Advice for Washington DC

[N4843W]

I have a board meeting I have to attend next Monday in DC, about 6 blocks straight north of the Capital. I have flown into the outlying airports such as Leesburg, Fredrickburg, "Jim Bunn's Airport" the name of which I forget at the moment, etc. but would love some intelligence on which airport is the best trade-off from close-in and more hassle vs. further out and easier to deal with. Is College Park usable for such a trip? I will only fly IFR into the ADIZ area and yes, I took the online test and all that. I would love to take an UBER or LYFT, or even the metro/subway. Would rather avoid renting a vehicle and driving in and out of DC and payin $65 for parking a car overnight! Any advice is appreciated. Thank.

 

[FS]

"Jim Bunn's Airport" the name of which I forget at the moment

Tipton (KFME, Fort Meade)

Unless you've already gotten the approval to operate there, College Park isn't really an option. The security approval takes 3 - 4 weeks, based on the information on the KCGS web site.

I went to DC two years ago and went to KFME as well. It was a long Uber ride (45 min) into the city, but it was the easiest choice for me from the northeast. I don't recall Gaithersburg or Leesburg providing any easier access to the city. So, flip a three-sided coin.

 

[plight]

Scott,

A few of us have flown into Dulles (KIAD) to visit the Smithsonian. Great museums both at KIAD and on the Mall. Although the fuel is more expensive than the outlying airports, and there was a ramp fee and handling fee, the convenience factor was awesome. With US Customs on the field, it was a no brainer. 1 hop, roughly 2 hours. In fact the FBO gave us a crew car for the day to go into town. Super great experience.

Hope this helps.

 

[dchuffer]

Scott,

I grew up and still have family both in Frederick, Md and Leesburg, Va and I fly into KFDK or KJYO. IFR into either airport is simple and the same with getting out of each one. For Frederick if the weather is decent and you can go VFR to the west I file from MRB to my destination and it makes the transition simple. Been doing it for over 20+ years, plus he ride up the Shenandoah Valley is great.

 

[todd92]

CGS is out unless you are DC3 vetted. When flying into busy airspace, I try to avoid picking a destination on the other side anyway. For you GAI will be the easiest, short UBER ride to the Metro and no getting vectored around coming and going.

 

[alim]

I used to go into DCA - but that was a different time. Friends and then GF in Georgetown. Life was good.

Fast-forward 20 yrs.

IAD is a decent option for convenience. it isnt as good as DCA but i still like it. IFR in. Pros : Convenient. You can still Uber from here without breaking the bank. Cons : Expensive fuel and may have an overnight - check w/ FBO - its been a couple of yrs for me. But for a quick overnight i wasn't too taxing.

KHEF : This is my main airport for DC when i go with family. I still have to get a car and put a car seat in. So KHEF + rental car works best for me. In/Out to the Capital area will be 45 mins (off-peak). Peak traffic on 495 beltway has a reputation - so i advise planning your driving in and out not at rush hour.

Other smaller airports - the closer you are to the capitol , the more restrictions you get into.
For ease of operations IFR in/out. KIAD or KHEF. If you end up finding better options - i would like a report back please.

 

[wab003]

We used GAI all the time when our daughter was at school in DC. (and I have my super decoder ring for flight to the DC3. Still preferred to use GAI). Nice restaurant on the field for B, L, or D. Five min uber to the metro station and a twenty min metro ride to downtown DC. If you opt for a rental car, email me. There is a specific Hertz HLE to use and there is a back way into the city. 25 minutes to the tidal basin. Remember, no squawk change even when turned loose to CTAF.

 

[alim]

Alternate : Fly into KILM (Wilmington). And take a 1.2 hour ACELA into Washington , Union Station and avoid all drama
Acela (Amtrak) station is 10 mins from the airport.

 

[wab003]

If you are checking metro routes, Shady Grove is the GAI station. Also, if you elect to use GAI, text or email me. I’’ll give you the route to file inbound (even though you won’’t fly it. Potomac Appch will turn you direct GAI well before you reach EMI.) Having the filed route ahead of time will save you in flight route amendments. Same thing outbound... route to file is not intuitive but you won’’t fly it. As soon as radar identified you will be cleared more or less direct Martinsburg (MRB) or to “intercept V44 direct MRB”.