Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 280; Flight Crew Type 280
Other / Unknown
Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
I was flying to ALW; Walla Walla [using] VFR Flight Following. I was flying 5 miles west of a direct line course; there is a lot of sky diving in that area east of Ritzville; Washington cruising at 5;500 feet. Over Ritzville I was handed off form Grant County to Seattle Center 10 miles sooner than in any time in the past. I fly this route often. Contacted Seattle and told them I was going to climb to 7;500 feet for smother air; they acknowledged. Started a slow climb which dropped my air speed to 100 and had climbed maybe 100 feet. With nose high I noticed the sky diving plane climbing and had just passed in front of me headed East and I am headed South. It would have been a lot closer if I had stayed on same course or had a slower climb. No warning from Grant County Before handing me off and no warning from Seattle when I contacted them; approximately 2 miles due south of Ritzville. There were vehicles and a plane parked at the sky diving club and always notified when they are in the air and that is why I fly around Ritzville to try to stay out of their area.
A C182 pilot experiences a NMAC with a skydiving aircraft at 5;500 feet over Ritzville; Washington. VFR flight following with Seattle Center was in use but no traffic call was issued.