There also are plenty of popular, bustling , must-see cities that airlines serve regularly. But it would be a lot more fun to visit them in your own airplane on your own schedule, right? I know that approaching certain high-traffic destinations such as Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles might feel challenging or even forbidding , especially for VFR pilots not accustomed to speaking with controllers and navigating busy airspace full of commercial jets.

If you want to explore the U.S. by air, though, you will have to traverse a lot of Class B airspace to get to the smaller surrounding airports that make those cities truly accessible. Allow me to recommend an ideal place to start: New Orleans.

New Orleans Appeals

People may think of New Orleans as a small city, but that label is deceptive. While you can tour the place on foot, the cityscape flows and meanders into so many distinct, engaging neighborhoods and districts that it can seem overwhelming to visitors who fail to plan thoughtfully or try to fit everything into a few days.

There is a lot to see, hear, and eat in New Orleans— more than many visitors expect. I suggest planning at least a three-night stay with a promise to return next year to catch up on what you missed. From the Garden District to the Commercial District to the world-famous French Quarter, you are bound to leave something for which you’ll want to return.

For any pilot flying themselves in, the city is especially attractive because of its inviting, interesting airports and GA-friendly airspace.

You gain a unique perspective from the air, and by carrying a map of the city next to your charts, you will be ready to conduct an aerial reconnaissance that can keep you from getting lost on the ground later.

Getting There

While I would have loved flying my own aircraft the 1,000 nm to New Orleans from my home airport in Sussex, New Jersey (KFWN)—and doing so would have been a great stride in my effort to log 100 hours in 2023—many factors kept that from happening.

Our window for making the trip overlapped only partially with a similarly short period of acceptable weather forecasts, and Annie, my Commander 114B, would be in for her annual that week.

• READ MORE: Flying the Truckee-Lake Tahoe Region

We really are fortunate to have airlines standing by as Plan B. We flew into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (KMSY) and drove to Lakefront Airport (KNEW), the Class D field we would use on our GA reconnaissance flight.

There we met Patrick Box, a flight instructor with Gulf Coast Aviation, a flight school based at Lakefront, who had agreed to take us up for a photo flight and tour of the city.

The Airport

A peek at a sectional chart hints at the treat you are in for when landing at Lakefront. On approach the field looks almost like an aircraft carrier docked in the harbor, its deck stretching northward into Lake Pontchartrain. An art deco terminal dominates the ramp and makes the airport easy to spot.

The architectural style and manner in which the ramp and runways fan out from the terminal lets would-be historians know the airport is a product of aviation’s golden age. You also can tell that it was the area’s primary airline hub at the time.

• READ MORE: Chart Wise: New Orleans VOR DME 36L (KNEW)

Originally called Shushan Airport, the field opened in 1934 and was considered, locally at least, to be the “Air Hub of the Americas,” according to airport officials. The design is credited to the same architectural firm responsible for the Louisiana state capitol building.

For many years, the terminal was a local dining and social destination as well as an air travel hub. As the structure aged, though, it was subjected to numerous indignities. During the 1960s, its exterior was covered with concrete panels, and the interior balcony that surrounds the first floor was enclosed to form offices.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, several feet of water flooded the building. Preservation groups saved and gradually restored the terminal, and now it is in its glory, as if unchanged in nearly 90 years. It is easy to imagine Douglas DC-3s boarding passengers outside.

‘Big Easy’ from Above

On this day, though, we would embark on a smaller piston twin, a Beechcraft Baron 55 that Box uses for multiengine training. Winds were out of the north, and the tower cleared us for takeoff on Runway 36L. Lakefront is under the shelf of KMSY’s Class B, so GA pilots flying around the city are quickly handed off to New Orleans Approach. That is nothing unusual except that the controllers seemed extremely calm, agreeable, and forgiving compared with what I am accustomed to in the Northeast.

Instead of shooing us away, they encouraged us to fly around close to the “Big Easy” for as long as we wanted. While operating around larger Class C and Class B international airports demands a lot, it also rewards those who persevere in the face of apprehension.

