Alternatives to KCHO (Charlottesville VA)

[pkuhns]

I visit Charlottesville every year and have always flown to KCHO. But it's just gotten too expensive to tie down there any more: $15/night for tie-down (hmm actually it may have gone up to $20 can't remember), $30 "maintenance fee" or something (can't remember the silly term), $7+ gas/gallon etc. I've always loved landing at that airport but I need to find something a little more VFR/SEL GA friendly, preferably West of Charlottesville.

Anyone flown to Waynseboro / Eagles' Nest
https://www.aopa.org/airports/W13

or Shenandoah Valley KSHD
https://www.aopa.org/airports/KSHD

or ???

Thoughts on your fave airport or not-fave airport nearby would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[DA40FAN]

I am based at KCHO and live in Cville. KSHD is about 50-60 minutes from town. Fuel is cheaper but not appreciably so. W13 is closer, 35-40 minutes, but only 2000 ft (although the approaches are clear). On the east side, Louisa (KLKU) is about 40 minutes away -- good runway, decent fuel prices. Alternative is Orange (cheapest fuel) which is about 45 minutes away -- watch out for skydiving operations. Gordonsville (GVE) is closer (30 minutes or so) but runway is not in the best shape.

 

[wsuffa]

I like KOMH (Orange) and it usually has good fuel prices. SHD and w13 are over the mountains to the west and a longer ride (though scenic). Bernie mentioned the others nearby.

 

[mscard88]

Used to fly the CRJ in and out of CHO. Very scenic area and a nice airport. Looks like some expensive property west and north of the airport.

 

[pkuhns]

Thank you so much. My sis lives in Crozet so always looking for something close(r) to her. Huge help!

 

[wsuffa]

Thank you so much. My sis lives in Crozet so always looking for something close(r) to her. Huge help!

For Crozet it probably makes sense to cross the mountain instead of going into OMH. W13 is closer than SHD, but a shorter runway.

 

[Brad Z]

I visit Charlottesville every year and have always flown to KCHO. But it's just gotten too expensive to tie down there any more: $15/night for tie-down (hmm actually it may have gone up to $20 can't remember), $30 "maintenance fee" or something (can't remember the silly term), $7+ gas/gallon etc. I've always loved landing at that airport but I need to find something a little more VFR/SEL GA friendly, preferably West of Charlottesville.

Anyone flown to Waynseboro / Eagles' Nest
https://www.aopa.org/airports/W13

or Shenandoah Valley KSHD
https://www.aopa.org/airports/KSHD

or ???

Thoughts on your fave airport or not-fave airport nearby would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Eagles Nest is a very friendly country airport--can't get any GA SEL friendlier. While the pavement is only 2000 feet long, the approaches on both ends are clear grass used for launching and landing gliders, so it doesn't feel so short. If I were flying into Crozet and had someone to pick me up, that's where I'd go in my 182. Just have a divert plan if you're IFR and weather is too low; the instrument approaches only get you down to 1,000 agl.