Mission: Disneyland

Shawn

Shawn

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Shawn
Is SNA or Fullerton better for coming in via a C182 for a few days? Been reading up on the LA area transitions from Nor Cal but which airport is easier to get in/out of and to the resort via ground transportation? Not worried about talking to SNA if that is the better option. I know SNA transients have to use one of the FBO's...any idea on current gas/parking fees?
 
Gas and parking at SNA = bend over and we're going in dry.

Also if you're flying a piston plane, expect no service, but a ramp fee as if there was service. I had to chock my plane when I flew in there and got charged a $60 handling fee - my question is what the **** did they handle?
 
The drive from FUL to Disneyland is a mile or two closer than from SNA, but to my taste the drive from FUL is much easier. FUL is a lot friendlier to light GA visitors, as well.
 
Agree with the FUL recommendation. When we lived in SoCal, FUL is where we always flew for Disney.


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DavidWhite said:
Gas and parking at SNA = bend over and we're going in dry.

Also if you're flying a piston plane, expect no service, but a ramp fee as if there was service. I had to chock my plane when I flew in there and got charged a $60 handling fee - my question is what the **** did they handle?
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Did you go to Signature or Atlantic?

I flew into SNA to pick up PAX in a twin not terribly long ago and used Atlantic. I might have paid a fee, but it was nowhere near $60.


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I used to live in Fullerton, and the town made California bearable for me. Actually loved it.

The airport there is about as good as an airport in a fully-developed area can get. Really friendly and welcoming place. And as noted above, a much, much easier drive to the mouse droppings than from SNA.

Just watch out for the KFI radio tower.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Did you go to Signature or Atlantic?

I flew into SNA to pick up PAX in a twin not terribly long ago and used Atlantic. I might have paid a fee, but it was nowhere near $60.


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Signature.
 
FUL is the best choice for Disneyland. Park at AFI. Call ahead and they can assist with ground transportation options (taxi, car rental), as needed.

100LL at FUL is currently $6.15, I think. Overnight parking is $10, but AFI might be able to waive at least one night with fuel purchase if you're parking in one of their spots. The city transient spaces, in front of the terminal, are $10/night.

There are usually minimal traffic delays on I-5 from FUL to Disneyland, except from around 0730 to 0900 weekdays.

VFR, the easiest route into FUL is under the Class B shelf from over El Monte.

Feel free to ping me for any additional local info.

Jeff
 
I can't think of any advantage SNA would have over FUL for disneyland unless you were arriving in a plane that needed more than 3k of runway -- for a C182, it's a no-brainer.
 
Thanks all for the intel.

Jeff, I will take you up on that offer for more local insight as I get closer. New pilot and know the LA airspace can be tricky. I don't have any fears of navigation or communication with ATC if needed but will be looking for more local insight as trips to and through the LA basin will be a regular thing for me for both business and pleasure missons.
 
I had a great experience at SNA with my Skylane. Gas was high but I knew that going into it. I think I paid a handling fee of around $25 be ause I didn't buy enough gas (hot, 3 pax) but service was great. They pulled it up when we were ready to go. Ill go back for sure.
 
I used to be based at FUL 2 years ago, currently based at SNA.

FUL, all the way.

FUL is a GA airport, period. They cater Cessnas, Beeches and Pipers. SNA is my current base and I can only comment on resident services there, as I've never had to use either FBO. The controllers at both airports are very good.

Agree with Jeff that coming in over El Monte (EMT) and ducking under the Class Bravo was always my preferred route coming down from the bay area (LVK). If you are coming in via Camarillo, go over the Burbank Class C (4800') and dive towards the Rose Bowl to line up for El Monte and getting under the 4000' LAX Class B shelf into Fullerton.

Just make sure you have flight following (assuming VFR) on the way down or pick it up near Santa Barbara or Camarillo as the airspace gets busier. They guys and gals at "SoCal" are very helpful keeping you out of trouble.

Fullerton can be difficult to pick out of the ground clutter if it's hazy. GPS is your friend in the LA basin. Don't be afraid to tell the FUL tower that it's your first time and you're having trouble seeing the field; they'll help get you pointed in the right direction.

Current gas prices: FUL= $6.20 SNA= $7.50.

I have had good experiences with both AFI and General Aviation at FUL. Both seem pretty good to me. AFI has truck service and "pump serve" gas, meaning you pull up to their pump and they will gas up the plane to your spec. for you. I never had any trouble letting them fuel my plane while I was there.

Come on down and enjoy your stay at FUL. :thumbsup:
 
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FUL is a challenge to see - do NOT arrive at KFUL for the first time within 90 of sunset - try to arrive before the sunset - its hard enough to find the airport to begin with .. . .
 
comanchepilot said:
FUL is a challenge to see - do NOT arrive at KFUL for the first time within 90 of sunset - try to arrive before the sunset - its hard enough to find the airport to begin with .. . .
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That is a good point. I once arrived about 30 min after sunset. If I hadn't been familiar, it would have been a real pain (and possible disorienting) to identify the airport.
 
Fearless Tower said:
That is a good point. I once arrived about 30 min after sunset. If I hadn't been familiar, it would have been a real pain (and possible disorienting) to identify the airport.
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The airport, which is only a couple of city blocks wide and with a runway and taxiways more-or-less parallel to local streets, blends into the maze of light-industrial buildings just to the east.

