Tangier Island Airport

at Tangier Island Airport

From Frederick Risdon Carter on 31-Jul-2009

Soft crabs are available from Don Bowden at his shedding and freezing shed at the North Pier. Call 757 891 2381. Crabs are cleaned and frozen (also fresh live) ready to fry in individual wrappers. He will come to your plane and take you back.
 

From David Duvak on 31-Jul-2009

The Mercer Flying Club, (based out of Trenton Robbinsville Airport in NJ N87) had its biggest flyout here this year on July 25th of 2009! We wanted to thank the officials of the airport for being able to accommodate our flagship of eight aircraft into parking on that little ramp. We had a nice lunch at the Chesapeake House, and spent merely the entire day on the island! The repaved runway, and parking area made the airfield look new. Good job Tangier! We hope to see you again!
 

From Steve Roberts on 26-Jul-2009

Not complaining just passing on a PIREP. Use caution when making tight turns when taxi or parking. The new surface while not new any longer is like fresh asphalt on a hot day. My tire dug in slightly when turning into tiedown spot. No damage to my plane but did make a pocmark in the new surface. As for the softshell crabs save your fuel. They are nonexistent. It was recommended I fly back over to the eastern shore; I might have better luck there.
 

From Steve Roberts on 30-Jun-2009

Airport manager reported new RWY length is 2650 and there is a tie down fee of $10.
 

From Joel Martin on 24-May-2009

Went to TGI on 5/24/09 for a day trip and to check out the new runway surface. The runway is still "hilly". It has a couple of large bumps in the middle that will toss you into the air on takeoff if you are not ready for it. But at least it is smooth now and there is no grass growing on the runway like there used to be. The only service the airport offers is to have someone run out to your plane as fast as they can to collect a $10.00 landing fee. There are no tiedowns, so bring your own. The island is tiny, so you can walk everywhere. Although, the town is pretty rundown and the food is so-so. Once you have seen the island, you don't need or want to go back.
 

From George Perry on 14-Feb-2009

Runway is very smooth. As a previous poster said, it's been repaved. Ramp is very large with plenty of parking...No tie downs. It's a very short walk from the airfield to "downtown" where there are shops and restaurants. My two kids, wife and I decided to pop in for an afternoon to get lunch...However the new runway and ramp turned out to the nicest part of the trip. It was obvious after deplaning that the locals don't take alot of pride in their little island. Throughout the community there is lots of trash and everything just looked rundown and not well cared for. The people were either very friendly or not at all. It's a small community and if you fly in, everyone knows there are tourists in their midst. We got about as many warm hellos’ as we did scowls. Overall it was a good afternoon trip to a place that most non-airplane owners will never see...But now that we've seen it, I can check that one off the list, because I probably won't be back.
 

From Claire Kultgen on 08-Dec-2008

Tangier has a brand new runway! The bumps and cracks are no more! Fly on out and check out this awesome airport! ***Note: the new runway is a little shorter now.
 

From Steve Alber on 11-Aug-2008

Went to Tangier Island last Saturday. Runway has some lumps, bumps and grass, but is serviceable. Tried to pay the landing fee, but couldn't find anyone, so we just gave it to a local who promised to pass it on the airport manager. Walked around and had lunch at The Channel Marker which has the best crab cakes on the planet. Nothing is more than a 10-minute walk from the airport. Caution: Tangier is directly beneath MOA R-4006, so when departing, turn east of the island and circle til PAX gives you your clearance.
 

From Jay Apt on 01-Aug-2008

The NOTAM that states "APRON N END Closed. Effective Immediately Until Further Notice. CREATED: 30 JUL 17:18 2008" refers to just the northern portion of the ramp. Per the airport manager via telephone on August 1, 2008 there is still parking available: just turn to the right as you exit the runway.
 

