I regularly have people who are not KTTA "locals" come fly with me. If you are reading this page it may well be that I’ve send you the URL as a way to help you find your way to KTTA, and ultimately how to find me.
Ultimately you are looking for the guy in the picture shown to the right. I may well have my hair pulled back, and might well be wearing a ball cap with a dinosaur on it. I’ll almost certainly be wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.
Getting to KTTA
Most people will be starting from the Raleigh/Cary/Apex area, but whether southbound or northbound, you’ll travel on US-1 to Exit 76. If southbound turn left at the top of the ramp and cross the bridge over US-1. If northbound it will be a simple right turn at the top of the ramp. In both cases you will be traveling east on Farrell Road.
Travel down Farrell Road for about a half-mile and turn left on Rod Sullivan Road. The airport is a little less than a mile down Rod Sullivan. Along the way you will cross a bridge (over train tracks), and after crossing the bridge continue straight into the airport parking area.
As you continue straight you will arrive at a point where the drive would swing to the left toward the doors of the FBO, and there is a gate to the right. You should pull up to the gate intercom box (shown on the immediate right here). The following link to a Google Map should show how to get from the Cary area to the spot where you’ll find the intercom.
Through the Gate
I have arranged with the airport management to allow people to contact me via the gate intercom. Once at the gate dial "33" on the silver keypad. Do NOT try and use the keypad on the smaller, lower, black box. That won’t achieve the results you are looking for.
Entering "33" on the intercom keypad should dial my cell phone, which I’ll answer and confirm you are my visitor. Once I know who is at the gate I have the ability to send a signal which will open the gate.
NOTE: Speak loudly, the intercom is actually pretty lousy and it is often the case that I can barely hear the person on the other end.
NOTE: If there is a problem with the gate, or with the intercom, contact the FBO (even if you have to walk inside the main terminal building to do so) and let them know you are here to see me. They will open a gate for you.
Once you drive through the gate you will quickly enter the ramp area. In this area airplanes have right of way, and the airport wants people to hold their speed to 15 MPH.
To Wings of Carolina
As you drive forward from the gate you will be headed directly toward some aircraft hangars. Turn to the left before you get to the hangars, then almost immediately turn right again to travel down past the hangars.
If you find you are driving toward the big maintenance hangars and the FBO, you are going in the wrong direction. Turn around.
You will first travel past the "A" row of hangars, then in turn "B", "C", and the "D" row. Continue until you arrive at the building with the raised deck. That is the Wings of Carolina Flying Club building. Continue on around the building to the right and find a place to park.
The map to the right depicts the general path you should follow. If you encounter an oncoming aircraft simply pull over into the grass near the hangars and allow them to pass. Do watch for recessed drainage grates if you need to pull into the grass.
Once parked, come into the club lobby area and I’ll meet you there. Since I can be informed of your arrival no matter where I might be on the field, it is always possible that when you arrive I’ll not be at the club. However, if that is the case I’ll be on the way, and should be there shortly.
The club is mostly volunteer run so it is always possible that nobody will be in the lobby if I’m coming from somewhere else on the field. Please just make yourself at home, have a seat, and I’ll be there soon. On Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays our bookeeper is often at the desk in the lobby and if she is there (or, frankly, anyone else) just tell them you are waiting for me. I’m also an instructor at the club so most people will know who you are talking about, and likely know that you are there for instruction.
Alternative Route
Sometimes the airport, for reasons known only to them, leaves a gate closer to the flying club standing open. If I text you and say that the "Ammons Farm Road Gate" is open, that is an easier route into the club (i.e. you don’t have to drive down the apron/ramp by the T-hangars to get to the club).
If I inform you it is open, or if you just want to roll the dice and go look for yourself, the image here shows the alternative route. You will turn right immediately after the bridge over the train tracks, travel down Ammons Farm Road, and at the gate turn left into the airport grounds.
Once through the gate drive up the hill past a couple of box hangars, then park in one of the parking areas used by the flying club. Come on in, and as I say above just ask for me if I’m not waiting for you. I’ll be around somewhere.
Final Details
Generally speaking, if the club isn’t overly busy, we’ll do your ground instruction at the club. This will be the case whether you are visiting for tailwheel training, spin training, or basic aerobatic training. Regarding payment, I am able to take credit cards but can also accept PayPal, checks, or good old hard cash. If you have any questions, or run into any problems, I should have given you my cell number via email (I avoid posting my number on sites just because I get enough spam calls as it is, no need to make it easy for the spammers.)
I’m looking forward to flying with you. We are going to have a great time!