Moving to CA

[Ishrat Zahid]

I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
club here at LWM.
Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
bay area?
I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
Thanks

/Nadeem

[Brenor Brophy]

Nadeem,

The major GA airport serving San Jose/Milpitas is Reid Hillview (KRHV). You
can checkout it's home page at

http://www.reidhillviewairport.com/

I learned to fly at Tradewinds Aviation and then rented from them for about
5 months until I bought my own plane. There have a fairly good fleet of
aircraft from 172's up to twins. The maintenance is excellent, the
scheduling is online and works well. The rental rates are a little higher
than some other FBO's at the airport.

I have heard great things about Squadron 2, my CFII mostly flys out of that
club. I think they have one of the larger fleets with a pretty varied
selection of planes.

If tail-draggers are your thing, then Amelia Reid is the only place to
consider. Excellent reputation.

I believe there is still some GA activity at San Jose International (KSJC),
but it has been reduced a lot over the last few years as the airport has
grown in a pretty busy Class C. Hayward Airport (KHWD) is north of Milpitas,
I've never even landed there. Palo Alto (PAO) is across the bay. Nice place
to visit, but I've only ever done T&Gs there.

-Brenor

"Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
...
> I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
> club here at LWM.
> Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
> bay area?
> I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> Thanks
>
> /Nadeem
>

[Cecil Chapman]

Check out Nice Air at Reid-Hillview RHV. Got my basic ticket there and am
currently finishing up my instrument ticket there, with plans to go on to
the Commercial and CFI.

I rent from them too, for my 'fun' flying.

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
...
> I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
> club here at LWM.
> Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
> bay area?
> I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> Thanks
>
> /Nadeem
>

[Dave Jacobowitz]

I fly out of Palo Alto (KPAO). I got my private ticket
and instrument rating with Sundance Flying Club, and I
continue to rent with them. It's a pretty laid-back
club, very informal, and the aircraft rent for a bit
less than other clubs on the field. The drawback is
that their fleet is pretty small right now. A Warrior,
an Archer, a Cherokee 180 that is not an Archer, a
(couple of?) 152's, a couple 172's, a Duchess, a 182RG.
Also, as part of the laid-back atmosphere, you get
aircraft that aren't as up-to-date as you might like.
(ie, bring your own GPS)

There are several other clubs on the field: Palo Alto
Flying Club, Stanford Flying Club, and West Valley
Flying Club. WVFC has a huge fleet, with all sorts of
different planes, many of which are newish.

Reid Hillview, I think, is overall a lot cheaper, but
I cannot stand driving to that place. I live in Campbell
which should be closer to RHV and it is to
PAO, but for some reason I can get to PAO faster in my
car, and the drive is less irritating.

My $0.02

Dave J

-- jacobowitz73 -at- yahoo -dot- com


"Cecil Chapman" > wrote in message >...
> Check out Nice Air at Reid-Hillview RHV. Got my basic ticket there and am
> currently finishing up my instrument ticket there, with plans to go on to
> the Commercial and CFI.
>
> I rent from them too, for my 'fun' flying.
>
> --
> --
> =-----
> Good Flights!
>
> Cecil
> PP-ASEL
> Student-IASEL
>
> Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
> checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
> Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com
>
> "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
> - Antoine de Saint-Exupery -
>
> "We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
> this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
> - Cecil Day Lewis -
> "Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
> > club here at LWM.
> > Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
> > bay area?
> > I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> > Thanks
> >
> > /Nadeem
> >

[[email protected]]

On Sun, 11 Apr 2004 20:39:06 -0400, Ishrat Zahid >
wrote:

>I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
>club here at LWM.
>Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
>bay area?
>I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...

I believe that RHV will be closer to you than PAO driving-wise, but I'd
have to look at a map to be sure.

I have flown a bit out of both airports... here are some notes:

RHV

- two runways (3100-ish feet long)
- helicopter training is available
- no restaurant on-field
- airspace butts up against foothills to the east, and SJC to the
northwest. There are basically two fixed-wing corridors you can fly into
it with - "Caleveras" and "UTC" - without talking to SJC.
- IMO, a boring selection of airplanes to kick the tires on, other than
having about 400% more helicopters than PAO... PAO has much more variety
for the airplane nut - Pilatus PC12s, T-34s, Sky Arrows (2 - this is the
airplane that made me want to learn to fly), Scottish Bulldogs (2),
floatplanes, Meridians - the list goes on and on. RHV is a huge
collection of C172/182s, Archer/Arrows, a smattering of Cirri (lease/own
only - no rentals), and decrepit twins. (Dons flame-retardant underwear,
but hey - this is how it seems to me whenever I walk the flightline...)


PAO

- decent restaurant/espresso shop on-field ("Abundant Air"). Really,
isn't this the most important airport feature?
- one runway; about the same length as RHV's but it seems shorter
somehow. Plus, it's not as well paved/level. Gets reeeeally busy at
times. I don't think I was ever called "Number 5 for Rwy 31" at RHV but
it's happened more than once at PAO in my short experience there. I miss
that other runway that RHV has.
- more complex/cramped airspace - just look at a sectional or terminal
chart. I'm still getting used to this (been flying out of there since
Nov. 03). You have Moffett to the southeast (military/NASA field) and
San Carlos immediately to the NW, followed by SFO. Oh, Hayward is over
there to the east too, just a few miles away.
- West Valley Flying Club has several Cirri for rent - both SR20s and
SR22s. This is why I joined this club; I can rent a totally
state-of-the-art airplane for $149 an hour ($175 with TCAS). Checkout
rates are less than that, at least in the winter. The CFIs I've talked
to are professional and passionate about their craft.

