I'm not sure about food, but the coolest airport in St. Louis is Dauster Field in Creve Cour - 1H0
Many cool airplanes on the field, and a really great museum (Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - or HARM). Seriously - lots of neat stuff to see. Lots of NORDO traffic to so see and be seen.
Interesting. Rumor has it that UAA is looking at DA-40s.By the time I got back to KOJC my infatuation with the DA-40 had come to an end. I will gladly trade the G1000 for some leg room any day of the week. It's a clean plane, nice true airspeed for the fuel burn, but it get's uncomfortable after a hour or so, ( I'm 6ft ). The one good selling point is the great visability. The next time I'm over that direction I will definitly stop at Dauster Field.
I ended up going to Jet aviation at KCPS, a real nice place. They let me drive a newer grand prix. We drove down to union station and got some lunch. I topped the fuel off and the woman at the desk bought me a soda, not a bad deal. No landing fees if you purchase fuel. By the time I got back to KOJC my infatuation with the DA-40 had come to an end. I will gladly trade the G1000 for some leg room any day of the week. It's a clean plane, nice true airspeed for the fuel burn, but it get's uncomfortable after a hour or so, ( I'm 6ft ). The one good selling point is the great visability. The next time I'm over that direction I will definitly stop at Dauster Field.
CPS and Jet Aviation would be my choice. Close to the city, and just enough of a "GA Field" feeling that you don't feel like you're about to get run over by a 757 at every turn. Ideal is more of a "traditional" small time FBO, but the guy who runs it has forbidden non-customers from using the bathroom, even if it's 12am, sleeting, and everything else is closed. Jet Aviation is definitely a "corporate" sort of place, but they're reasonably efficient and nice to the little guy (or the cargo scum). Speaking of which, did you happen to see an extremely weatherbeaten mitsi parked over on the west ramp? Glad you enjoyed your visit to St. Loser. Now if you're smart you'll escape before you're sucked in and can't leave.
Yeah, that is one of the primary reasons I'm not checked out in the DA-40 at KCAC. I'd much rather take their PA28-181 with the Avidyne for $10/hr cheaper. Sure, you loose like 15 knots, but really, the comfort levels aren't comparable. Sounds like you had fun.
I took a look at the archer, I'm not exactly sold on it. To tell you the truth I'm headed over to Air associates next chance I get to check out one of their 172s, with out the glass.
Good stuff. I've never rented out of Air Associates before. They seemed to always have somewhat high prices in my opinion, but I suppose you could say the same about KCAC.