SEP Rental in Boston MA Area
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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SEP Rental in Boston MA Area
Has anyone got any recommendations of which field/FBO to rent an SEP from in the Boston MA area and what sort of rates to expect to budget for?
TIA
W
TIA
W
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Cambridge UK
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I've used East Coast Areo Club based at Hanscom Field, Bedford KBED, to the North West of Boston. They have a wide range of aircraft and were helpful. An attraction for me is that you can get there from downtown Boston using public transport, avoiding both car rental and hotel car parking charges. Rates for the fleet are on their web site, but a C172 was $99 per hour.
http://www.eastcoastaeroclub.com/
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KBED
The downside is that Hanscom Field is run like Logan by Massport. It is therefore getting quite bureaucratic since 9/11 (remember where the hi-jackers boarded) and you will need to get a security pass. I didn't bother and just paid for an instructor - nice to have a guide and I let him do the radio work so I could enjoy myself. This is from their web site:
"Massport and the Transportation Security Administration have developed an ID Security Badge program for L. G. Hanscom Field. All students and renter pilots must have a Massport-issued SIDA badge for access to the aircraft ramp area. New students and those who don't have a badge will have to be escorted by a flight instructor until one is obtained.
Fingerprinting is done at the State Police office on the first floor of the Civil Air Terminal every Tuesday from 5-8 PM and on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 AM - 1 PM.
After fingerprinting, you will be notified when the background check is complete, and must then attend SIDA training before the badge can be issued. Interactive training sessions are conducted in Massport Management Office, Room 315 of the Civil Air Terminal, Monday through Friday 0900-1700. Call Airport Operations at 781-869-8000 to schedule."
http://www.eastcoastaeroclub.com/
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KBED
The downside is that Hanscom Field is run like Logan by Massport. It is therefore getting quite bureaucratic since 9/11 (remember where the hi-jackers boarded) and you will need to get a security pass. I didn't bother and just paid for an instructor - nice to have a guide and I let him do the radio work so I could enjoy myself. This is from their web site:
"Massport and the Transportation Security Administration have developed an ID Security Badge program for L. G. Hanscom Field. All students and renter pilots must have a Massport-issued SIDA badge for access to the aircraft ramp area. New students and those who don't have a badge will have to be escorted by a flight instructor until one is obtained.
Fingerprinting is done at the State Police office on the first floor of the Civil Air Terminal every Tuesday from 5-8 PM and on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 10 AM - 1 PM.
After fingerprinting, you will be notified when the background check is complete, and must then attend SIDA training before the badge can be issued. Interactive training sessions are conducted in Massport Management Office, Room 315 of the Civil Air Terminal, Monday through Friday 0900-1700. Call Airport Operations at 781-869-8000 to schedule."
Another Boston area choice
On one of my charter trips to Boston, I had a little time to explore and found a really nice little airport about 25 miles SSE of downtown Boston called Norwood. What a cool little country-style airport. They had a couple of flight schools and an airport cafe. If you don't want to deal with the Massport hassles, you might check this place out. The two flight school/rental outfits have links on the airport website. Prices seem to be in line with nationwide averages for the types and age the aircraft. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy Boston.
Best,
Westhawk
Best,
Westhawk