In the end (i.e. after spending about 300 hours at RHV and 20 at PAO),
I'd pick PAO for my fixed-wing needs - and I'd pick WVFC as a Base Of
Operations. However - for whatever reason CFIs seem to be more expensive
at PAO than RHV, so if your flying budget is really a budget then RHV
might be better if your needs involve a CFI.


Note that all of the above, along with a buck seventy-five, might get
you a single-shot espresso at Abundant Air, so treat the value of my
advice with this valuation 8^) .

Dave Blevins
-

[Cecil Chapman]

I live in San Francisco (the city, proper) and in good traffic I'm down
there (RHV) in an hour or less.

From San Carlos, CA it is only another 25 minute drive to RHV and from Palo
Alto, Reid-Hillview is even closer than that.

I checked out the FBO's at Palo Alto and they are all rather high on the
HOBBS rates - this includes San Carlos Airport as well. I've also heard
through the pilot grapevine that it takes 'forever' to get sequenced out of
Palo Alto; which is a consideration while you are burning up valuable
instructor and HOBBS time WAITING ON THE GROUND to be sequenced out of the
airport - meanwhile the dollars are just ticking away.

For example: To rent a C-152 II at West Valley at Palo Alto you pay almost
$70 at Nice Air at Reid-Hillview you pay $55 per HOBSS hours. A 172
Skyhawk at West Valley rents for almost $90/hobbs hour versus Nice Air at
Reid Hillview where you will pay $63-$68. The hysterical part about the
price difference is that at most of the flying clubs like West Valley YOU
HAVE TO PAY MONTHLY DUES to get those rates - At Nice Air at Reid-Hillview,
there are NO MEMBERSHIP FEES - so you can spend your money learning to fly.
Keep in mind, too that for the difference in rates, the student can get in a
lot more weekly flying hours and be able to train more often than they could
otherwise do.

By the way, best part about Reid-Hillview is the weather (at least for
primary students), it is rare to get a day that isn't flyable. Of course,
affordable planes and great instructors don't hurt either.

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"Dave Jacobowitz" > wrote in message
om...
> I fly out of Palo Alto (KPAO). I got my private ticket
> and instrument rating with Sundance Flying Club, and I
> continue to rent with them. It's a pretty laid-back
> club, very informal, and the aircraft rent for a bit
> less than other clubs on the field. The drawback is
> that their fleet is pretty small right now. A Warrior,
> an Archer, a Cherokee 180 that is not an Archer, a
> (couple of?) 152's, a couple 172's, a Duchess, a 182RG.
> Also, as part of the laid-back atmosphere, you get
> aircraft that aren't as up-to-date as you might like.
> (ie, bring your own GPS)
>
> There are several other clubs on the field: Palo Alto
> Flying Club, Stanford Flying Club, and West Valley
> Flying Club. WVFC has a huge fleet, with all sorts of
> different planes, many of which are newish.
>
> Reid Hillview, I think, is overall a lot cheaper, but
> I cannot stand driving to that place. I live in Campbell
> which should be closer to RHV and it is to
> PAO, but for some reason I can get to PAO faster in my
> car, and the drive is less irritating.
>
> My $0.02
>
> Dave J
>
> -- jacobowitz73 -at- yahoo -dot- com
>
>
> "Cecil Chapman" > wrote in message
>...
> > Check out Nice Air at Reid-Hillview RHV. Got my basic ticket there and
am
> > currently finishing up my instrument ticket there, with plans to go on
to
> > the Commercial and CFI.
> >
> > I rent from them too, for my 'fun' flying.
> >
> > --
> > --
> > =-----
> > Good Flights!
> >
> > Cecil
> > PP-ASEL
> > Student-IASEL
> >
> > Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
> > checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
> > Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com
> >
> > "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
> > - Antoine de Saint-Exupery -
> >
> > "We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
> > this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
> > - Cecil Day Lewis -
> > "Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old
flying
> > > club here at LWM.
> > > Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in
the
> > > bay area?
> > > I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > /Nadeem
> > >

[Cecil Chapman]

>
> - two runways (3100-ish feet long)
> - helicopter training is available
> - no restaurant on-field

But the area is surrounded by any number of restaurants.

> - airspace butts up against foothills to the east, and SJC to the
> northwest. There are basically two fixed-wing corridors you can fly into
> it with - "Caleveras" and "UTC" - without talking to SJC.

Calaveras, UTC are just one of the few 'corridors' as you call them that you
can fly without talking to NORCAL or SJC, if you look at a sectional you'd
see there are quite a bit more. Additionally, let me take the time to point
out that learning to talk to SJC and Norcal is just good solid experience
for any pilot - nothing is worse than having a private pilot flying around
who is afraid to talk to anybody on the radio, except for their home field.

> - IMO, a boring selection of airplanes to kick the tires on, other than
> having about 400% more helicopters than PAO

For God's sake, man,,,, if you find the process of flying 'boring' maybe you
are in the wrong sport?

??? I spend LOTS of this time at this field... If, as you say, RHV has
"400% more helicopters than PAO",,,, then PAO must have only ONE helicopter,
because there really aren't that many helicopters on the field. Most of the
activity and presence is fixed-wing from tail draggers to trainers, to
twins.

> ... - the list goes on and on. RHV is a huge
> collection of C172/182s, Archer/Arrows, a smattering of Cirri (lease/own
> only - no rentals), and decrepit twins. (Dons flame-retardant underwear,
> but hey - this is how it seems to me whenever I walk the flightline...)

Oh geez,,, have you ever SEEN RHV??? there are twins, taildraggers, new
Cessnas as well as older models the field, but yes, there are also older
(but well-maintained) planes there, also. So, if you are the kind who can
only impress the ladies with that shiny new plane and not the glory of
flight (regardless of how one gets UP there),, maybe shiny, new planes are
what YOU need,,, but they are certainly not a necessity for the original
poster who wants to learn how to fly and discover the magic of flight - for
that you only need a decent well-maintained plane, determination and 'the
dream',,, that's it.....

