Dulles or Manassas?????
 

I used to fly my own C310 into Manassas on a regular basis but it's been 5 years or so. Now I'm flying corporate 91 and I'm looking for advise/suggestions/information about flying part 91 into Dulles.

I know there have been some new restrictions around the DC area but I think it only applies to Reagan with is for the most part off limits to 91.

Since Dulles is 15 minutes closer to downtown DC I'm thinking about using it over Manassas...any suggestions?

I think the majority of D.C corp aircraft go to IAD. That's where we go. I've been into HEF but actually prefer IAD. They are always going to have a precision approach and long runways available

I don't know anything about corporate part 91 flying, but I live in the area and am doing my instrument rating at KHEF. I can tell you that, during most hours of the day, the difference in drive time between Manassas>DC and Dulles>DC is more than 15 minutes. Route 66 between Manassas and the District is a hot mess from 5 in the morning until 8 at night. Conversely, the drive from KIAD to DC is toll-exempt and comparatively less densely trafficked, not to mention closer.


Would the time saved in road traffic assuming you chose Dulles be negated by the extra time necessitated by the busier class B terminal and ground environment?

I suppose you already know this but, with regard to the SFRA, it covers both KIAD and KHEF and is a non-factor for IFR traffic and only a minor pain-in-the-a*s for VFR. KDCA is indeed closed to part 91, unless you somehow possess a waiver.

Also of note- the Arsenal 2 departure from KHEF is always going to take you West first to keep you away from KIAD and KDCA traffic. If you frequently fly to the Northeast, Manassas may be less efficient.

No idea if that is helpful.

You need to take an on line course to fly in the SFRA. You can find it on google. BTW, inside the SFRA, the speed limit is 230 kias below 10K vs. 250kias.

Part 91 (GA) into IAD
 

I've been to IAD several times in a Mooney with no problems. I did the SFRA training online as mentioned above, but if you're IFR it did not apply - if I recall it was mostly VFR squawk procedures in/out of the smaller GA airports within the "circle of death".

IAD will have higher fuel and maintenance costs. (I spent $170 bucks for 15 lbs of air for my nose wheel!). 100LL was about $7/gal.

My father-in-law lives in Falls Church and said IAD was much easier than HEF due to traffic vs the Dulles "toll road".

Traffic in the air and on the ground has always been light - I guess I arrived/departed at good times?

Pay attention to the STARs - approaching from the South on the BARIN arrival you may get "direct MIXXN" which is about 20 miles north of IAD. It's basically an extended downwind to get you sequenced for landing.

Departure (again, I wanted to go South) vectors took me a little out towards the West before I got on course.

This is one of those trips that I let the boss decide. IAD is closer, but can be much more expensive. If you are going to be there several days, I would suggest calling both places and check ramp/hangar fees and fuel prices. Depending on airplane type, it can be several hundreds if not thousands of dollars difference. I point out the differences to the owner and if his schedule has some slack, he will often choose HEF. Good luck.

Do yourself a favor...

AOPA Online: Flight Operations in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)

If you're IFR you will be good to go (the 230kt rule does NOT apply to IFR traffic, only VFR), but you should still review the procedures - your certificate WILL be suspended if you mess something up.

Had the same decision to make a couple months ago - we chose HEF. Was a wash in drive time for where our pax were going, and since it was a 5 day trip, it saved us nearly a grand in fuel & fees.

We're in and out of IAD very regularly. I used to teach at HEF. If your pax are going to the district, and time in transit is most important, IAD is a better bet for traffic and drive time since you have access to the Dulles Access Road vs I-66 west of the beltway.

That said, IAD is much more expensive than HEF or RMN.

then there's Leesburg (JYO), good 2nd option to IAD ... runway is 5500ft., 3 FBOs on the field.... Manassas might closer to DC than Leesburg, but it is quicker and easier to get to DC from JYO than HEF.. Hop on 267 to 66, and you're there. Don't know what the NAV situation is at JYO, my company goes to Dulles

I live 2 blocks from the JYO, the FBOs are hurting for business, they'll be good to you.

We steer away from IAD whenever we can just due to cost. We frequent GAI as the drive time is slightly less than IAD unless it's wet then we end up at IAD