GA airports near Portland, OR

I'll be flying into the Portland, OR, area for a business meeting. The
location of the meeting is closest to KPDX. Just a little farther is
KVUO. KHIO is also reasonably close, though much farther than either
of the other two airports.

So, it appears my choices are KPDX and KVUO unless I want to drive
farther from KHIO. The advantage of KPDX is the availability of ground
transportation services. Rental cars, cabs, and even a commuter train
are easily accessible. The disadvantage is that this airport serves
the airlines and I don't want to be vectored way off course so that ATC
can fit me into the approach. I also don't want to wait on the ground
on my way out for an extended period before receiving a departure
clearance. (I don't think I need to reserve a landing or takeoff slot
at KPDX, though am not sure.) KVUO is the total opposite --
GA-friendly but few very few services and only a non-precsion approach
(an LDA, at that). (KHIO is a reasonable compromise, but looks like it
will take much longer to drive to my meeting place in downtown
Portland.)

I'd love to hear that my concerns with KPDX are unfounded and that GA
won't be mistreated there. Anyone flown into that area recently?

I've flown into PDX in a Cessna 152, the hot-pants wearing, "I can't
believe it's not an ultralight" red headed stepchild of the general
aviation family and they treated me excellently. I contacted Portland
Approach from the south who vectored me directly over downtown and had
be call Tower. Tower had me cross midfield and then circle to land,
and this is all VFR.

Tower and approach were excellent, ground was super about getting me to
the FBO, and clearance delivery was basically "dial and go" with no
delays when I launched again.

Something to consider, PDX is in class charlie, not bravo, and while
it's busy, it looks like it has a lot of capacity.

I don't know how much it costs to park there, but flying into PDX is a
breeze, and I'll do it again next time I'm up there.

Ben Hallert
PP-ASEL

The MAX llight rail line runs right by Hillsboro.

Don

It is 41 minutes from the station near HIO (about a 200 yard walk from the
airport) to downtown by MAX light rail. It is a convenient ride.
Of course PDX has MAX service also, right from the terminal, and it is just
about the same time from PDX to downtown Portland.
See: http://www.trimet.org/schedules/maps/maxsystem.htm for details and
ride times.

Regards,
John Severyn
@KLVK (but visits son at college in Portland occasionally)

"rps" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'll be flying into the Portland, OR, area for a business meeting. The
location of the meeting is closest to KPDX. Just a little farther is
KVUO. KHIO is also reasonably close, though much farther than either
of the other two airports.

So, it appears my choices are KPDX and KVUO unless I want to drive
farther from KHIO. The advantage of KPDX is the availability of ground
transportation services. Rental cars, cabs, and even a commuter train
are easily accessible. The disadvantage is that this airport serves
the airlines and I don't want to be vectored way off course so that ATC
can fit me into the approach. I also don't want to wait on the ground
on my way out for an extended period before receiving a departure
clearance. (I don't think I need to reserve a landing or takeoff slot
at KPDX, though am not sure.) KVUO is the total opposite --
GA-friendly but few very few services and only a non-precsion approach
(an LDA, at that). (KHIO is a reasonable compromise, but looks like it
will take much longer to drive to my meeting place in downtown
Portland.)

I'd love to hear that my concerns with KPDX are unfounded and that GA
won't be mistreated there. Anyone flown into that area recently?

This is a very accurate experience. I was a student pilot on my night
X-C from SLE-SPB-PDX-SLE and we did a stop-and-go about 10:00 pm on
Runway 28L. Approach and Tower were BOTH very accomodating. Also, I've
flown in there with a friend for one of the FAA/ASF Aviation Safety
Seminars. We landed on 10L and taxiied to Flightcraft (the FBO and GA
parking). You can park the first 2 hours for free. After that, there
is a tiedown fee that (IMHO) seemed kinda spendy. IIRC, it *may* be
$10/hr with some daily max.

Have you considered Troutdale (TTD)? They're a pretty GA-friendly
airport. Also, you may consider Aurora (UAO). It is a VERY GA-friendly
airport and is just south of the PDX Class C. There are rental cars
available at both airports and UAO does have an ILS also.

Welcome to Portland!

Chris G.
(remove the .example to email me)


Ben Hallert wrote:
I've flown into PDX in a Cessna 152, the hot-pants wearing, "I can't
believe it's not an ultralight" red headed stepchild of the general
aviation family and they treated me excellently. I contacted Portland
Approach from the south who vectored me directly over downtown and had
be call Tower. Tower had me cross midfield and then circle to land,
and this is all VFR.

