Flying into El Paso (KELP)

LevelWing

LevelWing

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LevelWing
I'll be flying from Arizona to El Paso VFR soon and was wondering what the best way to get to the airport was given that there is a mountain that extends into the city on one side and the Mexican border on the other side. Should I just fly around the north side of the mountain?
 
From the west I usually just fly to the south of the Franklins.
ATC is used to this; stay within a half mi of them and you won't cross the border.
You can see the border, it's easy to spot but don't be looking for water in it, the Rio Grande River is often dry.
You can go all the way to the gap in the mountains to the north but it is not necessary.

Done it a thousand times.

Or you can stay above the mountains and drop over them too.

I wrote Rio Grande River for Spike's benefit, he enjoys this iteration.
 
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What Dave said. Go around the south side. There used to be a VFR reporting point there ... But the cement plant stacks have been torn down. There is a small airport just west 5t6 Santa Teresa Dona Ana the fuel is cheaper at their new self serve island. You could stop there first, fuel up, then hop thru the gap. Easy.
Just note that runway 28 is right hand traffic.
 
oh and don't land at Biggs AFB, same orientation runway immediately adjacent. 5T6 as Jeanie says, better stop if you don't need El Paso - also has an awesome, little-known WWII aviation museum.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
oh and don't land at Biggs AFB, same orientation runway immediately adjacent. 5T6 as Jeanie says, better stop if you don't need El Paso - also has an awesome, little-known WWII aviation museum.
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I went around the north side of El Paso (westbound) into 5T6. No big deal to get past the ridge.

Gotta recommend the museum at 5T6. We pulled up and parked the plane right next to the entrance of the museum. Since, we flew in we got a pretty cool personally escorted tour. We sat in one of the P-51s and got to go in the C-47.
 
Prepare for a CBP inspection. Bend over and assume the position.
 
I also recommend flying by Kliburns Hole about 15 miles west of 5T6.
Flying through "the pass" is no big deal as you have I10 as a reference.
I second what Jeanie (the mean lady who stole my airplane), write about 5T6.
 
Thanks for all the replies. If it's really that easy to go south of the mountain I will.

frcabot said:
Prepare for a CBP inspection. Bend over and assume the position.
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What all will they be inspecting? Just for my medical, certificate and photo ID?
 
I have never had a CBP inspection although it is certainly possible.
Also stay north of the 5T6 runway, skydivers have the south side.
 
LevelWing said:
Thanks for all the replies. If it's really that easy to go south of the mountain I will.

What all will they be inspecting? Just for my medical, certificate and photo ID?
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It's easy, but if winds are more than 20 knots out of the west, then Anthony Gap would probably be better for reduced turbulence. Approach will ask if you're arriving via downtown (south of mountain approach) or Anthony Gap (north of mountain approach). If using the north route beware of Biggs Army airfield runway 3-21 and El Paso 4-22 are similar oriented and only a couple of miles apart.

Dona Ana would be a better fuel stop price wise, but check on loaner vehicles before arriving if planning a lunch stop.

I've only been inspected once after a night flight and I live here. They didn't ask for anything, just glanced into the rear seat to make sure there weren't any large bales and what I had been upto (no ID requested). Only annoying thing was that they blocked me at the taxiway which required an additional restart rather than following me to the hangar.
 
It would be a shame to stop in El Paso without getting food. So much food that I miss there... Maybe L&Js. A little drive from 5T6 but so worth it.
5T6 use to have a "crew rest" room you could rent for $20/night, but that was the old owner. Not sure if thr new owner still has it.
My wife and I lived all over the world and El Paso is still one of our favorite places. Very low violent crime rate, people are real, food is great, warm weather but skiing nearby...
 
Blackhawk said:
It would be a shame to stop in El Paso without getting food. So much food that I miss there...
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Hey Sam, unbelieveable but my brother makes me pack Chicos Tacos and deliver when I visit him ... of all the craving to get:lol:
 
danhagan said:
Hey Sam, unbelieveable but my brother makes me pack Chicos Tacos and deliver when I visit him ... of all the craving to get:lol:
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Chico Tacos... I never understood that one.
 
Dick's salsa, from Dicks Cafe! We have to load up a case for the wife each time we're down there. Matter of fact we're coming into 5t6 on Saturday.
 
Dan H said:
Dick's salsa, from Dicks Cafe! We have to load up a case for the wife each time we're down there. Matter of fact we're coming into 5t6 on Saturday.
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That is a Long Haul for Salsa. Must be good!!
 
Where is Dicks Cafe located?

I will be flying into El Paso this summer and would like to pick some up?
 
It's actually up the road in Las Cruces. I thought there was one in El Paso, but my wife informed me I was mistaken.....go figure.:D
 
danhagan said:
It's easy, but if winds are more than 20 knots out of the west, then Anthony Gap would probably be better for reduced turbulence. Approach will ask if you're arriving via downtown (south of mountain approach) or Anthony Gap (north of mountain approach). If using the north route beware of Biggs Army airfield runway 3-21 and El Paso 4-22 are similar oriented and only a couple of miles apart.

Dona Ana would be a better fuel stop price wise, but check on loaner vehicles before arriving if planning a lunch stop.

I've only been inspected once after a night flight and I live here. They didn't ask for anything, just glanced into the rear seat to make sure there weren't any large bales and what I had been upto (no ID requested). Only annoying thing was that they blocked me at the taxiway which required an additional restart rather than following me to the hangar.
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Thanks for the tips. Cutter said it would cost $20 for a landing/ramp fee but if I purchased fuel that would be waived. I'm not sure that's worth it with 100LL at KELP at $6.79.

I keep looking at the map wondering if it wouldn't be better to just go around to the north side to begin with, especially since I haven't been there before.
 
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