Washington DC area airport

[Oscar Avalle]

Guys finally it seems that I will be back in DC as of December of this year. I am looking for hangar/tie down in the area. I was based out of KGAI, but no hangar and given that we are going to live in VA, Leesburg is closer. So I am looking at tie down there (but no hangar). Given that the airplane was always hangared... I was wondering if there is a place in the DC area with a hangar where I could bse the plane. 

[Mooneymite]

Last time I  heard, the list at OKV was pretty short.

OKV would be a drive, but it is outside the sfra which is nice.

[Shadrach]

Not sure where in VA but I enjoy the vibe at VKX. You'd need to get vetted for the FRZ (finger printing and background check plus training) but given your work, I doubt it'd be an issue. 

The owner is a colorful guy who I've had the pleasure of meeting a few times.

fuel club and I believe hangars are available!

http://www.potomac-airfield.com

Edited September 21, 2015 by Shadrach

[prflyer]

Oscar.  Welcome back to the DC area. I'm based out of KGAI, and have a Tiger in hangar there now.  If you let us know where in VA you will be living, it will be easier to make a recommendation.  In terms of hangars, Warrenton (KHWY), is a possibility if you will be living in Fairfax.  As Ross suggested, if you will be in Alexandria, I would recommend VKX, even if they don't have hangars at this time. Great small airport, and some of the cheapest fuel around.

Of course, we would be happy to have you back at KGAI.  If you PM me, I can send you my email address if you have any other questions that I can help with.

Fernando

[Oscar Avalle]

Guys, thank you for the welcome. I am between KGAI and Leesburg executive. Both are about 30 min from where I will be living (vienna) . But no hangar available without getting on a long waiting list. Both airports are nice. I know KGAI well, was based there for a long time, but it seems to me that Leesburg Executive is also nice, but no restaurant..too business oriented.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Oscar Avalle

[Seth]

Guys, thank you for the welcome. I am between KGAI and Leesburg executive. Both are about 30 min from where I will be living (vienna) . But no hangar available without getting on a long waiting list. Both airports are nice. I know KGAI well, was based there for a long time, but it seems to me that Leesburg Executive is also nice, but no restaurant..too business oriented.

Welcome back to DC Oscar.  Glad it's finally happening.  Both airports mentioned, KGAI and KJYO are good airports (you know that!).  There are quite a few Mooney's based at each location and we have the NJ (really Mid-Atlantic) Mooney Group that organizes some nice get togethers.  The Mooney Formation Clinics have some good pilots nearby and that's becoming a nice presence in the region as well.

Hanger wise, both KGAI and KJYO have group hangers as well and if you are okay with it, may be able to cut you a deal on an ongoing "temporary" basis until a T-Hanger opens up.  I know a few years ago KJYO built some new hangers and it took a few months to fill up.  

Another strategy could also be to buy a plane at one of the airports (depending on finances that is) move into the hanger, and sell the airplane (or sell it to Alan so he can part it out - sad I know).  I'm sure there's at least one airplane that could be for sale at each airport that takes up a hanger.  You could also talk to the large operators at Dulles (KIAD) just for a "temporary" basis in their group hangers - who knows, it may work out.  I know of a situation that worked like this for a local pilot.  Still waiting on the T-Hanger but is currently in a group hanger.

Last but not least, call Stan at W00 - Freeway - he may put up a temporary hanger for you depending on pricing.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

 

[Becca]

Not sure where in VA but I enjoy the vibe at VKX. You'd need to get vetted for the FRZ (finger printing and background check plus training) but given your work, I doubt it'd be an issue. 

The owner is a colorful guy who I've had the pleasure of meeting a few times.

fuel club and I believe hangars are available!

http://www.potomac-airfield.com

Learned a bit about this colorful airport while I was in DC this summer (FWIW we were temporarily subletting at KGAI - we liked it there -- there were lots of young people, a thriving flight school, easy to get to even with public transit, though it did require a bus transfer).   Sounds Potomac is run by a real character and I guess the airport shares the land with a gun range?  He now leases hangars via an ebay auction and is apparently getting $1000/month or more by doing it this way.  Seems like an interesting crowd...

Edited September 22, 2015 by Becca

[Shadrach]

 

Learned a bit about this colorful airport while I was in DC this summer (FWIW we were temporarily subletting at KGAI - we liked it there -- there were lots of young people, a thriving flight school, easy to get to even with public transit, though it did require a bus transfer).   Sounds Potomac is run by a real character and I guess the airport shares the land with a gun range?  He now leases hangars via an ebay auction and is apparently getting $1000/month or more by doing it this way.  Seems like an interesting crowd...

I sense you are trying to infer something but I won't say what I think it is...  I don't know if VKX shares land with a gun range or not; I've been in there 5 times and I've never heard a shot. If they do, who cares? The last time I was there I counted 5 aircraft in line at the fuel farm, everything from fabric and wood taildraggers to a newish SR22 and this was a Thursday at noon. There are a few Warbirds on the field as well.  There are 2 flight schools on the field, both quite busy.  I like an airport with no fences where you're free to completely walk the grounds.  I crossed the runway twice on foot just snooping around. Very odd that it's so laid back being that it's in the most restricted airspace in the country.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Shadrach

[Mooneymite]

I just happened to fly to OKV recently.

