General Aviation Runways and Airstrips

One of the joys of being a general aviation pilot is landing somewhere that you have never landed before. AirNav or the Airport/Facility Directory provides basic information about the runway. However, there is other information that could be helpful, like the runway has a hump in the middle or some grass growing through or has some hazards to a plane with low prop clearance.

Flying general aviation airplanes, we have learned the hard way that everything you want to know is not in the public record. We grade every runway and ramp by the same criteria. We also comment on the controllers for the field, if it is a controlled field. If we visit, we will let you know what we find. If you have a special request for a visit, email us and we will add it to our list.

General Aviation FBOs – Fixed Base Operators

Have you ever stopped at an FBO and discovered they were not the most welcoming? Ever been greeted by the friendliest people but the crew car does not have air conditioning and the windows are stuck. Maybe you discover that the bathroom could use a toilet brush and the toilet actually rocks. Better yet, maybe you are pleasantly surprised to find the bathroom is stocked with everything you need and the snacks are right up your alley. You may even discover they have a restaurant on the field that is a hidden gem.

We review every fixed base operator that we use at each airport (if we have a choice of FBO or if they have an FBO) by the same criteria. Need to know if they have water and ice? Do they have snacks? Is there a pilot’s lounge to take a quick nap? These are all the things we look for.

General Aviation Airplanes and everything else

There are many joys and struggles with owning airplanes. Purchasing a plane can be a time-consuming and daunting task. After you buy a plane there are issues of insurance, proficiency, and currency. Then there is avionics and equipment.

Every plane eventually will need maintenance and repairs. Some repairs you can do as an owner and others require an airframe and power plant (A&P) inspection or an Inspection Authorization (IA) by a mechanic. Regular maintenance is necessary.

We’ve dealt with all of those issues and rebuilt a few planes. We have gained a great deal of experience owning over 100 airplanes. Rebuilding and flying a classic is an absolute blast. Currently, we fly everything from Cubs to King Airs. A Mooney, Seneca, and Baron are our primary modes of transportation. The Cub is our date plane. We are always looking for a classic airplane, a rebuild, an aviation event, or other interesting aviation topics.

Airport Reviews

We review every single airport we travel in and out of. Keep in mind, not all airports have FBOs or services. Some do not have a paved runway. Based on each airport, these are the items we look for. We also will let you know what we are flying; single, twin, or turboprop. We think the type of plane is relevant because the service you receive and the fees can vary based on the general aviation airplane. Every review will address each of these topics if they apply.

• Runway
  • Condition
  • Hazards
• Controllers
• Ramp
  • Condition
  • Security
  • Parking
  • Chocks
  • Tie downs/Ropes
• Service
  • Friendly 
  • Helpful 
  • Prompt
• Fuel
  • Full Service or Self Service
  • Ease of access 
  • Card reader  
  • Payment processing 
  • Condition of pumps 
  • Lighting  
• Facilities
  •  Clean 
  • Accessible 
  • WiFi 
  • Comfort 
  • Flight Planning 
• Ground Transportation
  • Crew Cars
  • Rental Service
  • Uber/Lyft 
• Food
  • Restaurant/Delivery options
  • Vending Machines
  • Free Snacks
  • Ice
  • Coffee
  • Water
• Bathroom
  • Clean 
  • Spacious 
  • Stocked 
  • Showers 
  • Smell 
• Fees
  • Ramp
  • Hangar
  •  Fuel
  •   Additional/Surprise fees
• Other Services
  • Maintenance 
  • Pilot Store 
  • Other 
• Anything really cool

Suggestions

Do you have a suggestion of something we should see, somewhere we should go, or anything else general aviation? Send us a message. If you want updates about general aviation, join the family.