aviatoreb Posted January 16, 2015 Report Posted January 16, 2015 GAI is a 7 min cab ride to the Shady Grove metro station, or a 40 minute cab ride into the city. There are three, really close-in. College Park, Potomac/Hyde and Freeway, however, I would suggest they are a PITA to get transportation into the city. Virginia airports are also difficult. I always tell people that highways around here are congested and if you are entering DC from Virginia, you must cross at least one bridge and you'll deal with horrible traffic. Virgina has been a decade behind on road contruction since the 60's. It would not be smart for me to suggest Manasas or Leesburg, it could be over an hour into the city. Why not spend an extra 25 mins in your Mooney and do GAI, instead of wasting time elsewhere. Trade 25 mins of flying time for the same in traffic. I do sometimes frequent GAI but sometimes I just prefer FDK. Its 12 minutes further out by road says google maps from points city center, but it is my opinion that the people at the desk at GAI are just a little slower and getting my clearance and off is just a little bit slower than from FDK such that at the end of the day, it works out very close to the same for how long it takes me to get home from DC whichever of the two I use. Quote
Amelia Posted January 16, 2015 Report Posted January 16, 2015 Getting into DC from College Park couldn't possibly be easier; there's a Metro stop just two or three blocks away from the FBO. Trouble is, the 2500-foot runway at CGS is inside the FRZ, and you have to get your secret decoder code by jumping through a bunch of bureaucratic hoops. Unless this is to be a frequent trip, don't bother. GAI would be my second choice, as it's just a short cab ride to the nearest subway. Getting into DC from any of the outlying airports is a royal PITA, with DC traffic, especially rush hour. The trouble with the smaller or suburban airports is transportation. Almost all of them are most of an hour's drive in non-peak traffic. Landing at IAD is for the very-well-heeled. The daily ramp fee alone will buy a nice dinner for two in town. The commuter train at Manassas has limited hours of operation, you'd spend more time waiting than you'd like. I am guessing, if you're going to be in DC itself, you won't want to hassle with renting a car, as both traffic and parking are a nuisance. You WILL want to spend a whole 20 minutes or so doing the FAA mandated online training. Quote
Mike A Posted January 16, 2015 Report Posted January 16, 2015 Call your Congressman/woman and tell them that the ADIZ is unconstitutional and does nothing to protect the political elite in DC then hope that they eliminate it before you head on your trip.... Quote
aviatoreb Posted January 16, 2015 Report Posted January 16, 2015 Call your Congressman/woman and tell them that the ADIZ is unconstitutional and does nothing to protect the political elite in DC then hope that they eliminate it before you head on your trip.... Better chance of hiring Santa and his reindeer to deliver you to the roof top of the building you are visiting (after all it is off season for them) than to hope for congress to do something quickly. Quote
Houman Posted January 17, 2015 Report Posted January 17, 2015 I did the training and all and all, it took less than 1 hour for course and exam... pretty easy... Quote
Jim Peace Posted January 17, 2015 Report Posted January 17, 2015 I went through the vetting process for FRZ...and it took about 3 or 4 months to get approved. The metro station is right next to the FBO at CGS....very easy.... Had to do a brief interview with the TSA and finger prints etc. I told them that I already have prints on file with the TSA from my 121 job and they told me that the TSA division for 121 does not talk or exchange info with the TSA for other divisions.... so much for agencies sharing information.....my opinion is another attack is imminent and it will be the fault of not fixing anything since 911......or even going back to the first WTC failed bombing..... the terrorists have won..... Quote
aviatoreb Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 I went through the vetting process for FRZ...and it took about 3 or 4 months to get approved. The metro station is right next to the FBO at CGS....very easy.... How long did it take you? I keep meaning to buckle down and just do it. Between family in Bethesda, and the fact that occasionally I actually even have busines in College Park itself if not generally DC... I should get this done at some point. Quote
Jim Peace Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 How long did it take you? I keep meaning to buckle down and just do it. Between family in Bethesda, and the fact that occasionally I actually even have busines in College Park itself if not generally DC... I should get this done at some point. It takes just 1 day to jump through all the hoops but then 3 to 4 months of waiting to get your ID number....... When I did it the CGS airport website had a detailed briefing on the whole procedure..... This number they give you gives you permission to take any plane or passengers with you as long as you are listed as PIC on the flight plan.....they told me it is good for life or as long as they do this silly procedure... So I can fly with anyone who needs to go but I just need to be listed as PIC and I will charge at least 2 AMU per day.....LOL Quote
