Don’t tell anyone but…
On long road trips and in search of a bathroom and someplace to stretch our legs, I’ll sometimes open up WingX or AirNav and look for the closest airport…
After all, the plastic thingy in my wallet says I’m a pilot, and chances are I do know the lounge combo (or can at least surmise). And it’s not a “I flew in from Kansas in my J3 lounge”…it’s a pilots lounge. I think I qualify.
Nothing like getting away from the big box automobile refueling stations and milling about the local airport.
As much as these small airports are the same, the differences make the stop worthwhile. It’s usually late afternoon and early evening when we make our stop, and no mater the questionable condition of said lounge, it’s always worth the pause.
I then imagine where I would make my base to final turn. Is this place left hand traffic? Bunch of deer and turkeys around this airport, I’d have to keep that in mind. That windsock should be changed out, Keep that in mind to…They do have self-serve, this would make a perfect stop.
Pretty soon, I’m imagining that I am flying in from Kansas in a J3. Problem now is, I’ve got dozens and dozens of small airports on my bucket list.