best way into D.C. ?

Hi all...

I'm planning on flying down to D.C. from northern NJ in a couple of weeks,
and was wondering which airport down there is the best these days? I know
College Park is the most ideal, but unfortunately it's still not accessible
by transient aircraft. Basically, I need the closest airport that has either
a cab or access to public transportation to get into central D.C. I've flown
into Dulles once before, and don't plan on repeating that harrowing
adventure again (the controller that day was just not on his game at all).

Any advice much appreciated! Thanks!

--
Guy Elden Jr.

Dulles is surprisingly GA friendly.

Dulles is surprisingly GA friendly.

Don't forget to schedule a day for Udvar-Hazy museum. Grab a cab at
the airport. www.warbirdforum.com/udvarhaz.htm


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

DC is a pain in the tuckus. Been there, done that, will be doing it again.

Dulles (IAD) is actually easy to get into and if you plan your landing right
you can shorten the taxi quite a bit. Take out the airport diagram and find
the GA parking area. Then land (very) long if necessary and you'll be right
there. Not much in the way of public transport, but taxis are available.
Leaving Dulless is another story. You're already at GA parking and will need
to taxi for miles to whatever runway they are using. I taxied an hour once
because they were changing runways. If you have trouble (it looked like I was
going to need an APU) they may not be able to accomodate you. Signature's APUs
were all for jets. Turned out I was able to get it started an hour later.
Leaving IFR they will give you a routing that takes you off the charts, so have
the adjacent IFR charts in the cockpit. Most expensive for gas and tiedown.

Mongommery (GAI) is a nice airport, though I got a lot of water in my fuel
once. I told them about it, and on the return trip the fuel was water-free.
You can walk about a mile to the bus (http://www.rideonbus.com) that will take
you to the Metro. You might even be able to get a ride out; coming back you
can take a taxi from the Metro, or the bus and then walk a mile. It's
uncontrolled, and getting out is no problem (don't forget to squawk and talk
before even thinking about taking off!) There's an RCO for communications.
Inexpensive gas and tiedown.

Coming from the South Manassas Regional/Davis (HEF) is nice. There is a
commuter train (http://www.vre.org) that will take you from the airport right
to Union Station in the middle of town (and a few other places on the way).
There are several trains in in the morning, and two in the afternoon. It takes
an hour and something. If you miss the train (last one is at 5:10p), you're
stuck. Coming back, there are a few in the morning, and several in the
evening. Last train out of Union Station is 6:50p. The train has some sort of
"guaranteed ride" thing which I didn't investigate - it's more for daily
commuters, but anybody can use it once. Or so they say. Something like that.
Moderately priced (for the area) gas and tiedown.

Freeway (W00) is a nice little airport, but I don't know about public
transport, since I was picked up by a friend. I don't think they have any.
But get on airnav.com and call the FBO and ask.

I have not tried Leesburg Executive.

National is also a good choice, and you get a jet fighter as an escort, which
is pretty cool. Parking is extremely expensive, and you may have trouble
getting the plane back. In fact, you may have trouble getting back to the
plane. You get free accomodations, but they are none too ritzy. Use this one
for when the trip is one-way.

Jose



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"Teacherjh" wrote in message
...

the GA parking area. Then land (very) long if necessary and you'll be
right
there. Not much in the way of public transport, but taxis are available.

Good advice... I flew from Pittsburgh to Dulles once and (no joke) I counted
more frequency/sector changes while taxiing than during my flight.

--------------------
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

there. Not much in the way of public transport, but taxis are available.

Two viable routes, though admittedly it's easier going from DC to
Dulles than the other way around.

The Washington Flyer is an express bus that will leave you at various
major hotels.

You can take a shuttle bus to the nearest Metro stop, thence by Metro
to anywhere in the city. This is the way I usually go.

Just ask at the airport before exiting. (Once outdoors, you're
doomed!)

(You could also take a cab to Udvar-Hazy as posted earlier, then from
UH take the shuttle bus to NASM on the Mall. Likely you'd have to pay
$14 round trip. Tix at the Imax counter. The museum itself is free.)


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...
The Washington Flyer is an express bus that will leave you at various
major hotels.

Also to the metro...$8 one way. Then inexpensive metro ticket.

You can take a shuttle bus to the nearest Metro stop, thence by Metro
to anywhere in the city. This is the way I usually go.

(You could also take a cab to Udvar-Hazy as posted earlier, then from
UH take the shuttle bus to NASM on the Mall. Likely you'd have to pay
$14 round trip. Tix at the Imax counter. The museum itself is free.)

The shuttle is $7 return. I have to pass on the taxi price...no idea.

Paul (Just been there. Wonderful museum. Hi Margy!)

On Tue, 4 May 2004 19:51:31 +0100, "Paul Sengupta"
wrote:

(You could also take a cab to Udvar-Hazy as posted earlier, then from
UH take the shuttle bus to NASM on the Mall. Likely you'd have to pay
$14 round trip. Tix at the Imax counter. The museum itself is free.)

The shuttle is $7 return. I have to pass on the taxi price...no idea.

Right, sorry. I went out on the early bus, before tickets were being
sold. I went to the Imax counter to buy a return, and of course I was
paying for both ways. It is indeed $7, which makes it a fantastic
bargain, even for a one-way trip.

I suppose it would be difficult or nigh impossible to get a return
ticket on the say 5 p.m. bus to the city.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

Teacherjh wrote:


Mongommery (GAI) is a nice airport,

Note that GAI is inside the ADIZ. Not a huge deal but you *must* get a
transponder code prior to entering and squawk it until you park. I
believe FSS will give you the code when you file.

Having said that, GAI is pretty close to the Metro's red line and a
short ride into DC.

-Scott

Note that GAI is inside the ADIZ.

They are all inside the ADIZ. Land outside of it and y ou might as well take
the bus to DC.

Jose


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