A pilot flies a 1968 Cessna 150 to Charlotte International. The presenter records the planning, approach, landing, and fees.
What the video covers
Written in our own words. It only describes what the video shows and says.The presenter begins by contrasting Charlotte International, described as the second largest American Airlines hub in the United States and the seventh busiest airport in the world, with his 1968 Cessna 150, a two seat aircraft with a 100 horsepower engine and a maximum speed of 88 knots. He says that after landing at LaGuardia, he became more open to taking a small plane into large airports, provided the arrival does not disturb other traffic. The stated aim is to fly from home to Charlotte, North Carolina, ask air traffic control whether a full stop landing at Charlotte International is possible, and learn what the ground visit and landing fees are like.
Planning the Charlotte arrival
At the departure airport, the presenter receives taxi instructions for Cessna 22318 and later a takeoff clearance for runway 3 right. He explains that Charlotte International is a public use airport, but controllers can deny a landing request if the arrival stream is busy. To improve the chance of acceptance, he telephoned the Charlotte TRACON earlier that morning and asked for a suitable arrival time. The controller suggested 1230 to 1. The plan is to fly to a small airport outside Charlotte, stage there, and contact Charlotte Approach before the suggested window. On the way he cruises at 5,500 feet, noting strong wind and that Interstate 85 is below the aircraft. He lands at Shelby and later departs from there.
Approaching Charlotte International
Before entering the Charlotte area, the presenter flies low to remain underneath and outside the Class Bravo airspace until cleared to enter. He obtains information Alpha and calls Charlotte Approach as Cessna 22318, six miles east of Shelby at 2,500 feet, asking whether a full stop at Charlotte is possible. The controller asks whether Douglas means Charlotte, assigns squawk 0326, and establishes radar contact five miles east of Shelby while instructing the aircraft to maintain VFR. He describes Charlotte International as having three parallel runways and 6,000 acres, with airline gates on the north end and a private FBO on the east side. He expects runway 36, which he states is 8,676 feet long.
Landing and ground costs
Charlotte Approach cleared Cessna 22318 into the Charlotte Class Bravo and instructed it to maintain VFR at or below 3,000 feet. Cessna 22318 was then told to contact approach on 126.15 and to expect left base for runway 36. Charlotte Tower cleared Cessna 22318 to land on runway 36. After landing, the presenter is told to turn right at Delta 4 and proceed to the FBO. On the ground, he meets a person named Drew, orders 20 gallons of fuel, and says this amount is enough to waive a 50 dollar facility fee. He states that the remaining charges are a 15 dollar infrastructure fee and 20 gallons at 10 dollars a gallon plus tax, giving a total of 213.11 dollars for the visit.