Oops wait,,, I think I just figured you out.... Here's the REAL problem you
have with RHV - unlike PAO (where the rich folks play), there are no BMW's,
Mercedes' and their ilk infecting the parking lots and <GASP> there are NO
nearby espresso/latte' stands ,,,, and GASP AND HORRORS, the area that
surrounds RHV is ethnically diverse! ;0)

Here's what you'll find at RHV (though, of course there are always a few
exceptions); pilots driving well-worn, older model cars 'cause they are
saving their bucks for that plane they have in the hangar, or for their
flying lessons - because in the end, it isn't the fancy car, or the flash,
or the praise/accolades they are looking for,,, they just LOVE to fly. All
ya need for that is the determination and a mechanically-sound airplane,
doesn't have to be brand-new and flashy. Like that bumper sticker
says,,,,,, "Flight,,,, all the rest is just 'details'".

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[[email protected]]

On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:00:14 GMT, "Cecil Chapman"
> wrote:

>>
>> - two runways (3100-ish feet long)
>> - helicopter training is available
>> - no restaurant on-field
>
>But the area is surrounded by any number of restaurants.

I still give PAO the thumbs up - I can grab a quick sandwich right there
next to the FBO. Now, granted, RHV has a nearby In 'n Out which gets
bonus points I guess. But I have to drive there - it's too far to walk.

IMO RHV's management is missing a bet by not making it easier for a
restaurant to occupy the upper level of the gub'ment building there.

>> - airspace butts up against foothills to the east, and SJC to the
>> northwest. There are basically two fixed-wing corridors you can fly into
>> it with - "Caleveras" and "UTC" - without talking to SJC.
>
>Calaveras, UTC are just one of the few 'corridors' as you call them that you
>can fly without talking to NORCAL or SJC, if you look at a sectional you'd
>see there are quite a bit more.

Nonetheless the ones I mentioned are what probably 90% of the
inbound/outbound VFR traffic use. (BTW I *have* been known to look at a
sectional occasionally, but mostly they're great for wrapping aviation
presents. )

>> - IMO, a boring selection of airplanes to kick the tires on, other than
>> having about 400% more helicopters than PAO
>
>For God's sake, man,,,, if you find the process of flying 'boring' maybe you
>are in the wrong sport?

I don't like 30 year old airplanes with scratchy radios and "INOP"
placards plastered all over the place. I prefer to spend a little more $
and fly something nicer and newer. But really, my point was that PAO has
a lot more interesting planes, both in the air and on the ground, on any
given day - to ME. Remember, I said in my post that it was MY OPINION
and MY EXPERIENCE. Clearly yours is different - no worries, but I feel
like I'm being attacked.

>??? I spend LOTS of this time at this field... If, as you say, RHV has
>"400% more helicopters than PAO",,,, then PAO must have only ONE helicopter,
>because there really aren't that many helicopters on the field. Most of the
>activity and presence is fixed-wing from tail draggers to trainers, to
>twins.

My math was a little buggered. To be clear: to my knowledge there are no
rental/training helicopters at PAO, while there are three at RHV.
>
>Oh geez,,, have you ever SEEN RHV??? there are twins, taildraggers, new
>Cessnas as well as older models the field, but yes, there are also older
>(but well-maintained) planes there, also.

Yawn. The most interesting plane that was there for a long time, that
you could walk up to anyway, was an old Navion that hadn't flown in a
looooong time. Beat-to-pieces 182s and Archers are boooooooring. And not
a SINGLE New Technology airplane exists on the entire field that can be
rented. PAO has four that I can think of, and even SQL has two or three.

> So, if you are the kind who can
>only impress the ladies with that shiny new plane and not the glory of
>flight (regardless of how one gets UP there),, maybe shiny, new planes are
>what YOU need,,, but they are certainly not a necessity for the original
>poster who wants to learn how to fly and discover the magic of flight - for
>that you only need a decent well-maintained plane, determination and 'the
>dream',,, that's it.....

Whatever. And, BTW wtf is this nonsense about impressing the ladies with
an airplane? I fly for the challenge, not to get laid. That's what my
giant pilot's watch is for!
>
>Oops wait,,, I think I just figured you out....

Nnnnnk, but thanks for playing. You don't have me Figured Out.

> Here's the REAL problem you
>have with RHV - unlike PAO (where the rich folks play), there are no BMW's,
>Mercedes' and their ilk infecting the parking lots and <GASP> there are NO
>nearby espresso/latte' stands ,,,, and GASP AND HORRORS, the area that
>surrounds RHV is ethnically diverse! ;0)

Actually I have wondered if the "Ilk" are why airplanes and CFIs cost
more there than at RHV...

And there are TWO Starbucks in the shopping center across Capitol/Tully
from RHV. So there.
>
>Here's what you'll find at RHV (though, of course there are always a few
>exceptions); pilots driving well-worn, older model cars 'cause they are
>saving their bucks for that plane they have in the hangar, or for their
>flying lessons - because in the end, it isn't the fancy car, or the flash,
>or the praise/accolades they are looking for,,, they just LOVE to fly. All
>ya need for that is the determination and a mechanically-sound airplane,
>doesn't have to be brand-new and flashy. Like that bumper sticker
>says,,,,,, "Flight,,,, all the rest is just 'details'".

OK, OK. I flew out of RHV for my first four years; now I'm at PAO for
fixed wing stuff, so maybe I was just bored with RHV in general.
Criminy, don't get your panties all in a wad. None of what I said
implies that I don't love to fly. I just love different aspects of it
than you do! Jeez!

---

I'll close by mentioning one thing I forgot to mention about PAO - I'm
still not used to flying over water all the time in the pattern. With so
many airplanes typically in the air, it's difficult to fly a very tight,
"safe" pattern (in case of an engine failure or whatever), and that
water looks cold from 800'.

dB.

