Airport Recommendations for Atlanta

[BigTex]

I have a wedding I'll be attending in Midtown Atlanta the end of August. Any suggestions on the best GA airport in that area? There's several airports in the area but not sure which one would be best. Right now, I'm leaning toward KPDK but would like to hear what others think.

[rbridges]

Atlanta Executive at KRYY in Marietta has no ramp fee.  It's a little further north.  If you're staying overnight, it may be worth it to you.  PDK is probably going to be the closest, and there are a few people here that are based at that airport.

[BigTex]

I was actually considering KRYY based on AirNav comments. I will be there for maybe 3-4 nights. So driving would not be much of an issue.

[rbridges]

I was actually considering KRYY based on AirNav comments. I will be there for maybe 3-4 nights. So driving would not be much of an issue.

 

I fly into there because my daughter goes to college in Kennesaw.  Just one runway running 9/27, so it's a pretty simple towered airport.  Atlanta Executive is on the north side of the runway.  I've never gone to the other FBO, but I believe they may have a ramp fee.  I've had really good experiences with Executive.  I've only flown into PDK a few times, but I don't think they have an FBO w/o a ramp fee.  

[tony]

I fly into there because my daughter goes to college in Kennesaw.  Just one runway running 9/27, so it's a pretty simple towered airport.  Atlanta Executive is on the north side of the runway.  I've never gone to the other FBO, but I believe they may have a ramp fee.  I've had really good experiences with Executive.  I've only flown into PDK a few times, but I don't think they have an FBO w/o a ramp fee.  

 +1

[lahso]

KRYY is a good choice. Easy in/out, no ramp fee, and a good restaurant on the field (Elevation Cafe).

[PMcClure]

If you are coming in from the west, you may want to check out Falcom Field, Peachtree City. It is a very nice and friendly airport. And traffic to the city is usually light, unless you land in morning rush hour. Not sure of gas or fees.

[Bob_Belville]

Epps @ KPDK is a very good FBO, treats Mooneys with the same respect as kerosene burners. But you can spend less elsewhere, I'm sure. (I am usually in and out in a few hours and they do not charge me.)

[Mike A]

+1 for Epps at PDK.  They have always been more than accommodating on our visits.  $20/night and 1st night waived with fuel purchase.  They also run a pretty good 110LL special on the weekends, so wait until then to have them fill you.

[Mooneymite]

If you're staying several days and going to rent a car anyway, there are a plethora of airports in the ATL area that are cheaper/better than PDK.  PDK has great facilities, but it is pricey and busy.  Busy isn't all that bad, but the mix of slow/fast traffic can make the pattern an "interesting" place.

 

Are you locked into a downtown hotel?  Hotel prices are more reasonable outside the perimeter, too.

 

Cheapest fuel in the area is generally KOPN, but it's about 40 miles south of KATL just outside the class B.  ($5.20/gallon as of today, but prices are creeping back down.)

[mooniac15u]

PDK isn't cheap but I've always gotten fantasic service at Signature.  Free crew cars (even overnight), help finding a hotel, line guys helping load/unload luggage...

 

It has been my wife's favorite FBO since the first time we flew there in a beat-up rental 172.  They put down a red carpet and small step box and opened her door for her.  She immediately said, "we can fly here any time you want."

[Bob_Belville]

PDK isn't cheap but I've always gotten fantasic service at Signature.  Free crew cars (even overnight), help finding a hotel, line guys helping load/unload luggage...

 

It has been my wife's favorite FBO since the first time we flew there in a beat-up rental 172.  They put down a red carpet and small step box and opened her door for her.  She immediately said, "we can fly here any time you want."

Hum, there's nothing like good old fashioned American competition! FBO monopoly at a busy airport usually is a bad combination.

[BigTex]

Are you locked into a downtown hotel? Hotel prices are more reasonable outside the perimeter, too.

Everyone coming in for the wedding is staying at the Marriott Suites Midtown. I don't mind driving a little as long as it's not a long commute to the hotel. Just looking for a good FBO that can hangar my plane, reasonable fuel prices and a car rental on-field.

[Mooneymite]

Everyone coming in for the wedding is staying at the Marriott Suites Midtown. I don't mind driving a little as long as it's not a long commute to the hotel. Just looking for a good FBO that can hangar my plane, reasonable fuel prices and a car rental on-field.

