Dare I fly my Cirrus into KLAS Las Vegas (from So Cal KWHP)?

[VWGhiaBob]

All...after reading the above (thanks!) and talking to a Cirrus KLAS veteran, I decided to go to North Las Vegas, IFR (KVGT). I expect I'll get the GPS 30L approach. Looks like it has an amazing view on the way down of the strip, and is quite a bit closer than KHND. Any guidance on this approach? Thanks, all!

 

[Z06_Mir]

LAS is easy. It’s a shame people scared you away. The only reason I don’t go into LAS every time we’re there is because Of the fees... which really aren’t that bad unless you’re there for awhile. I think parking was only $35 a night for a light twin, it’s still $15 at Henderson. Controllers are great and accommodating as long as you can work with them speed and spacing wise.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Any guidance on this approach?

"cleared for the visual, contact tower"

KLAS 291656Z 06010KT 10SM CLR 04/M11 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP302 T00391111

KLAS 291735Z 2918/3024 04011KT P6SM SKC
FM300000 02009KT P6SM FEW120 SCT200
FM300400 25006KT P6SM SCT120 SCT200
FM301500 VRB03KT P6SM SCT120
KHND 291656Z 04008KT 10SM CLR 03/M12 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP317 T00281122 $

KHND 291735Z 2918/3018 02011KT P6SM SKC
FM292000 02008KT P6SM FEW120 SCT200
FM300300 17005KT P6SM SCT120 SCT200

 

[tspear]

I think that is a mistake. Flying into Bravo and landing at the major airport is fun. I have landed at Atlanta, BWI, IAD, and Tampa so far. What keeps me away from some others are fees. Boston Logan is almost 500 bucks to land, stay for a couple hours and leave in a Cirrus!



Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

 

[Kelvin]

By the look of ISO on FlightAware, it looks pretty dead to me...like three GA flights on the whole board. Unless it’s some sort of a charter, which certainly wouldn’t be cheap, I’d say your airport director is full of hogwash.

The airport director is spot on.

yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking. it's a really odd airport, in the middle of nowhere, kinda sleepy, and ELEVEN THOUSAND feet long. seemed like an odd place to have a flight to vegas, especially twice a week.

Oh wait...eman has spoken...then it can't be so....

The flight is about twice a week when they are running it...it makes stops in Rocky Mount, Fayetteville and a few other places...milk run...there is a 737 that does ACY from time to time as well...

 

[VWGhiaBob]

All...from the OP...I did KVGT. What a blast! The approach takes you right through the Bravo over the strip...birds eye view. I asked ATC for GPS 30. They said in VFR conditions, they don’t allow IFR approaches. They just vector you until you are 5 miles from KVGT and then clear you for the visual.

My passenger got loads of amazing photos. This will be my new go-to airport. The one downside: even though it’s close to downtown, I think it took 10 minutes longer due to traffic. We’ll see how it goes next time.

Bonuses: Nice FBO and cheap fuel. Overnight of $15 is waived with 20 gallon purchase.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[VWGhiaBob]

All...thought I’d post a picture of the final approach to KGVT, right over the strip. Amazing!

 

[BillTIZ]

All...from the OP...I did KVGT. What a blast! The approach takes you right through the Bravo over the strip...birds eye view. I asked ATC for GPS 30. They said in VFR conditions, they don’t allow IFR approaches. They just vector you until you are 5 miles from KVGT and then clear you for the visual.

My passenger got loads of amazing photos. This will be my new go-to airport. The one downside: even though it’s close to downtown, I think it took 10 minutes longer due to traffic. We’ll see how it goes next time.

Bonuses: Nice FBO and cheap fuel. Overnight of $15 is waived with 20 gallon purchase.

Thanks for all the advice.

You paid an extra 30cents/gallon for them to pump from the truck vs self serve. An extra $6 for 20 gallons and they canceled the $15 overnight fee, interesting.

The GPS to 30 at VGT blocks the visual approach to the airliners using the 19s or departing Rwy 1 at McCarran. So it is visual approaches for everyone. Plus the GPS 30 to VGT also blocks visual approaches into Nellis AFB landing to the north. Don’t plan on any approaches to VGT Rwy 12s if tower is using the 30s. Again, a vector to a visual should be expected. If VGT is landing on the 12s, then you could get the GPS or ILS to 12.

 

[clarkmueller]

I'm a little late, but IME McCarran is no big deal. As far as the flying and ground ops go, it's very approachable. They seem pretty used to piston aircraft. It's expensive, but it's practically walking distance from the strip. I've recorded both into and out of McCarran on a couple of my trips, which might give an idea of what the radio chatter is like.

Departing McCarran

Arriving at McCarran