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From: bob@ulose.UUCP ( Robert Bismuth )
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: FBOs and Airports - Good, bad and plain old ugly ...
Message-ID: <124@ulose.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Sep-85 00:36:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: ulose.124
Posted: Mon Sep 30 00:36:21 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 2-Oct-85 11:56:51 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: CADMUS Computer Systems, Lowell, MA.
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Fortunately I have mostly encountered "good" FBOs, though we all do hit
the occasional bad one.  I almost never frequent TCAs and the like, so
outfits like Butler and Van Dusen are in a different class to my usual
FBO.


Some FBOs/Airports to fly to and enjoy:

Barre-Hiller, MA.

Owned by Mr. Tanner, the operation is very much, "straight out of the
40s or 50s".  I highly recommend a trip to this airport.  You might not
get the "red carpet" or a rental car, but you will land on one of the
most interesting 2800' strips in the state. 

Tanner's is noted for its restaurant.  It is without a doubt a gourmet
restaurant and advertises the "world's best chocolat mousse".  It is!
You would never guess this from looking at the place, but it equals
almost any other restaurant I have eaten in this side of the Atlantic.
The service is friendly, the food excellant and inexpensive.

There is also a variety of old classic airplanes based here as well as
a lot of gliding activity.

They sell both 100 and 80 octane.


Katama, Martha's Vineyard, MA.

This field is located about .5 mile from the South (or is it North?)
beach.  It has (at last count) about 5 runways, all grass.  Though
there is a small landing fee ($5) you can either park at the FBO's or
down at the beach.  For $1 an hour you can rent bicycles and go
anywhere on the island.  If that's too much, a trolley runs by and for
$1 you can get into the nearest town (Edgartown).

The FBO is friendly and sells either 100 LL or auto gas.  He also runs
a greasy-spoon type coffee shop.  (He even offered to swap a charged up
battery pack for a Terra with me when mine had run down.)


Great Barrington, MA.

This is another airport lost in time.  Lots of old classics and plenty
of old-timers hanging around the FBO's office.  Gliding as well as
powered flight.

Both 100 and 80 available and, unusual these days, the owner and
fuelers are willing to provide someone like me with a hand-prop to get
going again.


Sulivan County, NY.

This is the most amazing airport I have been to recently.  When you
arrive, you are greated by 6500' of well maintained runway, complete
with VASI and ILS (yes, I know, all you folks who go to
TCAs/TRSAs/ARSAs expect such, but us country types rarely see such).
This is surrounded by grounds which are said to have won a award for
landscaping.

There is a terminal which has a snack bar, weather information from the
nearest FSS, a model shop (yes, that's what I said) and is staffed 24
hours a day by the most curteous staff I have met.  Not only did they
guide me to a parking space but they tied the plane down for me and
made sure they knew where I was staying if they needed to contact me in
an emergency.

The most amazing thing about this airport is that it is almost deserted
by planes!  No traffic to speak of at all. 

It is right at the foot of the Catskills, within reach of several
resorts, parks and ski areas.  Can't understand why it exists in such a
luxury way with so few patrons. 


Astoria, Oregon.

I can't remember the name of the FBO, but they are the Unicom operators
on the field.  They were one of the best operations I have ever seen.
Not only polite, but they parked the 150 I was flying, gave me a
run-down on the area, recommended places to go and had several cars
available on the basis that I left more gas in the car when I returned
it than was there when I left.

They really showed their good nature and cooperation when I wound up
with engine trouble and made all sort of phone calls to help out.
While waiting we swapped flying stories and they showed me over an Acro
Sport I being built in the back of their maintenance hangar.

A great place to stop at anytime - can't think of a better place to get
stranded!  (Details of stranding following below)


FBOs/Airports I can't decide to recommend or warn against:

Nashua, NH.