[Cecil Chapman]

> I still give PAO the thumbs up - I can grab a quick sandwich right there
> next to the FBO. Now, granted, RHV has a nearby In 'n Out which gets

Yes, but the sandwich will cost you a million dollars at PAO!

> But I have to drive there - it's too far to walk.

Woosy! <grin>


> Actually I have wondered if the "Ilk" are why airplanes and CFIs cost
> more there than at RHV...

Survey says............ "Yes"

But then again, there's San Carlos which has similiar HOBBS rates to PAO..
If I were to be serious for a moment, I guess that's what bugs me most about
some of the local flying clubs; ya pay the monthly dues AND enrollment fee
and you STILL pay higher HOBBS rates.

> given day - to ME. Remember, I said in my post that it was MY OPINION
> and MY EXPERIENCE. Clearly yours is different - no worries, but I feel
> like I'm being attacked.

Yes,,, but your opinion is wrong and I felt it was my duty to point it
out... '-)

> And there are TWO Starbucks in the shopping center across Capitol/Tully
> from RHV. So there.

Yes, but they are generally not in plain view, so I don't find their
presence as 'obscene' as I normally would '-)

> I don't like 30 year old airplanes with scratchy radios and "INOP"
> placards plastered all over the place. I prefer to spend a little more $
> and fly something nicer and newer. But really, my point was that PAO has
> a lot more interesting planes, both in the air and on the ground, on any

But that simply isn't true,,, there are perfectly nice (AND new - especially
at Tradewinds) airplanes at RHV. Even the older trainers at Nice Air are in
respectable shape.

> OK, OK. I flew out of RHV for my first four years; now I'm at PAO for
> fixed wing stuff, so maybe I was just bored with RHV in general.

If you laid off the Starbucks caffeine,,, you'd 'come down' and then flying
would be exciting again, no matter where you flew ! ;-)

> Criminy, don't get your panties all in a wad.

Hey!!! How did you know what I was wearing for underwear??? THAT'S what I
get for waking up at three in the morning and trying to dress in the
dark,,, knew something felt different....... :-/.

> I'll close by mentioning one thing I forgot to mention about PAO - I'm
> still not used to flying over water all the time in the pattern. With so
> many airplanes typically in the air, it's difficult to fly a very tight,
> "safe" pattern (in case of an engine failure or whatever), and that
> water looks cold from 800'.

Flying over the water has never been one of my favorite things, either.
Don't know if you have your instrument rating yet, but assuming you
don't.... Just wait until you do an instrument approach into Monterey,
Norcal takes you WAAAAYYYY out over the ocean to start the
approach,,,,,,,,,,,,, YIKES!!!! Also the Watsonville instrument approaches
give me the willies too for a similar reason. For some weird reason, flying
the Bay Tour (with only Crissy Field as the only likely emergency landing
site,,, aside from a ditching in the bay) doesn't 'bug' me,,, go figure.....


--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
> wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:00:14 GMT, "Cecil Chapman"
> > wrote:
>
> >>
> >> - two runways (3100-ish feet long)
> >> - helicopter training is available
> >> - no restaurant on-field
> >
> >But the area is surrounded by any number of restaurants.
>

>
> IMO RHV's management is missing a bet by not making it easier for a
> restaurant to occupy the upper level of the gub'ment building there.
>
> >> - airspace butts up against foothills to the east, and SJC to the
> >> northwest. There are basically two fixed-wing corridors you can fly
into
> >> it with - "Caleveras" and "UTC" - without talking to SJC.
> >
> >Calaveras, UTC are just one of the few 'corridors' as you call them that
you
> >can fly without talking to NORCAL or SJC, if you look at a sectional
you'd
> >see there are quite a bit more.
>
> Nonetheless the ones I mentioned are what probably 90% of the
> inbound/outbound VFR traffic use. (BTW I *have* been known to look at a
> sectional occasionally, but mostly they're great for wrapping aviation
> presents. )
>
> >> - IMO, a boring selection of airplanes to kick the tires on, other than
> >> having about 400% more helicopters than PAO
> >
> >For God's sake, man,,,, if you find the process of flying 'boring' maybe
you
> >are in the wrong sport?
>


>
> >??? I spend LOTS of this time at this field... If, as you say, RHV has
> >"400% more helicopters than PAO",,,, then PAO must have only ONE
helicopter,
> >because there really aren't that many helicopters on the field. Most of
the
> >activity and presence is fixed-wing from tail draggers to trainers, to
> >twins.
>
> My math was a little buggered. To be clear: to my knowledge there are no
> rental/training helicopters at PAO, while there are three at RHV.
> >
> >Oh geez,,, have you ever SEEN RHV??? there are twins, taildraggers, new
> >Cessnas as well as older models the field, but yes, there are also older
> >(but well-maintained) planes there, also.
>
> Yawn. The most interesting plane that was there for a long time, that
> you could walk up to anyway, was an old Navion that hadn't flown in a
> looooong time. Beat-to-pieces 182s and Archers are boooooooring. And not
> a SINGLE New Technology airplane exists on the entire field that can be
> rented. PAO has four that I can think of, and even SQL has two or three.
>
> > So, if you are the kind who can
> >only impress the ladies with that shiny new plane and not the glory of
> >flight (regardless of how one gets UP there),, maybe shiny, new planes
are
> >what YOU need,,, but they are certainly not a necessity for the original
> >poster who wants to learn how to fly and discover the magic of flight -
for
> >that you only need a decent well-maintained plane, determination and 'the
> >dream',,, that's it.....
>
> Whatever. And, BTW wtf is this nonsense about impressing the ladies with
> an airplane? I fly for the challenge, not to get laid. That's what my
> giant pilot's watch is for!
> >
> >Oops wait,,, I think I just figured you out....
>
> Nnnnnk, but thanks for playing. You don't have me Figured Out.
>
> > Here's the REAL problem you
> >have with RHV - unlike PAO (where the rich folks play), there are no
BMW's,
> >Mercedes' and their ilk infecting the parking lots and <GASP> there are
NO
> >nearby espresso/latte' stands ,,,, and GASP AND HORRORS, the area that
> >surrounds RHV is ethnically diverse! ;0)
>

