Buffalo and Albany Area Airports
 

Next month I'm flying to a family reunion in Williamsville (near Buffalo) and will also visit a sister in Sand Lake (near Albany). Can anyone recommend any G.A. airports convenient to these two locations? I'd rather not use KBUF and KALB if possible and my relatives don't really have a clue. Airfield requirements are a paved, 2500' minimum-length runway and possibly a rental car but not necessarily fuel or other services.

Thanks,
Joe

For Albany and the Capital District
Saratoga (5B2) - Glens Falls (GFL) - Schenectady (SCH)
or even Bennington VT (DDH)

Lancaster (BQR) should work well. You can get in under the outer ring of the BUF class C if you want to do it plain VFR. No instrument procedure.

My second choice if I was flying IMC - Akron (9G3) has a couple of GPS approaches that will get you down to 500 / 1.

That all said, BUF is fine to get in and out of. If you need the services, Prior Aviation is professional and will treat you well (albeit at the 'big city" prices).

Albany and Buffalo, NY
 

Thank you. But each of these (except possibly Schenectady) requires a good bit of drive time (an hour or more each way, no?). Maybe that's as good as it gets; I've never flown back East so I don't have a feel for what to expect.

Lancaster (BQR) and then Akron airport (9G3) both look very good to me so that'll be my solution with a backup. I love having a "plan B"! Thanks for the detailed explanations, DanBaier.

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Joe

My only experience in Buffalo was at Akron. It was a nice little airport but was years ago so things could have changed since then.

As for Albany area, Saratoga is pretty nice (my home airport, watch out for gliders) but probably a bit of a drive to Sand Lake. Bennett Memorial (GFL) is even farther. A few guys in our EAA chapter have done some flying at South Albany (4B0) for sport pilot ratings and liked it although I have no experience myself.

To be perfectly honest, I don't see a real good reason not to use KALB, I flew in there for practice with another pilot a couple of months ago and they were very friendly and the FBO is very nice.

Albany It Is
 

I'm glad to hear that; it makes the decision easy. I'll do it. Thanks.

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Joe

The only thing I would say is to check prices and fees. We weren't staying or buying fuel so I didn't check to see what the cost would be. I believe the FBO is Million Air.

One real close
 

Joe check out 5B7 Rensselaer County airport in Poestenkill NY. It's only a few miles from Sand Lake. No fuel but Enterprise can have a car there for you. Its only a day use airport. Kind of run down.
Also 4B0 South Albany airport. It has fuel, covered tie-downs, a new runway with pilot controlled lighting and Enterprise can deliver there too. A very nice place.
Albany International ALB can be a pain. Tie downs are high, fuel is high and there's a landing fee which may be waved if buying fuel. Also getting out can take a while if the big guys are backed up.

Albany Still Looks Best
 

Tom,

I really like the location of Rensselaer County (5B7) but airnav.com says this about the runway:

• Dimensions: 2670 x 50 ft. / 814 x 15 m
• RY 18 FIRST 40 FT OVERGROWN WITH GRASS.
• Surface: asphalt, in poor condition
• RY 18/36 PAVEMENT CRACKED, LOOSE ROCKS & VEGETATION.

Is the place really this bad (or even worse)?

South Albany (4B0) sounds like a jewel. Wish it was closer.

If the Million Air FBO at Albany (ALB) is still selling 100 LL for $5.45, that's less expensive than 4B0. (I'm always apprehensive fueling at an FBO with a name like that or "Jet Center" ) Assuming a fuel purchase would waive some or all of the fee, it would be worthwhile landing at ALB and I can deal with traffic sequencing at a towered field.

Million Air in ALB does a good job - I've always been treated very well. They've made crew cars available when I've had to make trips to downtown ALB for business - couldn't be more helpful. AirNav has their fuel prices about as low as anyone within 50 miles.

Just another data point.