BAF or CEF?

[Paul Tomblin]

I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.

--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"SPARC" is "CRAPS" backwards --Rob Pike

[mike regish]

I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not, but
it is closer to Mt. Holyoke than Westfield (BAF) is.

I live right near Mt. Holyoke and both airports. I'd be happy to give you a
lift depending on when you're coming.

I'm not sure what kind of rental services either have. If you want I could
find out for you.

mike regish

"Paul Tomblin" > wrote in message
...
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.
>
> --
> Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
> "SPARC" is "CRAPS" backwards --Rob Pike

[mike regish]

I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not, but
it is closer to Mt. Holyoke than Westfield (BAF) is.

I live right near Mt. Holyoke and both airports. I'd be happy to give you a
lift depending on when you're coming.

I'm not sure what kind of rental services either have. If you want I could
find out for you.

mike regish

"Paul Tomblin" > wrote in message
...
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.
>
> --
> Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
> "SPARC" is "CRAPS" backwards --Rob Pike

[Bob Noel]

In article <KMhad.224374$D%.128296@attbi_s51>, "mike regish"
> wrote:

> I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not,

CEF is joint use.

--
Bob Noel
Seen on Kerry's campaign airplane: "the real deal"
oh yeah baby.

[Bob Noel]

In article <KMhad.224374$D%.128296@attbi_s51>, "mike regish"
> wrote:

> I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not,

CEF is joint use.

--
Bob Noel
Seen on Kerry's campaign airplane: "the real deal"
oh yeah baby.

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "mike regish" > said:
>I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not, but
>it is closer to Mt. Holyoke than Westfield (BAF) is.

Well, they've got approach plates in NE-1. I assume that non-joint
airbases don't publish their approach plates in civilian publications.

>I live right near Mt. Holyoke and both airports. I'd be happy to give you a
>lift depending on when you're coming.

That's a very generous offer, but we're coming for "Parent's Weekend" so
I'll be driving around the whole family all weekend.

>I'm not sure what kind of rental services either have. If you want I could
>find out for you.

I'll check airnav, but I was hoping for people with personal experience.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Don't use a big word where a diminutive one will suffice.

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "mike regish" > said:
>I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not, but
>it is closer to Mt. Holyoke than Westfield (BAF) is.

Well, they've got approach plates in NE-1. I assume that non-joint
airbases don't publish their approach plates in civilian publications.

>I live right near Mt. Holyoke and both airports. I'd be happy to give you a
>lift depending on when you're coming.

That's a very generous offer, but we're coming for "Parent's Weekend" so
I'll be driving around the whole family all weekend.

>I'm not sure what kind of rental services either have. If you want I could
>find out for you.

I'll check airnav, but I was hoping for people with personal experience.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Don't use a big word where a diminutive one will suffice.

[mike regish]

I know, but things changed when the the war was launched. They've never
allowed touch and goes and, at least for a time there was no civilian
activity allowed there. Not sure what the current sutuation is, but I would
give the Metropolitan terminal a call and check on procedures.

mike regish

"Bob Noel" > wrote in message
...
> In article <KMhad.224374$D%.128296@attbi_s51>, "mike regish"
> > wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not,
>
> CEF is joint use.
>
> --
> Bob Noel
> Seen on Kerry's campaign airplane: "the real deal"
> oh yeah baby.

[mike regish]

I know, but things changed when the the war was launched. They've never
allowed touch and goes and, at least for a time there was no civilian
activity allowed there. Not sure what the current sutuation is, but I would
give the Metropolitan terminal a call and check on procedures.

mike regish

"Bob Noel" > wrote in message
...
> In article <KMhad.224374$D%.128296@attbi_s51>, "mike regish"
> > wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure if civilian flights are allowed at Westover (CEF) or not,
>
> CEF is joint use.
>
> --
> Bob Noel
> Seen on Kerry's campaign airplane: "the real deal"
> oh yeah baby.