I learned to fly at FUL in the mid-1960s when the smog (believe it or not) was worse than it is now, and there was no localizer to help line up for rwy 24. Landing toward the setting sun on a smoggy day was a challenge.

There were many times as a post-solo student that I did pattern work when visibility was optimistically advertised as "three miles." It wasn't uncommon in the busy pattern for the downwind to be extended to St. Jude's Hospital, just over three miles to the east. Turning final into the setting sun was two parts faith and one part local knowledge.
 
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When arriving at night or during sunset at KFUL - especially if its first time - I'd seriously consider an IFR arrival so you can track the LOC in . . . or ask to . . .
 
All that reminds me of my home base, Addison (KADS). I admit, I miss Fullerton, liked it there. Will have to fly there some time.
 
comanchepilot said:
FUL is a challenge to see - do NOT arrive at KFUL for the first time within 90 of sunset - try to arrive before the sunset - its hard enough to find the airport to begin with .. . .
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Tougher to find than EMT? I think I've been a little too close to Bravo coming into EMT, so follow the freeways.
 
vfrfellow said:
Tougher to find than EMT? I think I've been a little too close to Bravo coming into EMT, so follow the freeways.
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Yes, at least at EMT you can spot the San Gabriel River channel or the Santa Anita Racetrack and track from those. There are essentially zero landmarks to find FUL.
 
Jeff Oslick said:
Yes, at least at EMT you can spot the San Gabriel River channel or the Santa Anita Racetrack and track from those. There are essentially zero landmarks to find FUL.
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"Santa Anita"--- twenty one years since I lived there, and I can still hear Trevor Denman's voice... "Here's the call from the fifth race at Santer Aniter..." :D

He still around?
 
Pick kful over SNA any day.
Landmarks cal state Fullerton on approach, use the localizer or if coming from EMT follow the 605 freeway south then pick up the railroad tracks for a perfect 45 entry to the downwind for 24

While at Fullerton and your family is at Disneyland you can visit aviator flight training and fly a T6 Texan or a Stearman. A lot more fun than the crowds at Disneyland.
Tell Daniel I sent you. His business is in hangar three right next to the pumps for AFI
714-423-4440 ( you can't do that at SNA)

Gary
 
Memories -- Fullerton 1968:

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So I know we've done a thorough job of convincing OP that SNA is the antichrist, but I had business at Atlantic SNA this morning and can report on the fees:

Beech Baron

Ramp fee for < 1 hour =$30

For > 1 hour and no overnight = $60; in and out privileges included (ie, I had multiple stops at SNA today, but only one fee to pay... nice)

Either of the above waived with 30 gallon fuel purchase (with the first-time customer [cough, first time for that N#] discount of $0.50/gal, it was a relative bargain at 6.95/gal)

Airport fee of $12, for "security" -- presumably to pay for the TSA goons that kept staring at me suspiciously while I was on the ramp.

I opted for the fuel and ended up out of there for just over $220. I didn't inquire about overnight fees, but I suspect they're sporty.

I got to mooch their conference room for a ground instruction session, and admire the marble loo. They had sandwiches and muffins on offer as well.


Still go to FUL, but Atlantic SNA isn't bad for such a busy Class C and packed ramp. I've been taken for a lot worse at other class Cs.

$0.02 (waived with snarky comment)

- Mike
 
Atlantic is pretty reasonable - they waive their ramp fee with a top off - or 30. If you make the effort - they will too.

Looking at it like this:

Fuel at home drone: $6.29

Fuel at Atlantic: $6.95 -

Delta 66 cents - if you actually get 30 gallons you pay $20 more than at POC or EMT or FUL.

$20? You'll pi$$ that away flying the round about routings here in SoCal or starting the engine without even going anywhere. $20 'surcharge' for being able to land in the middle of OC big business . . . . its cheap.

The Security Fee is also waivable by filing a claim with the county for a refund claiming you are escorted to the airplane by a badge holder - which you are. When I go into SNA I always waste $250 of the county's time getting my $12 back. Principle of the thing. If you don't get screened you don't have to pay a fee and crew are exempt from screening. As are passengers who have been screened already [which in a charter without known persons - have been] . . . . the fee is county junk fee that is easily refundable.
 
Jeff Oslick said:
FUL is the best choice for Disneyland. Park at AFI. Call ahead and they can assist with ground transportation options (taxi, car rental), as needed.

100LL at FUL is currently $6.15, I think. Overnight parking is $10, but AFI might be able to waive at least one night with fuel purchase if you're parking in one of their spots. The city transient spaces, in front of the terminal, are $10/night.
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I go there every year arriving from El Paso TX (have been at least once the past 5 years). I call ahead and leave name and N number. I usually have at least 2 fuel purchases there as I stage there for Catalina trips etc. Just went last week (July 4th) for about 5 days (usually a full week) - I've never been charged any fees there whatsoever other than fuel. The Griggs run a GREAT FBO. Also nice to be able to unload directly to your rental behind the plane. They do have a noise abatement procedure. Also, I caught my biggest thermal EVER flying over the warehouses inbound landing from the east, could barely get down.
 
mrindian said:
While at Fullerton and your family is at Disneyland you can visit aviator flight training and fly a T6 Texan or a Stearman. A lot more fun than the crowds at Disneyland.
Tell Daniel I sent you. His business is in hangar three right next to the pumps for AFI
714-423-4440 ( you can't do that at SNA)

Gary
Click to expand...
Plus he has a DC-3 on the way.....
 
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