C172 VFR into SFO

TRocket

TRocket

Line Up and Wait
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Huntersville, NC
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Uncle Jesse
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Haven't posted here in a long time (still lurk from time to time). I'll be headed to be to the left coast for work next week and going to rent a 172 to visit some family while I'm out there. I called a flight school out there and set up a check out. Thought I would ask if they had a CFI that would be up for adding a landing at SFO to the check out, and turns out they had someone up for the adventure.

I've done some research (not a lot of info out there, and after seeing the fees I think I know why). Anyone have any experience flying a piston single into SFO? I realize it's not common (and yes, the fees are astronomical) but how often do you get the opportunity?

I've flown the trusty ole Skyhawk into other bravo's here on the east coast (IAD once and multiple times into CLT), looking to add another. I've looked over the SFO TAC chart and read up on the VFR transition routes etc. Ideally, I'd like to do a touch and go and be on my way (read a post somewhere else of someone that did this a few years back) but if I have to taxi to the FBO, that's fine. I'm sure the CFI out there will have a good lay of the land but just wanted to be as prepared/ahead of the curve as I can.

Any and all insights or experiences are greatly appreciated!
 
I flew my old 172 in there a while back (late 2017!)

Very straightforward. Just be on your game in terms of radio, have the airport diagram to hand, basically just come across as competent and you'll be good. Don't be afraid to ask immediately for clarification if something isn't clear.

You could call the tower ahead of time to get a briefing and let them know you're coming if you like, although I didn't and it was no problem.
 
As part of my cross country training my CFI and I did a touch and go at Philadelphia International in a 2-seat Piper Colt. Of course, that was back in 1966, so none of the restrictions of today were in place back then.

But, yeah, if the money is not an issue, it would be eminently cool to log a landing at SFO.
 
Landing fee is ~$300 and you have to taxi to the FBO is what I've heard.

I lucked out during the early part of the COVID lockdown and ATC let me do a T&G and escape without the fee. Also hit SJC and OAK on the same flight, but those are easy Charlies.
 
I had thought @Martin Pauly did it recently, but looking around it turned out to just be a Bay Tour.

However, he did do it back in 2015:
 
Avoid the airline pushes and you probably can do it. BWI, IAD, and CLT are pretty easy, but I know people who have done ORD and BOS. I did the old DEN (Stapleton) back in the day.

We were up in the "new" tower at DCA and the controllers invited us to come over any time after 10PM and shoot landings there (this was before 9/11).
 
Call the tower, or NorCal approach, and ask what the not-so-busy times are, and from where to best approach for a VFR arrival. Most likely they’ll be happy to give you the dos and don’ts, I did that with SoCal Approach last fall when I landed at LAX and they were most helpful.

- Martin
 
Last edited:
Martin Pauly said:
Call the tower, or SoCal approach, and ask what the not-so-busy times are, and from where to best approach for a VFR arrival. Most likely they’ll be happy to give you the dos and don’ts, I did that with SoCal Approach last fall when I landed at LAX and they were most helpful.

- Martin
Click to expand...
SFO would be Norcal Approach.
 
When we did ORD a few years back (well, many; when PoA was trying to land at all the GA airports!), they wanted us to be IFR. And we came in after 10PM. On the other hand, we were able to stop on the taxiway, take a picture, and swap pilots! Never received a bill, either! Still, many things I'd try to improve on should we do it again!

Edit: As Martin said, call the tower ahead of time and coordinate with them. You don't want to mung up their operations. Any yes, it IS cool having a 747 being told to taxi behind the Cessna 172!
 
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