>

> >Here's what you'll find at RHV (though, of course there are always a few
> >exceptions); pilots driving well-worn, older model cars 'cause they are
> >saving their bucks for that plane they have in the hangar, or for their
> >flying lessons - because in the end, it isn't the fancy car, or the
flash,
> >or the praise/accolades they are looking for,,, they just LOVE to fly.
All
> >ya need for that is the determination and a mechanically-sound airplane,
> >doesn't have to be brand-new and flashy. Like that bumper sticker
> >says,,,,,, "Flight,,,, all the rest is just 'details'".
>
None of what I said
> implies that I don't love to fly. I just love different aspects of it
> than you do! Jeez!
>
> ---
>

>
> dB.
>
>

[Dave Jacobowitz]

Wow, I thought this was a rather inocuous thread; a relatively
safe place to post, but alas, I think someone was just insinuated
to be classist and racist based solely on support of his favorite
aerodrome.

For the record, they're both fine airports. The wet rate for
your favorite airplane is higher at PAO. That's a fact. There
are restaurants near RHV that are good, and there are restaurants
near PAO that are good, too. Lunch near PAO will cost you more,
however.

Both airports can get busy, and you might wait at PAO sometimes,
though I have never waited more than 2-3 minutes unless waiting
for an IFR clearance (and that's going to be the same PAO or RHV)

Oddly enough, and worth repeating although it's been said already,
the weather at the two airports is quite a bit different. It's
hotter at RHV than PAO in the summer (note the Bay). There's
more moisture activity (fog, low clouds) at PAO than RHV (note
the Bay). Both airports have GPS approaches, and PAO has a
VOR approach which you can't get most of the time, anyway.
Some people think PAO has frequent difficult crosswinds. I
dunno... it's what I grew up with. :)

I have seen [nice|beater] [foreign|domesetic] [automobiles|aircraft]
at both airports.

I still stand by my statement that the traffic to get to RHV,
especially at peak and near-peak times (like cutting the afternoon
at work a little short) is the main reason I prefer PAO. I'm
starting from Santa Clara (office) and that's just how it works
out. Also, from Campbell (home), which is a good ten miles
closer to RHV than PAO, it's a faster drive on weekends.

-- dave j

[John Harper]

Like Dave says. Honestly if people want to choose their airport
based on the preponderance, or not, of certain makes of car,
then that's their privilege, but it strikes me as odd.

Traffic (highway variety) is definitely a factor. My office is
about equidistant from the two (237/880) but PAO is
20 mins in normal rush hour traffic, and RHV is more like
45. From home (Mountain View) PAO is 10 mins just about
any time, and RHV doesn't bear thinking about at busy times.

My experience is mainly with PAO. Things can get a bit hectic
on fine weekend mornings, but the rest of the time there are
no significant delays for VFR. Both airports have three or more
decent flying clubs (based on what I've heard anyway). Sundance
at PAO is where I trained and I would recommend it to anyone.

If you want *interesting* aircraft at your field, go to LVK - home
to numerous warbirds, for which PAO and RHV don't have
long enough runways.

John

"Dave Jacobowitz" > wrote in message
om...
> Wow, I thought this was a rather inocuous thread; a relatively
> safe place to post, but alas, I think someone was just insinuated
> to be classist and racist based solely on support of his favorite
> aerodrome.
>
> For the record, they're both fine airports. The wet rate for
> your favorite airplane is higher at PAO. That's a fact. There
> are restaurants near RHV that are good, and there are restaurants
> near PAO that are good, too. Lunch near PAO will cost you more,
> however.
>
> Both airports can get busy, and you might wait at PAO sometimes,
> though I have never waited more than 2-3 minutes unless waiting
> for an IFR clearance (and that's going to be the same PAO or RHV)
>
> Oddly enough, and worth repeating although it's been said already,
> the weather at the two airports is quite a bit different. It's
> hotter at RHV than PAO in the summer (note the Bay). There's
> more moisture activity (fog, low clouds) at PAO than RHV (note
> the Bay). Both airports have GPS approaches, and PAO has a
> VOR approach which you can't get most of the time, anyway.
> Some people think PAO has frequent difficult crosswinds. I
> dunno... it's what I grew up with. :)
>
> I have seen [nice|beater] [foreign|domesetic] [automobiles|aircraft]
> at both airports.
>
> I still stand by my statement that the traffic to get to RHV,
> especially at peak and near-peak times (like cutting the afternoon
> at work a little short) is the main reason I prefer PAO. I'm
> starting from Santa Clara (office) and that's just how it works
> out. Also, from Campbell (home), which is a good ten miles
> closer to RHV than PAO, it's a faster drive on weekends.
>
> -- dave j

[Brenor Brophy]

Nadeem,

Are you still sure you want to move to CA ? It's a good thing all the
warbirds are in LVK otherwise a shooting war could break out :-).

The issues about highway traffic and weather are both good ones. Like any
fairly congested area it all depends on the highway you take to the airport
and the time of day. You'll be here about 6 months before you figure out the
spots to completely avoid during commute times. Highway 101 south is a bear
during the evening, it easily takes me 40min to get from work (North 1st
St/237) to RHV. But from my home which is a bit further East I can take 680
south at the same time and be there in 15min (for about the same distance).

