Flying to unfamiliar airports

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fudge80

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fudge80
When you go on a cross country trip where you are planning on parking your plane on the ramp for a couple of days, do you normally call ahead and talk to the airport manager?

Or do you simply land, tie your plane down on the ramp and leave?

Going my second long (to me anyway) cross county where I'll be leaving my plane at an unfamiliar airport overnight two nights. Just wondering what the rest of you do when doing what I am going to be doing.
 
I usually call to ask if there are any fees. Doesn't hurt to let them know your plans. And you can ask about anything you're unsure about from the A/FD.
 
Depends on where you're headed. Busy airport with an FBO or two on the field, just fly there cold if parking price is of no consequence to you. Sleepy airport in the middle of nowhere, you might call ahead for parking instructions or fuel availability. Just depends.
 
For overnight stays if I can't find clear info online or by searching this board, I will call the airport manager # listed on AirNav first to inquire about public transient parking availability, location, and confirm fuel options...if no luck there I will contact a FBO just to check rates and give them a head up I am coming if public transient parking is not available.
 
I've done both....called ahead some, just show'd up some. guess it depends........if you have any questions, can't hurt to call em up.
 
I'll call ahead if I sniff trouble. Big city airport or the like. Usually I just land.
 
I'll call ahead for podunk airports. If I'm flying into a place with an FBO, I'll call them up and inquire about the fees and procedures.
 
I call ahead if I need something like a rental car otherwise check air nav, check AF/D, then fly, land, park and figure out tie-downs. I carry chocks, straps and anchors. Only had one airport manager not like my parking choice. No biggie, he and I worked it out. Most airplane folks are good people, some are just a little crusty.
 
In many cases I don't bother calling unless I need to arrange a car or need some specific information that can't wait until I show up. Otherwise, the only other time I typically call is to try and get information on the runway conditions at the smaller unattended airports during the winter. Some of the smaller airports can go for days or weeks without being plowed if there is no regular staff.
 
Unless I need a car, hangar, GPU or whatever, I don't call, just show up, tie down and go.
 
I usually call ahead. Only takes a few minutes, and sometimes you get important information. A lot of airports will waive the overnight tie down fee if you buy fuel there. That is good to know.
 
I usually call ahead to find out about fees, fuel prices, overnights etc. I've been to small airports that didn't have fuel, I mean they ran out! It takes 3-5 minutes and sometimes you can get a fuel discount!
 
If I've never been there before I usually call just to make sure I know details on how they operate and give them a heads up. If it's a place I've been before and I'm filing IFR (usually do for X-country) I just click the little "send fax" button on Fltpln.com and that pings them the details of my flight so they know I'm coming and will want fuel and such.
 
Been to over 500 different airports. Never called one that I can remember. If I did call, I'd call the FBO.
 
If it's unfamiliar, I call.

Some don't have tie-downs. Phoning is how I find out.
 
Always check airnav for prices and reviews, if required I check for hotels and rental cars, etc. Only call if I have a question like asking about available hangar space if bad weather is predicted.
 
I check the recent forflight comments. Basically avoid any signature flight support like the black plague.
 
91.103 Preflight action.​

Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.
 
blurceo said:
I check the recent forflight comments. Basically avoid any signature flight support like the black plague.
Click to expand...

Some signatures are better than others, but I would agree, even though they are the largest FBO chain, they also often leave the most to be desired.


Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
91.103 Preflight action.


Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.
Click to expand...

You're going a little too far on the FAR

Trying to tie 91.103 to calling the front desk girl at a random FBO is really pushing it.
 
I call. The FBO if there is one. The airport manager's number is usually answered by a receptionist down at City Hall but I have gotten useful information before. The A/FD, Internet searches and apps like Airnav have lots of info but a call always seems to be worth it. When they know you're coming it seems to make things easier when you get there. I call on UNICOM a few minutes out with my ETA and often get an answer. Someone waiting on the ramp for you as you taxi up is a nice touch.
 
I'll check the ForeFlight comments like Blurceo. I often don't know how far I'll get that day, so can't always call. Recently rang Monmouth Exec (BLM) ahead of time and they kindly waved the landing and tiedown fees, so I flew there. Last week called the listed number of Nehalem Bay Airport (3S7) to see if there'd be any room to tiedown/camp during the Memorial Day weekend. There was and it was great, glad I made the call.

I wish ForeFlight was able to list fees on a map overlay the way they do for fuel prices. Would make it easier, but I expect the airports/FBOs that charge high fees would rather not tell until it's too late, so I always write a ForeFlight comment if I have an either really good or poor experience.
 
I call every time, even if I have been there before. On two of the Fullerton Disney trips it enabled me to insure parking (place was packed). At Austin Exec they had an event that weekend (a race or something) that I hadn't heard about and also guaranteed me a spot. Calling ahead to Stinson on a literal decide to go to San Antonio on July 4th 1 hour before lift off got me a huge reduction on the downtown Alamo Hotel room ($78 was quoted $300 on direct to hotel call on way to airport) and a $19 a day Prius (they don't have the cars that cheap anymore) - Stinson has agreements like many other FBOs with local hotels. Also snagged a great room discount at Glendale AZ for a playoff hockey game that was short notice as well right next to the arena ($99).
 
Call ahead, you don't want to fly hours to get a big surprise.
 
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