Boston airport recommendation

tsts4

tsts4

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Auburntsts
Folks, my daughter will be rowing in the Head of the Charles regatta Oct 16 and 17 and we're thinking about flying up from Virginia to root for her team. We'll be staying in a hotel on Harvard Square in Cambridge. Any suggestions on arports? Proximity to the subway so we don't have to rent a car would be ideal. Also any suggestions on IFR routing or what to expect would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Norwood would be a fine choice.

KBED is a bit of a PITA because of TSA/DHS and Massport.
 
Hi, I go into the Boston area from time to time. I like OWD but it's really kind of on the wrong side of town for you, but if you're convinced you'd want mass transit it's a mile and a half to the commuter rail and then take the T over to someplace on the Charles. I watched the Head of the Charles when my sister competed from the Harvard boat launch.

IFR routing pretty much takes you from the DC Area to ENO up V16 to JFK and then kind of in the vicinity of CCC and then zig zags you into OWD. The JFK to CCC routing gets revised depending on which way JFK is operating. You'll get cleared for one but you'll be issued a radial of the JFK VOR sometimes to clear their operations.

Make sure you tell the NY Approach controller how accurate your instruments are when you pass through their airspace.
 
KOWD will work for you,much cheaper than KBED .
 
We use BED to get to BOS, the secutiry theatre is thick though.
 
tsts4 said:
Folks, my daughter will be rowing in the Head of the Charles regatta Oct 16 and 17 and we're thinking about flying up from Virginia to root for her team. We'll be staying in a hotel on Harvard Square in Cambridge. Any suggestions on arports? Proximity to the subway so we don't have to rent a car would be ideal. Also any suggestions on IFR routing or what to expect would be greatly appreciated.
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Cambridge is a little closer to KBED. But like others have said it is not all that GA friendly with a landing fee, ramp fee, and expen$ive gas.

As others have said fly into OWD, Uber or cab to the Braintree Red line station and from there its a quick T ride to Harvard Sq.

As far as the IFR route, expect to get changes to your route in the air from NY Approach. I have yet to make it from the south through NY without a IFR route change at some point. I would prob file something like VCN V16 OWD depending on how east you are coming from. That will take you right over the JFK VOR- which seems to always be a part of the IFR Route from NY to New England.

Also as a person who grew up in Cambridge a mile or so from Harvard Sq.- be prepared for some good people watching. There is no place quite like Harvard Square. You will probably see why they call Cambridge "The People's Republic." As much as there are all types of people there it is a safe and pretty cool area. Enjoy the regatta and good luck to your daughter!
 
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Thanks to all for the advice! My daughter rowed in the HOTC last year so we are somewhat familiar with the Harvard Square area -- we absolutely loved it (even had the Harvard band escort us as we walked from the subway station to the river :D) However this will be our first time flying in. After looking at the ground transportation options I think we'll just go ahead and rent a car.
 
There's an AVIS/BUDGET desk at OWD if I recall. They had the car on the ramp for me in short order lat time I was there.
 
Well that changes my recomended airport


KBED is really much closer to Harvard sq...about 25 min drive

KOWD is prob an hour drive which could easily turn into more with traffic depending on the time of day you come in

If it were me and I was driving I would pay the extra $50 bucks in fees at KBED to avoid the headache of the southeast expressway
 
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And if you do end going to KBED ATC will prob give you either v1 or v229 >HFD>GRAYM>KBED from JFK VOR
 
I sure like OWD. Used to use it often. Call ahead, the may be able to shuttle you to the train. Roads can be bad anywhere around town.
 
BTW, if you can fly high enough, the 'shark route' over MANTA can save a a bit of time and hassle. It's not for everyone, but I used it a couple of times without trouble as t 17,000'.
 
I did some training at BED and then ended up based out of OWD for some years. My milk run was Blacksburg VA to OWD. The routing descriptions above are accurate. I flew between 5-8k most of the time. My preferred northbound route was V1-16-229 to Bridgeport via overhead JFK. The controllers were always very accommodating including holding JFK departures to pass under when they are on the Canarsie climb. That segment is gorgeous (views of the city and the behemoth that is JFK) but you also need to be on your a-game. Especially with regard to radio work.

I would definitely recommend OWD over BED. OWD has a localizer and LPV GPS. Parking in Cambridge is not too fun but it is doable if you are thinking about a car rental. Otherwise I'd it's a nice day I've made the mile or so walk from OWD to commuter rail and then just hop the red line to Harvard square. It will take you about an hour. If not see if the flight level FBO people would be able to drop you off there or get a cab/uber. Probably the same time as getting a cab from BED to re red line and then taking that South East to Harvard square minus the not so fresh feeling you get dealing with the MassPort, TSA, landing fees and other garbage. Light GA seems less than welcome at Hanscom.

Have fun and fly safely.

B


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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