 (SMO) made me flash back to my check ride to get my Commercial Pilots license. The examiner asked me to tune to a VOR and track to it. I tuned to that VOR and turned toward it. Later, on the ground, the examiner said that I didn't identify the VOR and he had to reduce my grade because of it. I said "I did identify the NDB. I'm an amateur ration operator and I know Morse Code. I could read the three letters sent in Morse Code and I ID'd the VOR." I added "I should have mentioned it but I guess I was concentrating on flying the aircraft as you instructed." He smiled.

When I was younger, I used to fly regularly with a program called the Young Eagles. This video brought me back to that time so clearly. We took off from a municipal air field and were able to fly around the area, little traffic. Truly inspiring, my dream was to be a pilot, I've detracted from the path since, but a PPL is still a significant long-term goal.

My buddy flew my wife and I to Catalina from Van Nuys following Special Flight Rules and it was WILD flying over LAX like that! Beautiful, short flight. Also, the landing at Catalina was an amazing experience, as well. Great video!

I'm from the East coast but have flown into LAX several times on domestic flights and a few times on trips to AU. Had no idea GA could do that!!! Glad I didn't know. Lmao. 👍👍👍 Thanks J!!! Love you content as usual!!! 😎😎😎 Great vid!!!

Thank you for your videos. I appreciate your enthusiasm and love of adventure. I'm now 57 and have been flying off and on since I was 13. I'm amazed how things have changed, but inspired to keep learning. Still flying and feel so grateful for being able to. Lets keep passing the torch.

Howard Hughes kept all of his general aviation aircraft at the Lockheed Aircraft complex that was at Van Nuys. You had to go through Lockheed to get to his aircraft. A friend of my used to run a small charter business out of Van Nuys. Did my multi engine and commercial training at Van Nuys. I have a lot of right seat time in my friends Aerostar 601. I remember the wind shear at Big Bear taking off over the lake and then over the dam.

Very well done---professional and to the "T" Josh!! Thanks for sharing!!

Amazing - beautiful capture of the environment and sun! Great work (as usual) Josh

Excellent video, Josh - thanks! Great flying, camerawork and scenery, I was glued to every second. Very professional to use checklists and have a chart to refer to as well as your other navaids. I enjoyed every second of that1

@16:50 if you want to see a ramp full of jets...go to SNA, it's a blast and two super cool FBO's serving both jets and use light singles.

Been using some of your flights alpha testing msfs. Love your your channel. You are great inspiration for the pilot community both young and old.

Excellent video. I so much enjoy how you're explaining everything you're doing as you fly. Camera angles, timing, perfect. Even for us that some experience we always learn something new. You have a gift with your flying and video work. Keep up the great work.

Great video. The Skyhawk is a wonderful flying aircraft. Have flown them before. The ones that I have flown were the old analog instruments. They have been around for a long time. My uncle used to have plane at Torrance and flew out of there. Thanks for sharing your flight.

Very thorough on your preflight preparation and cockpit organization. It’s nice to see that you crosscheck with your checklist at each phase of the flight. I enjoy your videos very much and all the different places you fly. Hope to see you in Sun N Fun in May. I have a Cessna 182 based at KSPG.

Wow! So much has changed sense I last flew in 1972 when it got too expensive. Enjoy watching all your outstanding videos. Thank you for sharing. Have a super great day.

This is cool to see! I just got off working a jet that regularly flew in to LAX and that lane above the airport is always a briefed threat. Kinda absurd to have it there but why not.

Followed you on map question, it is an interesting way to travel through LA area and that you have to fly over such busy airports. This is a great video, teaching us how this is done. I have driven in those areas many times as a truck driver, it is fun for me to see how one has to travel by play through such an busy area.

The LAX VFR corridor was created in the response to LA airspace being mandatory Mode C after the Cerritos air disaster in 1986. I flew the corridor shortly after it opened in '88 because my flight instructor wanted to try it. For me, a 20 year-old-kid with 30 hours flight time , flying left seat over one of the busiest airports in the world was eerily quiet, yet mind blowing.

That’s where I did my XC solo as a student! Even worse...had transponder issues and all my com’s and Nav go dark....and then was dropped from flight following! Talk about a hairy situation!

Outstanding. Appreciate all the work putting these together!

Awesome video. Very soothing and relaxing to watch. Excellent flying. Greetings from Sweden.