• READ MORE: Mackinac Island Is Especially Stunning by Air

“Just give us a call when you’re done,” the controller said as we descended to 1,000 feet to traverse the VFR corridor over the Mississippi River. This arrangement is similar to the Hudson River route through New York City, except that the Mississippi winds sharply through New Orleans, giving the flight a tactical feel—thrilling. If you keep a map of the city next to your chart, it is easy to mentally plan out the neighborhoods you want to visit later.

Flying with a local pilot turned out to be an ideal introduction to the city from aloft. Box was familiar with the area and pointed out many significant sights that we might have missed, like the old forts that stand guard where the river and lake meet. We flew over Fort Pike and Fort Macomb, sister structures meant to defend Lake Pontchartrain from invasion. They were built between 1819 and 1826 after the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 exposed weaknesses in the city’s defenses. Today, both forts are ruins, but Pike is sufficiently intact to be a historic site that tourists can visit. Macomb is inaccessible and better viewed from the air.

From the legendary Caesars Superdome and skyscrapers downtown and shipping terminals along the river to the expansive marshland that borders the city, we felt like we covered the whole place within an hour. The flight made it easier to navigate once we started walking.

Leaving the airport might be the hardest part, because the terminal is a photographic bonanza. All of those deco details—including illuminated signs and a wooden telephone booth—make for wonderful keepsake photos or ‘grams. Do not leave without stopping for lunch at the terminal restaurant, Messina’s Runway Cafe.

There are other airports in the area with easy access to the city, including Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional (KASP), Hammond Northshore (KHDC), and St. Tammany Regional (L31). But Lakefront is such a special place that missing it would make the visit incomplete. If you do not land there, do make a point of visiting the terminal.

Into the City

Known for festivals such as Mardi Gras, jazz, food, and the French Quarter, “NOLA,” as the place is known affectionately, is no theme park. This real working city happens to be packed with history and culture from end to end.

While you have heard about Bourbon Street and other tourist epicenters around town, the lesser-known enclaves might be the most memorable. Travelers should make a point of visiting as many of the distinct neighborhoods as time allows.

Starting with the French Quarter, visitors can take in historic architecture that stretches back 300 years and landmarks from St. Louis Cathedral to Jackson Square. Walking is the best way to see this area and take in the sights, sounds, and shops along Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and others that make up the neighborhood’s tight grid.

Cross Rampart Street from the French Quarter to enter Treme, which is known as the oldest African-American neighborhood in the U.S. Landmarks include Louis Armstrong Park, named for the famous trumpeter and singer, and Congo Square, where enslaved people used to meet to play music thought to be the genesis of jazz.

The city’s streetcar will take you to Uptown, where sights include mansions, estates, and gardens. This is where you will find Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, and other historic attractions. This is another ideal area for walking or bike tours.

A Bonus for Pilots

Crossing into the central business district, or CBD, you will find modern skyscrapers, shopping areas, and hotels. Aviators will be happy to spot the National World War II Museum, with exhibits including numerous aircraft, vehicles, weapons, and more.

If you pictured DC-3s at the Lakefront airport, you will be pleased to find a C-47 version in D-Day markings hanging in the museum lobby. Other airplanes strung dramatically from the ceiling include a North American P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt 109, and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

Some of the aircraft in the collection are largely complete and closer to airworthiness than others, which might be missing their engines and other vital-but-hidden parts. The C-47 that hangs overhead as you enter the ticket line and sits at eye level when viewed from the second-floor balcony looks like it could have just flown back from Europe.

One of the museum docents told me the aircraft arrived in pieces, and when volunteers assembled it for display, they did not drain all of the oil from one of its engines. So the old Pratt & Whitney R-1830s dripped every so often, for years, sometimes narrowly missing visitors— and sometimes not.

I think those radials would start if given the spark again. It’s not hard to contemplate such rich history in a town like New Orleans.

New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW)

Location: New Orleans

Airport Elevation: 7.3 feet msl (give or take)

Airspace: Class D

Airport Hours: Continuous

Runways: 18R/36L, 18L/36R, 9/27

Lighted: Yes, all runways

Pattern Altitude: 1,000 feet msl for all traffic

This feature first appeared in the January-February 2024/Issue 945 of FLYING’s print edition.

The post New Orleans Is a GA-Friendly, Fly-In Locale appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

We were just underneath a broken stratus layer, dancing along a small section of the Louisiana coastline at the fringes of the Gulf of Mexico. How many times had I flown over this area in transit to Florida at FL 390 with nary a second thought about its significance?  