Forget it.  They have no hangar space presently and the list is probably at least 6 months long.

[Becca]

 

I sense you are trying to infer something but I won't say what I think it is...  I don't know if VKX shares land with a gun range or not; I've been in there 5 times and I've never heard a shot. If they do, who cares? The last time I was there I counted 5 aircraft in line at the fuel farm, everything from fabric and wood taildraggers to a newish SR22 and this was a Thursday at noon. There are a few Warbirds on the field as well.  There are 2 flight schools on the field, both quite busy.  I like an airport with no fences where you're free to completely walk the grounds.  I crossed the runway twice on foot just snooping around. Very odd that it's so laid back being that it's in the most restricted airspace in the country.

I am not implying anything other than it is a colorful airport which you can easily tell by reviewing the animated gifs on its web site and stating what I know, that it shares land with a gun range.  Met two pilots this summer who used it for both purposes so I am pretty confident I am correct in the dual use (the guy we partner in our airplane with is an avid marksman/gun collector, he would probably also find such dual use convenient, even if I find it a little weird).   As I understand the owner also personally controls FRZ  pin codes for people who have permission to use the airport, so the laid back part is a little bit of a facade.  I also worked with someone who was doing his flight training there - what a PITA to do flight training in the FRZ, I might add, but it appears the flight schools there are thriving regardless.  We certainly considered it as a place to base our airplane, asked about a hangar waiting list and got referred to an ebay auction and the intel from several locals that the last few ebay auctions for hangars went for $1000/month (people with small airplanes are paying this or are they being used for other purposes? Hard to tell remotely).  But it is convenient.

Also, please don't cross the runway at any airport, on foot, pretty much ever.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Becca

[Shadrach]

Also, please don't cross the runway at any airport, on foot, pretty much ever.

Being that you can get a pin for all of the DC 3 FRZ airports from any of those 3 airports (I applied for mine at college park) I can't see how the owner can control who gets a pin and who doesn't. It's more likely controlled by the Fed and based on your background check and reason for applying.

I appreciate you advice...or shall I say command.  I'd appreciate it if you could guide me the reg that prevents people from/advises against crossing a runway on foot.  Crossing the runway at VKX is the only way to get to the tie downs. It's done all of the time. There is a community push mower for maintaining your tie down. Do you think people are loading it into their cars to cross the runway.  I know you "learned a lot" about this place over the summer. Did you actually visit? 

A google search reveals nothing in the way of a gun range on the property or even close. If it exists, it must be low profile.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Shadrach

[Tony Armour]

I am frequenting KFME now. Seems like a great airport. I counted six or seven Mooney's tied down there as I taxied out Sunday.

[Becca]

Being that you can get a pin for all of the DC 3 FRZ airports from any of those 3 airports (I applied for mine at college park) I can't see how the owner can control who gets a pin and who doesn't. It's more likely controlled by the Fed and based on your background check and reason for applying.

I appreciate you advice...or shall I say command.  I'd appreciate it if you could guide me the reg that prevents people from/advises against crossing a runway on foot.  Crossing the runway at VKX is the only way to get to the tie downs. It's done all of the time. There is a community push mower for maintaining your tie down. Do you think people are loading it into their cars to cross the runway.  I know you "learned a lot" about this place over the summer. Did you actually visit? 

A google search reveals nothing in the way of a gun range on the property or even close. If it exists, it must be low profile.

I did indeed visit VKX.  As I said, liked the place, wish I could afford it.  The folks I talked to based there and training there had nothing but good to say about it.  I have no use for a gun range so I did not confirm its presence, but I trusted the two independent people who both mentioned the land there is used for that purpose.  The web site, I think we can all agree, is a bit crazy.

But, thank you for reminding me why I don't visit mooneyspace much any more.

http://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/news/runway_incursions/

What is a Runway Incursion?

• Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Becca

[jetdriven]

It appears you don't have to cross the runway to access the tie downs.  

[Shadrach]

It appears you don't have to cross the runway to access the tie downs.  

Byron, that's Hyde Field (Washington Executive). It's just east of Potomac. Perhaps that is the source of the confusion... As you can see, No access to the SE tie downs nor one of the flight schools without crossing the runway.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Shadrach

[Shadrach]

I did indeed visit VKX.  As I said, liked the place, wish I could afford it.  The folks I talked to based there and training there had nothing but good to say about it.  I have no use for a gun range so I did not confirm its presence, but I trusted the two independent people who both mentioned the land there is used for that purpose.  The web site, I think we can all agree, is a bit crazy.

But, thank you for reminding me why I don't visit mooneyspace much any more.

http://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/news/runway_incursions/

What is a Runway Incursion?

• Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft.

The key word in the phrase "incorrect presence" is "incorrect".  If aircraft, vehicles or persons were not allowed access to the protected area, there would be no need for the word "incorrect". This implies that there is also a "correct presence" of aircraft, vehicles or persons on the protected area, otherwise they would have just said the word "presence" with no need for the word "incorrect". Crossing a runway on foot is not an incursion as outlined above.

I am truly sorry that I've aggravated you with my comments. However, you've made a number of statements about an airport I frequent and they do not match my experience at all. I've never heard a thing about the gun range at the airport, and you've provided nothing in the way of reference to one. I think there's been some confusion. Either way, no hard feelings on my end.

 

Edited September 24, 2015 by Shadrach