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Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 02:25:34 -0400
From: Jeff Cook <jcook@his.com>
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Subject: Re: DC Sightseeing
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> Austin Weidner wrote:
> > what time was it? You didn't have to pay landing fee (was unaware you only
> > have to pay the landing fee if you leave a movement area - true for all
> > airports?)


Way back when I was a primary student (a bit earlier this year), my
instructor and I hopped over from Leesburg (north of Dulles) to Hyde
Field (south of National). We picked up my sister and her husband for a
late Saturday afternoon flight to Ocean City, Maryland for dinner. Shot
east to the ocean, then off the coast due south for the 25 mile slide
into OXB at sunset. Gorgeous! Since there were no fuel services that
late, I planned to detour to Salisbury to pick up a few extra gallons
(couldn't go full tanks with 4 adults). With only a two-way intercom, my
instructor and I radioed SBY, and though the A/FD said they were open,
we got no answer to our repeated radio calls. Radioed Easton, but no
answer there. We kept going, still within our limits, when we began to
realize we had an unexpectedly strong headwind.  We agreed we'd stop for
fuel either just before or just after dropping off (err, delivering) my
sister & her husband. Instructor and I inventory the local fields that
offer fuel late Saturday night, and realize we should just drop in on
National.

After a discussion of about .037 seconds, all aboard agree that we'll
land at National first. Instructor calls up approach and says very
simply how we were over the Bay, and we'd like to come in for fuel. No
problem. Directed us to maintain our present course due west, which
would take us skimming the south edge of prohibited airspace over the
Mall, then make left traffic for Rwy 21. That was one sweet approach,
all lit up and weather clear as a bell, and not another plane in the
sky. Somewhere abeam the the Capitol building, my instructor took the
controls, so I just sat back and soaked it all in. Greaser landing, had
every runway and godzillions of taxiways to ourselves. BIIIGGGG RUNWAY. 

Well, we pulled up to the GA terminal, found $ignature Flight Support
and I instantly felt like I was trapped in a New York hotel. They made
us wait at the plane while somebody else brought the van out to drive us
the 50 steps or so to the door. Okay, how much did that cost? Do I have
to tip you? I forget the actual figures, but we asked for something like
10 gallons of fuel. Now the cash register opens. 18 gallons minimum fuel
purchase or they slap like a $22 service charge on me. This being the
first time I've had to deal with that, I foolishly pleaded "but it's a
Cessna 172!". Yes, eighteen gallons IS the minimum for a 172. But can I
buy fuel in advance...sort of start a prepay? No. Can I just pay you for
18 gallons of fuel and let you keep the other 8 gallons, instead of
buying 10 and paying for ANOTHER $20 worth? No. Plus the Landing fee?
Yes. Am I ever going to come to Signature again? If I go to National I
have to. I think I finally got out of there for around $60. New motto,
"ALL WE NEED IS YOUR...$IGNATURE!"

The rest of the flight was just like my old days on MS Flight Simulator.
South departure last Alexandria, over the Wilson Bridge, and away. Very
sweet.

A couple days later my instructor says somebody in the tower knew him
and actually thought our calm request for landing was a cool-headed cry
for help. They apparently slid us right in so fast because they thought
we were sweating it out. I've since heard many people (including my
checkride examiner) who said it's very dead after 10pm, though there are
exceptions.

By the way, flying out of Leesburg, VA is very pretty to the west. It's
the start of the foothills and ridges of the Appalachians that lead
south to Charlottsville & Richmond and beyond. You're going to see lots
of horseracing tracks. Just to the north is Harper's Ferry, Sugarloaf
Mountain, and Frederick Airport, where you can drop in on AOPA. But
think about taking a few hours and doing the Ocean City trip. Just get
the Washington Terminal Area Chart and be careful jumping through those
VFR corridors and dodging the MOAs just past Chesapeake Bay. The
traditional 360 over Bay Bridge is not to be missed. Enjoy it.

-- 
Jeff Cook
jcook@his.com
Washington DC area
