VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #11  
Old 06-27-2012, 11:16 AM
YellerDaisy's Avatar
YellerDaisy YellerDaisy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mountain Southwest
Posts: 168
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1963 View Post
<snip>we all should put our cel numbers on VAF, AOPA or COPA pages so that nobody gets stranded! No doubt this would lead to travellers getting safer tie-downs, or hangar space when needed.
Long ago in my glass airplane days, the Central States Association (CSA - the EZ guys) had, what I think was called, The Travel Club (or something like that). I'm sure it's been tried by most groups. The idea being a list of people (their location and phone) that were willing to "assist" travelers (like is being discussed). Sure is a great idea but I suspect it is very difficult to manage/maintain.
__________________
JD
RV-4 - 160HP O-320 - Sensenich GA
RV-3B - O-320 - "Daisy" (sold)
http://jdfinley.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-27-2012, 11:24 AM
RVbySDI's Avatar
RVbySDI RVbySDI is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tuttle, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,563
Default RV Hotel

You mean something like this. . .
http://www.vansairforce.net/rvtravelpages.htm
__________________
RVBYSDI
Steve
RV9A
https://rvwings.com

Live Long And Prosper! 🖖🏻
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-27-2012, 11:48 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default Ground transportation is just part of the trip planning

Rental car is always my first choice regardless of cost. I need to be totally independent or the trip is not enjoyable. Maybe it's an attitude developed with age.

In many places there is no rental car availability of any kind - yes not even Enterprise. I don't go to those places unless there is an air race there that I want to compete in. In those cases I have been able to work something out with the race director if it is a remain over night situation to get to a motel and back to the airport. To emphasize under normal travel situations - I don't go to airports as destinations that do not have rental cars available. They are like gas stations in the middle of nowhere.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-27-2012, 11:48 AM
jchang10 jchang10 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 525
Default

It's the irony of GA. You get somewhere in half the time, only to be stranded at the airport in the middle of nowhere.

KOAR


Even at a large GA airport like KSMO, the jet center car rental rate is like $100/day. There are a few enterprise offices a few miles away from the airport, but those few miles are quite a hassle. Sat/Sun hours for Enterprise is only 9 to noon, so drop-offs are a bit of a hassle. They also charge 2x the going rate for the drop-off vs. renting it at their office just a few miles away, which adds up for multiple days.

Yep, the last mile is frustrating and difficult!

Jae
__________________
#40533 RV-10 Builder and CFI
1/2006 Started build
10/19/2011 First flight
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-27-2012, 01:17 PM
YellerDaisy's Avatar
YellerDaisy YellerDaisy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mountain Southwest
Posts: 168
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVbySDI View Post
You mean something like this. . .
http://www.vansairforce.net/rvtravelpages.htm
Very nice!

I was reading the OP's question and thinking more along the lines of people to contact for a local ride and/or overnight hangar space - not so much a place to stay (though that is very neat!).
__________________
JD
RV-4 - 160HP O-320 - Sensenich GA
RV-3B - O-320 - "Daisy" (sold)
http://jdfinley.com
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 06-27-2012, 02:12 PM
Mile High Relic Mile High Relic is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Denver area
Posts: 272
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by YellerDaisy View Post
Very nice!

I was reading the OP's question and thinking more along the lines of people to contact for a local ride and/or overnight hangar space - not so much a place to stay (though that is very neat!).
Kudos to those that have made a commitment to the RV Hotel. It is incredibly generous, and I hope to use it sometime.

I'd be happy to chauffeur someone around town, but I really don't have a passable guest room, and the war committee (better half) is skeptical of offering up overnight accommodations. Our house generally isn't that presentable.

Maybe we need an RV ground transportation list to go along with the RV Hotel. I'd sign up for that.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-27-2012, 06:31 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
Default

One potential alternative I haven't seen mentioned is to land at a smaller airport in the area. You might be able to get a 'pick you up' rental for a more reasonable rate by avoiding the Big FBO's cut on the rental that's happening at the big airport. And you could help keep that smaller airport open, too, by buying fuel from the smaller FBO.