RHV is less effected by the marine layer fog which is very common on spring
and summer mornings. Its great to get a few easy minutes of IMC climbing out
in the morning, knowing that it will be gone when you return a couple of
hours later - but only if you've got an instrument rating. Otherwise, its a
frustrating wait for the fog to clear - it usually will clear from RHV
first. The GPS IFR approach to RHV sucks, the MDA is 1440' which often will
not be low enough to get under the fog. The usual trick is to fly the ILS
into SJC, cancel IFR when you break-out at about 1000' and get SVFR to RHV.
The GPS approach to PAO looks a lot better, with an MDA of 460', it might
actually be useful.

The Bay Area is a fun place to fly - no matter where you fly out of, you
will get used to talking to ATC. The landscape is beautiful and there are a
host of excellent flying destinations within an hour of flying time.

-Brenor

"Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
...
> I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
> club here at LWM.
> Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
> bay area?
> I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> Thanks
>
> /Nadeem
>

[Javier Henderson]

writes:

> IMO RHV's management is missing a bet by not making it easier for a
> restaurant to occupy the upper level of the gub'ment building there.

The conspiracy mongers amongst us think it's by design, tied into
the ever present efforts to close RHV.

-jav

[John Clear]

In article >,
Javier Henderson > wrote:
writes:
>
>> IMO RHV's management is missing a bet by not making it easier for a
>> restaurant to occupy the upper level of the gub'ment building there.
>
>The conspiracy mongers amongst us think it's by design, tied into
>the ever present efforts to close RHV.

Not sure if it is still the case, but back when the vote on closing
RHV was before the country supervisors, it was reported that all
the businesses were on month-to-month leases to discourage long
term investment.

True or not, RHV could use some TLC.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.panix.com/~jac

[Cecil Chapman]

Glad someone said something about this. I had a restaurant owner (who owns
another popular airport cafe) interested in looking at RHV. Unfortunately,
the county (in its' ongoing efforts to 'sabotage' any chance of getting the
airport restaurant started up again) will only give a month to month lease.
The old Red Baron needs LOTS of work and capital investment on the inside
and no business person is going to sink all that capital into a building
that only offers a month-to-month lease - and the county know this. Mark my
words... 'Mayor Daley' clones, exist everywhere! :-(

Don't know if it will do any good, but you started me thinking and I'm going
to write our 'governator' about what's going on. However it works out, at
least I'd feel good giving it another try.

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[Cecil Chapman]

> Wow, I thought this was a rather innocuous thread; a relatively
> safe place to post, but alas, I think someone was just insinuated
> to be classist and racist based solely on support of his favorite
> aerodrome.

Oh jeez,,, it was all tongue-in-cheek. He IS classist though (wink) By the
way, what model BMW do YOU drive? ... :-}~

> I still stand by my statement that the traffic to get to RHV,
> especially at peak and near-peak times (like cutting the afternoon
> at work a little short) is the main reason I prefer PAO. I'm
> starting from Santa Clara (office) and that's just how it works
> out. Also, from Campbell (home), which is a good ten miles
> closer to RHV than PAO, it's a faster drive on weekends.
> Both airports can get busy, and you might wait at PAO sometimes,

<==== Might???? Sometimes???? Is that what ya call PAO's 'parking lot' in
the run-up area...??? ;-)

If ya have the money to burn,, ,then go ahead,,, but I'd rather see my
flying dollars translate into the most flying time I can possibly get and
don't get me started on how 'fun' it is waiting to get sequenced out of PAO
versus RHV.

> I have seen [nice|beater] [foreign|domestic] [automobiles|aircraft]
> at both airports.

Naw,,,, PAO is BEAMer and Mercedes land,,,, any beat-up cars you see come
from the impoverished help that they hire to service the 'rich folks'.
Working folk fly out of RHV.... ;-)

> For the record, they're both fine airports. The wet rate for
> your favorite airplane is higher at PAO. That's a fact. There
> are restaurants near RHV that are good, and there are restaurants
> near PAO that are good, too. Lunch near PAO will cost you more,
> however.

Yes they are LOTS higher!!! Suggestion for those who aren't in the know....
Go to Nice Air, take your lessons or rent a plane at a lower HOBBS and
INSTRUCTOR rate AND you WON'T HAVE TO PAY MEMBERSHIP OR MONTHLY DUES!!!!!

Ladies and gentleman,,,,, Cecil,,, has left the building....... ;-)

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[Max T, CFI]

I'm in Mountain View, but have finally figured a way to get to RHV that only takes me
5 minutes longer than going to PAO. I used to go all the way down to Tully Road and
fight my way through the traffic lights. Finally realized that taking I280 to I680 then getting
off at Capitol Expressway (or Jackson St at rush hour) is very fast.

For someone coming to live in the Milpitas area, it seems like a no-brainer, especially
if they live near I680. Reid-Hillview is closer. And a lot less expensive. And you have
a huge selection of planes at www.squadron2.com Okay, so I teach there on weekends,
but it's still all true. And with two runways, there's hardly ever a wait to get out, unlike
PAO where I kept a plane and flew for many years.
Max T, MCFI

Dave Jacobowitz > wrote in message om...
>
> Reid Hillview, I think, is overall a lot cheaper, but
> I cannot stand driving to that place. I live in Campbell
> which should be closer to RHV and it is to
> PAO, but for some reason I can get to PAO faster in my
> car, and the drive is less irritating.

[Dave Jacobowitz]

"Cecil Chapman" > wrote:

> Oh jeez,,, it was all tongue-in-cheek. He IS classist though (wink) By the
> way, what model BMW do YOU drive? ... :-}~

Okay, okay. You know, sometimes it's not so clear in email.
Not that I'm a huge fan of smileys, but sometimes they go
a long way.

I drive a non-luxury (though nice enough) car. Mustang
convertible.


