KRDU FBO Advice and first Long XC

[farmerbrake]

Thanks for the replies!
Should I try to keep my speed up on final and such when I get there? Usually fly around a 70 kt final.

 

[comanchepilot]

if you are going to be coming in every couple of months - here is what you do with Landmark . . .

1. Know how often you'll be coming - make sure its every couple of months - when you speak with him/her - let them know you'll be flying in to see family in a single piston and your family is 15 min from RDU and 45 from the GA airports - and you'd like to use Landmark exclusively.

2. ask them if they have a weekend discount . . . . you can usually knock 50 cents a gallon off

3. ask if they'll waive their ramp and junk fees [don't call them that but ask what the fees are] when you top every time you come in.

4. set up an account, with a credit card on file. Put a permanent request in for a hangaring if there is a thunderstorm coming in.

5. TIP. Not the boss - but the line kids and the counter girl [AFTER the first time with the counter girl to make sure you understand who works when] if she does anything for you- $10 the first time and $5-10 when they drive you in from the south 40 where they'll park pistons.

6. Make sure you're full when you take off inbound - this way you'll generally buy no more than 20 gals a trip if its 2 hours - you [and the wife] will get spoiled by the jet set amenities at these fancy FBO's

You'll develop a good relationship and start getting swag after a few times - shirts, balls caps, etc.

 

[farmerbrake]

Just got off the phone with both FBO'S
Both were very nice and polite on the phone. TAC air said there is a $15 ramp and security fee but that is waived if you buy 10 gal. of $6.49/ gal 100LL.
Landmark (after putting me on hols for 3 minutes) has a $25 fee which is waived with 7 gal. Of $6.69 100LL. But there is still a $5 security fee.

I think I'll use TAC air to start with. Just a little bit better first impression.

 

[Bill Watson]

Just got off the phone with both FBO'S
Both were very nice and polite on the phone. TAC air said there is a $15 ramp and security fee but that is waived if you buy 10 gal. of $6.49/ gal 100LL.
Landmark (after putting me on hols for 3 minutes) has a $25 fee which is waived with 7 gal. Of $6.69 100LL. But there is still a $5 security fee.

I think I'll use TAC air to start with. Just a little bit better first impression.

Great choice. Hope you have a great flight and experience!

CommanchePilot's advice is dead on anywhere you go....

...or you can just smile, ask for help and be pleasantly surprised how well it all works in most places, most of the time. The bigger and busier the FBO, the less time and interest they have in figuring out what to charge you.

In over 15 years of occasionally operating there, I've only been charged for anything once that I can recall (most recent visit at TAC). Since I hangar and fuel 10 miles away (8NC8), it never makes sense to buy gas so I don't. I fall down there when the weather sucks and wait it out - n/c. I fly over to pick up a guest arriving on an airline - I tip the driver that takes me to the terminal and back - n/c. I used to fly over to break from work at home, have a 'burger, and watch planes - n/c. For the life of me, I don't know why it has worked that way at both Landmark, TAC Air and it's predecessor Southern Jet, it just does.

 

[Kelvin]

RDU controllers are the best...As others have pointed out...busy don't matter...they have you covered.

Fly your plan...

TAC or Landmark are great FBO's. They will have you chocked before you get out of the plane.

I would NEVER suggest to a pilot that they not be present when their plane is refueled...your call...there is not right or wrong answer...

Fly your plan.

Leaving...call clearance on 120.1 You will get departure instructions from them. Expect Raleigh 7 departure.

http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1503/00516RALEIGH.PDF
http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1503/00516RALEIGH_C.PDF

Ground is 121.7

You will depart on 5R/23L

One thing to note is that you may get "landed" on RWY 32. Note that a go around on RWY32 puts you right over two runways that will be busy. Think this through and know what you will do if you go long...

If you make it to Landmark and Sue is working...ask her about her twin grand kids.

Not to revive an old thread BUT I'm planning on doing this trip this weekend! (235 nm XC to RDU)
I hope to be landing around 10 30 to 11 and take off around 4. Will those be busy times on a Saturday?
Stupid newb question but suggestions for leaving the plane (piper archer, rental) unattended for 5 hrs? I'll have the control lock in place. What about tie downs? Required/suggested?
It was suggested to be present when they fuel. Do you have them do that first thing after you land or before you leave?
What will procedures be when I'm ready to go? Same as to what I'm used to in a Class D or different?

Again sorry for all the newb questions, just trying to have everything about my trip planned out so I know what to expect.

 

[noobJohn]

:wink2: Oh man, I thought the woman working the desk at Landmark liked me. No charge last time I picked someone up, flew them around a while, and dropped them off.

I do find it bizarre that you can't pick up and drop off at the "General Aviation Terminal." They have a badge operated door right there but.... you're forced to go through either TAC or Landmark.

In over 15 years of occasionally operating there, I've only been charged for anything once that I can recall (most recent visit at TAC). Since I hangar and fuel 10 miles away (8NC8), it never makes sense to buy gas so I don't. I fall down there when the weather sucks and wait it out - n/c. I fly over to pick up a guest arriving on an airline - I tip the driver that takes me to the terminal and back - n/c. I used to fly over to break from work at home, have a 'burger, and watch planes - n/c. For the life of me, I don't know why it has worked that way at both Landmark, TAC Air and it's predecessor Southern Jet, it just does.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Just got off the phone with both FBO'S
Both were very nice and polite on the phone. TAC air said there is a $15 ramp and security fee but that is waived if you buy 10 gal. of $6.49/ gal 100LL.
Landmark (after putting me on hols for 3 minutes) has a $25 fee which is waived with 7 gal. Of $6.69 100LL. But there is still a $5 security fee.

