Last Minute X Country from LA to Phoenix...
- Thread starter VWGhiaBob
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NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
They are all GA friendly. I recommend Deer Valley KDVT. Free transient parking and proximity to the Scottsdale area without scottsdale airport prices. Dvt is busy but if you're a pilot from LA you won't have any trouble anywhere.
Edit SDL has free transient parking as well. If you want to put in avgas look to spend a premium to get some of their sweet blue gas.
Edit SDL has free transient parking as well. If you want to put in avgas look to spend a premium to get some of their sweet blue gas.
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I quit using DVT because the intense student training activity caused long waits at times. I haven't had that problem at GEU. Parking is $3.75 per night in front of the terminal. When I was there last month, they were working on the ramp, so I parked at the FBO (Glendale Aero) instead, which is slightly more (although I ended up not getting charged because of confusion over who owns what piece of ramp.) Self-service fuel prices seem about average for a GA airport.
Be sure and talk to approach control if you are going to fly through the Luke AFB Special Flight Rules Area on your way in or out.
Be sure and talk to approach control if you are going to fly through the Luke AFB Special Flight Rules Area on your way in or out.
LevelWing
Pre-takeoff checklist
Where are you looking to go in Phoenix? Chandler (KCHD) is an easy airport to get into and out of and I believe they have a restaurant on the field.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
How long are you staying?
I'm a big fan of going straight into PHX. Cutter has always treated me well and while fuel price is higher, it isn't that bad for a class B airport.
I'd avoid DVT (for reasons mentioned). If also avoid SDL. Fuel is ridiculous there.
If you don't want to go into PHX, is recommend Falcon (FFZ). Reasonable fuel and the CAF museum is there.
I'm a big fan of going straight into PHX. Cutter has always treated me well and while fuel price is higher, it isn't that bad for a class B airport.
I'd avoid DVT (for reasons mentioned). If also avoid SDL. Fuel is ridiculous there.
If you don't want to go into PHX, is recommend Falcon (FFZ). Reasonable fuel and the CAF museum is there.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
If you fly past DVT to go to Falcon or Chandler, then you arent really concerned with a short delay on the ground at DVT since you will still be flying while you could be tied down at DVT.
The controllers at DVT are the most helpful bunch I have ever had the pleasure to work with. They always give preference over training aircraft and can accommodate special requests. Chandler,Falcon,Goodyear and Glendale are fine they just don't get you close to the action like DVT does. Scottsdale is the best as far as location but worst as far as prices.
The controllers at DVT are the most helpful bunch I have ever had the pleasure to work with. They always give preference over training aircraft and can accommodate special requests. Chandler,Falcon,Goodyear and Glendale are fine they just don't get you close to the action like DVT does. Scottsdale is the best as far as location but worst as far as prices.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
You must be talking about a different DVT than I've been to. I wouldn't call sitting in the departure que for 30 minutes waiting to takeoff VFR to be a 'short' delay.
I also wouldn't call tower controllers stressed out because they don't have radar and the foreign students aren't listening the most 'helpful'
And what 'action' are you referring to? I'm from the Phoenix are and own property near DVT and am curious what I've been missing.
KSCessnaDriver
Pattern Altitude
I wouldn't go into DVT because you won't be able to understand a good chunk of the people talking on the radio there. DVT is a death trap, just waiting to spring again.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
If you want to go to Mesa or Chandler you might as well just save time and money and go to Bakersfield. People tend to go to Phoenix for the resorts, and Scottsdale type living and activities. PHX is a great option as well but why fly so far south or east if you have to drive back to the place you just flew by.
Why wait at C1 for departure at DVT? Request C5 and you'll be next out. I know because I worked there and have taken my AA5 there many times. It could also be because I SOUND like I know what I'm doing.
Why wait at C1 for departure at DVT? Request C5 and you'll be next out. I know because I worked there and have taken my AA5 there many times. It could also be because I SOUND like I know what I'm doing.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
The guy is from LA. I'm sure he can handle it, in fact that was the diversion and the place I didn't all my landings during my practical as a student pilot. Lol.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
Second thought. You better not go on a XC to the phoenix area. Way too much flight training going on there and you wouldn't be able to understand the student pilots on the approach freqs. Every airport there has lots of training going on. Just land at Blythe, you will die if you fly near Phoenix.
