Which airport to fly to?

comair25

comair25

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,

I have a quick question. I just received my instrument ticket and I'm very excited about it and I am planning a trip to Atlanta this weekend. My original choice of airport to land at was PDK, but we are staying at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta Airport and its right behind Atlantic Aviation at Hartsfield. I could land at ATL and park right infront of the hotel, or go to PDK and take the MARTA for 20 miles and change once. Im not worried about the 100LL costs at Atlantic at ATL since I am renting wet. BTW, taking a 172/G. I have flown to a few class B airports and I am very comfortable with the procedures and not afraid of traffic. I have been to DFW,DAL2X,HOU,MEM3X. I am not nervous about flying IFR there, its just will be my second IFR solo and Im nervous that I will forget something. My DPE said I get great on the oral and practical so I dont know why I am nervous, guess its just because. Now the thing is, fly to PDK and pay for the MARTA and save time and some money by going to ATL. BTW, flying from LIT. Doing LIT-TUP-PDK. What would you guys do in my situation? Like I said class B does not scare me as it does some pilots, so that is really a turning point for me to go.

Thanks

Ryan
 
Based upon my experience at IAD, BWI, and PHL I'd say go to ATL but DO NOT go at a busy time. After you determine what day you're going, call ahead to the tower and ask them what time of day would impact their flow the least. I also suggest determining what runway would yield the shortest taxi route to the FBO and see what you can do to get it.
 
well I am going tomorrow and should arrive in the Atlanta area around 12-1pm Rush hour is normally in the morning, but its always non stop at ATL.
 
comair25 said:
I dont have a choice at times.
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Then I wouldn't go to ATL...especially if you're nervous about it. Midday is not the best time to fly into the busiest airport in the world, especially if you're unfamiliar and going IFR with a fresh instrument rating.
 
zmiller4 said:
Then I wouldn't go to ATL...especially if you're nervous about it. Midday is not the best time to fly into the busiest airport in the world, especially if you're unfamiliar and going IFR with a fresh instrument rating.
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I guess I will just stick with PDK and endure the MARTA, guess its not that big a deal. It just ticks me off that the hotel is walking distance from the FBO at ATL.
 
Yeah ATL is almost a constant series of pushes throughout the day. I'd say either call the ATL tower and see if you can work out a time to get in, or go to PDK.
 
Do it! Worst they can do is say no and you can divert. Listen carefully and do your best to keep the speed up. Often at busy airports while trying to land in a slow aircraft they will circle you on base till they get a little gap. Be familiar with the taxi diagram and have it ready when you clear the runway. Have an idea of what your taxi route in will be from all active runways before you arrive. Try to keep it firewalled all the way in and keep your speed up until short final. If it is actual conditions in ATL I wouldn't try and shoot the approach, but if it is VFR I would say go for it.

You are only going to piss people off if you fly slow and don't do what you are told, so try not to do that.
 
You have a right to be there, if you want to go to ATL then do it.

Definitely call up tower and talk to them.
 
towhook said:
Do it! Worst they can do is say no and you can divert. Listen carefully and do your best to keep the speed up. Often at busy airports while trying to land in a slow aircraft they will circle you on base till they get a little gap. Be familiar with the taxi diagram and have it ready when you clear the runway. Have an idea of what your taxi route in will be from all active runways before you arrive. Try to keep it firewalled all the way in and keep your speed up until short final. If it is actual conditions in ATL I wouldn't try and shoot the approach, but if it is VFR I would say go for it.

You are only going to piss people off if you fly slow and don't do what you are told, so try not to do that.
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PGT said:
You have a right to be there, if you want to go to ATL then do it.

Definitely call up tower and talk to them.
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:yeahthat:

Go to ATL, whats the worst that could happen?

"Sorry, were to busy, come back at 1AM"

then land at PDK
 
ATL is your airport, too. Go there whenever you want to. If the jet jockies wanna get upset, oh well.

I would advise you to study the taxi charts and get familiar with the airport layout ahead of time.

Fly right, fly fast, and fly like a professional. And, enjoy it!!
 
I've been there at 1330 local in a Cherokee 140. Just expect be cross the threshold at 100+ knots and turn off the runway ASAP. Neither is a big problem since you've got at least 9000' feet worth of runway. IIRC, I was off before midfield even carrying that much speed.

If they are having to utilize the ILS approaches, you can probably forget coming in, but in visual conditions, they'll just keep you in tight to keep you out of the way of the jets and turn you in as soon as there is a hole. At nighttime, it is much more relaxed. Though you can't get a touch and go (usually), they're usually more than happy to entertain a full stop and taxi back.
 
I go in there everyday about 5 times a day in a 208. If you're GA they know you're going to Atlantic, they'll give you 8L or 26R, if you're coming in from the South, just ask if they can give you vectors over the top for the downwind for 8L/26R. Just keep it at about 140/150 (or as fast as you can) on the downhill and keep it rolling down to dixie or charlie and exit directly into atlantic aviation. Don't forget about the landing fees. I'm not sure exactly what they are for GA, but I do know they have ramp fees and landing fees that are waived with a certain quantity of fuel purchased.

The whole crew over at Atlantic are great! Just call them and find out how much the fees are and it just might be worth it to go to PDK. Also, get their in-range frequency and give them a call several miles out to give them a heads up so a lineman can meet you to marshall you to parking. All in all, great people. It'll be fun for you and ATC might hook you up with a super short approach (read, descending/turning/roll out in the flare!) Lots of fun.

Good luck, we're all counting on you. :)
 
Go to any public airport you want to... don't let anyone scare you away because it might be busy however......

Have you called Atlantic to see what their overnight fees, ramp fees, "handling" fees, and 100LL prices will be? I'll bet they want a King's ransom to grace their presence with your 172. You probably should consider Atlantic at PDK.
 
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