I think it's really nice that they got Stephen Hawking to do the automated weather for Van Nuys.

My very first solo flight in the US went MYF to LSN via the Mini Route. On they way back CMA to MYF at night through the SFRA. Believe me, as a German both trips felt like being on a different planet. Good prep was the key, which thankfully was not too difficult with those procedures being well published and RU-vid giving good examples. Great video, thank you!! And I´m looking forward to the next one, as always.

My flying school was based out of a Jet Aviation terminal. Nicest and most accommodating employees and customers. I loved chatting with people in the lobby. They even handle the large 757s flying in for the various sports teams visiting St. Louis yet they will fuel up your 172 with a smile and a wave. Nothing but nice from start to finish!

Oh, you did the RTO at "Bear".... I vaguely remember watching that. Good to see you are still flying.

Shortest 18 minutes of my life. I enjoyed every minute. One would think that you are from So Cal since you are very familiar with the cities. Great job brother, can't wait for the next one.

I am looking forward to landing at Van Nuys, you flew right over my brothers house on the approach. Great videos as always!

I love your videos, and this is a particular favorite. Giving us a peek inside some of the nation’s most complex airspace is awesome!! Keep it up!

That Big Bear video you did was the first aviation video I’ve watched. I lived there from 1992 - 1999, and visit frequently since my in-laws live there. The Barnstorm is my favorite place to eat whenever I go up (currently live in Riverside).

Spec Flt Rules over LAX is a blast. Glad you got to experience it. And more than once.

Beautiful video, I love your confidence!

I'm from Torrance.. I love this.. Thanks for posting..☺

Great video! Crazy experience - I would probably be the same second guessing myself on the codes, etc.Nice work!!

I got my PPL licence at the same time you got you're. I remember watching your Review on LightSpeed Zulu and it got me excited to let go my David Clark and buy something for long term! VNY is my home base airport. Just FYI, if you're taking LA Special Flight Rules, NW at 4500ft, as precaution due to heavy VFR traffic with in the vicinity to contact Santa Monica Tower as soon as you leave LA Special Flight Rules and let them know i'll like to transition to your airspace to go to van Nuys Airport. You were right by Getty Center, and Class C ( Burbank ) starts from 3000 - 4800 and for sure you should of been lower than that before you contact VNY tower! That was just my thoughts.. Keep up with the good work and great videos!!!

You're radio communication is top notch. Well done.

once you entered the valley I was like there ventura blv... oh going over woodly... or look home depot i go to!! .. love the valley

What a great video. Really enjoyed it! It's been years since I regularly flew out of VNY in a 172 but it's my favorite airport. I usually landed 16R so seeing your approach to 16L was a treat. You're so right, stay PROFICIENT. Looking forward to future videos. Ps. What's new with Cessna's?

Love the comment you made to yourself about gear down in the Cessna. Now since you’re landing out at jet Center and gulfstream is next-door, see what you can get for a trade-in. Then you can get a airplane that has gear that goes up and down. Safe flying my friend

Got to experience this when I flew down from KLVK to KFUL for a Disneyland visit! I was expecting way more radio traffic and like you checked everything when it was dead silent on the comms. Such an awesome experience!

These kind of videos just show me that LA is just a crazy place. All the way from Orange County to San Fernando Valley is constant urbanization, huge freeways..there's just so much.

Blast from the past for me. It’s where I got my license in July 1980. First 750hrs or so out of VNY mostly in a Trinidad and then an Aerostar. Thanks for the memory lane trip.

Plot twist, LAX becomes uncontrolled days later Edit: Wow! 200 likes! thanks everyone!

Nice vid, I remember using that corridor over LAX, Also we used to be able to transition midfield at 500' in helicopters. I used to also fly a Bell 206 Jetranger out of Van Nuys with a camera man and another guy doing traffic reports for the networks , and when there was a serious accident on the freeways, or some incident, we would race to get there first .

Hey man, I love watching aviation related videos as I am becoming a pilot myself so I love yours as I fly the 172 sky hawking for my flight training. I am surprised you haven’t gone to the airlines as your a very qualified pilot! Anyways have a good rest of your day, keep these amazing videos up my man!

I always love your expertise Josh

Great flight. When my son was a small little boy we used to stand close but safe next to the runway no fences and watch take off and landings. Be safe avoid crowds .

So good to see the progress with your glass cockpit.

