RV Unfriendly Airports?

[N941WR]

The recent post requesting information on "RV Friendly Airports" got me wondering, are there "RV un-Friendly Airports" out there and what makes them "un-friendly"?

[Pilot135pd]

Although not unfriendly airport but unfriendly comments about RVs at some airports in the Houston area. I recently heard a group of slow big tire pilots complaining in general about RV pilots because they come in fast to do low approaches and cut in front of others in the pattern.

This has nothing to do with the airport itself but it does remind us just because we have faster planes doesn't mean we have to fly like jerks.

I've been a victim of the slow Piper 777 doing the 3 mile base to final turn and have even done a few 360s to give him more time. It's a hassle but not a reason to give our planes a bad reputation over it.

[Ironflight]

The taxiways at Reno Stead will swallow your tailwheel whole, and not even spit out the hub for re-use....

[skylor]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

The taxiways at Reno Stead will swallow your tailwheel whole, and not even spit out the hub for re-use....

At least 08 - 26 doesn’t do that anymore!

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

The taxiways at Reno Stead will swallow your tailwheel whole, and not even spit out the hub for re-use....

Aurora, IL has the same problem on some (all?) of the taxiways.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

Although not unfriendly airport but unfriendly comments about RVs at some airports in the Houston area. I recently heard a group of slow big tire pilots complaining in general about RV pilots because they come in fast to do low approaches and cut in front of others in the pattern.

This has nothing to do with the airport itself but it does remind us just because we have faster planes doesn't mean we have to fly like jerks.

I've been a victim of the slow Piper 777 doing the 3 mile base to final turn and have even done a few 360s to give him more time. It's a hassle but not a reason to give our planes a bad reputation over it.

Having a bunch of time in no radio Cubs, Champs, Tcrafts, etc. I do my best to enter patterns at or slightly above flap speed. Any faster, and you will eat a Cub doing 60 mph on downwind before you realize they are there.

Like you, if other, slower traffic is closer to the airport, I will slow down and let them go first. Being able to slow down or speed up is all part of bag of tricks we all carry, why not impress everyone with our lowspeed handling, since they already know we are fast?

Yes, it drives me crazy when someone flies to the next county when in the pattern, but you don't know if it is a student on their first solo or someone trying to sort out an issue. It won't hurt to slow and give them the right of way.

[DanH]

A few years ago Ms. Patti and I were heading to a family event in Key West. A tropical storm spinning out near Cuba said we were not flying all the way, so the plan was to get as far as we could, then grab a rental car for the rest.

When we ran out of good air, the nearest airport was Boca Raton. Hey, ok, that sounds nice!

The line crew kinda waved toward a spot well away from the front door and went back to their mole hole. It was raining, zero help. I humped the bags, then told the front desk we would be leaving the RV-8 for three or four days. Given the storm headed into Florida, did they have a bit of hangar space? The impeccably dressed and manicured young lady examined the hangar rates in leather-clad book for a moment, then stopped, looked at me, and with honest puzzlement, asked "Mr. Horton, did you say you flew here in a single engine airplane?"

That detail confirmed, the hangar rate was $125 per night. I elected for a tiedown...at which time I was told I would need to move it waaaaaay up the ramp.

Fuel was $8.65.

I wouldn't call it RV unfriendly. Actually, they were friendly enough, and I doubt Cirrus and Bonanza owners had it any better. The place obviously catered to the well-heeled, and we were wearing sneakers

[Vlad]

Been through tons of those. Didn't stay long and never came back

[NewbRVator]

I am a partner in an older classic certificated aircraft and I can confirm when I am flying the RV it stirs up odd negative comments at times that don?t happen with the other bird which I attribute to well deserved jealousy.

[snopercod]

I guess I'm just lucky because when I flew across the Country a few years ago, I was treated like royalty all the way across and back...with the exception of Torrance, CA [TOA]. My best experience was in Santa Fe, NM. Tower complimented me on my crosswind landing, and told me to "Follow the Truck" when off. Yes, the Jet Center had a "Follow Me" truck which marshalled me to my parking spot amongst the Jets and Bonanzas. The line guy helped me tie down, fueled me up, and got on the radio to have the staff arrange a hotel for me. Then gave me a ride back to the FBO. I could get used to being treated like that.