aviatoreb Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 It takes just 1 day to jump through all the hoops but then 3 to 4 months of waiting to get your ID number....... When I did it the CGS airport website had a detailed briefing on the whole procedure..... This number they give you gives you permission to take any plane or passengers with you as long as you are listed as PIC on the flight plan.....they told me it is good for life or as long as they do this silly procedure... So I can fly with anyone who needs to go but I just need to be listed as PIC and I will charge at least 2 AMU per day.....LOL That's quite a business - PIC for 2AMU per day for access to your secret decoder ring. When I looked into it about 2 years ago - my understanding is that it could not be all done in one day, but you needed to do one part, submit paper work, then wait, then come back and go to Dulles airport, then wait, then later go to FISDO in Baltimore, then wait. Meaning very inconvenient for an out of towner as it has to be several different occasions. Am I wrong? Quote
Jim Peace Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 That's quite a business - PIC for 2AMU per day for access to your secret decoder ring. When I looked into it about 2 years ago - my understanding is that it could not be all done in one day, but you needed to do one part, submit paper work, then wait, then come back and go to Dulles airport, then wait, then later go to FISDO in Baltimore, then wait. Meaning very inconvenient for an out of towner as it has to be several different occasions. Am I wrong? I did it all in one day. flew down to Tipton airport KFME from Caldwell NJ., rented a car and drove to the BWI FSDO first some paperwork then drove to CGS for some more paperwork. Then took the metro to IAD and then back to CGS with all paperwork in hand and gave it to them and then drove back to Tipton and left. I am sure its changed in the last 3 + years since I have done it. http://www.collegeparkairport.aero/md3.html I see now on that page they say it takes 3 to 4 weeks but mine took months...... Good luck...... Quote
Amelia Posted January 22, 2015 Report Posted January 22, 2015 Years ago, I jumped through the hoops. Filled out the forms, did fingerprints, interview, training... and .... nothing. I got tired of waiting--- and waiting--- and called the people in charge to find out what the hold-up was. The nice lady said I'd have to speak to Mr. SoandSo, and he wasn't at his desk. "Here," she offered, "Here's his cell number." I protested that I didn't want to interrupt the Government's Business, and she laughed, saying she was sure he wouldn't mind. I found the nice man drowning worms from a fishing boat in the Potomac in a driving rain. He said, "It's OK, nothin's biting." Scribbled down my information, and lo and behold, I had my secret decoder ring within the week. You just have to know what chains to rattle, apparently. Silly, silly security theater, though. Especially considering I don't need a PIN to drive my rental moving van loaded with stuff to go boom, within 50 feet of the Senate Office Building. (looks over both shoulders... just kidding!!!) 1 Quote
aviatoreb Posted January 22, 2015 Report Posted January 22, 2015 Years ago, I jumped through the hoops. Filled out the forms, did fingerprints, interview, training... and .... nothing. I got tired of waiting--- and waiting--- and called the people in charge to find out what the hold-up was. The nice lady said I'd have to speak to Mr. SoandSo, and he wasn't at his desk. "Here," she offered, "Here's his cell number." I protested that I didn't want to interrupt the Government's Business, and she laughed, saying she was sure he wouldn't mind. I found the nice man drowning worms from a fishing boat in the Potomac in a driving rain. He said, "It's OK, nothin's biting." Scribbled down my information, and lo and behold, I had my secret decoder ring within the week. You just have to know what chains to rattle, apparently. Silly, silly security theater, though. Especially considering I don't need a PIN to drive my rental moving van loaded with stuff to go boom, within 50 feet of the Senate Office Building. (looks over both shoulders... just kidding!!!) That is really funny complete with the drowning worms added for comic detail. Quote
Tony Armour Posted February 3, 2015 Report Posted February 3, 2015 My daughter and granddaughter, son-in-law are moving to the Baltimore area soon. Probably GAI or FME for me. Instead of advice, somebody please just shoot me ! Quote
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