Las Vegas- Good Deal

No, its not the $3.95 all you can eat buffet; its the fuel prices at Henderson Executive Airport. For years, we flew exclusively into McCarran International Airport and used Signature Flight Support. Fuel was always a little higher, but it seemed close and the service was fine. The differential is now more than makes sense. At Signature, fuel last weekend was posted at $7.53, while the Henderson fuel was $4.59. I can't see paying almost $3.00 per gallon more. Signature charges $120 ramp fee if you don't take on any fuel.

Another issue with McCarran is that from Orange County Airport (John Wayne) and many other airports, there frequently is a gate-hold of as much as 30 minutes for an IFR slot. If you go VFR, you may be greeted 30 miles out with "...McCarran is closed to VFR traffic for the next 45 minutes; remain outside of Class B airspace and state intentions..." I heard this twice last summer. No such IFR or VFR restrictions exist for Henderson.

The rental car procedure (or free shuttle to the strip) is very convenient. It took 12 minutes to drive to Caesar's Palace using I-15 to the Flamingo exit, only slightly more than the trip from McCarran.

Friendly people, a brand new executive terminal, long runways and relatively inexpensive fuel make this the "new" regular spot for trips to Las Vegas.