New Website Idea

[Bob - S50]

I've been toying with setting up a new website for GA pilots.

 

There is a lot of information out there about GA airports.  I can learn about runways, frequencies, FBO's, etc., but it is almost always impossible to find out where things are located on the field.  I'll land someplace new and have no idea where to park or find the pumps.  I have no idea where to go to find food.  I've resorted to using Google Earth before I leave to try and figure it out, but my success has been limited.

 

The idea would be to present graphical and textual information about GA airports and list them by state.  I would solicit input from GA pilots to gather the information.  Here is what I would require for each airport on the list:

 

1.  A photograph of the field, preferably one taken from about 2000' on downwind or the opposite side of the field from downwind.  It should be taken about mid-field if possible.  That photo should be annotated showing the location of:

 

• Fuel pumps
• Transient parking
• FBO's
• Businesses on the field
• Exit point from the field if someone wanted to walk to a nearby business

 

2.  A list of local eating establishments within a one mile walk from transient parking.  Plus a photo or hand drawn map showing their locations.  For the list, I would like something like this:

 

• Hangar Inn - on the field
• Red Robin .3 miles
• Wendy's  .8 miles
• McDonald's  .8 miles

Each establishment would be marked on the map.

 

3.  A list of hotels (if any) within 2 miles of the airport or hotels with courtesy shuttles that will come get you.

 

4.  A link to, or PDF file of local flying procedures.

 

What do you think?

Would you use it?

Would you provide input for it?

 

Bob

[MB65E]

Do you use Foreflight? I would put a nicely worded email together and have them work on it. They will respond quickly. I have seen Ideas fixed or added in their software updates. Good bunch of people. However, I would contribute all I could on each airport experience...

I always feel bad for the loan Tri-pacer that gets stuck at Atlantic at Santa Monica. Almost like he didn't get the memo to park elsewhere..

-Matt

[FloridaMan]

I think it would be better as an app; I have an app that I've just been throwing things in as I want, but it doesn't do much more than track flights for the time being. 

[ryoder]

Add it to airnav.com as user curated content like a wiki.

[Hank]

This is already available on AOPA's Airport page, and on AirNav. I always print the kneeboard format on AOPA when visiting new places. Quick, easy and simple.

[ArtVandelay]

But using T82 as an example, the Hangar Hotel is not listed anywhere but mentioned in the comments section , and location of the fuel pumps would be nice

[22 others]

I would like to see something similar to TripAdvisor for airports.  Maybe it'd have to be called AirportAdvisor.   Unfortunately the domain is owned by a squatter.

 

List the top attractions/restaurants for an airport. Let folks upvote/downvote/comment. Airnav requires you to scour the comments.  I'm always looking for new places to explore.

[fantom]

Flight Guide used to do a great job with this. But they are no more.

I victim of not keeping up with the times. A shame.

[N252WD]

http://www.adventurepilot.com/Default.aspx?tabid=36

 

Here is a great app I use when I'm looking for something to do.

[Bob - S50]

This is already available on AOPA's Airport page, and on AirNav. I always print the kneeboard format on AOPA when visiting new places. Quick, easy and simple.

 

Well, yes and no.

 

Both of them usually have a photo of the field.  AOPA is a satellite shot from Google Earth which is just fine.

 

AirNav usually lists diners on the field but not those close to the field.  It also lists FBO's and fuel prices (I use that all the time).

 

Every once is awhile, the airport diagram will show the location of GA parking (not necessarily transient parking) and FBO's.  I have yet to find anything that shows the location of the fuel pumps let alone off field dining and a map of where to find it.  For example, if you land at EUG and want gas, the fuel pumps are not where you would expect.  The FBO is by the GA parking that is just south of the Tower, but the fuel pumps for self serve are over on the other side of the field at the intersection of taxiway R and N.  I know because my wife and I landed there one day to stretch our legs and get something to eat before heading home.  Only needed about 10 gallons of fuel.  Asked for progressive from Ground.  Once we found out where the pumps were, since it was raining pretty hard we opted to taxi over to the FBO and have them 'full service' the fuel so we would be within walking distance of food, which just happens to be in the terminal.

 

Bob