Flying to KLAS (or not)

amoel

amoel

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amoel
Hello guys I am planning a flight to Vegas on the 26th (tomorrow), planning on Flying VFR from San Diego (CRQ), do you think I might find delays to land in KLAS for not being on an IFR plan? Will I get something like hold 30 minutes due to traffic kind of thing? If that is the case I might just land in KHND. I will be flying an SR20 cirrus.

If I am on flight following will they or Vegas approach clear me trough bravo and vector me to the pattern at KHND? Or is there a good way to get to HND and remain outside of bravo?

Thanks!

PD I have an instruments rating.
 
I've flown into Henderson and North Las Vegas, but never LAS, for me it was the costs involved. :rolleyes: I was always IFR, I can't see why you would experience any delays, your wallet will be lighter when you leave, even if you don't make it to the casinos.:D
 
I'll be flying into KLAS on Friday.
I can't help you much though, because I'll be on Southwest...
:lol::lol::lol:
 
Why not KVGT? Quick trip to the strip, cheap parking, good runways, etc. I also always go in IFR, the airspace is too congested.
 
Alexb2000 said:
Why not KVGT? Quick trip to the strip, cheap parking, good runways, etc. I also always go in IFR, the airspace is too congested.
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I vote for VGT too, but coming from the north, I have to deal with 14,000 foot MEA's so I go VFR.
 
I've flown into KHND a few times now, and it's always pretty easy but I come from a south. I'll usually go there IFR and come back to Phoenix VFR. Las Vegas isn't usually the most accommodating with class B, they even vector IFR traffic around the B rather than just around the approach areas. I've never known anyone to fly VFR into KLAS, my friend went IFR int a TR182 and they gave him an arrival procedure. There is just so much traffic arriving and departing plus helicopter tours everywhere you look. I just think VFR into KLAS is asking for wasted time.
 
They will sometimes give you a hard time if you're VFR, if it's busy. Otherwise, it's not a big deal. Except for the ramp fee. HND and VGT are both easy options VFR if they don't let you into LAS quickly
 
You can get in to Henderson without going through B airspace, no problem. Henderson is great.
 
amoel said:
Hello guys I am planning a flight to Vegas on the 26th (tomorrow), planning on Flying VFR from San Diego (CRQ), do you think I might find delays to land in KLAS for not being on an IFR plan? Will I get something like hold 30 minutes due to traffic kind of thing? If that is the case I might just land in KHND. I will be flying an SR20 cirrus.

If I am on flight following will they or Vegas approach clear me trough bravo and vector me to the pattern at KHND? Or is there a good way to get to HND and remain outside of bravo?

Thanks!

PD I have an instruments rating.
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I never had any problems flying into LAS VFR. It was a lot better back in the day when Hughes Aviation was still there, but Signature treats me fine.
 
Henderson is no problem vfr. Call approach outside Jean under 8000 and tell them your intent. Be aware that Sometimes they forget to hand you off until your very close, so if it's starting to look like that give them a call and ask to switch over.
 
Coming from San Deigo into HND is a non issue. Depending on where you cross the ridge near Sandy Valley - Goodsprings. Be careful of the new 80B100 shelf that sticks out over Jean and Good Springs, then below the 70B100 shelf north of Jean and Goodsprings.

Normally if you are on flight following with LA center they will lose radar contact before the handoff to LAS approach. Getting a VFR class B clearance can be a problem. Their standard answer is " remain clear of the class b".

HND is wide open from the south, get below the 5000 ft floor and call the tower. Sliding up the west side of the valley to Red Rocks and then into VGT is easy. Just watch the 4500 ft floor for class b.

Std traffic for arrivals into VGT is to expect red rocks to a right base for 12R. Parking and fees at VGT or HND is much better than dealing with LAS. Yes LAS is right on the strip, but taxis work from all 3 airports. Depending on why you are coming and for how long.

Check Signature or Eagle for parking at LAS, it is the holidays and they may fill up.
VGT and HND should have room, and their overnight fees are a lot less.

What are you flying?
 
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I've used Henderson and North Las Vegas as those above just because it's easier, fuel is more affordable and ramp/parking fees are less. If you need to be closer and those aren't a concern, I don't see a problem with Las Vegas other than dealing with the busier terminal area that is geared more to turbine traffic. I'd avoid push times if you can. Brush up on procedures and taxi diagram so you know where to go when instructed. Embarrassing to err in front of professional crews in busy airspace and approach may not be as accommodating. At busier areas like this, if there is a lot of traffic, they may keep you out a bit or have you hold until they can work you into faster traffic.

Best,

Dave
 
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No problems going into LAS. Just be sure you are OK with the fees (I was).

I would recommend coming in on an IFR flight plan. Also, keep in mind, they will expect you to be _ready_ when you arrive at the hold short line. Do your run up before you get there.
 
I flew my SE Comanche into LAS in July, VFR with advisories (formerly known as flight following). Piece o' cake in and out although departing I got quite an extensive taxi instruction.

I flew into HND last Weds. Again, VFR w/advisories and no problem. They gave me a Bravo clearance even though I didn't need it.

I've been told it's better to go in VFR to avoid potential delay holds. I've never had difficulty getting Bravo clearance. Have yet to go into VGT.

Only side note about LAS other being a bit pricey for overnight and fuel is that if you have a mechanical issue, there are no mechanics on the field that can work on SE pistons. You may have to call someone down from VGT or HND. Don't ask me how I know.

Fly safe.
 