From Scott Shea on 13-Jun-2008

Flew in to TGI today (June 13th, 2008). Called Pax River App and R-4006 was active. I called up the Unicom/CTAF 10 miles out for advisories-no one answered. I overflew the field and I had a tough time locating the windsock, which is near the parking apron. I landed on rw2, and was expecting the runway to be rough, and it was. It was about as bad as you have heard with grass overgrowing in cracks, bumps everywhere. The runway is not bad when using a soft-field technique. The locals are repaving it for 2009, but I also heard that it would go from 2950' down to 2500' strip. The "FBO" is run out of that gents 5th wheeler. All food and eating establishments are an easy walking distance from the airport, and all restaurants are good their on the island. Getting out of there was actually very easy. I did a short field/soft field combination and took off on runway 20 and I was off the ground before the "hump" and remained in ground effect until VX speed and then climbed out to the East.
 

From Linda Cioffi on 29-May-2008

What a unique experience! Everything is within an easy walking distance. Lorraine's crab cakes were delightful! Fisherman's Corner is an outstanding restaurant! Beach is close and hardly anyone on it. A few shops but we were there on a Sunday when most are closed. We stayed at the Bay View Inn - exceptional! Wouldn't hesitate to stop in again! On take off, if you time the hump just right you can launch and stay in ground effect to build up air speed on Rwy 20. Be aware of other aircraft incorrectly flying a left patter for Rwy 2 - should be right pattern. Friendly people, good food, comfortable lodging - a good stop!
 

From Robert Baker on 25-May-2008

Flew into KTGI today in C-172, landed runway 02 (the end with the "hump"). No problem landing, just kept the nose wheel light. Great experience, wonderful people, and good food at Loraine’s. $7 landing fee seems appropriate. They are working to collect funds for a repaving project in 2009, so go and show your support!
 

From Zsolt Pulai on 27-Jan-2008

We flew there yesterday. Children were playing football on the field, we had to do two low approaches before finally they "taxied clear" the runway. The hump wasn't bad, but I had to keep the nose up for sure! People are very friendly there, offered us free rides on the famous golf carts, but unfortunately no restaurants were open this time, but we got some hot dogs at the local grocery store, they let us warm up the hot dogs in the microwave, so we had fun doing all these. Very nice island, very nice place to visit, if you've never been there, I highly recommend!
 

From Danos Ettrick on 25-Nov-2007

My lady and I took a day trip to Tangier Island yesterday. The airport was interesting. We took RW 02. Kids were playing football on the strip, but they were off of it by the time we got down. The hump wasn't as bad as it was made out to be, but the grass was high. 10$ landing fee. All in all, not a big deal coming or going. No tie downs. The people were incredibly friendly!! We even got invited to a wedding that was going that evening but we had to decline. Went to Loraine's Sandwich Shop. The crab cakes were unreal!! Highly recommend Loraine's! Beautiful scenic flight probably from any direction. Great romantic day trip!
 

From Frank Lee on 26-Oct-2007

Well they got my attention - $10 Landing Fee and $10 Parking Fee PER DAY! OUCH! Jeez Louise! I land at Richmond international and don't get tagged like that!
 

From Wade Walton on 21-Sep-2007

Regarding "The Famous Hump": as long as you're proficient, Don't Worry About It! It's a rustic place, with a rustic runway. As long as you're prepared for that, you'll do fine - it's a delightful island. FYI, some of the restaurants close after the high season, so as long as a quiet experience is ok with you, you'll have a great afternoon. Let us know if they ever got the new FBO built, and... Enjoy!
 

From Marcus Farcus on 18-Sep-2007

Gents- I am planning a trip out to TGI. Where exactly is this legendary hump? I am getting a mix bag from all the comments. I do not anticipate an issue but want to know. Will post my experience after Sunday.
 

From Don Rumberger on 27-Aug-2007

Flew to Tangier on Friday, August 24. A gallon of Round-Up could do wonders for that place. Other than that, the field is just fine for a small plane (C172). A lineman in a golf cart charged me a $5 parking fee. (Hope they invest it in weed killer.) Folks were friendly. Had a nice lunch in town. Cool place to show your friends. We experienced the hump both on landing and takeoff (runway 20). Not a great big deal.
 

