Flying to Des Moines

Probably depends on what you are trying to do. Services / fuel are pricy at DSM, but it isn't that busy. The charlie airspace around here is easy to fly in.
 
Des Moines is a slow class "C". Very accommodating to small planes. Either airport works, like said it depends on if you need services, car rental, ext.
 
kujo806 said:
Probably depends on what you are trying to do. Services / fuel are pricy at DSM, but it isn't that busy. The charlie airspace around here is easy to fly in.
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Just visiting grandma for the weekend. Hah. Both are pretty much equal distance and both have expensive 100LL so I'll fill up elsewhere. Just need a courtesy car so I can get to grandmas and get her car. Didn't think DSM was that busy. Any ramp fees or landing fees you aware of?
 
gkaiser said:
Just visiting grandma for the weekend. Hah. Both are pretty much equal distance and both have expensive 100LL so I'll fill up elsewhere. Just need a courtesy car so I can get to grandmas and get her car. Didn't think DSM was that busy. Any ramp fees or landing fees you aware of?
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Just the fuel prices. ;)

Call and ask to make sure. I bought fuel there so they didn't bring up a ramp fee.

Nice of you to visit grandma BTW. :D
 
gkaiser said:
Anybody familiar with area? Debating btwn dsm and Kikv.
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It's been several years, but we stopped at KDSM on our way back east, and Elliott Aviation took great care of us. There was a pretty good restaurant at the nearby hotel as well.


JKG
 
IIRC, DSM has a ramp fee, but it's waived if you buy fuel. $100/night if you need to put the plane in a hangar. Fuel was the typical 'towered airport' premium price (~$2 more per gallon than local prices). Call ahead and ask. Elliot and DSM ATC is small-plane friendly.

IKV is also easy - land, tie down, and leave. Never bought fuel there before.

Not sure about courtesy car at either place - we always have someone picking us up. DSM is more likely to have rental cars available if necessary.
 
gkaiser said:
Anybody familiar with area? Debating btwn dsm and Kikv.
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I've been to both many times. The only reason I would go to IKV over DSM is if I'm in the Flybaby (no transponder).

Elliot Aviation at DSM provides good service and the ramp fee is so minimal I can't even remember what it costs (very little) and is waived with a fuel purchase. The controllers are accommodating.
 
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