Flying into Las Vegas from SoCal - suggestions

MarkH

MarkH

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MarkH
I am kicking around a weekend trip later this summer, and I have never been to Vegas.

I am looking at taking Friday off, flying in Thursday night, flying back on Sunday.

For those who have done this trip before: which airports, FBOs and places to stay are the best option? Any suggestions for a pilot flying in for the first time?
 
North Las Vegas (KVGT) is probably your best bet for ease of getting in and out of Sin City. https://www.vgt.aero/

I have always parked at the big-Dollar FBO at McCarran and enjoyed all the niceties there, but I wasn't paying the bill, so I'm sure your wallet will survive better at VGT.

The airport has a tower and is not in the way of the flow in and out of LAS. You'll have to figure out the rental car and lodging yourself, but there is always something available in Vegas!
 
I use Henderson. Easy, friendly, straight shot up to the strip. Not much Bravo to hassle with
 
I've been in there once about 14 years ago. Used Henderson and it was easy in/out from the southeast.
 
From SoCal area, Henderson is probably a little easier in and out. North KVGT is good, too, but you have to go past KLAS to get there. Rental cars, Uber, taxis, all available at either airport. Lodging, pick any casino hotel of your choice, depending on what you want to do while there.
 
KVGT is a little further but the LAS controllers will often give you a Bravo clearance that'll take you about 1 mile from the strip for a distance of about 5 miles of the Las Vegas Strip at 4000' for a terrific view (wind dependent for their operations into LAS). Fees and fuel prices in both HND and VGT identical as both of those FBOs are county owned.
 
Don't be afraid of LAS if you are comfortable and proficient with rapid fire radio work and instructions. Atlantic Aviation is literally across the street from MGM and the Strip vs VGT and HND are a bit of a Uber/Shuttle away. While LAS ramp fees will be more, you need to factor in ground transportation costs and travel/traffic time into your equation of what it is worth for convenience.

Just have a backup plan to divert to HND or VGT if you do choose LAS and they delay you getting in do to the volume of big iron landing,
 
Shawn said:
Don't be afraid of LAS if you are comfortable and proficient with rapid fire radio work and instructions. Atlantic Aviation is literally across the street from MGM and the Strip vs VGT and HND are a bit of a Uber/Shuttle away. While LAS ramp fees will be more, you need to factor in ground transportation costs and travel/traffic time into your equation of what it is worth for convenience.

Just have a backup plan to divert to HND or VGT if you do choose LAS and they delay you getting in do to the volume of big iron landing,
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Been there in 2019, pretty new to US airspace with only +-30 hours then. Flying in VFR was fun and doable, got some vectors here and there, no delays. The fees were reasonable and they even cleaned my windshield. I walked to MGM.
 
Shawn said:
Don't be afraid of LAS if you are comfortable and proficient with rapid fire radio work and instructions. Atlantic Aviation is literally across the street from MGM and the Strip vs VGT and HND are a bit of a Uber/Shuttle away. While LAS ramp fees will be more, you need to factor in ground transportation costs and travel/traffic time into your equation of what it is worth for convenience.
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The overnight fees at Atlantic will be $40/night and you have your choice of an additional $60 handling fee or 15 gallons of fuel ($6.92) for $95. Thats $180 minimum if you don't get gas, but for the additional $35, is there anyone who won't get the fuel?

HND is $15/night for overnight, no handling and 30 minutes/$10 for an Uber. Also, gas is $2/gal cheaper at $4.92

https://rampfee.me/search/las#Light_Piston_Single
https://rampfee.me/search/khnd#Light_Piston_Single

It's a choice - if the $200 isn't that important, you can walk to the strip. If you're a cost conscious pilot, there are alternatives.
 
The VFR route to VGT is pretty easy coming in from SoCal. It also has more runway options than HND. Uber to the strip is about the same between the two airports, but I'm more of a Freemont Street guy so VGT is closer.

No bad options. But don't be the guy on the now famous YouTube.
 
You're going to the Strip - why would you fly to North Las Vegas or Henderson? Fly into McCarran [or whatever its called now].

My only question is are you IFR rated? The reason I ask is that its so much easier to get into McCarran IFR. You likely won't NEED IFR but its sometimes a bear getting cleared into the Bravo around McCarran VFR.

When I go to KLAS I ALWAYS file IFR in - and VFR out - its easy and painless - you will likely be vectored to CRESO intersection - at 11,000 - make sure you can get there on a summer day. If you can't get to 11,000 they will likely vector you into cancellation hell.

As for the cost - its a wash - you will contribute to Atlantic Aviation's bottom line but they'll waive parking fees with a top [11 gallons] and charge you $5 for security and a $10 junk fee but when you add up the total cost to Atlantic vs. flying to VGT or HND and then getting a taxi or uber and dealing with the hassle of transport - trust me - you want to go into KLAS.

I grew up in the NY Area and spent the last decade flying out of SoCal - so ATC doesn't scare me.

We would leave the house at 8a, and be on Tropicana walking to the Elara [where we usually stay] by 10am. I would caution you about flying back in the afternoon on hot days - its pretty damn bumpy in the desert but if you are from the Mohave Desert you already know that. I think we calculated once that LAS was $3 more than HND or VGT when you add in the taxi / uber to get there.
 
comanchepilot said:
I would caution you about flying back in the afternoon on hot days - its pretty damn bumpy in the desert but if you are from the Mohave Desert you already know that.
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This for sure. I had to climb to 14,000 departing VGT in July to get to air that wasn't pounding my head on the ceiling. And I'm only 5'7". I guess on a positive note I was able to ride a 1,000+ fpm thermal to get up there... There just isn't a reason worth going to LV in the summer.
 
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Yeah, I'm 5'7" also - I was flying back to SoCal in late September [!] at 10500 and we just got pounded. It was late -within an hour of sunset too.
 
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