[Dec 19th, 2020] 3-6pm PST - Santa Scramble

[Kevin_atc]

We're counting down the days until SANTA1 departs the North Pole on its annual quest around the globe, so December's event will be within the ZLA coverage area featuring many of the "Santa" airports along the Southern California coastal area.

There's no published order for this event- it's more of a "free for all" between the published 5 Santa airports. VFR, IFR, and even pattern work are all encouraged!

For the first time, we're featuring a few non-towered airports for the event. IFR pilots are encouraged to cancel their IFR prior to landing (if able) if heading into these non-towered airports in order to allow the airport to maintain a high level of efficiency during the event.

[kullery]

Poor Santa Cruz Ranch (44CA). Treated like Rudolph when he wasn’t allowed to play any reindeer games.

[Keith Smith]

Looks like a fun one! The drones for these airports will be disabled on the day, too.

[Les Parson]

Speaking of drones, is there a location within the forums and/or website that describes PE drones/UAVs in detail?

[Keith Smith]

We used to maintain a list on the old web site before we launched before Oct 1 2011, but didn't feel it was worth porting over to the new site. This is the first anyone's asked in 9 years, so our guess was about right

You can use the online map (turn on the drone display, click on each drone and the flight plan will show where it's going to/from).

[kullery]

Currently active drone list is also available here:

http://www.myflightroute.com/users.php?drone=X

[maxmoe]

So is this on Dec 19 or Dec 13. Your homepage has wording saying Dec 13.

See attached

[maxmoe]

We used to maintain a list on the old web site before we launched before Oct 1 2011, but didn't feel it was worth porting over to the new site. This is the first anyone's asked in 9 years, so our guess was about right

You can use the online map (turn on the drone display, click on each drone and the flight plan will show where it's going to/from).

Are the drones visible within the sim by default or is there a setting to make them visible while flying? Will ATC call them out as traffic? (X-plane)

[Shawn Goldsworthy]

So is this on Dec 19 or Dec 13. Your homepage has wording saying Dec 13.

See attached

Fixed. It's the 19th.

[Scott Medeiros]

We used to maintain a list on the old web site before we launched before Oct 1 2011, but didn't feel it was worth porting over to the new site. This is the first anyone's asked in 9 years, so our guess was about right

You can use the online map (turn on the drone display, click on each drone and the flight plan will show where it's going to/from).

Are the drones visible within the sim by default or is there a setting to make them visible while flying? Will ATC call them out as traffic? (X-plane)

The drones will be displayed by your simulator by default on all platforms. They are VFR aircraft, flying to/from uncontrolled airports and class E airspace. ATC handles these as they would any other VFR aircraft not in contact with ATC, and will point out these VFR aircraft on a workload permitting basis. Keep your eyes open, the airspace is full of traffic (just like real airspace!).