After hours airport access

[robsingles]

So I flew up to Orlando Executive to meet up with a friend of mine and to take her on a flight. Well I got in to executive many hours after closure. I ended up having to jump the fence and then help her jump the fence so we could get in and out of the airport. I have seen many airports will place a code inside the fence for use when you reenter but this wasn’t the case. What have you done in this situation?



Rob Singles

CFI

 

[Michael]

So I flew up to Orlando Executive to meet up with a friend of mine and to take her on a flight. Well I got in to executive many hours after closure. I ended up having to jump the fence and then help her jump the fence so we could get in and out of the airport. I have seen many airports will place a code inside the fence for use when you reenter but this wasn’t the case. What have you done in this situation?



Rob Singles

CFI

IFP Bullhead / Laughlin has just done the same thing. They have a gate that you need a security card for, the only way to get a card is to go though the security office which is only open during business hours. lot of help that does those of us that fly in there after hours. I wrote the FBO there and explained why they wouldn't be seeing any of my business for fuel. I think its up to them to make the ramp accessible.

 

[Dave Siciliano]

What have you done in this situation?



Rob Singles
=====================================================

Rob: If you possibly can, call ahead when you know you'll get there after hours. Some places with give you a code; some have an after hours phone number; others post it somewhere they hope pilots will see it but not intruders.

I've had to do what you did several times when security arrangements were rapidly changing couple years ago. Now, I try to call or have someone call and ask what I can do if I arrive late, especially when I need to get transportation to the aircraft. No fun chucking bags and small children over a fence!!

At one place, I actually called 911 and reported I couldn't get out of the airport They got a big laugh out of it, but assisted. Had small kids, lots of stuff and needed to get the kids out of bad weather. We got delayed enroute and I couldn't get a cell connection at one stop. Once there, everything was locked up and the phone number posted at the FBO just had a recording. This was at an uncontrolled field. Turned out they just fenced and gated it and hadn't thought much about late and holiday arrivals. I didn't know this was going on, so didn't really push contacting them in advance. Had transportation outside the fence, but couldn't get to it.

In retrospect, I could have called FSS in the air and asked for assistance; don't know if they would have helped. At someplace like Orlando Exec, tower or ground might even be able to assist if the FBOs are shut down.

The airport facilities directory or Cellular Pilot guides often provide phone numbers. In San Diego one holiday I just called a line that was forwarded and they provided an access code. Had folks at one FBO wait for me over an hour after closing so I wouldn't be stranded (they had a rental car for me). When I saw I would be late, I landed and called ahead to let them know.

Best,

Dave

 

[silver-eagle]

Call ahead next time and ask. Although guilty of the same thing, a few of the places I've been allow you out but not in without the keycode. Some list the code on a sign at the gate. Some do not tell you unles they know you, your plane, or have someone meet you.
3B2 flies the AOPA Airport Watch. They either know you or they WILL meet you.

 

[BillG]

Call the police. I don't know if it's true everywhere, but at my home base they have the code and drive through occasionally on patrol.

 

[Ken Ibold]

a few of the places I've been allow you out but not in without the keycode.

Some of the gates at ORL allow you to leave without a code. Others require a code. These days the codes change fairly frequently, and lock-ins/outs are pretty common. This airport has about a zillion gates. There is an airport security car driving around pretty much 24/7 and they could help you out.

JOOC, were you at Jet Center or Showalter?

Ken
Based ORL since 1998.

 

[bbchien]

IFP Bullhead / Laughlin has just done the same thing. They have a gate that you need a security card for, the only way to get a card is to go though the security office which is only open during business hours. lot of help that does those of us that fly in there after hours. I wrote the FBO there and explained why they wouldn't be seeing any of my business for fuel. I think its up to them to make the ramp accessible.

Cody, Wy same thing. I had a 6 a 4 and my wife with me (1994). I have never been back.

 

[robsingles]

I was at showalter and located a gate but it would not let me out. It was a spur of the moment thing to go and everything was closed including the tower. I never did see the security vehicle.

-rob

 

[Richard]

After I don't know how many years of constantly changing gate codes (and being challenged by moronic 'security'), the aprt admin finally implemented a plan which really works:

You fill out a brief form with all information about yourself. Admin sends you a numeric code which now works for all pedestrian and vehicle gates. This code is known only to you and the admin and if not used within the last 90 days will expire. There is a penalty for 'sharing' your code with others.

Now, besides having access according to my schedule I also don't have to worry about the overzealous lot attendent who would challenge me for being at the aprt after hours.

