XC overnight accomodation?

[felix0315]

Just curious, how do you guys spend your nights on long XC trips? Any tips/tricks?
Hotel accommodation can be quite an expense and is not always available.
My scenario would take me from days to a few weeks.

[davecessna]

Sleep in the plane.

[CpnCrunch]

Sleep in the plane.

I guess that depends on the plane. I don't think I'd get much sleep in a C150

[Lotro]

I always called the FBO before arriving and asked if they could recommend a hotel. In the US there are lots of hotels that have deals with the airport or offer pilots rates. In Canada, less so, but still possible.

If you're flying to a smaller/rural airport, you could ask about camping at the field. I almost had to do it once because all the hotels in town were sold out. You'd have to go into town or whatever for food, but there is usually taxi service.

Priceline is your friend. You can almost always bid for a bed near a hotel for under $100.

[Shiny Side Up]

You can almost always bid for a bed near a hotel for under $100.

Personally I'd rather have a bed in a hotel, but whatever floats your boat.


On a serious note, accommodations when flying can be attained often by advance planning. I know that's something people don't like to do in this day and age by the amount of people who tend to show up here then try to find out stuff. Phone ahead, scout places out. Not rocket science. Make sure camping at airports is cool before you do so, or at least where isn't going to get you blasted out of your tent at four in the morning. I should note that's a secret pleasure of those of us who are up early to torment tourists.

When it comes to camping under the wing, High wings are a blessing, all you need is a tarp and some pegs, or some reasonably durable string or twine. The same can be done with a low wing, but there's not a lot of head space.

[photofly]

<sings>H-O-T-W-I-R-E ... hotwire.com!

[Gene Hasenfus]

I always thought that sleeping on the couch
in the pilot lounge of a small airport, surrounded
by ancient and worn flying magazines strewn
about on nearby coffee tables, was a rite of
passage for a VFR-only pilot flying cross-country,
when the clouds moved in (and down). Ignore
any uncomfortable comparisons to a homeless
person sleeping on a park bench, covered in old
newspapers.

Remember when you land: gas, piss and food.
In that order. The line guy may be just going
off shift. Never pass on any of the three.

Oh, and always wear a chute, even (and especially)
when your boss tells you not to.

[Blakey]

Oh, and always wear a chute, even (and especially)
when your boss tells you not to.

Don't give any hints, some of us already know. And it was Eugene.

[I_Drive_Planes]

<sings>H-O-T-W-I-R-E ... hotwire.com!

I love Hotwire when I travel (to larger centers) I was in Las Vegas recently and I got a five star hotel for $71 per night. It's not so great for smaller places though, definitely make sure you comparison shop and watch out for extra fees.

I recently ran in to a situation where I landed and was unable to get a hotel in the two cities that the airport served, or anywhere that I could have flown before getting into the mountains at night. I wound up sleeping in the back room of the FBO, it was better than sleeping under the wing but it's something I'd rather not repeat. If you're venturing far away in a small airplane keeping a sleeping bag in the baggage compartment isn't a bad idea, you really never know where you're going to wind up.

[DonutHole]

Hotels.com

"I don't want to be here"

[Pop n Fresh]

Air mattress technology is quite good. I recommend a Coleman, plus a pump. Don't forget a pillow or you'll be rolling up a jacket.

[Lotro]

As an aside, don't trust tripadvisor in obscure places. I almost stayed at a hotel run by a cult (according to the locals) until the friendly FBO operator talked me out of it and recommended the local place with a pilot rate. +1 for planning ahead. Just call before you takeoff for the next destination.

[Shiny Side Up]

As an aside, don't trust tripadvisor in obscure places.

Indeed. On that note, the Lynn Inn has a website that is somewhat optimistic. Bring your own drinking water. A stay at the Lynn, now competes with the night I spent in an igloo, for worst night ever. Not sure whether I prefer sleeping on a mound of ice, or sharing a room with mice. At least the air was breatable in the igloo.

[CpnCrunch]

I usually stick to Best Western / Holiday Inn - you're pretty much guaranteed to get a nice room and good night's sleep.

Cheapass motels are ok if you don't mind paper-thin walls and slightly grungy carpets. I didn't mind staying in them, but my wife has now increased my minimum standards. She didn't appreciate the 30 degree temperature between head-height and floor-level in the 'dreamland motel' in Moose Jaw with the plywood walls in the middle of winter.

Anyway, if you're spending that much on avgas you can probably afford a $100 or $120 hotel room.

[Rookie50]

Fly in the good ole USA. Service, prices, hotels on field, so much easier.