I think I'll use TAC air to start with. Just a little bit better first impression.

Good choice. Your reception on the phone is unfortunately typical of many Landmark facilities. Just don't have their act together very well. I think you'll be happy with TAC. The only reason I use Landmark at RDU is because I get a based discount since my airplane is hangared at another Landmark.

 

[farmerbrake]

Well yesterday's trip was a success! Thanks for all the helpful tips. The air was smooth heading both directions. Getting into RDU was a non-event, real easy and not busy. Controllers were all real nice.
Dealing with TAC air was ok. When I first arrived it was great, but when I was ready to leave there was a different lady at the counter and I got a bad vibe.
Leaving proved to be more difficult for myself. I butchered some radio calls and got cunfused when given taxi instructions so I got progressive taxi. Ground controller was really helpful.
Again thanks to everyone on the forum for all your helpful tips! Definitely will be doing this trip a lot (especially after I get a planed of my own....).
It was a beautiful 55* in Raleigh compared to the 10* that I left behind.

 

[eman1200]

...Leaving proved to be more difficult for myself. I butchered some radio calls and got cunfused when given taxi instructions so I got progressive taxi. Ground controller was really helpful.
....

can u provide any more details on this (or video?!?)? what rwy did u depart from?

 

[farmerbrake]

I used 23L for taking off and landing.
Well for starters I've never called clearance before so that was a different experience. And just some different terminology. The controller told me 'line up and wait on 23L. I've never head that so I asked a lot of clarification questions. It really wasn't all that bad, I just know I probably held up some radio traffic with all my questions. But the controllers were all very polite and pleasant and accommodating!
Unfortunately I don't own a go pro or garmin virb so I have no videos to share. Although I do have these pictures

It was my first time flying as the sun was setting. It was great!

And a picture of the plane I flew down in.

 

[Bill Watson]

I used 23L for taking off and landing.
Well for starters I've never called clearance before so that was a different experience. And just some different terminology. The controller told me 'line up and wait on 23L. I've never head that so I asked a lot of clarification questions. It really wasn't all that bad, I just know I probably held up some radio traffic with all my questions. But the controllers were all very polite and pleasant and accommodating!

I'm so glad you had a great trip! Now you can be comfortable doing any Class C when the mission calls for it. Class B is next!

You successfully made your first step towards Class B/C operations - working with departure. It's a bit different for VFR vs. IFR, both take some practice to get it smooth.

At some point, "position and hold" was replaced with "line up and wait". I'm sure some runway incursion accident drove the change. Someone will fill in details here.

Leaving...call clearance on 120.1 You will get departure instructions from them. Expect Raleigh 7 departure.

http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1503/00516RALEIGH.PDF
http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1503/00516RALEIGH_C.PDF

You will depart on 5R/23L

One thing to note is that you may get "landed" on RWY 32. Note that a go around on RWY32 puts you right over two runways that will be busy. Think this through and know what you will do if you go long...

I think the departure procedures are IFR-only. If I were given it while VFR I would say "unable Raleigh 7" and let them tell me what to do instead.

Don't mean to quibble but while it may seem that you will always get 5R/23L departures, you will occasionally get 5L departures if headed north or west. I don't think I've ever gotten 23R and never a 32 departure.

Having flown there thru major runway expansion, taxiway reengineering and airport light upgrades, you learn to expect anything at any airport... then you learn to check airdrome NOTAMS to get ahead of the game.

 

[farmerbrake]

My departure instructions were
Take off 23L. Maintain runway heading at or below 2000 till told different by departure. Took off, tower told me to switch to departure. They told me turn right to heading 360 vfr climb to 3,500. After I did that he cleared me to my heading and vfr climb to 5,500.
Having worked with flight following a lot definitely helped my confidence on the radio, and now that I have successfully (might not have been smooth but I didn't get a phone number! ) navigated my first Class C I feel more confident in my aviator capabilities.

 

[eman1200]

ok, sounds like no damage was done, nice job! 2 more weeks til I head that way, can't wait.

 

[farmerbrake]

ok, sounds like no damage was done, nice job! 2 more weeks til I head that way, can't wait.

Hope you have a great trip! Which FBO are you thinking about using?

 

[eman1200]

Gonna give tac a try, picked at random.

 

[farmerbrake]

Sounds good. I think next time I might try landmark just to try but with their higher fuel price (for non AOPA member, forgot to include that earlier) and $5 fee the cost could add up over time.

 

[simtech]

I used 23L for taking off and landing.
Well for starters I've never called clearance before so that was a different experience. And just some different terminology. The controller told me 'line up and wait on 23L. I've never head that so I asked a lot of clarification questions. It really wasn't all that bad, I just know I probably held up some radio traffic with all my questions. But the controllers were all very polite and pleasant and accommodating!
Unfortunately I don't own a go pro or garmin virb so I have no videos to share. Although I do have these pictures

It was my first time flying as the sun was setting. It was great!

And a picture of the plane I flew down in.

I'm jealous you get to fly a jet..must be nice... Sounds like you handled it well. Its always nice to push out of your comfort zone and expand. Next time you'll sound like a pro. Good job, and nice sunset pic!!

 

[farmerbrake]

I'm jealous you get to fly a jet..must be nice... Sounds like you handled it well. Its always nice to push out of your comfort zone and expand. Next time you'll sound like a pro. Good job, and nice sunset pic!!

Haha. oh it's so nice,