What was I doing at low altitude, dependent upon the reliability of only one 200 hp reciprocating engine rather than two jet engines rated at 115,000 pounds of thrust? Volunteering, of course.  SouthWings is an advocacy group that utilizes qualified pilot volunteers and vetted airplanes to provide a birds-eye view of industry and land development effects on the environment, primarily over bodies of water.  

In this circumstance, the water environment was the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and the nearby communities of New Orleans, Louisiana. My passengers were environmental experts in their fields. SouthWings also flies government leaders, developers, educators, and the media. The organization has been responsible for confirming and/or discovering pollution issues, threats to wetlands, and leaking oil rigs.

The group is managed by a very small group of very dedicated and underpaid staff. Funding for

SouthWings is through various foundations and individual donors, with its budget dependent upon the philanthropic temperament of the year.

After a great career, I believe that paying it forward is important for our society, no matter how we decide to contribute. Although I’ve contributed through non-aviation venues as well, my membership with Air Care Alliance involves 14 volunteer pilot organizations. Unfortunately, opportunities to participate haven’t been compatible for various reasons, mostly because of distance and the ability to transport passengers in comfort.

The pilot disaster and emergency relief organizations are limited in scope and timeline depending upon the situation, at least for my type of airplane. The GA airports that were in an advantageous proximity to the most recent natural disaster events were sometimes restrictive or just plain closed, notwithstanding that a Piper Arrow is not the ideal vehicle to carry a large quantity of supplies. When roads are cleared after a hurricane, tractor trailers are generally the best form of transportation. Additionally, the carriage of infirm passengers can prove problematic in a Piper Arrow, primarily because of the one entry and exit: a step and a wing to climb.  

So, all things considered, SouthWings seemed like a good fit for me and the airplane. If logging more than 25,000 hours of flight time has taught me anything, it’s that I can fly a mean straight-and-level—even with a handful of orbits tossed in. And it’s enjoyable to fly folks that have no experience or limited experience in a small airplane. Plus, the areas that are flown often go unnoticed by pilots because most of us aren’t savvy to environmental concerns, so it’s interesting to view them from a different perspective.

One of the very positive aspects of SouthWings is the organization’s attitude. “Pilot-pushers” don’t exist. For whatever reason, mechanical, weather, or otherwise, a pilot’s decision not to fly the mission is never questioned. Stipulations involving weight and balance, operational procedures, or COVID-19 protocols are the prerogative of the pilot.

As an example of pilot discretion, at the completion of my fifth mission, the airline pilot hairs began to stand up on the back of my neck. Lowering ceilings, a gap in ATC communication, loss of radar coverage, over-saturated Mardi Gras airspace, and a crowded ramp at New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW) added up to my decision in canceling the sixth and very last trip of the week. Virginia Richard, the Gulf region’s program manager, simply said no apology was necessary.

One of the interesting challenges I conquered was transposing Google Map coordinates to the ForeFlight app and then to the Garmin 430 so the points of interest were actually what my passengers wanted to see. Knowing how to set the appropriate latitude/longitude format was a feat that presented a minor bit of consternation for this airline captain. A good copilot would have been a better option. And a good copilot would have been of superior assistance in obtaining a clearance to fly a 129 nm polygon track through Class B airspace.

A very pleasant hotel room—within walking distance to the French Quarter— and some of the best cuisine in the world made volunteering an enjoyable experience. And my new best friend, Dana Honn, a SouthWings passenger and chef/owner of Carmo, located in the art district area, rolled out the red carpet for Carol and me.

Although flight levels to low levels might be slightly out of this retired airline pilot’s comfort zone, the gratification for paying it forward was worth the mission.

The post Volunteer Pilot Flies for Eco Missions with SouthWings appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

But it’s still winter, and the bone-chilling preflight routine and drawn-out minutes in the cockpit before the heater kicks in can make one wish for warmer surroundings. Well, having an airplane means never having to wish, sort of. It is possible to fly south, find the sun, and switch to short sleeves in a few hours—or at least the same day.

