OPERATED IN THE VFR CORRIDOR WITHOUT MODE C EQUIPMENT ON BOARD.

Narrative

IN 4/88; AT APPROX XX30 PACIFIC TIME; I WAS PIC OF AN SMA AND FLEW THROUGH THE NEW CORRIDOR AT 4500'. UPON LNDG AT SMO I WAS ADVISED THAT I WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE TCA AS THE PLANE DOES NOT HAVE MODE C. I HAVE APPROX 600 HRS AND AN INSTRUMENT RATING. EARLIER THAT SAME DAY I HAD CONTACTED MY FORMER FLT INSTR TO ASK OF THE REGS RE MODE C THROUGH THE CORRIDOR. HE ADVISED ME THAT ALL I NEEDED TO DO WAS SQUAWK 1201 AND ALL WAS WELL. WHEN I CALLED HIM BACK THE FOLLOWING MORNING HIS MEMORY SUDDENLY IMPROVED AND HE REMEMBERED THE MODE C RULING WHICH I HAD QUESTIONED HIM ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. AT THE TIME OF THE CORRIDOR MEETINGS IN FEB I WAS ATTENDING A NATL FORENSICS MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA AS I WORKED THE CERRITOS DISASTER AS A MEMBER OF THE LA EMER FORENSICS TEAM. I AM WELL AWARE OF THE HAZARDS OF FLYING IN UNAUTH AIRSPACE. I READ THE CHART AND NOTED THE MODE C REQUIREMENT AND QUESTIONED THE LEGALITY OF TAKING AN SMA THROUGH THE CORRIDOR AND WAS ADVISED BY MY FRIENDLY INSTR THAT THERE WAS A GRACE PERIOD. THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS; DON'T TRUST ANYONE BUT THE FAA; AND THEN GET IT IN WRITING.