K

Keldog

Member
Need to fly into palm Springs to visit my Mom is about 4 weeks. PSP is like 5 miles / 13 minutes from her condo. Bermuda Dunes is 20 miles / 38 minutes away. Just wondering about best airport for landing in an RV12. Sometimes the larger FBO's don't care for little piston guys like us. Anyone have any recent experiences to pass along? I'll be there late Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. All responses welcomed!
 
I’ve been into Bermuda Dunes a couple times and the FBO was good. I was staying in LaQuinta so it was right there for me.
 
Haven’t done PSP in a small plane in the last 25 years. Have been in there recently in a biz jet and saw numerous small planes including RVs on the ramp. You could call the FBO’s and check out fuel prices, fees ect. Also been into Bermuda Dunes in the jet recently and it was busy and hectic being a Unicom only uncontrolled field. My preference would be the closer controlled field unless there was a giant difference in cost.

Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress
57 Pacer
 
As said above, either UDD or PSP are fine for you. The fees are sure to be lower at UDD though, since it is Signature and Atlantic at PSP.
 
I don't recall any transient parking at PSP (no surprise given it's an airline airport). So you'll get the treatment (and the whole escort procedure) at PSP. But I've not flow into PSP in a few years.
 
I’ve flown into PSP and UDD many times. PSP is easy as they’ll typically land you on the smaller runway 31R and then it’s a quick taxi to Atlantic. Signature is on the west side of the airport and it gets a bit more time consuming to get there. There are landing and overnight parking fees (I forget the exact amount, but not terrible and the landing fee was waived with a fuel purchase). PSP is in an TRSA so plan to contact SoCal Approach as you near Palm Springs.

All that said, I really like UDD…it’s extremely GA-friendly and the fees are less (same waiver of landing fee with fuel purchase). Very quick taxi to/from transient parking and both Uber and rental cars are available with easy access.

Convenience to your destination may be the deciding factor, but both airports should work nicely for you.
 
I’ve been to PSP many times with the Rocket and RV. I usually use Atlantic and have been treated very well. It’s “expensive”, but in my mind the convenience of being right in town is worth it.
 
Be prepared for nasty turbulence in Banning Pass – there's a reason for all the wind turbines there. Fly as high and early as possible to avoid the worst of it.

UDD has the best service I've ever gotten at an FBO. They saw my dog and gave him a bandana on the condition I send them pics of him wearing it.
 
Another vote for Bermuda Dunes. They treat you right whether you are in a Pc12 or a Cherokee. Was just there on Friday. Their staff was kind to my kids, which I value also.
 
Good point on the turbulence. Last time I flew in there I left Oregon and it was 52deg.F. Landed for fuel in Yearington Nevada, 52deg.F. The whole flight even at altitude was, you guessed it, right at 52.
I descended steeply into the valley and in less than two minutes it went from 52 to 85.
No wonder it’s bumpy.
 
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