Getting to Cherokee NC via 24A

2Airtime2

2Airtime2

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Nov 5, 2015
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Raleigh, NC
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Cherokee 180c
Thinking about flying to Sylva/Jackson Co. Airport sometime, order a Enterprise rent a car, then check out the Cherokee casino.

Anyone flown to 24A? Airnav says it's unattended so I guess tiedown is free. They have 24 hr ss gas, that's good.
 
No but I sure wish sossamon field was open.
 
No, but will be interested in how it goes for you - I’ve always been reluctant to try car rentals at unattended fields.
Enterprise, we’ll pick you up - really?
 
Airport looks very good in the picture on Google Maps, is just 3ish miles south of Sylva where the Enterprise location is, and only a mile (by air) to Western Carolina University so it seems to not be too far from civilization.

I'll give Enterprise a call but I assume I need to arrive at the airport during the car rental co's business hrs. I found one review (good) of the airport, sounded like it was attended (review 3 yrs old). The pilot commented you need to pay attention (I always do). I read the take-off minimums/departure procedures. I think you just want to climb expeditiously and make sure you are not drifting sideways off the runway on climbout and stay inline on arrival too.

Just noticed the additional remarks on Airnav:
Additional Remarks
- MTN HAZARD BCN LGTS LOCATED ON MTN RANGE APPROX 1.7 MILES SSW OF ARPT - LGTS OPERATION UNRELIABLE.
- RY 15 300 FT DROPOFF 300 FT FM THLD BOTH SIDES AND 90 FT LEFT/RIGHT OF CNTRLN ALONG RUNWAY.
- RY 33 300 FT DROPOFF 200 FT FM THLD 50 FT LEFT OF CNTRLN.
- RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN ALL QUADRANTS.

Arrival will definitely be daytime with good visibility !!
 
Seems like half the time I've been to 24A, the SS fuel hasn't worked. So I suggest verifying ahead of trip, if possible. Also, the terrain around the airport doesn't look near as formidable once you're there ... people make it sound worse than it is. Very scenic area to fly.
 
I forget the runway numbers, but it sticks out away from the mountain. You either fly downwind toward the mountain, base across its face, then downhill on final towards the runway, OR fly downwind away from the mountain and final toward the mountain with a steep cliff face below the approach end of the runway. Either can mess you up if you're not expecting it.
 
Probably not as close, but I’ve flown into Andrews-Murphy (KRHP). Nice little field, if you so choose to use it.
 
KRHP is a nice field, and is attended. There is also Harrah's Cherokee Valley casino in Murphy just 10 miles down the road in Murphy, NC.
 
If I can point out something - because of the mountain roads, Google say it is a 32 minute drive from 24A to Harrah's. It's a straight line distance of about 13 miles.

You could alternately go to 1A5, Macon County, and get a longer/wider runway, staffed site during the day, A&P if you need it and maybe a courtesy car or Enterprise if not. The drive is 41 minutes, just 9 minutes more. The straight line distance is 18 miles.
 
MtPJimB said:
KRHP is a nice field, and is attended. There is also Harrah's Cherokee Valley casino in Murphy just 10 miles down the road in Murphy, NC.
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if I recall, they are limited in what they have, might be slots only.
 
Seems like a nice easy little Airport.

IMG_1847.jpG




Only thing that I saw was a comment about emailing the FBO to get the gate codes, also saw a comment about them not taking MasterCard

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IMG_1844.jpg
 
Last edited:
eman1200 said:
No but I sure wish sossamon field was open.
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Yes! Me too. I knew a guy from the local airfield here that did fly camping at Sossamon. Saw some video he took and it looked like fun. This was years ago now though...
 
bflynn said:
If I can point out something - because of the mountain roads, Google say it is a 32 minute drive from 24A to Harrah's. It's a straight line distance of about 13 miles.

You could alternately go to 1A5, Macon County, and get a longer/wider runway, staffed site during the day, A&P if you need it and maybe a courtesy car or Enterprise if not. The drive is 41 minutes, just 9 minutes more. The straight line distance is 18 miles.
Click to expand...
I have flown into 1A5 many times. It is a very nice little airport with a friendly FBO staff. Their 5000' runway is nice too. I would pick 1A5 over 24A if it were me.
 
Another option to consider...
Fly into one of the airports around Ashville NC, rent a car there, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway for Ashville to Cherokee, spend a night in Cherokee then drive back the following day.
The Blue Ridge Parkway between Cherokee and Ashville NC is beautiful. There is a fabulous old hotel & restaurant midway on the parkway you could stop for lunch:
http://www.pisgahinn.com/
 
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