From Rob Posey on 04-Aug-2007

Went out to Tangier Island today. Just wanted to go for a ride and thought that would be a great trip. Flew up from the SW out of CPK. Landed on RW 20 in a C-172. Did a short field landing and was stopped before the hump. Then taxied back and took off from 20. Short field again and was off the ground before the hump. The runway is not as bad as I thought it would be from reading on here. It isn't great but it is far from the gravel road with pot holes I was expecting. Will be taking my girlfriend up there next weekend for a day trip and am not at all worried about the runway anymore.
 

From Gary Mascelli on 22-Jun-2007

Finally made the trip to TGI. I read all the reports and I agree the runway is bad. One hump maybe two cracks and weeds growing everywhere. At least we had the heads up about no facilities. I would have paid the landing fee just so they would cut the weeds. The people seemed to be out of a Steven King novel. Mary and I are both pretty happy go lucky people but these folks seemed miserable. Not a hello, get out of the way or anything. We walked back to the plane and headed out, disappointed. We agreed we would not waste our time going back. Maybe a weekday is not a good time to visit?
 

From Robert Brooks on 17-Jun-2007

Visited Tangier today, what a quaint airport. It is a reminder of why I fly; I found the runway to be in marginal yet usable condition. I agree that landing from 02 may be a bit better than 20, but landing 20 today was not bad, hump and all. We landed safely, ate some seafood, walked the island, paid our $5 and were on our way. The pilot of a departing plane refused to pay $5 to the operator, not sure what his beef was but he did upset the operations person, for $5. I will be back my wife loved the island.
 

From Chris Milner on 30-May-2007

Flew into Tangier today. Yes there's a hump in the runway and yes the runway is in poor condition and yes you need to bring your own tie downs and yes the airport is kind of disheveled - but all part of the experience. Nobody there to take my $5 when landing or taking off. Basically walked the entire island and had great crab cakes & soft-shell crabs at Lorraine's, all in 3 hours. Authentic, slow island life, small town, and rich history, not too touristy at all. Interesting tradition of aboveground graves in small family cemeteries in many houses' front yards. Fantastic experience and I definitely will be back.
 

From Brian Link on 30-Apr-2007

Runway in poor condition. Locals friendly and hospitable
 

From Richard Durand on 17-Feb-2007

Flew into Tangier today. Runway was not so bad.... Nice headwind out of the SW, landed runway 20, and then a quick roll to a stop. We did find a tie down, but you may want to bring your own ropes (they have steel cables on the ground to tie to). We ate lunch at Lorraine's sandwich shop, which is all that is open during the winter. Everyone we spoke to on the island was very friendly. They were iced in and no boats were going in or out. Could not find anyone to take the landing fee. A little short field technique on the way out got us airborne before the famed "hump" which was not as bad as I thought it would be. A very nice trip that was part of my "long X-Country" for my IFR training. I will go back.
 

From David Williams on 25-Jan-2007

Runway is in bad disrepair. Pot holes! Don't take an airplane in there that you care about. I was charged the landing fee on a day it was flooded and you could not get into town because of the high water. "It's a LANDING FEE !!" they said.
 

From Nelson Dorronsoro on 19-Nov-2006

We flew from CDW to this lovely peace airpark. No problem with the runway as previously stated; runway is fine to GA aircraft. Although most restaurants already closed for the season. We went to the only sandwich place open and trust me, the crab cakes are OFF THE CHAIN. Nice place to visit for the peace seeker. R4006 are friendly and Dover controls it.
 

From Andy Turner on 14-Nov-2006

We did a November trip, and found the island to be very interesting, but beware that most restaurants are close for the season on October 1. We found one to be open, and sandwich shop sort of place. Landing fee $5, overnight fee $5. No ropes available, make sure to bring your own, the wind blows hard out there. I couldn't detect any bumps in the runway, but then I don't fly much out of those big city airports with smooth pavement either, so I suspect that the criteria for a "bump" depends on your perspective.