W18?

[judypilot]

How is it to fly in and out of W18? I'd like to visit someone who lives near there.

BTW, I might have enough free time in that area to maybe visit Ben and Chuck, if you're around.

Judy

 

[poadeleted20]

W18 -- Laurel-Surburban, in Maryland. Well, it's short, narrow, and obstructed. It's also tucked into a fairly narrow slot between the BWI Class B surface area and the FRZ no-fly zone around Washington, and within the ADIZ. It's kind of hidden in the trees, too. All in all, not for the faint of heart. If you go there, be sure you get the Baltimore-Washington Terminal Area Chart along with the Washington Sectional so you can a) find it and b) stay out of the FRZ/B-space. All in all, Tipton Airport (FME) is probably a better choice if you've never been into W18. It's longer and wider, its runway surface is in in better shape, and it's farther from the FRZ (four miles rather than two).

But whichever you choose, know the ADIZ procedures cold, follow them explicitly, and whatever you do, don't squawk 1200 in the ADIZ even if the controller absent-mindedly tells you to.

 

[judypilot]

W18 -- Laurel-Surburban, in Maryland. Well, it's short, narrow, and obstructed. It's also tucked into a fairly narrow slot between the BWI Class B surface area and the FRZ no-fly zone around Washington, and within the ADIZ. It's kind of hidden in the trees, too. All in all, not for the faint of heart. If you go there, be sure you get the Baltimore-Washington Terminal Area Chart along with the Washington Sectional so you can a) find it and b) stay out of the FRZ/B-space. All in all, Tipton Airport (FME) is probably a better choice if you've never been into W18. It's longer and wider, its runway surface is in in better shape, and it's farther from the FRZ (four miles rather than two).

But whichever you choose, know the ADIZ procedures cold, follow them explicitly, and whatever you do, don't squawk 1200 in the ADIZ even if the controller absent-mindedly tells you to.

Ron,

Short, narrow, and obstructed don't bother me. In fact, I prefer short, narrow, obstructed airports (they're more challenging and, therefore, more fun). Short, narrow, and obstructed in high density altitudes is even better (love that extra 10° of flaps!). (I should take you flying in the Idaho back country sometime.) But the FRZ--now, THAT scares me!

I do have the charts. I'll check out Tipton. I have flown in and out of the ADIZ successfully before--once--and, of course, I have avidly followed all the various skeins of discussion thereof, knowing that I'm headed that way again.

Thanks very much, Ron. Hey, will you be around? This would be June 28, weather permitting, of course. If weather doesn't permit, then I may have to skip that part of the trip.

Judy

 

[mgkdrgn]

Judy,

My PA28-180 and I are based out of W18, and have been for the last 12 years.

Yes, it's "short" by many standards (2300 feet), and obstructed (standard FAA 50' trees on all 4 sides, kind of a reverse mohawk into the woods), but not so as to make it un-useable by any means. Perhaps it's all in what you are use to.

Traffic there is WAY down since the ADIZ (can you say ghosttown), and what "services" there are there are self supplied. (ie you get to pump your own gas, but only if you have a key).

However, if you are looking for someplace to base in MDland on a perm basis, I do believe there is an empty hangar there! Likely the only one between Boston and Richmond. ;-)

Brett

 

[poadeleted20]

Hey, will you be around? This would be June 28,

Should be back from Gaston's by then. If y'all want to stop down here on the Eastern Shore and visit, drop me a line. BTW, I've flown my Cougar in and out of W18, but it's a puckerful experience at max weight on a hot day -- maybe tougher than Freeway as the trees seem closer at the departure end (takeoff being the real problem).

 

[judypilot]

Should be back from Gaston's by then. If y'all want to stop down here on the Eastern Shore and visit, drop me a line. BTW, I've flown my Cougar in and out of W18, but it's a puckerful experience at max weight on a hot day -- maybe tougher than Freeway as the trees seem closer at the departure end (takeoff being the real problem).

Oops. Should have looked where you are. That will be a little out of the way. Oh well. Still, if my schedule opens up for some reason, I might try to get ahold of you.

Best,
Judy

 

[judypilot]

Judy,

My PA28-180 and I are based out of W18, and have been for the last 12 years.

Yes, it's "short" by many standards (2300 feet), and obstructed (standard FAA 50' trees on all 4 sides, kind of a reverse mohawk into the woods), but not so as to make it un-useable by any means. Perhaps it's all in what you are use to.

Traffic there is WAY down since the ADIZ (can you say ghosttown), and what "services" there are there are self supplied. (ie you get to pump your own gas, but only if you have a key).

However, if you are looking for someplace to base in MDland on a perm basis, I do believe there is an empty hangar there! Likely the only one between Boston and Richmond. ;-)

Brett

No, no!! God, I would NEVER move back East! This is just an overnighter. I'll bet it's a ghost town. Hm, I'm going to have a pretty heavy passenger with me, but then again, it's at practically sea level. 2300' is plenty long enough even up at my relatively rarified altitude. Maybe that won't be so bad. But like I said, I eat short, narrow, obstructed airports for lunch. It's the accidental penetration of the FRZ while looking for a hidden airport part that worries me.

Judy

 

[mgkdrgn]

Well, Tipton is for sure easier to "see", and is so close to W18 to be d*nm near in the pattern. The other issue is the BWI Class B, which also limits your maneuvering room around there. Once you know where W18 is, it's no big deal. I got to where I could turn off pretty regular at mid-field with minimal to moderate braking. The other 1000+ feet was just gravey. ;-)