SkyHog
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2005
- Messages
- 18,431
- Location
- Castle Rock, CO
- Display Name
Display name:
Everything Offends Me
Double Eagle II, Albuquerque (KAEG)
Double Eagle II is the center of the entire quest I've been on. Its the Nick Airways hub if you will.
While not centrally located to any convienient business that are not aviation related, Double Eagle will more than likely be the choice destination for most general aviation pilots because the fuel prices are much lower and the lack of airline traffic is helpful, when compared to Albuquerque International Sunport. The airport is much simpler to operate out of as well with straightforward taxiways and only 4 runways (4/22 and 17/35).
A tower is being built (in fact, its built, just waiting equipment from my understanding), and I suspect that by the end of my quest, this airport will be Class D. There were 2 FBOs up until last week. The one that would have gotten my strong blessing has shut its doors, unfortunately.
Here's the difficult part of this writing. I've tried as hard as possible to be as open minded as possible, but Bode Aviation is not high up on my list of businesses I frequent. They are the remaining FBO, and I've had problems before. I will not go into details to avoid slamming the only place available to get fuel, but I will say to make sure you check and double check your fuel charge and KEEP THE RECEIPT. I always buy fuel at Belen, 20 miles south now that West Mesa Aviation has gone under. Enough said.
There is still a restaurant in the old West Mesa Aviation building, located on the southwest side of the ramp. The old Prop Wash Cafe has shut down, but in its place is the greatest airport restaurant I've ever eaten at. Tio Bill's is the new place, and its run by a nice woman named Maria. She'll talk as much as you want to talk, and prepares a hell of a tamale. I suggest picking up a few for the road (for the air??). I also suggest the green chile cheeseburger. Its awesome.
There are two ways away from the airport. At the fork, I suggest going right, because to the left is a very long road that takes you to a neighborhood with nothing but a few fast food places to go. To the right is a very long road that takes you to I-40. From here, you can get to the city and do anything you want to from the report found under 20th of 57, posted yesterday.
As you fly in, you'll likely notice a series of hills just east of the airport. These are volcanoes. Dead, but still cool to look at. There is a road that will take you up to some hiking spots where you can get a spectacular view of the city and also walk over the cap of the volcano.
Just east of the volcanoes is the Petroglyh National Monument, a series of images carved into black lava rock. It is a really neat sight, and surprisingly, a sight that many locals have never seen. Don't bother asking anyone around here for directions, because usually you'll be told that they're way up north or no where near Albuquerque. Its a bit sad, but if you find the way, you're in for a treat. I won't go into too much detail so as not to ruin the surprise, but its worth the visit if you are into ancient Indian stuff.
There are 3 casinos within driving distance to Albuquerque, each of which has its little quirks that make it worth visiting. To the west of Double Eagle on I-40 is the Route 66 Casino, themed like a giant highway and the splendors of the historic Route 66. This Casino is a lot of fun and it is HUGE!
To the south of the city is Isleta, an Indian Reservation with only 2 things to do: Fish and Gamble. I suggest gambling, since the "lakes" are often so overstocked with fish there's no challenge to fishing. Isleta Casino is my favorite of the 3 casinos even though there's nothing special about it. Just a run of the mill casino with cheap blackjack minimums and a poker room. No theme.
To the north of the city is the Sandia Casino. Depending on your feelings about airport friendliness, this may be a place to avoid (I personally have not been there since they shut down the Coronado Airport). Rather than rewrite the story thats been told amongst aviators here umpteen times, I'll provide a few links to the story that spoils this place for me:
First, Sandia's Press Statement: http://www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us/press/coronado_closure.html
Second, the real story:
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NM/Airfields_NM_Albuquerque.html#coronado
Enough on that. There are no hotels near the airport, but just off of I-40 there are quite a few as you get closer to the center of the city.
Pictures:
1) Final, runway 17
2) Aerial view of the ramp
DOUBLE EAGLE II QUICK FACTS:
Airport Elevation: 5837 Ft
Runways 4/22: 7400'x100ft, Asphalt in good condition
Runways 17/35: 5999'x100ft, Asphalt in good condition
AWOS: 119.025
CTAF: 122.8
Nick's NOTAMS: Calm wind Runway 22. Super Unicom in Effect, 3 clicks gives weather, 3 more gives extended weather. 4 clicks gives radio check. TOWER COMING SOON!
