flying to Washington DC

[mph5790]

I have to take my daughter to DC June 4 for a summer internship.  We will be flying from Grand Rapids MI on an instrument flight plan.  Any suggestions on which airport to use or tips to make the flight less stressful coming or going?

Thanks

[Barry]

If she's working in the Dirty City, Gaithersburg (KGAI) is close to the subway. Easiest way into the city. Make sure your plane is parked and tied down at a place where it will not be moved before you leave. I have heard that the FBO is not the most careful with aircraft and a fair amount of damage has been observered. The FBO always claims they are innocent.

[John Pleisse]

I was based GAI for 10 years. Good transient service. You have to be IFR to transition the DC ADIZ. I am now based FDK. Better transient service, top knotch FBO, later hours, maintanence, on site rental cars, 4 runways, 8 approaches, AOPA on site. GAI 32 mins drive from DC, FDK 45 mins from DC. Whichever you choose, you should complete/read this:

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/notams_tfr/media/tfrweb.pdf

You'll need to know the status of P-40 (Camp David), keep two way radio communications and don't squawk VFR if going to GAI.. I usually travel west to east from the Detroit area, along the lake shore Akron, PIT, D-FDK in 2.5.

[tbrickey]

I've been based in Frederick MD (before AOPA moved out there),  Manassas VA (when there was only one runway) and Leesburg VA.  I currently use Leesburg because of convenience but my preference is Manassas.  And you can take the train from the Manassas airport to D.C. last I heard.  I always use the FBO on the west side of the runways.

[Seth]

GAI has a new FBO - and Darlene is gone (we had a few run-ins too).  Montgomery Avaition is no more - it's now DC Metro Avation Services - number 301-963-8043, and are attempting to fix their reputation within the avaition community. That being said, many of the same people still do work there - and many of them are indeed good people (as I said, Darlene is gone) .  They are renovating many of the hangers on the field, have new fuel trucks, and have tried to update their poilcies that caused the negative comments from so many aviatiors (myself included - I live near the field but kept my Mooney at Freeway for two years - love the people there, until I secured a hanger at GAI - which unfortunatly will be torn down soon for bigger hangers).

Metro is close by, the aiport has a 4200 foot runway with GPS, VOR, and no joke an NDB apprach - which I've used during an IPC.  on June 4th I'll be in town, and depending on your arrival and departure time, I'll give you ride to metro  should the FBO not guarentee you a lift to metro (or back afterwards).  It's about a 10 minute ride to the Red Line Shade Grove station - straight shot downtown from there.  Metro is your best bet efficiency wise - if you have a lot of bags or gear, the FBO will arrange a rental car for you (though i don't know if you'll then have to go to Enterprise or something or if they'll just drop it there for you.

PM me for my cell phone number or email.

Also, you can't go wrong with FDK, Manassas, or Leesburg - they are all good, and you'll probably then rent a car, but they are all also further out.  They are all good airports.  GAI is just closer and didn't try as hard for a long time.

Take care,

-Seth

[Jerry 5TJ]

If  you don't want to rent a car, also consider BWI:  I operated an M20S out of BWI 2003 -2006.  The GA side of the field is friendly, they will give you a ride to the MARC train -- it is only about 30 minutes train ride to Union Station in DC where you can catch the Metro.  100LL is not so cheap there as at other nearby GA airports.

The only other tip is -- file IFR and don't cancel before you land.

You might also view the AOPA ASF on the FRZ in section 7 of: 

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/kbyg/swf/flash.cfm?

[mph5790]

This is all great info and exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks for the help,  I will let you know how the trip went!

[MattS]

Deleted

 

[TLSDriver]

Thanks to everyone for all your help.  The trip went great.  Gaithersburg (KGAI) was the place I picked.  It was a short cab ride to the metro.  I filed IFR and it went pretty much as expected.  Seth told me what to expect leaving and he was right on.  Looking forward to going back.

[thinwing]

hey flying to dc area on my bucket list (I attended school @ Georgetown)so this is good info because things have certainly changed from flying around in a 152 in 1978 there...thanks for the info..kp couch

[mph5790]

Not sure how/what happened by my last post went under TLS Driver.  Thanks to everyone that helped me get my daugter to DC safely!

 

Mike