Max Clark Posted February 17 Report Posted February 17 I have my annual "have to go to a conference in Vegas but I hate going to these things, but if I have to go I'll fly myself and redeem the trip" trip coming up in April. For those in the know, do you prefer HND or VGT? Looking for a nice FBO with reasonable ramp fees (extra credit for short term hangar space). I'll be staying on the strip for 2-3 nights, so a 10-15 minute difference in the drive from the airport isn't a huge deciding factor. Assuming I'll be coming in from the South East via DRK, or maybe EED on the South. Looking at METARs right now VGT runways look like better winds, is that pretty typical? Thanks! Max
MikeOH Posted February 17 Report Posted February 17 I flew into HND from the south (LA area) for a few days last April and found it easy in/out. Fees weren't exorbitant. Arrange your rental car ahead of time as there really isn't an on-field rental car office. Sorry, no experience with VGT for comparison. 2
Max Clark Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 Figures that I would just now find "Trip Assistant" after Foreflight has decided to discontinue it. Not a huge surprise, considering how little I use the web vs the phone or pad. But still frustrating given how cool of a feature this could have been. For people planning multi-leg XC what do you use? How do you pick your overall route? How do you pick your leg distances and fuel stops? Anything out there that makes your life easier?
4cornerflyer Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 I have been to both VGT and HND and their FBOs multiple times, and they are close to identical. Both are managed by the county, and have the same prices for fuel, parking etc, and the same fee structure. Both are busy towered airports underlying LAS airspace. A van will come by to drive you to the FBO if you are parked far out. The decision comes down to which is closer to your actual destination, and from which direction you are coming. In your case, I would go into Henderson. There is no longer a free shuttle to the Strip, but Uber/Lyft is easy and not too pricey. Don't rent a car unless you want to venture out of the city. For both airports, I believe 20 gallons fuel get you one free night. Self serve is only 30 cents cheaper. Both have decent restaurants on site. Jon
4cornerflyer Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 I should add that all Las Vegas area airports sometimes charge a special event fee which may cost you hundreds of dollars extra. At a minimum check the airport's web site or call to make sure you won't get caught by this. My letter of complaint to the county manager about this practice has gone unanswered. Jon
MikeOH Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 ^^^ THIS ^^^ I'll second this caution. You will pay an eye-watering amount if you arrive during a 'special' event, which can be just about anything! HND has an enormous ramp behind their terminal for overflow...'events' draw an unbelievable number of jets...and you will be paying jet size fees! Assuming they have a spot left.
Skates97 Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 1 hour ago, Max Clark said: Figures that I would just now find "Trip Assistant" after Foreflight has decided to discontinue it. Not a huge surprise, considering how little I use the web vs the phone or pad. But still frustrating given how cool of a feature this could have been. For people planning multi-leg XC what do you use? How do you pick your overall route? How do you pick your leg distances and fuel stops? Anything out there that makes your life easier? I use https://skyvector.com/ for my planning on the computer. Put it your airports, toggle on and off FBO fuel prices, drag the route around, etc...
rbmaze Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 Just made my first Mooney trip to Vegas this past weekend. I flew into VGT because it was slightly closer to my destination. My research revealed their should be a NOTAM for special events, where Prior Permission Required is also in effect. No such NOTAM this weekend and I had a smooth overnight visit. Self serve waived the nightly fee and I got a sandwich to go at the cafe on the way out. Coming up from the south I had spotty communication with LV Appch at about 7500.
Bolter Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 Having done both VGT and HND, the decision factor is less about which is closer to your destination within Vegas as which is closer to your departure airport. No reason to fly over the city, going around Class B shelfs or getting vectored. This can add total travel time that offsets the distance to the strip. Example, comgin from south, go to HND. Coming from Salt Lake, go to VGT. 1
NickG Posted February 19 Report Posted February 19 I am based at HND. Nice FBO although its being remodeled so the actual FBO is some large trailers on the main ramp starting next week. Fuel prices are the same at VGT and HND. HND has some large ramps that were built to accomodate a large anount of bizjet traffic. One busy days, you can sit for quite a while waiting for your CD and then taxi instructions. Contract tower, often uderstaffed. HND is the nice part of town, VGT to say politely is....not so nice. Transient parking rates are OK, please check to make sure there's no PPR or event fees (VGT as well). Its a regular occurence here because it's Las Vegas, and hey! why not continue to soak visitors with ridiculous fees. Now for the piloty things... HND has NO precision approach. There's an RNAV and a VOR, both circling. Beware night time arrivals if you're not familiar as there are mountains literally a few miles from the south end of the runways (hence no precision approach). Runways are good lengths, 35R/17L being the shorter and narrower of the two parallel runways. Also crosswinds can be interesting and wind directions are oftentimes different from one end of the runway to the other. VGT has an FAA tower, precision approach into 12L (ILS) and an RNAV 12R. Lots of students training there beware the student on approach to the parallel runway. It also has a crosswind runway. Fees, fuel etc all about the same price as both airports and the FBO's are run by the CCdOA. EIther choice is good, just depends if you want the Aria of Circus Circus in terms of atmosphere. I'm also the AOPA rep for HND so i may be a lttle biased.....
McMooney Posted February 19 Report Posted February 19 I flew into HND, wan't overly expensive. Vegas bravo is super easy, atc tends to give strip tours at the slightest request. TBH, if only a few days you might even think about KLAS
corn_flake Posted May 18 Report Posted May 18 Do tell on the strip tours. Do they just vector you around like the Bay tour in SF?
Recommended Posts