At other aprts, I still don't know how (without damage, that is) to get out a locked gate after hours except for climbing over. At Las Cruces last Jan. after a 3AM arrival it was only the early arriving waitress who made it possible for us to get out. The sherf said the cab driver would have the code but when he arrived he didn't know anything about that. The waitress even made us fresh coffee--no charge--while we waited.

 

[poadeleted1]

How about during business hours? I was in Roanoke, VA Mon & Tues checking out my possible future home. Went to the GA side of the field and had to be escorted everywhere. Asked the nice lady at the FBO if I could just go look at their planes and she had to find someone to walk with me.

Not sure how that would work if you landed there from out of town because I got the impression that it is not an immediate thing - you tell someone you need a badge and *poof* there it is. I don't THINK so homes. So you land, leave to get some food and then come back to leave....and you can't get to your plane? That would be unsat. And I don't imagine it's free either.

I hope AOPA or EAA or some combination of GA groups is working on a common badge that works everywhere - gee, like a picture PPL? With either a magstip or even a biometrics scan - like a palm reader. Huh? What a radical idea!!!! We have been federally vetted, have business on the field, etc., etc. - so why does each state/county/city/town/hovel.... have to put their own spin on a federally controlled and regulated operation? Get all the amateurs out of the aviation security biz and make it just one set of rules - one ID - one consistent standard that we all know and live with.

 

[mikea]

At one place, I actually called 911 and reported I couldn't get out of the airport

...

In retrospect, I could have called FSS in the air and asked for assistance; don't know if they would have helped. At someplace like Orlando Exec, tower or ground might even be able to assist if the FBOs are shut down.

The airport facilities directory or Cellular Pilot guides often provide phone numbers. In San Diego one holiday I just called a line that was forwarded and they provided an access code. Had folks at one FBO wait for me over an hour after closing so I wouldn't be stranded (they had a rental car for me). When I saw I would be late, I landed and called ahead to let them know.

Calling FSS should work. I hope I remember to try that.

The FSS has a list of contact phone numbers, like the home phone number of the airport manager(s) that they can call to check the ramp for an overdue plane on a flight plan. Guess how I know that?

The problem might be getting an answer at the FSS in the wee hours. When I flew with Bruce one stormy night we couldn't raise any FSS on the radio at around 11 PM. I wouldn't be surprised if they have exactly one briefer on duty at night.

 

[Kyle Thornley]

Will never go anywhere without calling ahead again. Middle of the winter landed in Wellsboro PA, about 9PM on a Sunday night. Airport deserted, called hotel over a very iffy cell phone connection to get the advertised shuttle to come get me only to find the shuttle doesn't run on the weekends. No problem, just call the local taxi to come get me. We don't have no steeenkin taxi. A lovely 5 mile walk with my suitcase and PC in tow and a hell of a headcold later, I vowed to always call ahead even if I would be arriving during regular hours. This worked to my favor this spring when my call revealed that my intended fuel stop had no fuel.

 

[Anthony]

Will never go anywhere without calling ahead again. Middle of the winter landed in Wellsboro PA, about 9PM on a Sunday night. Airport deserted, called hotel over a very iffy cell phone connection to get the advertised shuttle to come get me only to find the shuttle doesn't run on the weekends. No problem, just call the local taxi to come get me. We don't have no steeenkin taxi. A lovely 5 mile walk with my suitcase and PC in tow and a hell of a headcold later, I vowed to always call ahead even if I would be arriving during regular hours. This worked to my favor this spring when my call revealed that my intended fuel stop had no fuel.

Ouch! Well the activity at mthe Grand Canyon of PA is not what it is at the Grand Canyon of AZ. Still a nice area to vist.

I've heard a lot of fence climbing stories in these situations. A pari of wire cutters may be going into my flight bag. Actually, my Leatherman may already have one.

 

[gkainz]

A pari of wire cutters may be going into my flight bag. Actually, my Leatherman may already have one.

Please turn that dangerous weapon in to your nearest friendly TSA Agent, as they may be used against you in flight...

 

[Ghery]

I've been locked in at OLM a few times when flying in the evening. The main gate to the hangar area is open until some undetermined time when it gets locked. My Jeep is in plain view at the end of the hangar. Oh well, I have a key to another gate just down the fence... Don't know what a visitor would do. There is a gate down by one of the FBOs that you can exit, but I don't know about getting back in.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Try 7777 at ones with a numeric keypad. At most places with a gate and a keypad, this will work (emergency access code for firefighters, etc.).

(You didn't hear this from me)

 

[Ghery]

I've found that at a lot of the uncontrolled airports the gate codes are frequently the same as the unicom frequency, or 1215.

Or the instructions simply state "Squawk VFR"