I will admit that the time I had a long wait at DVT, the controller tried to do me a favor by having me taxi to an intersection with a shorter line. It was stupid me who decided to opt for a full-length takeoff. 
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
It's just funny. Its safe and you can remedy some of the waiting if you know what you're doing. My plane lived at Falcon so I don't have any feelings about DVT. Deer Valley is nothing to over fly in order to save time because you are continuing to fly by doing so.Are you taking the criticism of DVT personally?
Phoenix airspace and airports are busy. You should probably fly to Tucson and drive up to save the wait on the ground. See what I'm getting at ?
Edit : plus you'll die if you fly near the Phoenix area, it's just too dangerous.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
Are you taking the criticism of DVT personally?
Apparently. Or he works there and is trying to drum up bidness.
CT4ME
Cleared for Takeoff
'pretty much all of the Phoenix airports are very busy... if they don't have training operations on them training flights from other airports are landing there. Just listen to liveATC and you'll get an idea. That being said, DVT isn't that bad. Most training ops are on the south runway. You can always request different intersections and get out pretty quick or just cross to the north side. There is seldom much wait on that side. The DVT controllers are darn good but you have to remember they have a very stressful operation, having incredible amounts of traffic, accommodating everything from big jets to ultralights, and pilots from beginners to pros. Language is a challenge with many Asians with 2.weeks English experience, fire-hose pros, and geriatric weekend warriors. You must keep your head on a swivel and monitor the practice frequencies all around the Phoenix area. Having TIS/adsb traffic helps.
I often talk with the various Deltas whenever I'm close, just to let them know I'm not heading into their airspace. They'll usually give you traffic info and keep you and others informed.
I often talk with the various Deltas whenever I'm close, just to let them know I'm not heading into their airspace. They'll usually give you traffic info and keep you and others informed.
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Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
Yes, Phoenix is busy. Yes, you can survive a flight into DVT (I first flew in there at less than 130 TT).
But to say that all Phoenix airports are like DVT is ignoring several realities.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
Don't work there anymore. I have had the longest waits at Falcon due to heavy training going on there. Falcon doesn't let you get intersection departures so DVT isn't the only place to avoid if time is a concern. I have had plenty of 15+ minute waits at skyharbor as well. So the waiting isn't even an issue. Everywhere is busy so don't fly by one to get to a long wait somewhere else.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
Did you request an intersection departure when you waited 30 minutes ? If not, the wait was your fault not the airports.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
Must be a personal thing because I flew in and out of Falcon a few times in the last 5 months and never had to wait more than s minute or two.
Same for SDL.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
Agree that SDL is fast. When CAE/Oxford is going full strength and when you have the weekend crew it gets real busy at FFZ. As busy as anywhere I have ever been.
VWGhiaBob
Line Up and Wait
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VWGhiaBob
All...thanks for the info. Shifting to today, due to low overcast in LA yesterday. To clarify, I'm mainly looking for a fun place to fly. I'd prefer a place where I can get out of the plane and do something fun without too much hassle. I picked Phoenix due to weather. I LOVE Grand Canyon, but they are expecting convective today.
I can totally deal with traffic and ATC. I'm from LA, and deal every time I go up with complex airspace and radios. The traffic display in my Cirrus helps a lot, since controllers don't always have time to tell you about all the traffic.
I can totally deal with traffic and ATC. I'm from LA, and deal every time I go up with complex airspace and radios. The traffic display in my Cirrus helps a lot, since controllers don't always have time to tell you about all the traffic.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
If you are looking for something fun to do at the airport, then FFZ - AZ Wing of the CAF has their museum there.
Another idea is Grand Canyon Valle (40G). Planes of Fame has a satellite museum there on the field.
NJP_MAN
Pattern Altitude
I completely understand. Happens to me all the time.
KLRDMD
Pre-takeoff checklist
Yes, this !