ebykowsky
Cleared for Takeoff
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
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Display name:
goalstop
So, for those of you following on the other thread, I ended up flying into KCLT last night, despite considering finding another nearby airport with a restaurant on field.
Anyway, I'm really glad I decided to fly into CLT, as it was a great experience and gave me tons of confidence dealing with busy airspace and airports.
The first leg of the trip was outside the Bravo, and relatively uneventful, but I picked up FF around 40 miles away from the airport. Was told to expect 18L (winds 220@13G20), which is the runway right next to Wilson Air. Approach sent me the long way around Charlotte to the East, vectoring me around 15nm out from the city and bringing me back around to land from the North. I made great time getting in due to a ~30kt tailwind component, and everything went just as expected. It was a good experience communicating with ATC along with "Heavies" and multiple airliners, but I didn't really feel out of place and ATC was relatively accommodating. Tower got 5 departures off for airliners during the course of my 5mi. final, and after the last one, I was up. There was a good amount of wind shear on final (as reported by the ATIS), which made the landing a bit tense, especially at night, but we got down without anyone having to use a sick-sack.
The taxi to Wilson Air was really short and Tower took me all the way there as opposed to turning me over to ground.
Wilson Air:
I would highly recommend Wilson Air to anyone who needs to stop by in Charlotte, and they treated me no differently than they would treat the guys flying the Gulfstreams in and out of CLT. There was a $15 ramp fee (waived with 10 or 15 gallons of gas, but the FBO I rent out of only reimburses me $3.00/gallon, so I just paid the fee), but the fee was well worth it. The lounge had fresh cookies, mints, good coffee, and quality seating areas, and they set me up within 10 minutes with a free shuttle to and from a nearby restaurant. The staff was very helpful, and on my way out, they handed me a wrapped silver (probably hard chromed plastic) platter full of Christmas cookies and fresh fruit for me to take home! I was able to get ATIS in the lobby and headed out to the plane to head home. A real class act there at Wilson!
Heading Home:
Picked up my clearance, started the engine, and stayed with Cl Deliv. for the short taxi (never had to talk to ground). Took off 18L in front of a landing CRJ, and went straight back to KFDW, no circuitous routes around Charlotte.
Altogether, props to Wilson Air and the guys in the tower at KCLT for making it a great trip! I'll have to say though, it really helped to prepare well for this one beforehand by researching all of the necessary information and having all of the documents like A/FD, sectional, taxi diagram, and frequencies at my fingertips.
Anyway, I'm really glad I decided to fly into CLT, as it was a great experience and gave me tons of confidence dealing with busy airspace and airports.
The first leg of the trip was outside the Bravo, and relatively uneventful, but I picked up FF around 40 miles away from the airport. Was told to expect 18L (winds 220@13G20), which is the runway right next to Wilson Air. Approach sent me the long way around Charlotte to the East, vectoring me around 15nm out from the city and bringing me back around to land from the North. I made great time getting in due to a ~30kt tailwind component, and everything went just as expected. It was a good experience communicating with ATC along with "Heavies" and multiple airliners, but I didn't really feel out of place and ATC was relatively accommodating. Tower got 5 departures off for airliners during the course of my 5mi. final, and after the last one, I was up. There was a good amount of wind shear on final (as reported by the ATIS), which made the landing a bit tense, especially at night, but we got down without anyone having to use a sick-sack.
The taxi to Wilson Air was really short and Tower took me all the way there as opposed to turning me over to ground.
Wilson Air:
I would highly recommend Wilson Air to anyone who needs to stop by in Charlotte, and they treated me no differently than they would treat the guys flying the Gulfstreams in and out of CLT. There was a $15 ramp fee (waived with 10 or 15 gallons of gas, but the FBO I rent out of only reimburses me $3.00/gallon, so I just paid the fee), but the fee was well worth it. The lounge had fresh cookies, mints, good coffee, and quality seating areas, and they set me up within 10 minutes with a free shuttle to and from a nearby restaurant. The staff was very helpful, and on my way out, they handed me a wrapped silver (probably hard chromed plastic) platter full of Christmas cookies and fresh fruit for me to take home! I was able to get ATIS in the lobby and headed out to the plane to head home. A real class act there at Wilson!
Heading Home:
Picked up my clearance, started the engine, and stayed with Cl Deliv. for the short taxi (never had to talk to ground). Took off 18L in front of a landing CRJ, and went straight back to KFDW, no circuitous routes around Charlotte.
Altogether, props to Wilson Air and the guys in the tower at KCLT for making it a great trip! I'll have to say though, it really helped to prepare well for this one beforehand by researching all of the necessary information and having all of the documents like A/FD, sectional, taxi diagram, and frequencies at my fingertips.