flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Two paved runways and several approaches, including an ILS: Free
Really friendly people who staff the place 24/7: Free
Nice new Honda Odyssey courtesy van: Free
Landing, handling, and parking: Free
Avoiding the $46 charge for awful service at $ignature MKE: Priceless!
Yes, despite MKE being the most convenient field in the Milwaukee area for most of my missions there, I have absolutely had it with $ignature and I refuse to go back there. I called the other day to get an update on their fees: $25 "handling" fee unless you tank up on their $5.05/gal 100LL, and $21 parking fee if you'll be there for more than TWO HOURS. And in return for all the money you spend there, nobody will pay attention to you until they want to collect their money. Once a line guy finally made it to me after I already was parked and had the plane tied down - Other times, no line service whatsoever. Desk staff is also usually quite scarce until you need to be let back onto the ramp and they demand payment first.
Okay, so this wasn't supposed to be a rant about $ignature MKE. This is really about RAC. It's a privately owned airport, backed by S.C. Johnson Wax (makers of such things as Ziploc, Off mosquito repellent, and many other big-name brands). Two nice large runways, approaches to suit pretty much anyone (NDB, VOR, whiz-wheel RNAV, GPS, ILS), and a pretty decent terminal, if maybe just a tad small. Very friendly folks and usually some excellent hangar talk, nice new courtesy vans, open 24/7.
If you're in the mood for a $100 burger, Infusino's restaurant (Italian) is right around the corner on the south side of the field and will gladly put you overgross for a very reasonable price.
Other tips for avoiding $ignature MKE: If RAC isn't particularly convenient to the location you're visiting, try UES (west side or downtown) or MWC (North or Northwest). UES has a brand spankin' new terminal with a nice mini-museum and an ILS to a 6000 foot runway (there's also a second, shorter runway). MWC doesn't have the flashy new terminal, but is still an OK place and is more convenient for both $100 burgers (El Greco right next door) and business if you're dealing with companies like Harley-Davidson, Strong Funds, AOSmith, and numerous others up the US 41 corridor. Both charge only a $5 ramp fee for singles, waived with purchase of course.
OK, I feel a lot better now.
Really friendly people who staff the place 24/7: Free
Nice new Honda Odyssey courtesy van: Free
Landing, handling, and parking: Free
Avoiding the $46 charge for awful service at $ignature MKE: Priceless!
Yes, despite MKE being the most convenient field in the Milwaukee area for most of my missions there, I have absolutely had it with $ignature and I refuse to go back there. I called the other day to get an update on their fees: $25 "handling" fee unless you tank up on their $5.05/gal 100LL, and $21 parking fee if you'll be there for more than TWO HOURS. And in return for all the money you spend there, nobody will pay attention to you until they want to collect their money. Once a line guy finally made it to me after I already was parked and had the plane tied down - Other times, no line service whatsoever. Desk staff is also usually quite scarce until you need to be let back onto the ramp and they demand payment first.
Okay, so this wasn't supposed to be a rant about $ignature MKE. This is really about RAC. It's a privately owned airport, backed by S.C. Johnson Wax (makers of such things as Ziploc, Off mosquito repellent, and many other big-name brands). Two nice large runways, approaches to suit pretty much anyone (NDB, VOR, whiz-wheel RNAV, GPS, ILS), and a pretty decent terminal, if maybe just a tad small. Very friendly folks and usually some excellent hangar talk, nice new courtesy vans, open 24/7.
If you're in the mood for a $100 burger, Infusino's restaurant (Italian) is right around the corner on the south side of the field and will gladly put you overgross for a very reasonable price.
Other tips for avoiding $ignature MKE: If RAC isn't particularly convenient to the location you're visiting, try UES (west side or downtown) or MWC (North or Northwest). UES has a brand spankin' new terminal with a nice mini-museum and an ILS to a 6000 foot runway (there's also a second, shorter runway). MWC doesn't have the flashy new terminal, but is still an OK place and is more convenient for both $100 burgers (El Greco right next door) and business if you're dealing with companies like Harley-Davidson, Strong Funds, AOSmith, and numerous others up the US 41 corridor. Both charge only a $5 ramp fee for singles, waived with purchase of course.
OK, I feel a lot better now.
