College Park Airport

at College Park Airport

From James Thompson on 18-Jul-2008

I made my first flight into CGS since 911. Previously I had been a frequent visitor to the University of Maryland and Washington DC via the Metro. It was sad to see all of the empty tie downs that used to hold frequently flown airplanes. It was also sad to the planes that were there with chains around their props.
 

From P Niles on 15-Apr-2008

In Feb, my twin was disabled here due to a dead alternator and battery for one week. The manager Lee and his staff watched over and took care of my plane until I could return from N.Y to retrieve it. There are NO maintenance shops on the field and I would suggest Gilley Aviation Repair @ nearby Hyde Fld (W32) for any A&P work. They are good and affordable and will come to any local airports. Any mechanical work done @ CGS has to be approved by the manager for security purposes. Fuel is cheap and the staff is very helpful and friendly. There is one of Aero Sqdn. Restaurants on the SW boundary of the field and the two museums on the airport are very cool. The vetting process is annoying but well worth it for a visit to CGS or Washington D.C (call airport about the process). Be careful with the high tree line landing on Rwy 33 close to the threshold. Landing on Rwy 15 isn't that much better with the high railroad track bed. They'll sweep the runway for deer and foxes. Enjoy!
 

From Edward Figuli on 16-Sep-2007

It was two years ago when I made my first post 9/11 flight into College Park and while the faces might have changed the service certainly hasn't. The folks are friendly and gas price reasonable. You can't beat flying into this airport, walking across the street to the Metro and being anywhere in DC in less than an hour or so. The museum next door shouldn't be missed either. It covers the early days of College Park. I won't argue that the vetting process is a pain just to land there but it is so worth it.
 

From Mike Connell on 13-Jun-2007

The guys at CGS are fantastic! I'm based in Ohio and fly into College Park 2-3 times per month. Service is always very friendly and very professional. The guys always help me with parking and tying down the plane. A story from last night illustrates the level of service. Because of severe TS, I was stuck in Norfolk until almost 2100 local. I called to let them know that I was coming in. I was vectored about because of WX, but when I finally landed, it was a few minutes after 2200 when they close. Joe waited around, then stayed late to fuel me and helped me park/tie down. As I said, fantastic service.
 

From Lin Caywood on 07-Jan-2007

Flew in yesterday for lunch at 94th Aero Squadron and a quick browse through the museum gift shop. Had also stopped in a few times over the summer for dinner and at least one of the famous FBO Road Kill Barbeques. I'm always greeted in the air and on the ground with a friendly and helpful voice. I agree with previous comments, you are missing out on a great experience if you don't have clearance to land here. It's worth the time and effort.
 

From Joe Fox on 02-Jul-2006

Let me share just one story to illustrate the customer service focus at College Park these days: I fly in and out fairly often, and I needed to refuel and get out, but there was an approaching thunderstorm. I asked Unicom (Landon was working this day) if we could get a quick turn, which is an unusual request for a field that usually has just one person working there. To make a long story short, our fuel stop resembled a NASCAR pit stop, and we were on the ground for approximately four minutes, and beat the weather to get back home. I can honestly say that I've never seen another field bend over backwards (all of the time) to accomodate their customers, even the ones who they make very little money off of, than College Park. Hats off to Lee, Dan, and everyone else there. If you haven't been vetted, spend the $28 to do it. You'll make it back in fuel savings on one trip! The field is as convenient as it ever was, and clearances are no more difficult than the rest of the ADIZ.
 

From Helen Woods on 26-Oct-2005

This is a great airport. I moved my plane to CGS for a few weeks while the runway was closed at my home field and had a wonderful experience. I flew in solid IFR and pouring rain and was greeted by a very cheerful line-man. Not only did he fuel my plane for me in the rain, but he helped me tie her down, put the cover over on, and even drove me back in the rain. On top of that, gas was some of the cheapest in the area. The initial vetting process is a bit of a pain, but once you get vetted and are given your "secret password," you are good forever and can fly any plane into any of the DC3 airports. You do not need to be a resident. Call the airport management and they'll send you the instruction sheet with the process spelled out. For out-of-towners, I'd suggest flying into FME and renting a car to get the vetting done. You'll need to stop at the Baltimore FSDO and CGS; FME is right in between. You can take the metro from CGS down to DCA for the fingerprinting part.
 

From Edward Figuli on 08-Sep-2005

I flew in there on 9/7/05 and had a pretty good experience. Read and reread the NOTAM and procedures for getting in and out. The worst part of getting in and out is going through the process of getting vetted. It takes time and travel. Without getting into politics it is worth it.