Branson trip

[Jetdriver]

Hello all

 

My wife and I are planning a trip to Branson next month from our home in UT in our F and I am looking to see if anyone has flown into PLK or BBG recently.  Any good reason to choose one over the other?  I am particularly concerned about the availability of MX, should it be necessary, at either airport.  Does anyone know if there is anything available?

[hammdo]

I flew IFR recently to PLK (March). decent airport, rentals very easy - walk through FBO through terminal, then next set of doors. I had to park myself though. Easy access to Branson, FBO is nice. Don’t know about mx access at PLK - a call to the FBO will help. Helicopter tours run out of there also. Runway is a bit faded but still viable for Mooneys. Some ridges around to keep an eye on but not too bad in and out. 

Flying around Ft Smith the GPS can get lost for a moment - happened on the way there and back (military in the area). No NOTAMS either about that…

-Don

[toto]

BBG is nice and still feels shiny and new. FBO is nice, cars available. I’ve never needed maintenance there, but it seems to be a full service FBO and I’d be surprised if you couldn’t get major mx if needed. 

It’s a bit of a hike from downtown Branson. You’ll be driving in your rental car for a while before you pass PLK and wonder why you didn’t land there. But BBG seems like a much nicer airport. Last time we flew in to Branson, we landed at BBG and stopped at PLK on the way to the hotel just to see what it looks like. PLK felt utterly deserted compared to BBG, for whatever that’s worth. 

[Z W]

I stopped in BBG for lunch about a month ago.  Good experience - would recommend Hook and Ladder Pizza.  Was able to get a Lyft ride into town with only about a 15 minute wait for pickup, so you might be able to skip a rental car if you don't otherwise need one.  It has commercial airline service too as a backup plan.  Didn't need any maintenance, but it doesn't look like there is any on AirNav or Garmin Pilot.

I'd also recommend visiting the Branson Landing for dinner and a walk along the river at least one night.  

No experience with PLK myself.

Hope you have a nice trip.

[rakesb]

My wife and I flew our M20C into PLK many times with family and friends between 2014 and 2017. In-terminal rental car service and FBO never disappointed. Parking assistance was intermittent, but really unnecessary. Easy access to Branson. Never required maintenance. One approach end has a pretty steep rocky cliff that can be somewhat intimidating on the first landing, but never really a safety issue. Good luck and have fun!