>> [ the hobbs rates are higher ]

> Yes they are LOTS higher!!! Suggestion for those who aren't in the know....
> Go to Nice Air, take your lessons or rent a plane at a lower HOBBS and
> INSTRUCTOR rate AND you WON'T HAVE TO PAY MEMBERSHIP OR MONTHLY DUES!!!!!

Okay, one nit about this.

At Sundance there is no daily minimum. I can take an aircraft
to O22, camp three days, fly back, and pay for 2.5 hours on the
Hobbs.

I don't know Nice Air's policy, but a friend of mine who uses
Tradewinds tells me that long trips are simply not practical
based on their hours/day minumims.

-- dave j

[Ishrat Zahid]

Thanks all...for replies...!!!
I got plenty of info to pick from...<after I have managed my grocery
budget in CA> :-)

/N

Brenor Brophy wrote:

>Nadeem,
>
>Are you still sure you want to move to CA ? It's a good thing all the
>warbirds are in LVK otherwise a shooting war could break out :-).
>
>The issues about highway traffic and weather are both good ones. Like any
>fairly congested area it all depends on the highway you take to the airport
>and the time of day. You'll be here about 6 months before you figure out the
>spots to completely avoid during commute times. Highway 101 south is a bear
>during the evening, it easily takes me 40min to get from work (North 1st
>St/237) to RHV. But from my home which is a bit further East I can take 680
>south at the same time and be there in 15min (for about the same distance).
>
>RHV is less effected by the marine layer fog which is very common on spring
>and summer mornings. Its great to get a few easy minutes of IMC climbing out
>in the morning, knowing that it will be gone when you return a couple of
>hours later - but only if you've got an instrument rating. Otherwise, its a
>frustrating wait for the fog to clear - it usually will clear from RHV
>first. The GPS IFR approach to RHV sucks, the MDA is 1440' which often will
>not be low enough to get under the fog. The usual trick is to fly the ILS
>into SJC, cancel IFR when you break-out at about 1000' and get SVFR to RHV.
>The GPS approach to PAO looks a lot better, with an MDA of 460', it might
>actually be useful.
>
>The Bay Area is a fun place to fly - no matter where you fly out of, you
>will get used to talking to ATC. The landscape is beautiful and there are a
>host of excellent flying destinations within an hour of flying time.
>
>-Brenor
>
>"Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
>>club here at LWM.
>>Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
>>bay area?
>>I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
>>Thanks
>>
>>/Nadeem
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

[Dave Jacobowitz]

I'm curious, why does the county have this attitude
towards there being a restaurant on the field? The
sense I get (no factual basis, just "sense") is that
Santa Clara County values its airports (all four!),
actually sustaining them and even making improvements. RHV
and PAO are both heavily used, as is SJC, obviously.
Q99, um, maybe not so much, but the county even put
money into that recently to build hangars.

I know there are people who want RHV closed,
like every other airport, but is there any possibility
of that happening near-term? If not, why would the
county want to keep a restaurant out of the "terminal?"
Fear of increased traffic?

Just curious...

-- dave j

PS -- speaking of airports under attack: I feel
for the people at KCCR who seem to have their fight
escalated once again due to the accident on 680
earlier this week. (It kills me, because the news
reports were all over it, referring also back to the
time an aircraft crashed into a nearby mall back in
1985. I'm thinking "1985? How many people have died
on that stretch of highway in cars since then?"

[Robert M. Gary]

Ishrat Zahid > wrote in message >...
> I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
> club here at LWM.
> Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
> bay area?
> I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
> Thanks
>
> /Nadeem


Just wait until you decide to buy a plane in CA. I paid more in "use
tax" for the Mooney I bought in Texas and brought back to CA than the
price of a moving map IFR GPS installed!

-Robert

[[email protected]]

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 16:10:29 GMT, "Cecil Chapman"
> wrote:

>> Wow, I thought this was a rather innocuous thread; a relatively
>> safe place to post, but alas, I think someone was just insinuated
>Oh jeez,,, it was all tongue-in-cheek. He IS classist though (wink)

And now you're insulting me... You will not be getting a checkmark next
to "Plays Well With Others" on your next report card, young man.

Ironically I was trying to give the original poster a frank and
hopefully helpful contrast between the two airports.. Just because I say
that PAO has more interesting airplanes to look at (please do look up
"personal opinion"), you're *still* taking potshots at me. I participate
in a lot of different on-line forums - many concerning aviation - and I
don't recall encountering anyone (at least recently) that is so prone to
be confrontational and offensive.

Jerk. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. "(wink)"

Dave Blevins

[Cecil Chapman]

Most of the others I've spoken to say that the county is only doing a
month-to-month lease to make further growth/investment in the airport less
attractive. Maybe with the hope of showing that the airport is not a viable
economic feature and that it should be replaced with a mall or commercial
property.

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[Cecil Chapman]

> Jerk. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. "(wink)"
>
> Dave Blevins

Jeez,,, you're no fun anymore ;-)

Have a great weekend, anyway,,,,,,, Mr. Moneybags.... <grin>

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[Cecil Chapman]

>
> I drive a non-luxury (though nice enough) car. Mustang
> convertible.

You are an excellent human being, in my book!!! If you tell me that it is a
classic Mustang, then you will rate somewhere near 'divine being' ;-)

> At Sundance there is no daily minimum. I can take an aircraft
> to O22, camp three days, fly back, and pay for 2.5 hours on the
> Hobbs.
>
> I don't know Nice Air's policy, but a friend of mine who uses
> Tradewinds tells me that long trips are simply not practical
> based on their hours/day minimums.

Hmmm... I like that.. Yeah, most of the other local spots DO have a daily
minimum which can really get to be a bore if ya just want to fly down to San
Diego and hang around and play tourist for a few days. By the way O22 IS a
great visit! Always amazes me it is so 'close' by air.

