KCLT pirep
- Thread starter frfly172
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Bro do you even lift
I would take a look at the map and skyvector (or whatever) and pick one close to where you're going. nothing significantly different from them that I know of. goosecreek (28A) and wilgrove (8A6) are considered, by some, to be short/tricky runways, otherwise I can't think of a reason to point you from one to the other. you could, however, bring beer, fly into concord, and I will happily help you consume them.
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Kayoh@190
I don't know the area well enough to point you to a proper GA airport, but if all else fails CLT isn't a horrible decision. I'm sure it's not cheap, but Wilson Air Center at CLT is a phenomenal FBO.
Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
I agree that Wilson Air is a wonderful FBO and I have never once had a bad experience with them.
Be on your game going into CLT, if you do decide to go there. The controllers expect you to be on your game and will stick an airliner up your tail with minimal separation.
I was sitting in the right seat one leg in the Pilatus and the "Capt" went brain dead (not unusual) and made the A320 behind us go around after attmepting S-turns to keep separation. 110kias on an 8-mile was unacceptable... in that case. I was furious.
Be on your game going into CLT, if you do decide to go there. The controllers expect you to be on your game and will stick an airliner up your tail with minimal separation.
I was sitting in the right seat one leg in the Pilatus and the "Capt" went brain dead (not unusual) and made the A320 behind us go around after attmepting S-turns to keep separation. 110kias on an 8-mile was unacceptable... in that case. I was furious.
I'd take the one most convenient. Wilson at CLT ain't cheap but they do a god job. Plus, the Carolina's Aviation Museum is on the airport and Wilson will shuttle you there. Pretty good display, including an Airbus A320-214 some guy landed in the Hudson River, if you can believe that story 
.
One tip. CLT has a list of its slower times online. It hasn't been updated since 2014 . I'm not sure if that means it's obsolete or if it just hasn't really changed.
.One tip. CLT has a list of its slower times online. It hasn't been updated since 2014 . I'm not sure if that means it's obsolete or if it just hasn't really changed.
Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
I never knew about this list. Interesting. Thanks for the link.
CLT however is west of downtown. Depending on what you mean by "south side" it might be better going in to Rock Hill or Monroe.
Skywalker
Cleared for Takeoff
Isn't Rock Hill even more to the West or SW? During the IFR flight training we landed in Concord (KJQF) which is NE of Charlotte.
So far we heard only good things about Wilson and we will try them if we fly to Charlotte.
So far we heard only good things about Wilson and we will try them if we fly to Charlotte.
Just another plug for CLT and Wilson, parked the RV there last night for MNF. Easy in and out using 36R, maybe 5 extra minutes flight time vectored to fit in and out of the big plane traffic. They found us a nice hotel at a reasonable price on a busy night, shuttled us back and forth, charged nothing more than the price of fuel. Trip to Downtown was $10 via Uber.
JustinD
Line Up and Wait
I have never flown my airplane into CLT but with work I very very very frequently fly into CLT they have no issue with fitting GA pistons into the airport. You may have to wait an extra minute or two getting off the ground for takeoff but they seem to work the traffic in very well. You can most likely plan on landing 36R/18L (23 is currently closed) as the FBO is on the southeast side of the airport....I've actually never seen a piston single land on any other runway at Charlotte
TRocket
Line Up and Wait
I think you will be more than happy with Wilson Air, I have never flown in there myself (as a Pilot) but some others at the flight school have and been more than happy with it and they are very accommodating to GA guys. We fly out of Wilson air a few times a year for work for west coast trips since they can't take off out of Concord with enough fuel to comfortably make it (used to though...after the time they had us take as many bags out from under the plane to to put them in the over bins so we didn't have to stop for gas about put an end to that)
I'd take the one most convenient. Wilson at CLT ain't cheap but they do a god job. Plus, the Carolina's Aviation Museum is on the airport and Wilson will shuttle you there. Pretty good display, including an Airbus A320-214 some guy landed in the Hudson River, if you can believe that story
I highly suggest Carolina's Aviation Museum, they have some really cool planes in there, it was a trip there on a day off that got me into flying...
I fly out of 8A6, it is a little tricky but some very friendly people there and will be very cheap. And if you end up at Concord, I might just join you and eman for a few of those beers...
Although I've never been in the in anything smaller than a Pilatus, Wilson is top notch. If CLT is closest to where you need to be, go for it.
JustinD
Line Up and Wait
Can I ask what else the quotes you for ramp/landing fees etc?
EminiTrader
Cleared for Takeoff
Another plug for CLT. Go IFR if you are rated and you'll ease right in and ease right out.. Yes if you go during a busy time (which seems to be always there) they will ask for "best speed" on final... you know what to say if you don't feel comfortable...
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Bro do you even lift
CLT has been on the top 10 busiest airports in the country list for a coupl'a years, so 'slow times' may not be exactly what you're expecting.
Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
???
I'll give a breakdown of the final receipt tomorrow. I can usually expect it to consist of the fuel purchase and maybe a $15 security fee. The minimum fuel purchase usually covers ramp or handling fees.
Your point is well-taken. "Busy" means different things to different people.
When I moved to the NC Triangle, pilots told me about "busy" RDU, a Class C airport with a bit more than half the annual operations of my former Class D home base.
And, while CLT is only slightly less busy overall, CLT's mix includes 5-6 times the GA operations DEN hosts, which says a lot for the ability to fit folks in.
So, I can't speak for anyone else, but I expect "slow times" at any Class B to still be busy except, perhaps, between 10PM and 6AM. The chart is really only letting you know these are not "push" times.
My receipt from Tuesday morning was for 20 gallons of 100LL, nothing more.
RDU ain't nothing compared to CLT. But even so, as posted earlier, avoid the "pushes" and getting into CLT isn't an issue. The nice thing is the airport is pretty compact and you're not going to have the five mile long taxis that you can get at some places like IAD.
The answer around here is that Charlotte ROAD traffic is worse than what you'll see in the air. If CLT is convenient to where you're going, that's great. Otherwise, one of the other airports might be better.
The answer around here is that Charlotte ROAD traffic is worse than what you'll see in the air. If CLT is convenient to where you're going, that's great. Otherwise, one of the other airports might be better.
Of course not. CLT is a Class B ranked 8th in 2015 with 544,000 total operations; RDU was 59th with 182,000. Quite a difference between a quiet Class C and a busy Class B. Three times the annual operations is a bit of a difference.
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Kayoh@190
As someone else mentioned, one nice thing about CLT is that Wilson is right off the runway they'll have you use, making the airport 'feel' a lot smaller/less busy than it really is.
TRocket
Line Up and Wait
Just now seeing this, had the day off, wish I would have seen this sooner.
If you manage to get stuck at RDU...
What does this mean? They won't sell you less than 10 gallons?
It means if you buy at least 10 gallons, they will waive the ramp fees.
Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
I get stuck at RDU often. I'll be sure to let you know.
I tried attaching a picture of my receipt but it's not showing up. I was in and out of CLT for $50. It comprised of the price for 10 gallons and then taxes. That's it.
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wsuffa
Touchdown! Greaser!
CLT Offered me an intersection takeoff without asking - saved a fair amount of time (I'd have had to wait for a stream of inbounds otherwise).
The controllers where great going in and out,on departure made sure I was at the slow time. Did have to pay an overnight fee at the FBO ($15). Will use the airport again ,as my son lives 10 min away.