San Francisco Bay Tour with ATC transcripts

Using a business trip with a WE in San Jose, I flew with Aerodynamics Cessna 172P N98485 with a Flight Instructor, Tom. Even if I could legally fly in US, the airspace structure around KSFO was too complex for me ;-)
We took off from KRHV Reid Hillview airport, flew midfield of KSJC San Jose airport, followed the I-280 Northbound, Stanford University campus, then San Francisco downtown but low clouds prevented to fly over the Golden Gate. So, we went over the top, descended below the clouds to fly by Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. The return was at 3900 ft over the East Bay hills and an approach via Calaveras reservoir.

[@rjh6198]

awesome. . you saw both sides of the bay.. grew up near the hills north of San Jose and have always been fascinated by the terrain

[@EricVyncke]

Fantastic experience indeed :-)

[@EricVyncke]

Having to spend a full WE in California between two weeks of business meetings has some advantage for a private pilot :-)

[@marielemaire2388]

Awesome !
Wow, I see you fly anywhere, it's great ...
It's my turn now to California ... :-)
Regards

[@EricVyncke]

+Marie Lem'Air' Waiting for your video :-) And BTW, just back from California this Sunday

[@marielemaire2388]

My new video is there ;-)

[@bluekeet]

how much is a tour like this?

[@EricVyncke]

I do not remember exactly but about 300 USD

[@californiaflying109]

Do you know cloud/visibility requirements in class E airspace in the US? Or even better, does the instructor know? I doubt it. This is illegal and dangerous :( Also, if your engine failed, where would you land if you were at 800 ft?

[@matrixab4356]

What class E airspace are you talking about and when were they at 800ft ? Im definitely missing something here :)

[@737NGFO]

California Flying they aren't in class E airspace at 800ft there, its class g

[@kmmmor]

There's a magenta gradient just west of the Golden Gate that marks the floor of Class E at 700 ft.