Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Type 595
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
I was on a cross country flight with a student to LGB and we were proceeding to the LAX special flight rules corridor. We were level at 3500 ft. northwest of the Santa Monica VOR flying eastbound to intercept the SMO 132 radial after flight following was canceled by SoCal Approach. As we were flying eastbound a few minutes later; my student reported seeing a plane on the left. He stated that the plane was converging from the left and that it turned westbound to avoid our aircraft. I did not see the aircraft until it was behind us; but my student reported that it was close to us before it turned westbound.
Climbing up to Los Angeles Special Flight Rules; the conditions were VFR and sun glare in the climb. Position was west bound and coming up on the Pacific Palisades. In the level out; a Cessna appeared in the windshield. Student was flying; and I immediately grabbed the controls and took evasive action by diving and banking to the right. Other aircraft took no evasive action. After the near miss; we continued on with joining the Special Flight Rules. The other aircraft in question was noticed to be joining the Special Flight Rules as well. On Special Flight Rules; I continued to make calls on the common traffic frequency and I made a call out directly to the other aircraft once he made it on the frequency. Once on I inquired if the other aircraft saw us; he replied 'yes; I see you off my 3 o'clock right now'. I replied back 'no; I mean did you see me about a minute ago at your 12 o'clock'.
Two flight instructors; in separate aircraft; reported a NMAC while operating on the LAX Special Flight Rules VFR transition route.