This is my home field.  I think that anyone who chooses to fly to it is
either crazy or has some very good reason.  It is the most dangerous
airport I have ever flown at.  There are 4 flight schools (including
Daniel Webster College - if anyone wants an opinion on the college,
send me mail and I'll give mine, but privately) on the field and about
300 based aircraft, including a Falcon Jet, two MU-2s, several Aerostar
600s, a Gulfstream II, 4 T-6s, a T-28 and a P-51D.  (Implying a lot of
fast, sometime crazy traffic mixing with students ...)

The field is uncontrolled and largely flown by pilots with little
sense.  It is not unusual to see 4 aircraft on final, or a 150 landing
on the grass strip, parallel to the main runway, while a Falcon passes
it to land on the pavement.  I've even seen two aircraft landing at
once, one on 32 and one, of course, on 14 - the 14 was a touch-n-go,
naturally!  All in all, it's aviation hell and no matter what some of
us try to do, no one will listen.

The only reason I do not entirely throw this one under the list of
"never visit", is the pilot shop.  It is largely unadvertised and
housed in the premisses of one of the two non-discript FBOs (though
independently run).  The stock is reasonable and they'll get anything
for you that they haven't got in.  The main advantage is: no sales tax
in NH. It's called Northeastern Pilot Supplies.

Also, for those with STCs, one of the FBOs will shortly (they already
have the gas - waiting for a pump to be repaired) be selling auto gas.


Goodspeed Airport, East Hadham, Conn.

There are two good things about this airport: they sell auto fuel (no
parking fee or overnight fee if you buy gas) and they are 200 yards
from the splendid center of East Hadham.  So what, you say?

East Hadham has a fine restaurant and a good Opera House which shows
summer stock type reviews.  Both come recommended.  Note that the
restaurant is also in an old hotel which, though I've never stayed the
night, looks like a very good experience.

What I can't recommend is the FBO.  I put it down to their being "that
much closer to NYC".  They are almost hostile while they take your
money.  There are parts of the field you are not allowed to walk on
(perhaps because the grass to too delicate?), you can't walk around the
flight line without the third degree and, if you ask to use the
bathroom, the dispatcher makes sure you are "from the plane that just
landed", before telling you where it is.

One final point, departure to the north involves flying the river
heading until 1000' AGL for noise abatement.  You are warned of the
East Hadham bridge - a well lit, enormous, but not too high, landmark.
You are NOT warned about the power lines which cross the river about
200 yards up stream and about ~200' AGL.  They are, of course, unlit at
night ...


FBOs/Airports to stear clear of:

Eagle Flight, Hillsboro County, Oregon.

During Usenix, I got checked out at this outfit to get in some sight
seeing on the weekend after the event.  The check ride was very
thorough and the CFI knowledgeble.  Their aircraft left much to be
desired, as did their follow up service.

The first thing I noticed was their lack of topping off tanks at night.
A minor point, but on the 3 different 150s/152s I flew, I always had to
top off half tanks first thing in the morning.

On the Saturday following Usenix, I flew out to the coast and landed at
Astoria (see recommendations above).  When it came time to depart, I
couldn't obtain a decent static rpm on runup.  A fast taxi down the
runway convinced me that all was not well and back at the ramp, the FBO
and I looked over the situation.  No compression in one cyclinder.

A phone call to Eagle Flight elicited the response: "Secure the plane
and take the bus back." Needless to say, since the next bus was the
next morning, I was neither amused nor pleased.  After many phone calls
they sent another plane and 5 hours later I returned, minus the 150.

The next morning, not to be put off, I rented another of their planes
and had a good flight until I landed inland at The Dalles.  Here the
plane refused to shut-down on idle cut off.  Also, one brake stuck on.
When I returned, I mentioned these items which they shrugged off, and
then told me off for buying fuel at The Dalles when I clearly had
enough to make it back.

In fact, I had just enough fuel plus reserve, and would never fly under
those circumstances over very unfamiliar terrain.

I would never use that FBO again - their manner had been very good up
until things started to go wrong, then they really lost all their charm
and politeness.


I guess we all get "bad ones". I'm glad I've only found one so far.

   --  bob
       (decvax!ulose!bob)


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