Double Eagle II is the center of the entire quest I've been on. Its the Nick Airways hub if you will.
While not centrally located to any convienient business that are not aviation related, Double Eagle will more than likely be the choice destination for most general aviation pilots because the fuel prices are much lower and the lack of airline traffic is helpful, when compared to Albuquerque International Sunport. The airport is much simpler to operate out of as well with straightforward taxiways and only 4 runways (4/22 and 17/35).
A tower is being built (in fact, its built, just waiting equipment from my understanding), and I suspect that by the end of my quest, this airport will be Class D. There were 2 FBOs up until last week. The one that would have gotten my strong blessing has shut its doors, unfortunately.
Here's the difficult part of this writing. I've tried as hard as possible to be as open minded as possible, but Bode Aviation is not high up on my list of businesses I frequent. They are the remaining FBO, and I've had problems before. I will not go into details to avoid slamming the only place available to get fuel, but I will say to make sure you check and double check your fuel charge and KEEP THE RECEIPT. I always buy fuel at Belen, 20 miles south now that West Mesa Aviation has gone under. Enough said.
There is still a restaurant in the old West Mesa Aviation building, located on the southwest side of the ramp. The old Prop Wash Cafe has shut down, but in its place is the greatest airport restaurant I've ever eaten at. Tio Bill's is the new place, and its run by a nice woman named Maria. She'll talk as much as you want to talk, and prepares a hell of a tamale. I suggest picking up a few for the road (for the air??). I also suggest the green chile cheeseburger. Its awesome.
There are two ways away from the airport. At the fork, I suggest going right, because to the left is a very long road that takes you to a neighborhood with nothing but a few fast food places to go. To the right is a very long road that takes you to I-40. From here, you can get to the city and do anything you want to from the report found under 20th of 57, posted yesterday.
As you fly in, you'll likely notice a series of hills just east of the airport. These are volcanoes. Dead, but still cool to look at. There is a road that will take you up to some hiking spots where you can get a spectacular view of the city and also walk over the cap of the volcano.
Just east of the volcanoes is the Petroglyh National Monument, a series of images carved into black lava rock. It is a really neat sight, and surprisingly, a sight that many locals have never seen. Don't bother asking anyone around here for directions, because usually you'll be told that they're way up north or no where near Albuquerque. Its a bit sad, but if you find the way, you're in for a treat. I won't go into too much detail so as not to ruin the surprise, but its worth the visit if you are into ancient Indian stuff.
There are 3 casinos within driving distance to Albuquerque, each of which has its little quirks that make it worth visiting. To the west of Double Eagle on I-40 is the Route 66 Casino, themed like a giant highway and the splendors of the historic Route 66. This Casino is a lot of fun and it is HUGE!
To the south of the city is Isleta, an Indian Reservation with only 2 things to do: Fish and Gamble. I suggest gambling, since the "lakes" are often so overstocked with fish there's no challenge to fishing. Isleta Casino is my favorite of the 3 casinos even though there's nothing special about it. Just a run of the mill casino with cheap blackjack minimums and a poker room. No theme.
To the north of the city is the Sandia Casino. Depending on your feelings about airport friendliness, this may be a place to avoid (I personally have not been there since they shut down the Coronado Airport). Rather than rewrite the story thats been told amongst aviators here umpteen times, I'll provide a few links to the story that spoils this place for me:
First, Sandia's Press Statement: http://www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us/press/coronado_closure.html
Second, the real story:
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NM/Airfields_NM_Albuquerque.html#coronado
Enough on that. There are no hotels near the airport, but just off of I-40 there are quite a few as you get closer to the center of the city.
Pictures:
1) Final, runway 17
2) Aerial view of the ramp
DOUBLE EAGLE II QUICK FACTS:
Airport Elevation: 5837 Ft
Runways 4/22: 7400'x100ft, Asphalt in good condition
Runways 17/35: 5999'x100ft, Asphalt in good condition
AWOS: 119.025
CTAF: 122.8
Nick's NOTAMS: Calm wind Runway 22. Super Unicom in Effect, 3 clicks gives weather, 3 more gives extended weather. 4 clicks gives radio check. TOWER COMING SOON!
