Lindbergh Field, San Diego

Lindbergh Field (SAN) is San Diego's main airport. Most of the traffic is airliners and business jets. Brushing up on your wake turbulence avoidance procedures is a definite must.

You will also need to hear the magic words: "Cleared into San Diego Class B airspace...". From the North and West SoCal Approach will typically have you fly to the Mission Bay VORTAC and then enter right downwind for runway 27. You may also be told to do a couple of 360's on the downwind leg for spacing. On departure, be prepared to wait a while as they try to fit you in between all the departing jets.

I like Lindbergh Field because it is so close to the city. There's a San Diego Trolley light rail station across the road, or a $5 taxi ride will take you to downtown. The downside is the $30 overnight parking fee and more expensive fuel. However, $30 becomes $15 if you buy fuel, and you'll save on transportation, so it evens out. JimsAir is the FBO and they'll be happy to make arrangements for you. They also have a restaurant upstairs.

Here's a viev of Mission Bay, with just a hint of San Diego Bay in the background.

This is the view from right downwind for runway 27. This view is another reason why I like flying into SAN. Note taxiway D, the diagonal taxiway, which from a distance looks like a runway. It probably was a runway in the past. There's a VFR corridor that goes over SAN following taxiway D. Details can be found on the San Diego Terminal Area Chart.

Right base for runway 27. Note how far the threshold is displaced. This is because the arrival path takes planes right over the city, and a normal glide slope would put them too close to the buildings. This is also the reason runway 27 does not have an ILS even though it is the usual arrival runway.

Final approach to runway 27.

On the ground, looking back at the city across the runway.