Count me selfish. Many flights in the CJ squaking "VFR" weather permitted. Especially on flights under 100nm.

This seems to be a somewhat regional phenomenon. I too fly VFR for short trips a decent amount. But the big IFR departure delay doesn't happen here (SFO region) too often, though it does occasionally. The early descent is definitely a thing around here though.

I usually put ATC back in the equation by getting flight following. It's handy to have them for traffic services and at the same time get out of the rigid structure of routings they require.

No doubt and by "regional" I mean "East of the Mississippi".

I guess California doesn't have as much congestion. I'll take a picture next time. OPF, PDK, TEB are full. GA is not dead.

We get congestion too, but it sounds like it's maybe a matter of degree.

But your main point was valid - it can definitely be faster and more efficient to go VFR sometimes, especially for shorter trips.

We don't have this problems here, and we are east of the Mississippi.

I'd suggest "eastern seaboard".

Or maybe "original 13 colonies".

Not much of an issue outside those areas.

Mike C.

Maybe not from KSQL, but at KRHV, we are the redheaded stepchild for KSJC. We can't depart IFR unless there is a break in the approaches to KSJC (and they won't make that break for us). I have waited on the ground for 45 minutes waiting. This is the norm, not the exception. If the bases are high enough, I will file IFR from a fix outside the bay area, depart VFR and pick up IFR from that fix. I watched a Pilatus in front of me wait 40 minutes to get out. What do those things burn on the ground?

Vince

MDW is packed too which is why I started using GYY. But yes, outside those metro areas it's not bad. I never have issues in Charleston SC for example. Big cities have lots of people and the airspace has lots of demand.

About 300#/hr at ground idle, so about 30 gallons for the wait. Makes the fuel prices at the larger airports not as bad.

With contract fuel, the "large" airport can be cheaper than the "small" one in some cases.

Case in point is KPHX can be half the cost of KSDL on contract fuel. KPHX is the 12th busiest airport in the US.

Mike C.

For the people considering an entry level jet. What sort of things are holding you back?

Where to put the thing?
Don't really need it and so it seems like a big investment for personal use?
Training time and expense?

I have been looking but just cannot seem to make it happen. Real nice to have though. I think if I had a big enough hangar I would take one.

With contract fuel, the "large" airport can be cheaper than the "small" one in some cases.

Case in point is KPHX can be half the cost of KSDL on contract fuel. KPHX is the 12th busiest airport in the US.

Mike C.

A big enough hangar is easily solved, and building a hangar for a CJ size aircraft with heat and plumbing can be done for 300k +- depending on amenities

Perhaps where you live... But here there's no land, so you either fit in a county hangar or... you don't.

I'm building a 72'x70 with in floor heat and plumbed for a bathroom and a 60'x20' door for 310k. On county owned land. Wood framed. Steel clad inside and out, insulated, and one overhead door, and two service doors, and lots of lighting and elec outlets, with 220 3phase for a GPU.

what's so funny?

Sil Valley humor vs. Wisconsin.