FRG-Busy airport... I just gave up. But I got a tower tour.

orange

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Line Up and Wait
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Orange
FRG (Farmingdale, NY)

This morning (Fri, Dec 23rd), I was off from work so decided to book a flight to do some laps around the pattern for some T&G's since I hadn't flown in a month and want to stay sharp. I did 1.1 hours on the hobbs and got exactly 2 landings in. One full stop/taxi back and one full stop. No T&G's allowed when it's very busy. Got extended 4 miles on one and 5 on the other. But before I even got in the air, I got suck behind a parade of Cessna's, I was #4 or 5 and there was lots of inbound traffic, so it was like 5-6 minutes in between take offs. And I learned later that they were training controllers in the tower, so they were extra careful about separation. After my 2nd takeoff, I just requested full stop and went back and parked it. Too annoying waiting in a long line for takeoff.

But as I was taxiing back to the school I rent from, I asked ground about a tower tour since they weren't answering their phone. I wanted to do one since I started training in 2013, but during training I only flew weekdays after hours or weekends and they don't have enough staff to do tours. And now, I only fly on weekends. But today, no problem. I went afterwards, and the controller in charge who came down to get me could not have been nicer and even the 2 controllers were really cool and engaging. The view is amazing. And in the 20-30 minutes I was up there, there were only a handful of planes. If I only waited one or two more laps, it went dead. Oh well.
 
I always try to go elsewhere. ISP, HWV, BDR. In addition, I try to get out at odd times, SUNY creates such headache.
 
It wasn't even SUNY today, I only saw one of their ugly green Cherokees. Just lots of traffic.
 
The one time I went in there, a Saturday, it took me 45 min from atlantic's ramp to takeoff roll. They gave the circuit students full priority over getting people out of there. Can't imagine burning kerosene and sitting there for a half hour. Never again...
 
They got me in and out with near zero delay for the couple days I was around there in the amphib, my case was just flying out to the bay for a few hours and back, 1k or below. The buggers do charge for every landing though :(
 
It always fun whe. You are short final, and then get bump around the pattern again because of jet traffic 10 miles out. And forget about talon, they get whatever they want, Everyone else can wait.
 
James331 said:
They got me in and out with near zero delay for the couple days I was around there in the amphib, my case was just flying out to the bay for a few hours and back, 1k or below. The buggers do charge for every landing though :(
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The State of New York owns FRG. If they could charge you for just thinking about landing there, they would.

Rich
 
RJM62 said:
The State of New York owns FRG. If they could charge you for just thinking about landing there, they would.

Rich
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Plus it's in the city, double trouble.

Only time I had someone try to rat me out to the Feds was down there, no dice for the little cry baby, but still not a fun call to get and have to sort out.
 
James331 said:
Plus it's in the city, double trouble.

Only time I had someone try to rat me out to the Feds was down there, no dice for the little cry baby, but still not a fun call to get and have to sort out.
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Actually, I believe that it's in Suffolk County.

Rich
 
It's all "the city"

It's like dropping your phone in a toilet vs a urninal
 
I don't think it's in the shhiitty.
 
I'm also based out of KFRG and fully agree with you. it's so ridiculous. Atc used to manage the traffic much better about a year and a half ago. Now it's become the norm to hold short for 15-20 min. The most ridiculous thing ever.
 
josephades said:
I'm also based out of KFRG and fully agree with you. it's so ridiculous. Atc used to manage the traffic much better about a year and a half ago. Now it's become the norm to hold short for 15-20 min. The most ridiculous thing ever.
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If I was based there I'd be making lots of noise at the FSDO.
 
paflyer said:
If I was based there I'd be making lots of noise at the FSDO.
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FWIW, FSDO has nothing to do with the ATC organization. If you get an FAA org chart you will see that the two organizations are completely separate until you get to the top. Issues with ATC need to be dealt with within the ATC organization. Like any organization there is a hierarchy. The tower manager reports to someone who has responsibility for a number of towers in the region. If you are polite and constructive when you contact that person, you will learn a lot and things at your tower may even change for the better.

I had a near mid-air (not super close, fortunately) one time and ended up talking to the regional manager, whom I had met at a pilot meeting . Long story short, my experience led to changes in the MOA between Center and that tower. All in all it was a pleasant and educational experience.
 
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