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, Nomen Nescio ]> said:
>From: (Paul Tomblin)
>>I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
>>Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and

>I hope this is of some help.
>
>Overall, I would probably suggest CEF as it's likely to be the most convenient.

It turns out that my wife has booked a hotel in Springfield near the
Interstate. I think that means Barnes is closer to the hotel, and the
cheaper landing fees and tie-downs and the more laid-back atmosphere you
mentioned has me leaning that way.

Thanks for your help.

Oh, supplemental question - if I file V2 ALB V146, how likely am I to get
re-routed along the SWEDE ONE arrival? Or should I just bow to inevitable
and file V2 SYR V433 SWEDE.1?

--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been, there you long to return." -- Leonardo da Vinci.

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, Nomen Nescio ]> said:
>From: (Paul Tomblin)
>>I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
>>Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and

>I hope this is of some help.
>
>Overall, I would probably suggest CEF as it's likely to be the most convenient.

It turns out that my wife has booked a hotel in Springfield near the
Interstate. I think that means Barnes is closer to the hotel, and the
cheaper landing fees and tie-downs and the more laid-back atmosphere you
mentioned has me leaning that way.

Thanks for your help.

Oh, supplemental question - if I file V2 ALB V146, how likely am I to get
re-routed along the SWEDE ONE arrival? Or should I just bow to inevitable
and file V2 SYR V433 SWEDE.1?

--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been, there you long to return." -- Leonardo da Vinci.

[G.R. Patterson III]

Paul Tomblin wrote:
>
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.

Last year, Elisabeth and I decided to fly in to see the Big-E. Although we wound up
driving (the birds were walking that weekend), I had planned to use CEV. I don't
remember exactly why, but I did get a fair amount of input from people in the area
before deciding.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

[G.R. Patterson III]

Paul Tomblin wrote:
>
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.

Last year, Elisabeth and I decided to fly in to see the Big-E. Although we wound up
driving (the birds were walking that weekend), I had planned to use CEV. I don't
remember exactly why, but I did get a fair amount of input from people in the area
before deciding.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

[Mark Astley]

Hi Paul,

From the latest posts I gather this is all academic, but for the
record...

I flew in to CEF about a month ago on an angel flight. It is indeed
joint use and they are currently allowing civilian landings. They
stay open fairly late and the line staff (well, the one guy still
there when I arrived) was very friendly. They had some problems
getting the credit card machine to work so I ended up paying cash for
gas. Otherwise, it was a pleasant experience.

The FBO is at the extreme south side of the field (metro civil
terminal) and if you land "normally" on 23 you'll be taxiing for quite
a while (past all the big reserve hangars, then down a LONG row of yet
more hangars). If the weather permits, ask to land long or land 05.

Best of luck.

mark

(Paul Tomblin) wrote in message >...
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.

[Mark Astley]

Hi Paul,

From the latest posts I gather this is all academic, but for the
record...

I flew in to CEF about a month ago on an angel flight. It is indeed
joint use and they are currently allowing civilian landings. They
stay open fairly late and the line staff (well, the one guy still
there when I arrived) was very friendly. They had some problems
getting the credit card machine to work so I ended up paying cash for
gas. Otherwise, it was a pleasant experience.

The FBO is at the extreme south side of the field (metro civil
terminal) and if you land "normally" on 23 you'll be taxiing for quite
a while (past all the big reserve hangars, then down a LONG row of yet
more hangars). If the weather permits, ask to land long or land 05.

Best of luck.

mark

(Paul Tomblin) wrote in message >...
> I'm taking the family to visit my step-daughter at Mt. Holyoke College in
> Holyoke MA. The two closest major airports are Barnes Muni (BAF) and
> Springfield/Chikopee (CEF). Both have ILSes, which is something I
> appreciate. What I really want to know is which has a better FBO for
> tying down for the weekend, renting a car, etc. The two page long list of
> remarks for CEF looks a little daunting.