GA-friendly airports in Seattle/Vancouver

[ilovecornfields]

Hi, planning a spring break trip with the family. Going to try to go up to Seattle and maybe venture into Canada for the first time in my plane. Any suggestions for GA-friendly airports in the Seattle or Vancouver/Vancouver Island area?

 

Thanks!

[jasona900]

Check out the Flights Above the Pacific Northwest (FATPNW) group on Facebook.  They have fly-ins at various PNW airports about every week in the spring and summer.  And just about every airport in the PNW is GA friendly!  Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in the country to fly.  Give yourself a day or two to explore Friday Harbor, Orcas Islands, and the other San Juan islands that have airports on them!

[ilovecornfields]

1 hour ago, jasona900 said:

Check out the Flights Above the Pacific Northwest (FATPNW) group on Facebook.  They have fly-ins at various PNW airports about every week in the spring and summer.  And just about every airport in the PNW is GA friendly!  Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in the country to fly.  Give yourself a day or two to explore Friday Harbor, Orcas Islands, and the other San Juan islands that have airports on them!

I got mad at facebook and deactivated my account (although from what I’ve been reading, they probably knew about my trip before I did!). Any suggestions on Vancouver Island?

[StevenL757]

Agree with Jason.  Hard to pick just one, but if you’re going to be “up that way”...there are a ton of airports from which to choose.  I grew up flying all over the PNW, and some of my favorites are (listed from South to North)...

- Astoria, OR (KAST) for nice ocean views

- Olympia, WA (KOLM)

- Tacoma Narrows (KTIW) - a personal and sentimental favorite (first multiengine experiences there in a BE95)

- Puyallup/Thun Field (KPLU) - east of KTIW...nice quiet stopover and a great restaurant on field that has been there for decades right next to the fueling area.  Spent the most time flying single engines based here.

- Boeing Field (KBFI) - not cheap, but close to Seattle, home of Boeing Flight Test, and the Museum of Flight

- Arlington, WA (KAWO) - very friendly folks, lots of diverse air traffic - motor gliders, gyrocopters, etc.

- Anywhere in the San Juans (KFHR - Friday Harbor, KORS - Eastsound, S31 - Lopez, W39 - Roche Harbor)

Whatever you choose, you’ll love the experiences of nearly all airports, so you’re bound to visit some very lovely places.  Enjoy and let us know where you end up!

Steve

[jasona900]

1 hour ago, StevenL757 said:

Agree with Jason.  Hard to pick just one, but if you’re going to be “up that way”...there are a ton of airports from which to choose.  I grew up flying all over the PNW, and some of my favorites are (listed from South to North)...

- Astoria, OR (KAST) for nice ocean views

- Olympia, WA (KOLM)

- Tacoma Narrows (KTIW) - a personal and sentimental favorite (first multiengine experiences there in a BE95)

- Puyallup/Thun Field (KPLU) - east of KTIW...nice quiet stopover and a great restaurant on field that has been there for decades right next to the fueling area.  Spent the most time flying single engines based here.

- Boeing Field (KBFI) - not cheap, but close to Seattle, home of Boeing Flight Test, and the Museum of Flight

- Arlington, WA (KAWO) - very friendly folks, lots of diverse air traffic - motor gliders, gyrocopters, etc.

- Anywhere in the San Juans (KFHR - Friday Harbor, KORS - Eastsound, S31 - Lopez, W39 - Roche Harbor)

Whatever you choose, you’ll love the experiences of nearly all airports, so you’re bound to visit some very lovely places.  Enjoy and let us know where you end up!

Steve

Agree with all of the above.  Would add Harvey (close walk to decent restaurants and shops, Bremerton for fish and chips at the airport diner, Skagit for a decent restaurant and flying heritage museum, and if you are feeling brave, Copalis which is a designated landing area on a hard packed sand beach.  I have never taken my  Mooney into there, but could have.  Would reccomend a fresh water wash down after though to get the salt from the air off.   

I never flew into Canada, but I understand the process is rather straight forward.   If you are anti Facebook, check out www.pacificnorthwestflying.com.  It has info on every airport in WA, and info on flying into Canada as well.

[milotron]

Victoria ( CYYJ ) is very GA friendly. Cheap overnight parking at the Victoria Flying Club. Airport of entry for customs also.

On the mainland, either Abbotsford ( CYXX ) or Boundary Bay may be your best bet as Vancouver International CYVR is very busy and expensive.

 

iain

[Bob - S50]

And don't forget Auburn (S50).  Two hotels within walking distance, lot's of eating options, low tie down fees, and close to a bus hub if you are public transportation inclined.  Depending on availability, they often have open T hangars available for $10/night.  Not sure if there are any open right now or not.  Plus there are a couple A&P's on the field who frequently work on Mooney's.

[StevenL757]

52 minutes ago, Bob - S50 said:

And don't forget Auburn (S50).  Two hotels within walking distance, lot's of eating options, low tie down fees, and close to a bus hub if you are public transportation inclined.  Depending on availability, they often have open T hangars available for $10/night.  Not sure if there are any open right now or not.  Plus there are a couple A&P's on the field who frequently work on Mooney's.

Absolutely...sort of a “sister airport” to KPLU.  Also a close drive to the Muckleshoor Casino if you’re into trying to win some panel upgrade money.

[jaylw314]

6 hours ago, ilovecornfields said:

Hi, planning a spring break trip with the family. Going to try to go up to Seattle and maybe venture into Canada for the first time in my plane. Any suggestions for GA-friendly airports in the Seattle or Vancouver/Vancouver Island area?

 

Thanks!

If you need close to Seattle, Renton is an alternative to Boeing.  Curious note, it's where Boeing produces 737's (I think), but the field is too short for landings, so they fly out on production, never to return.  Kind of fun seeing a bunch of plastic-wrapped 737's in various stages of livery on the ramp.

Friday Harbor is pretty, and a port of entry for crossing the border.  The town and harbor is a 10 minute walk down the hill, and tiedowns can be at a premium on sunny days.  Expensive though!

[xcrmckenna]

I will second Friday Harbor or Orca Island. I fly in and out of Boeing field a lot and never have a problem. There is a wonderful museum there you can taxi right up to. I’ve been there five times and still find something new. Flights above the Pacific Northwest has a great community and since your not on Facebook here is their website.

http://flightsabove.org/notams/

Brice is a busy man but if he had time ins sure he would enjoy meeting up with you on a lunchin and give you some great places to take the family.

If you happen to fly over KGCD stop in and I’ll buy lunch.




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[amillet]

Sequim (W28) and Port Angeles (KCLM) are the gateways to Olympic National Park. The Olympic Peninula is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Victoria, BC is only 15 miles away 

[thinwing]

For Vancouver island...my favorite is Nanaimo....airport of entry with canpass...recommend y

[thinwing]

That's yellow point lodge in lady smith