Scottsdale (SDL) Departure Delays?

Fearless Tower

Fearless Tower

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Fearless Tower
Phoenix area folks- how bad are the delays to depart from SDL?

I haven't flown out of there since the late 80's.

We are doing spring break in Scottsdale to visit family and for the length of stay, It looks cheaper to be at SDL than PHX even if the fuel price is a little higher.

Just wondering what to expect for departure...ie how long we'll be waiting to takeoff with the single runway.
 
As long as there's not a major event in town (like the super bowl) the line shouldn't be more than a couple deep. The high prices there mean much more training goes on elsewhere in the valley.
 
^that.

Virtually no delay in my experience.
 
Thanks. I know what DVT can be like waiting 30 min for a takeoff clearance in the heat and hoping to avoid that with the family onboard.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Thanks. I know what DVT can be like waiting 30 min for a takeoff clearance in the heat and hoping to avoid that with the family onboard.
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Been into DVT a few times and we never wait more then a minute or so.....


But..

They will put a biz jet to the front of the line almost every time.

Burning kerosene helps with the departure order...:yesnod::yesnod:.......:D
 
N801BH said:
Been into DVT a few times and we never wait more then a minute or so.....


But..

They will put a biz jet to the front of the line almost every time.

Burning kerosene helps with the departure order...:yesnod::yesnod:.......:D
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Last time I was there I departed VFR and it was a full 30 min from when I called ground to taxi to wheels up. I vowed to never return (my dad used to keep his Lance there and didn't have much better luck).
 
I would check out kchd chandler air service or kffz. Ksdl is all big corporate outfits that seem to primarily be in the business of catering to jet stuff. Nothing wrong with that, but for small ga stuff I love being ag chandler.
 
I've been to SDL a few times in the last few years and I don't think I've had more than a few minutes wait for departure. I've been to DVT this past season a couple of times now and it's been the same. There shouldn't be much wait unless sequencing with Sky Harbor. Of course if there something like a Mecums auction going on, then all bets are off.
Of course that's with turbine equipment, pistons may be different, and prices are better at DVT.
 
bijanmaleki said:
I would check out kchd chandler air service or kffz. Ksdl is all big corporate outfits that seem to primarily be in the business of catering to jet stuff. Nothing wrong with that, but for small ga stuff I love being ag chandler.
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Yeah, but they are both a drive. I am willing to pay a little more for the convenience. For short business trips, I prefer Cutter at PHX, but Cutter wants $30 a day ramp fee for a twin and we will be there for 4 or 5 days staying at the Westin Kierland which is less than 2 miles from SDL. Plus since I'm based at a Landmark, I get s discount on fuel.
 
SDL is the way to go then.

DVT is ridiculous. Sometimes, if they know you're not one of the training aircraft or you're flying IFR, DVT will put you to the front of the line, but not always.
 
How is Cutter at PHX for same-day trips? I have occasions to go up the Phoenix for evening events but coming back the same night; the problem with CHD (and somewhat at DVT too) is that they close before I would be leaving, which might be 11 pm or later, so returning a car is a bit of a hassle.

For a trip where I'd be arriving at 5 or 6 pm and leaving around midnight, does PHX make sense? I wouldn't need to buy gas there, but don't mind doing so if it helps things go smoothly. I wouldn't need more than 12-15 gallons anyway.
 
deyoung said:
How is Cutter at PHX for same-day trips? I have occasions to go up the Phoenix for evening events but coming back the same night; the problem with CHD (and somewhat at DVT too) is that they close before I would be leaving, which might be 11 pm or later, so returning a car is a bit of a hassle.

For a trip where I'd be arriving at 5 or 6 pm and leaving around midnight, does PHX make sense? I wouldn't need to buy gas there, but don't mind doing so if it helps things go smoothly. I wouldn't need more than 12-15 gallons anyway.
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I love Cutter. Very friendly to piston folks. Fuel is reasonable. Nice facility. I have never had an issue with Phoenix Approach giving me the south runway, so taxi time is relatively short. Overnight is $30 a night (piston twin), and they waive the first night if you buy fuel. For your trip, they probably wouldn't charge you the overnight. You might give them a call and see if there is any handling fee for a piston single.

Only time it is a pain, is if you are trying to depart during a push in the summer (like around 9-10 am IIRC). Then you could be waiting a bit in the heat to get out. The times you are suggesting, though, shouldn't be a problem.
 
tlglenn said:
I was at SDL a few weeks ago. No delays departing IFR.

I've used Cutter at PHX for same-day trips. No hassles.
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Aye, thanks.

Looks like we'll be going from Scottsdale to Show Low when we depart, so I suspect we'll be departing VFR.
 
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