Charlie
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 06-27-2012, 07:52 PM
Buggsy2's Avatar
Buggsy2 Buggsy2 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 565
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVbySDI View Post
You mean something like this. . .
http://www.vansairforce.net/rvtravelpages.htm
OK, that's nice. If it:
  • Were updatable by the user via web interface;
  • Had more choices for those offering (ride from airport; lodging; car)
It would be great.
__________________
Ralph Finch
RV-9A QB-SA
Davis, CA
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-27-2012, 08:51 PM
KatieB's Avatar
KatieB KatieB is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Stilwell, KS
Posts: 1,096
Default

I've gone on a lot of XC trips in Jabirus for deliveries, air shows, etc, and here's my general habit pattern for planning such trips.

1. If you are going along a route you haven't traveled before, do some research ahead of time for several airport options. Several, not just one. You never know when weather/pee break/headwinds/need lunch NOW/ whatever will crop up. I like the small airports, usually no bigger than Class D, very near a town. Smaller places usually mean friendlier people and cheaper gas & hangar rates, but there is a chance you'll get there and nobody is around. I always bring along my walking shoes just in case we have to hoof it. If you really need civilization, aim for a Class C airport and you'll find it.

2. Call ahead at these places and ask for fuel, hangar & courtesy car/taxi/rental availability. I have never had good luck with Enterprise, by the way. I mean, it wouldn't seem so bad if their commercials didn't gloat about their customer service. Anyway, that rant is for another day.

3. In times where weather or whatever cropped up and I've landed at unplanned locations, it was always an adventure, and people always seemed to go out of their way for me. I can't tell you how often "that one dude" happened to be the last one on the field and offered a ride or an empty hangar out of the storm. I guess I've been just lucky. Or maybe being a girl has something to do with it. Although this has happened a lot when I fly with the guys too.

4. When you fly along a familiar route (I could fly from Tennessee to Florida or Wisconsin with my eyes closed) I always land at places I know are good, especially when solo. Usually the airports with nearby food, friendly people and a courtesy car of good character are the ones that get plugged into the GPS first. One of my favorite spots is Moultrie GA (KMGR). We would swarm that place with Jabirus and Lightnings as our gaggle went to Sun n Fun and Sebring each spring. When you call 5 or 10 miles out, someone always answers from the FBO with a weather report and a "Welcome to Moultrie!" and then we'd ask if the Battle Wagon was available. That's their wonderful old Caprice station wagon. (Or was it a Crown Vic? It's a boat, anyway!) And they have homemade cookies and Mountain Dew. (and I thought Coca Cola owned Georgia.) Another one was Gainesville FL because they have a Holiday Inn with a great bar/restaurant and a free shuttle van. It's the little things that draw the pilots!

VAF is a resource I'm just beginning to discover for planning and help getting out of a jam. It always amazes me how many people respond to calls of help on here.

No matter what, an adventurous outlook and a flexible schedule are required!
__________________
Katie Bosman
RV-3B sold, but flying!
Next project: ???
Builders gonna build...
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 06-27-2012, 08:55 PM
chipf chipf is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 179
Default

I always call ahead and ask 1. Do they have a courtesy car? 2. Do they have a rental car just in case? and 3. Is there a hotel at the field or within walking distance?
In fact I just grabbed a car for a short visit to Houston this coming weekend.
Recently I flew a friend to San Antonio and visited the Alamo and Riverwalk, landed at Stinson Field. One of the FBO's there had a courtesy car on a previous visit, this time I got a reasonable crew car rate on a rental.

I haven't been stranded yet, but imagine it will eventually happen.
__________________
Chip Freitag
RV-9A N207LT
680 hrs

cfrv9aproject.blogspot
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:17 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.