Are there membership dues/fees at Sundance?

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"

[Earl Grieda]

"Cecil Chapman" > wrote in message
. com...
> Most of the others I've spoken to say that the county is only doing a
> month-to-month lease to make further growth/investment in the airport less
> attractive. Maybe with the hope of showing that the airport is not a
viable
> economic feature and that it should be replaced with a mall or commercial
> property.
>
>

Does the county make any money off the airport, or is it run in the typical
manner where fees just cover airport expenses?

Earl G.

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article . net>,
"Earl Grieda" > wrote:

> "Cecil Chapman" > wrote in message
> . com...
> > Most of the others I've spoken to say that the county is only doing a
> > month-to-month lease to make further growth/investment in the airport less
> > attractive. Maybe with the hope of showing that the airport is not a
> viable
> > economic feature and that it should be replaced with a mall or commercial
> > property.
> >
> >
>
> Does the county make any money off the airport, or is it run in the typical
> manner where fees just cover airport expenses?
>
> Earl G.
>
>

The county pays for operations off the fees collected; they pocket all
the personal property taxes, possessory interest taxes (equivalent to
real estate tax on your hangar or tiedown spot) and their share of sales
taxes.

Then to add insult to injury, they credit NONE of those taxes to the
airports and claim that they are "subsidizing" the airports!
Incidentally, the taxes collected equal or exceed the amount collected
in feess.

[Jim Weir]

When I was doin' my number on the County Board, I didn't go for keeping all the
airport taxes and fees in the airport fund. I simply pointed out the number of
transient aircraft we had per year, made a reasonable calculation of how many of
them stayed overnight, factored in the "bed tax" we have for local motels, and
made my case that THIS amount should be funneled into the airport fund.

Nobody did any checking to notice that this amount was roughly DOUBLE the amount
of taxes that were collected.


SSHHHHH...don't nobody say nuthin'. That budget item is still on the books up
here.

{;-)


Jim



Orval Fairbairn >
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->The county pays for operations off the fees collected; they pocket all
->the personal property taxes, possessory interest taxes (equivalent to
->real estate tax on your hangar or tiedown spot) and their share of sales
->taxes.
->
->Then to add insult to injury, they credit NONE of those taxes to the
->airports and claim that they are "subsidizing" the airports!
->Incidentally, the taxes collected equal or exceed the amount collected
->in feess.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[Fred Wilson]

Brenor Brophy wrote:

> Nadeem,
>
> The major GA airport serving San Jose/Milpitas is Reid Hillview (KRHV). You
> can checkout it's home page at
>
> http://www.reidhillviewairport.com/
>
> I learned to fly at Tradewinds Aviation and then rented from them for about
> 5 months until I bought my own plane. There have a fairly good fleet of
> aircraft from 172's up to twins. The maintenance is excellent, the
> scheduling is online and works well. The rental rates are a little higher
> than some other FBO's at the airport.

Reid-Hillview is an endangered airport and may not exist in the future when FAA
grant obligations are satisfied. There are numerous entities that would prefer
to redevelop this airport into other uses.

See http://www.reidhillview.com for a site whose author shares this view.

[Dave Jacobowitz]

"Cecil Chapman" > wrote:


>> [ on owning a quality American-made vehicle ]

> You are an excellent human being, in my book!!! If you tell me that it is a
> classic Mustang, then you will rate somewhere near 'divine being' ;-)

Alas, no, it's only six years new. I intend to keep it a good
while. Maybe one day it will achieve classic status.

> Are there membership dues/fees at Sundance?

Yeah, unfortunatey there are. $35/month. Depending on
how much you fly, and how many trips you go on, it
can still come out to be a net win.

What is not a net win is being a member of several
flying clubs to get the peculiar benefits of each.
The memberships add up.

-- dave j

[Ishrat Zahid]

Thanks a lot all for your valuable inputs....now when I'm here in the
sunny state, I'll check these out...

/Nadeem

Brenor Brophy wrote:

>Nadeem,
>
>Are you still sure you want to move to CA ? It's a good thing all the
>warbirds are in LVK otherwise a shooting war could break out :-).
>
>The issues about highway traffic and weather are both good ones. Like any
>fairly congested area it all depends on the highway you take to the airport
>and the time of day. You'll be here about 6 months before you figure out the
>spots to completely avoid during commute times. Highway 101 south is a bear
>during the evening, it easily takes me 40min to get from work (North 1st
>St/237) to RHV. But from my home which is a bit further East I can take 680
>south at the same time and be there in 15min (for about the same distance).
>
>RHV is less effected by the marine layer fog which is very common on spring
>and summer mornings. Its great to get a few easy minutes of IMC climbing out
>in the morning, knowing that it will be gone when you return a couple of
>hours later - but only if you've got an instrument rating. Otherwise, its a
>frustrating wait for the fog to clear - it usually will clear from RHV
>first. The GPS IFR approach to RHV sucks, the MDA is 1440' which often will
>not be low enough to get under the fog. The usual trick is to fly the ILS
>into SJC, cancel IFR when you break-out at about 1000' and get SVFR to RHV.
>The GPS approach to PAO looks a lot better, with an MDA of 460', it might
>actually be useful.
>
>The Bay Area is a fun place to fly - no matter where you fly out of, you
>will get used to talking to ATC. The landscape is beautiful and there are a
>host of excellent flying destinations within an hour of flying time.
>
>-Brenor
>
>"Ishrat Zahid" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>I'm relocating to CA from MA in next few weeks and leaving my old flying
>>club here at LWM.
>>Wondering if I can get some good recommendation for flying clubs in the
>>bay area?
>>I'll be in Milpitas/San Jose area...
>>Thanks
>>
>>/Nadeem
>>
>>
>>
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