Here's a photo of Dulles
 

The photo forum still isn't back, and I just found this picture that I had completely forgotten I had lying around, so you get it here.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y83...esterminal.jpg

delete my post

Edited (Sorry for the stupidy)

How's the construction going there anyways? That should be a pretty efficient airport once it's all complete!

its ironic the parking lots are empty yet the lines are crazy...

Mesa? Nosir.
That photo was taken while I was in college, on my way to a pre-employment drug test and fingerprinting party in ORD when I started working for United.

ooooh burn! hope that shuts him up! cool pic.

Um, they will have to overhaul the ATC system before that place operates with any sense.

flew over dulles last week. The first new runway looks like it is getting close to paving. I couldnt tell where the heck the 2nd new runway is supposed to be.

For those of you that already think dulles is already a mess, the airport managers over there are pushing hard for more gates and airlines with the goal of making it one of the busiest airports in the world in the next 5 years.

Four years ago, the plan was to start knocking terminals over to make room for the A380.

I think they might make room for a Parallel 30/12...or at least that would make the most sense.

W/ regard to the new terminal - That is already in the works...or at least it has been for the past 'um-teen' years. They are supposed to be building over by the MX ramp. I guess that is the reason for the new underground train...other than the Sky Lounges are getting really old.

im going to be flying a 172 in there tomoro for a nice inst cross country, should be interesting...Anyone have any words of wisdom before i leave?

Go to HEF instead.

About the pic though...I worked ramp there back when things were good and ACA was still around. That place was awesome right around sunset.

that and give all the rampers English lessons.

hell, pick a standard language for them to speak, instead of one from every dialect on the planet (and a few i think aren't of this world)

Nothing better than calling inrange and having to not only say your flight number 6 times, but also having to ask them to repeat your gate 6 more. And the rampers..."Tail east" "Tail East?" "Yes tail eas...stop your pushing us tail west..."

why are you flying into Dulles?! thats madness.
There are plenty of other airports nearby to go to depending on which airport you are coming from. Manassas, Leesburg, Culpeper, Warrenton, Charlottesville, Stafford, Shennandoah, Fredrick, Martinsburg, Winchester... I could go on and on.

Im dying to know why you would want to fly a 172 into Dulles?

Where are you flying from?

Welllll i have to do a cross country for a flight course i am currently in, and my instructor and i thought it would be be challenging and fun...

Yeah... Until you get yelled at and runover by the heavies. We fly Seminoles into MEM on a pretty regular basis and let's just say ATC doesn't exactly roll out the red carpet for us. And for some strange reason they think the phrase 'Climb to 5,000 NOW!' makes the poor little twin climb faster... :D

Point being, flying in busy airspace is very good practice. Flying into -extremely- busy airspace where 95% of the the traffic arriving touches down on the runway faster than you cruise en route... maybe not so good :)

About ten years ago, I flew into MEM in a 172 for my first IFR cross country, and it was a piece of cake. If you act like a professional, ATC treats you like a professional.

what airport are you flying out of and what time of day are you leaving and expect to fly into Dulles. I lived there for 10 years and i want to give you some tips before you start making a few people upset...

departing near clev at about 930 flying the published preferred route with jasen4 arrival

Well that will probably put you into dulles just before noon.

Couple things to think about: the fuel at Signature and Landmark is going to be outragous. Probably in the range of $5.00 to $6.00 per galllon for 100LL.... the fuelers there are probably going to have to pull out their manuals to remind them how the 100LL trucks work! :D.

Im pretty sure they have minimum fuel amounts and I would guess a 172 top off doesnt come anywhere near that amount, which means they will charge you a fee. Plus a landing fee, and ramp fee and handling fee. Its really not a big deal for someone who is flying in a 20 million dollar Gulfstream and spending $3000 in fuel, but for your Cessna, it is going to become expensive very quickly.

And on a side note, there used to be a rule in place where "flight training specific" flights were not allowed to land at Dulles. IF you are picking up for dropping off or have business there, you could fly a Cessna 150 or whatever in there, and put up with the mess. But if it is for flight training reasons, there is a restriction on landing there. I dont know how strict they are with it, but if ATC asks you... I warned you.

Lastly.. ATC. Im not even going to start on that one. Flying into Dulles is a little different that flying into Memphis as mentioned above. Hopefully they dont have a push running and hopefully you guys are on top of your game. So, Good luck to you on that one.

I think you would be better off flying into Leesburg or Manassas ... both airports are just outside of the Dulles surface Class B ring, Manassas is even busy enough for most people!

Either way, good luck. I know Potomac Approach has a short patience for slow moving planes in and out of Dulles. They already have enough work to do... Best of luck.

i appreciate your response, and i am curious where one would look to see if there still is the current restriction on flights into dulles for flight training purposes?

now granted, if asked, we could state we have business there, as a local restaurant should be counting on my business :)
thanks

Start with the AFD and then read the NOTAMS.

FLIGHT TRAINING BETWEEN 2200-0700 IS PROHIBITED

now i am curious, is this more aimed at the person who wants to practice shooting multiple approaches and is not actually landing, and pattern work, things of that nature?

I would make a phone call to Potomac Tracon or Dulles Tower to find out the ideal time for arrival. Give them your "N" number and tell them you would like to fly the Jasen2 arrival if possible. That way they will be expecting you and will probably be more receptive to your requests. Also, be familiar with the ADIZ and FRZ procedures in case you need to bolt out of IAD under VFR.

Out here in sunny California Bay Area, You would be lucky to fly into KSFO in a light piston.
Landing fee starts around $100 plus parking, fuel, ramp, etc.
You can shoot approaches sometimes from 2-5am with go-arounds if the traffic is light. Otherwise even if youre willing to pay the price to land you will be mucking it up for the heavy traffic so you better know the special approaches and runway layout down pat.

It is nice to be able to land at KOAK on the small parallel runways 27 and the short runway 29 at KSJC. Good radio practice.

Looks like a nice morning shot? If you zoom in I bet you can see some Mesa crews waiting for the employee shuttle heading to the crashpad dead dog tired from their standup overnights. :(
Not to poke fun at mesaguys - just get some contract language against those tiring schedules! :mad:

I am sure you can get in there, you will have to go to the FBO. Where they will most likely get you with a huge fee. Landing fee, handleing fee, then a fee which can be waved if you buy like 100 gallons of gas or more, which blows for a 172. Fuel at iad has got to be up above 5.50, I know someone who fueled up jet and it was almost 7 bucks a gallon.
to get into sfo its around 175 bucks to land. period. no way around it, unless you have a red cross painted on your tail.