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Flying to LAS is great. When I flew there ATC vectored us to the end of the Strip and brought is on 19R while the big iron was landing on 25L/R. Flying a long, lazy final along the strip made for fantastic scenery and there was no hurry since we were out of the way. My passengers loved it. Gas may be pricier, but you could easily make up the difference on the cab ride depending where you are staying.
 
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I flew to HND few weeks ago from the Bay Area. Despite being at 11500 LA center dropped me and gave me a frequency of LAS approach with advise to call them 30nm out. I did that and from there it was a smooth ride. The best way to do it is to fly over Jean and follow I-15. No need class B clearance. Cheap fuel at HND, $15 overnight with the first night waived if you buy fuel and $45 cab ride to the strip makes it no brainer to me. They have shuttle 3 times a day going to the strip at 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00. You need to call in advance and make a reservation. There is no returning shuttle service.
 
Back in the days of Hughes FBO at LAS just the freebies from all the places you could get through there made it worth going, (show tickets galore) but back then Hughes didn't charge a ramp fee and had reasonable fuel prices as well; they even had a nice bunk room.
 
Many years ago, I used to go to LAS in single engine piston aircraft regularly. Then the fees made it too costly and I switched to VGT or HND. But I still went into LAS regularly in the King Air I flew for work. Seemed like VFR in and out both resulted in significantly less delays than going IFR. BUT, over the course of the last 7-8 years, I noticed a tendency for Vegas controllers, epsecially TRACON, to treat general aviation aircraft - at least up through and including turboprops like the King Airs I flew - like second class citizens. Quite obvious they cater to the airlines and everyone else is "next..... when they get to you". ("first come first served" doesn't seem to mean much as a method of of handling traffic for them.) And the fees at the FBO's seem to keep getting worse. So it has been KHND or KVGT for me for quite awhile now, whether in my own little single engine airplane, or even in a turboprop (on those occasions when I have any say in the matter!)
 
mswmsw said:
Many years ago, I used to go to LAS in single engine piston aircraft regularly. Then the fees made it too costly and I switched to VGT or HND. But I still went into LAS regularly in the King Air I flew for work. Seemed like VFR in and out both resulted in significantly less delays than going IFR. BUT, over the course of the last 7-8 years, I noticed a tendency for Vegas controllers, epsecially TRACON, to treat general aviation aircraft - at least up through and including turboprops like the King Airs I flew - like second class citizens. Quite obvious they cater to the airlines and everyone else is "next..... when they get to you". ("first come first served" doesn't seem to mean much as a method of of handling traffic for them.) And the fees at the FBO's seem to keep getting worse. So it has been KHND or KVGT for me for quite awhile now, whether in my own little single engine airplane, or even in a turboprop (on those occasions when I have any say in the matter!)
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Our group used to fly King Airs VFR into LAS all the time, then they started getting delays when calling for a VFR class B inbound to LAS. Spin outside the Class B and wait for them to work you in. We started filing IFR into LAS to get the priority.
 
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Qotile said:
Flying to LAS is great. When I flew there ATC vectored us to the end of the Strip and brought is on 19R while the big iron was landing on 25L/R. Flying a long, lazy final along the strip made for fantastic scenery and there was no hurry since we were out of the way. My passengers loved it. Gas may be pricier, but you could easily make up the difference on the cab ride depending where you are staying.
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They land big iron on 25L and 19R simultaneously now. A feed departures out on 25R. They have to watch the timing for a 25 departure and a go around on 19. They've had a couple of "deals" in the last year.
 
How was the trip (if it happened)? Last time I went I used HND. The previous time I used LAS, but the FBO doubled the overnight fees after that visit.
 
BillTIZ said:
Sliding up the west side of the valley to Red Rocks and then into VGT is easy. Just watch the 4500 ft floor for class b.

Std traffic for arrivals into VGT is to expect red rocks to a right base for 12R.
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I'm interested in flying into VGT. However, the Red Rocks arrival into VGT seems difficult without Class B clearance. Specifically, Northbound on the Red Rocks arrival, how do you simultaneously stay clear of Class B while clearing the terrain a mile from the 5695 foot peak which is within a mile of the 5000 foot floor of the Class B? I know it is possible to do, but it seems there is little margin for error. Would Cottonwood Pass be a better option to avoid the 5000 foot Class B floor?
 
SoCalPilot88 said:
I'm interested in flying into VGT. However, the Red Rocks arrival into VGT seems difficult without Class B clearance. Specifically, Northbound on the Red Rocks arrival, how do you simultaneously stay clear of Class B while clearing the terrain a mile from the 5695 foot peak which is within a mile of the 5000 foot floor of the Class B? I know it is possible to do, but it seems there is little margin for error. Would Cottonwood Pass be a better option to avoid the 5000 foot Class B floor?
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What is your problem with Class B airspace? I have always landed at VGT, but if my route took me through Class B enroute to VGT (not landing at LAS) I would anticipate no problem in getting a clearance.

Bob Gardner
 
bobmrg said:
What is your problem with Class B airspace? I have always landed at VGT, but if my route took me through Class B enroute to VGT (not landing at LAS) I would anticipate no problem in getting a clearance.

Bob Gardner
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I don't have any problem with Class B airspace. Ideally, I would obtain a clearance through it all the way to the destination. The problem I have is with the Rocks 2 arrival which is "Designed to keep aircraft out of Class Bravo" yet causes the terrain clearance dilemma I described in my first post. As some posters have stated, you wont always get Class B clearance when arriving VFR. A prudent pilot would have an alternative for such instances, which you would think is the Rocks 2 arrival.

I flew into HND a few weeks back and luckily got Class B clearance. My alternative would have been coming in over the 15 freeway at the "Ruins" below the shelf.
 
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