Tower and approach were excellent, ground was super about getting me to
the FBO, and clearance delivery was basically "dial and go" with no
delays when I launched again.

Something to consider, PDX is in class charlie, not bravo, and while
it's busy, it looks like it has a lot of capacity.

I don't know how much it costs to park there, but flying into PDX is a
breeze, and I'll do it again next time I'm up there.

Ben Hallert
PP-ASEL

"rps" wrote in message
oups.com...

So, it appears my choices are KPDX and KVUO unless I want to drive
farther from KHIO. The advantage of KPDX is the availability of ground
transportation services.

KPDX is an international airport, so you'll have to deal with that. The
transportation including lightrail which will take you right downtown is
abundant, but from the Flightcraft area you might need a cab just to get to
the station unless you don't mind walking.

Another option to consider is KTTD, which is Class D and closer than HIO, in
Troutdale.

It's a 20-minute drive to downtown--30 minutes during rush hour instead of
45-60 of swearing at yuppie idiots coming from HIO and the scenery is much
better. The only issue you might run into from TTD is a car rental, but
rental cars/cabs are out there quite a bit and if you call Gorge Winds
Aviation (503) 665-2628, they'll be able to give you advise or possibly make
arrangements for you. (I'm not an employee, but can you tell I'm familiar
with it?) The owner of Gorge Winds is Marv, which is on the north side, and
he has the tiedown space and fuel operation too, and it's a very cleanly-run
and professional business. There's a "public terminal" on the south side as
well, but no FBO/fuel that I know of.

Plus, when you're at KTTD the Columbia River Gorge is just outside the
pattern (spectacular view!) and Mt. St. Helens is only about 1.5 round trip
in a Cessna. Of the three Portland airports, KTTD is the most convenient,
and Hillsboro is second but it's a longer and slower drive into Portland
during the day.

e-mail me if you have any other questions about the area. g a t t at
j u g g e r b o t dot c o m

-c

On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 21:03:54 -0700, rps wrote:
I'll be flying into the Portland, OR, area for a business meeting. The
location of the meeting is closest to KPDX. Just a little farther is
KVUO. KHIO is also reasonably close, though much farther than either
of the other two airports.

As other posters have pointed out, Hillsboro (HIO) is a great choice for
flying into the Portland, OR area.

If you are planning on renting a car anyways, you may still want to
consider Pearson Field (VUO). It is very close to downtown Portland, an
easy hop across the I-5 bridge.
For more information about Pearson Field, feel free to visit our site:
http://www.flyvancouverwa.com/airports/pearson

Enjoy the Pacific Northwest!
Martin

--
Martin Wehner )

Fly Vancouver WA | Unite
Aviation in and around Vancouver | Instant web site. Just add content.
http://www.flyvancouverwa.com | http://www.codecobra.com/unite

In article ,
Martin Wehner wrote:

On Sun, 30 Apr 2006 21:03:54 -0700, rps wrote:
I'll be flying into the Portland, OR, area for a business meeting. The
location of the meeting is closest to KPDX. Just a little farther is
KVUO. KHIO is also reasonably close, though much farther than either
of the other two airports.

As other posters have pointed out, Hillsboro (HIO) is a great choice for
flying into the Portland, OR area.

If you are planning on renting a car anyways, you may still want to
consider Pearson Field (VUO). It is very close to downtown Portland, an
easy hop across the I-5 bridge.
For more information about Pearson Field, feel free to visit our site:
http://www.flyvancouverwa.com/airports/pearson

As I recall, rent the car in Washington state and avoid the Portland
tourist taxes.

"Martin Wehner" wrote in message

If you are planning on renting a car anyways, you may still want to
consider Pearson Field (VUO). It is very close to downtown Portland, an
easy hop across the I-5 bridge.

Second that in addition to my Troutdale recommendation, although the commute
can be ugly if it's rush hour. Pearson is a beautiful little airstrip with
a nice museum and historical facilities all around.

"Chris G." wrote in message
reenews.net...

Have you considered Troutdale (TTD)? They're a pretty GA-friendly
airport. Also, you may consider Aurora (UAO).

Good call on both. Plus, UAO has an instrument approach. (Troutdale
doesn't.)

-c