Nice Video! I just bought a plane and fly out of Torrance so it was interesting to see my home airport on an aviation video. I also just did the Special Flight Rules corridor and you're right! It really feels weird! This is my first time seeing your channel and I'll be watching more in the future. Good Job!

Excellent content. Thank you!

I was learning to fly in SoCal and did this procedure once. That was the most exciting flight I ever did! I never was so careful with my altitude and radial tracking, hehe. It was great fun!

Well done sir! You just executed what I've dreamed to do with our 182RG. Definitely saving this vid for future reference.

That was an amazing video. I know the area well. It was fun to see all the places I see from the 101 or 405 but from the air.

Your videos are awesome. I learn something every time I watch one of them.

Great video my man... always great content!

So far I've always been impressed with how FBO's who base their business around jets have treated me when I pull up in my little Cherokee 235. I've actually felt less welcome at the smaller FBO's who don't get many jets.

Loved the video, Great interaction with AFC's. Think you'll eventually get a different plane? Cheers, Rik Spector

It was about as illegal to you in the air as to me on the sofa in SC!!! Great video.

Nice work. Very professional. 👍

Hey man! Nice to see single engine came to visit Jet Aviation. I'm actually working for Jet Aviation Geneva. Hope to see there soon.

I’m looking forward to the Big bear video! That’s where I did my flight training 😀👍

Lol I forgot about the ole “flare horn” ... looks like fun to me. I’m always into LAX and wish I could go into Van Nuys

I have got to start learning how to do this! Just awesome!

When I got my private license at TOA in 1967 that's the way it was done but without the need for notice. Just keep the tower on your left going north or south. No problem.

It used to be called 'The Key' southbound all lights on & at 3500 ft. Northbound same thing at 4500, over Santa Monica contact Burbank......teah, you got it. Used to fly from Van Nuys airport to Catalina or San Diego. Fly safe.

Welcome to my home airport, sir! Great to watch this!

Probably easier than filing IFR nevertheless interesting procedure for sure and if you had some problems it’s nice to know you had some very large concrete slabs underneath you 😉. Thanks for sharing.

I used based out of KONT(Ontario) but now I moved all the way to Georgia and now my base is KCWV(Claxton Evans). I miss flying to Catalina it was so beautiful on the way there

I used to flight instruct for ATP out of Long Beach back in 2006 and the first time I did it I thought it couldn’t possibly be legal too. Being from Tennessee there’s nothing like it out there and it felt so wrong! Cool as hell though isn’t it. The GA flying out there was so fun!

the people who dislike are people who don’t understand aviation...

Love your camera work .. makes me wish I was still flying

I flew into KSMO as part of a cross-country a few years ago. I also wanted to do the LAX transition but I was a little nervous. It seemed almost too simple and I was pretty low-hours (still am!). I was wondering what I'd missed and fearful of messing up. If only high-quality RU-vid content such as this had been around 15 years ago. Thanks, and hoping to be back to do this soon.

That LAX transition would feel very wrong. Looking forward to the Big Bear video! Great video as always.

Your videos are inspiring; especially as I'm finally working on my PPL! Hope to meet you at Sun 'n Fun this year... if they don't cancel...

Nice shot of Santa Monica Airport. As a kid in the 50's and early 60's, I grew up living about 2 blocks south of the airport complex, at about the mid-runway point. Spent a lot of time riding my bike over to the airport and watching the planes.

Thank you for your videos.

So fun to watch, thanks.

Another good one! Thanks!!!! I miss KVNY, my home airport! KVNY. snif.

Flew special flight rules over LAX from Whiteman to Catalina and back pretty recently, really fun flight

Great procedure, if ATC knows exactly what you are going to do it makes it very safe. The safest place to be around a major airport is directly overhead. The departures and arrival can’t conflict. But this changes as you expand away from the airport, then arrivals and departures are at the same altitude. That’s why they pin you down to exact radials.

no atc over LAX, 1986 had a bad experience with that

I really liked this video. It takes back when i use to fly at hawthorne thank you

What do you use to record your audio? I apologize if you’ve covered this in a recent vid. Amazing video and such great quality. Been watching since you were doing patterns in a 152 for your PPL and it’s crazy to see how far you’ve come

Thank you for the video. Take care be safe. "Spin"

Josh you're inpiring me to become a pilot myself man. Keep up the good work!!!

Keep the ATC communications coming; you are the Master!

Awesome. I’ve learned something new today: LAX box !

Great video love your content! ✈️