AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Flying into Houston's Ellington Field          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Instrument Flight Rules View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Whit Guest Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:40 am    Post subject: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field Hello, I'm a fairly low time instrument pilot, and I plan to fly my family from Omaha to Houston's Ellington Field in early September. I have never flown in the Houston area. What routing can I expect in a Piper Arrow for the trip, assuming good weather. I'll have an overnight stop in Palestine, Texas before making the last leg into Houston, so fuel shouldn't be an issue. I'd like to file what is likely to get approved to minimize delays, so if there are any recommendations from experienced Houston area pilots, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks, Martin Back to top Dan Luke Guest Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:30 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field "Whit" wrote: Quote: I'm a fairly low time instrument pilot, and I plan to fly my family from Omaha to Houston's Ellington Field in early September. I have never flown in the Houston area. What routing can I expect in a Piper Arrow for the trip, assuming good weather. I'll have an overnight stop in Palestine, Texas before making the last leg into Houston, so fuel shouldn't be an issue. I'd like to file what is likely to get approved to minimize delays, so if there are any recommendations from experienced Houston area pilots, I'd be glad to hear them. If you are filing IFR, be sure you have the STARs for Houston handy--you may be given one. Even if ATC doesn't give you a STAR, expect a lot of vectors to get to Ellington. Execute heading and altitude instructions promptly. Other than that, it should really be no big deal coming down the east side of the Bravo to Ellington. You will probably talk on 3 different approach freqencies. Listen up and be sharp and brief on the radio; avoid useless verbiage such as "with you" and "checking in." Have a nice trip and tell us how it went! -- Dan C172RG at BFM Back to top dlevy Guest Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 4:30 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field I'm in a similar situation and flew into Hobby a few months ago. Fwiw, I set up the nav radios for the particular runway even though it was vfr. That helped identify the right runway. I suggest telling the final controller you are new to the area. They are very nice but in a big hurry and expect you to be quick. If they know you are unfamiliar I suspect they will be a bit more patient. "Whit" <whit1990 (AT) military (DOT) com> wrote in message news:1149198052.317557.124680 (AT) u72g2000cwu (DOT) googlegroups.com... Quote: Hello, I'm a fairly low time instrument pilot, and I plan to fly my family from Omaha to Houston's Ellington Field in early September. I have never flown in the Houston area. What routing can I expect in a Piper Arrow for the trip, assuming good weather. I'll have an overnight stop in Palestine, Texas before making the last leg into Houston, so fuel shouldn't be an issue. I'd like to file what is likely to get approved to minimize delays, so if there are any recommendations from experienced Houston area pilots, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks, Martin Back to top Dave S Guest Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 6:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field I am based at Ellington now... and having been based out of the Houston area for all of my flying "career", I can honestly say that what the others said about STARS is a good idea. Have the plates out for 17R/35L (4/22 is likely to still be undergoing rehab/rebuild in Sept..) and have the STARS out for the area. You WILL be vectored around.. no if..ands.. or buts... probably to the east and below the arrivals to IAH. With 3 parralel E-W runways operating at Bush, all the playbooks appear to have EFD traffic either way OVER or way UNDER the IAH traffic... Once upon a time, before the third runway was opened, VFR's could request routing through the Class B at 4500 feet , but that appears to be no longer the case. If you actually end up needing fuel, the cheapest around is in Baytown at Humphrey Field or at Anahuac (T00). Be alert for small fast movers. EFD's FBO caters to the military transient crowd and its not uncommon for lots of Navy or AF jet traffic to be mixing it up with the spam cans. NASA's T38's are hard to spot as well, but if you are IFR then separation is a little more certain. If the weather is good, and you find yourself getting vectored way the hell out into the next county, just cancel and go VFR direct, contacting EFD direct. Approach wont care either way.. they will practically vector you AROUND/Below the class B rather than through. Good Luck and hope you enjoy your trip Dave Whit wrote: Quote: Hello, I'm a fairly low time instrument pilot, and I plan to fly my family from Omaha to Houston's Ellington Field in early September. I have never flown in the Houston area. What routing can I expect in a Piper Arrow for the trip, assuming good weather. I'll have an overnight stop in Palestine, Texas before making the last leg into Houston, so fuel shouldn't be an issue. I'd like to file what is likely to get approved to minimize delays, so if there are any recommendations from experienced Houston area pilots, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks, Martin Back to top john smith Guest Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 7:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field Call Elington Tower and ask to have the Watch Desk call you back when it is convenient to discuss arrivals and departures with you. Back to top Dave S Guest Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 10:31 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field john smith wrote: Quote: Call Elington Tower and ask to have the Watch Desk call you back when it is convenient to discuss arrivals and departures with you. Watch Desk? <Grin> 2 person, non-fed contract tower...3 during peak... (btw, I emailed the tower number to the original poster..) Dave Back to top Whit Guest Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Flying into Houston's Ellington Field Dave S wrote: Quote: john smith wrote: Call Elington Tower and ask to have the Watch Desk call you back when it is convenient to discuss arrivals and departures with you. Watch Desk? Grin> 2 person, non-fed contract tower...3 during peak... (btw, I emailed the tower number to the original poster..) Dave Thanks for the replies. Martin Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Instrument Flight Rules All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum Aviation----------------alt.aviationAviation safety EnhancementPlanes, gliders and flying in AustraliaAviation et pilotage (Français)rec.aviationAviation (Aerobatics)Hot air, gas balloons and airshipsHang-gliding, paragliding, foot-launched flightAircraft Design & BuildingInstrument Flight RulesAviation (Classifieds)Military AircraftNaval AviationAviation (Miscellaneous Topics)Owning AirplanesAviators (General Discussions)Aviation related productsAircraft RestorationHelicopters and rotary wing aircraftsFlight SimulationSailplanesAviation (Students)Light aircraftFlying related activities in the UK Airports----------------alt.airportsEdinburgh Airport Glasgow Airport Humberside Airport Luton Airport Aberdeen Airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.