Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 6000; Flight Crew Type 600
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure; Human Factors
I departed MYF VFR and prior to departure asked to get a handoff to Socal Approach. Ground control advised that I ask for an early handoff. Tower cleared me for a takeoff on 28R and a right downwind departure. On the downwind I asked for an early frequency switch but was not granted one due to two traffic calls. Once I departed the airspace to the east I needed to make a 360 degree turn while I contacted Gillespie Field Tower to transit their airspace from 1800 feet in a climb. I told MYF tower I was doing the 360. SEE tower they granted permission for the transit and once I flew out the top of their airspace I checked off and called Socal Approach. In the area the airspace for aircraft transit; not in radio contact is between 2400 feet and 4800 feet so the airspace is compressed. As I checked on with Socal I heard the conflict alert in the background and saw a twin in my 1 o'clock position; opposite direction; descending. As I broke left the controller asked me about the conflict alert and I commented that 'I just saw the aircraft go by'. I am not sure if the other aircraft; a twin going into MYF; saw me or maneuvered. In any event we passed each other about 200 feet horizontally (the twin to my right) and maybe 100 feet vertical (the twin above me) with a closure rate of about 250 KIAS. The controller commented that it was a twin engine aircraft going into MYF. Controller then granted me clearance through the class B and I continued on course to Julian (JLI) VOR thence to PRC. My observation is that the compressed flyway over top of SEE requires significant vigilance as it requires aircraft approaching MYF from the East to level off above Gillespie Field; and Eastbound aircraft departing MYF to climb through that same hole. In the future I will file IFR to attain more complete ATC services from Socal Approach.
C177 pilot reported an NMAC with a light twin during departure from MYF.