 

Mmmmmm.  Yeah, probably RYY.

 

If that doesn't work for you, call Hill Aircraft at FTY.  They've given me "unpublished" good deals before.

 

Since you'll be arriving from/departing to the west, don't overlook PIM for fuel on the west side of the Class B....good fuel prices, but not 24 hours.

[WilliamR]

Gary, I think PDK is your best bet.  You may want to call ahead for hangar space, though.  My experience has been Epps is the most piston friendly.  Atlantic is a close second.  Signature is O.K.  I don't remember them having transient hangar space.  Although,  I don't spend much time on that side of the field.  Epps does usually have 100ll fuel discounts on the weekend as earlier stated.  There is also self serve avgas (http://pdkssavgas.com/) not affilaited with any FBO should you choose to go that route.  Self serve business has transient spaces also.  PDK to mid-town is about 20 min. PDK is the 2nd busiest GA airport in the country.  Not trying to scare you, but traffic can be a little high.  Other times, 20 minutes will go by without an operation.

 

RYY to mid-town is about 35 minute drive (30 miles) with no traffic.  I drive this route at least once a week. It is cheaper generally than PDK.  There is only one FBO on that field; Hawthorne.  I'm confident they could accomodate your hangar needs. 

 

Falcon (FFC) on the southwest side of the city is minimum 45 min drive no traffic.  I also drive this route at least once a week.  Don't think you want anything that far from town.

 

FTY is O.K, Hill's ramp fees and fuel are not too crazy.  O.K. service.  Drive time is something like 20 min.  Not a very busy airport. 

 

LZU is about as far as RYY from mid-town.  Gwinnett Aero is somewhat new, so I haven't used them.  Not a lot of traffic here either.  Not sure of hangar sit. either.

 

All airports noted above have rental cars available.

 

Hope this helps.

 

William

[BigTex]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. This was incredibly helpful!

[Seth]

William - that was a good write up.

 

I used to live in Atlanta so my data is a good 10 years old, but PDK is the closest.  You'll spend the most.  I've only used Epps since coming back to town as a transient every few years and they have as mentioned above, treated me just like a jet.

 

They are not the cheapest but they do give you good service.  Also, if you need a hotel, they hook you up with their rate at the local Marriott.  I know you don't need a hotel, but because of that I always check for special rates that other FBO's have - I find only about half the FBOs out there even negotiate discounts.

 

A cab ride from PDK to Marta (Atlanta Subway) may get you to your hotel in midtown cheaper than a rental car with parking fees and such - also depends on how many people you are traveling with.  That may offset the FBO fees and fuel costs.

 

-Seth

[Mooneymite]

 

A cab ride from PDK to Marta (Atlanta Subway) may get you to your hotel in midtown cheaper than a rental car with parking fees and such - also depends on how many people you are traveling with.  That may offset the FBO fees and fuel costs.

 

-Seth

 

MARTA's Chamblee station is about a mile walk from Epps (right by Falconcrest in case you need something aviation!), but the FBO's will all give you a ride.

 

http://www.itsmarta.com/rail-map.aspx

[isaacpr7]

4A7 south of Atlanta (McDonough) is my choice but that's only because I like to save a buck

Airport is self service and no fees unless is NASCAR race night.

[Robert C.]

Can't offer any tips, other than the tidbit that KRYY has a Mooney Service Center: DLK Aviation. Only reason I know that is that they just did the pre-buy on my Ovation and are now doing the Annual and are installing an AoA indicator.

Am doing transition training there on the 25th/26 and 27th so you may bump into me there if you pick KRYY

Have fun!

Robert

[BigTex]

Can't offer any tips, other than the tidbit that KRYY has a Mooney Service Center: DLK Aviation. Only reason I know that is that they just did the pre-buy on my Ovation and are now doing the Annual and are installing an AoA indicator.

Am doing transition training there on the 25th/26 and 27th so you may bump into me there if you pick KRYY

Have fun!

Robert

Thanks Robert. I'll be flying out on the 25th so we might see each other!

[carusoam]

Please, Remember to post pics of your AOA install in your O!

Best regards,

-a-