We have gathered five tempting destinations for pilots enduring winter’s wrath across the U.S., focusing on spots that are close to local attractions. In some cases there is a lot to see without even leaving the airport. Here are our picks:  

Palm Springs International (KPSP)

Despite having “international” in its name, the main Palm Springs airport often has more of a municipal feel that is friendly toward general aviation. Several years ago, I recall watching what seemed like a parade of GA airplanes taxi by as my commercial flight waited for another jet to clear the gate.

Whether you like golf, hiking, biking, dining, or tours of mid-century Modernist architecture, Palm Springs is full of options. Several of its popular hotels, such as the Ace and Skylark, are restored gems from a 1960s dream. But you’ll have to get out of the airport first, and that might be difficult if you stop at the on-site Palm Springs Air Museum, which has dozens of aircraft, mostly military, on display. They give rides, too, ranging from $99 in a Douglas C47 Skytrain to $4,995 in a Lockheed T-33 jet trainer.

St. Simons Island, Georgia (KSSI)

When you taxi to the FBO at McKinnon St. Simons Airport, you are also essentially parking at a hotel, which is next door. You can stay there or at a number of historic hotels in the area. Accommodations also include lodges, cottages, and high-end resorts.

St. Simons is part of Georgia’s Golden Isles area, which includes three other barrier islands— Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons—and the historic mainland port city of Brunswick. Jekyll and Brunswick also have airports. The area’s attractions range from golf, beaches, fishing, and other watersports to forests, nature trails, and historic landmarks dating to colonial times. History buffs can visit the Bloody Marsh battle site where, in 1742, British troops defeated a larger Spanish force in part of a larger conflict over control of sea and inland water routes.

Marfa Municipal Airport (KMRF)

Don’t forget to set your altimeters! Airport elevation is 4,848 feet.

We have friends from Maine who spend winters in Marfa, Texas, and we wondered why until we looked into it. The small West Texas desert city is known as a hub for the arts. The Chinati Foundation, founded by artist Donald Judd and opened to the public in 1986, displays large installations at the former site of Fort D.A. Russell, a U.S. Army cavalry post. The Ballroom Marfa arts center hosts exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural events, including Marfa Myths, an annual music festival.

But Marfa is really all about the festival. The Marfa Lights Festival is another annual gathering featuring food, and live music, but this one is steeped in mystery. Beginning in the 1800s, people have reported seeing blue, red, or white lights on the horizon to the southeast of town. People have long debated over the source of the lights, which appear in an uninhabited area without roads passing through. Today, there is an observation platform outside of town from which one can sometimes spot the lights.

New Orleans Lakefront (KNEW)

New Orleans may seem like an obvious winter destination for frost-belt dwellers, but the airport you choose can have a significant effect on the overall experience of visiting this unique city of music, food, and culture. Lakefront Airport (KNEW) is closer to the city center than the larger, more modern Louis Armstrong International (KMSY), and arguably expresses more of the local spirit. February events include Tet Fest, a celebration of the Vietnamese New Year, and Greek Feast, a drive-through food festival. 

Landing at Lakefront is like flying back in time to aviation’s golden age. Built in 1934 on a huge man-made peninsula extending into Lake Pontchartrain, the airport was intended to be a transportation “hub of the Americas.” Its construction was a huge project for its time and Lakefront’s art deco terminal, still standing today, hints at the field’s importance before World War II. 

George T. Lewis Airport, Cedar Key, Florida (KCDK)

Check the “airport information” tab on the airport’s website and you get a sense that Cedar Key is a place where you tie down the airplane and get back to nature, exploring the walking trails and observing the wide range of bird life for which the area is known. From the air, the runway appears to be among the largest examples of development in the area. That’s because much of the land around it is a nature preserve. The nearby Cedar Keys and Suwannee National Wildlife Refuges are marked on the sectional chart and pilots are asked to fly above 2,000 feet agl while over the refuge or the national park for noise abatement and to avoid bird strikes.

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The Cedar Key Museum State Park includes a 1920s home and artifacts that reflect the area’s history as a busy port. The Historical Museum looks into the town’s past through photos, documents and relics from the Civil War. The airport still gets busy during the annual local Fine Arts Festival and Seafood Festival, and during the Sun n’ Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland. The airport website says camping by your airplane is not allowed, “but not rigidly enforced.”

The post Five Flying Destinations Offering Winter Warmth appeared first on FLYING Magazine.