Louisana (Hammond) FBO

Hammond Air Center - Hammond, LA - (KHDC)
Six star facility, service, and experimental friendly!

Pirep - Return flight from SnF 2014 to Houston - weather dictated a 2-day layover in Hammond, LA. I purchased fuel from the self-serve pump (different FBO) and there inquired about hangar, lodging, and transportation. The line person made a call to Hammond Air Center which is located just around the corner from the self-serve pump, and they said "come on over". I was greeted by Ryder who helped me tie-down in a rock-star spot and he then escorted me inside to meet Jessica. Jessica had a very nice crew car brought to the front door, made my hotel reservation, and presented me with two cold beers brought up by Ryder for when I got settled at the hotel. Hammond Air Center also has rental cars available on location for those with long-term needs. I should also add that the town of Hammond is a great destination with a historical district, quaint shops, fine dining, and a fabulous ambiance.

Hammond Louisiana and Hammond Air Center are a great combination and deserve your favorable consideration. Oh, and did I mention they're EXPERIMENTAL FRIENDLY.

Great report Ernie - that's the second report this week that Hammond was a good stop. Hammond was not reporting good weather on Thursday when I was passing through, so I hit Bay Minnette (if you haven't been in there lately, you HAVE to meet the friendly staff next time!) preemptively and overflew Hammond. Will have to try them next time.

That's good to know.
I also left on Thursday, down to Everglades. City for lunch, then Cross City, Bay Minette ( I must have just missed you, Paul) and finally 3F3- Rusty Williams' for the night.
There you can access out of hours, get the crew car keys and stop in their crew bunkroom with hot showers, cable TV and snacks. Avgas is $4.50 and friendly staff. Places like that are an absolute treasure.

Friday was clear and cloudless so I continued via Raton NM and Page AZ. Some spectacular flying country once you're beyond the Panhandle.

Hammond Air Center

I stopped in at Hammond on Sunday afternoon for gas on my way to SnF. I too filled up at the self service pump as I could not find Hammond Air Service. After I filled up I saw someone down the ramp and inquired about Hammond Air. To my surprise it was just around the corner from the self serv pumps. I taxied over there and was warmly greeted. What a great bunch of folks. They arranged for mt transportation and set me up with a great B&B for the night. They even hangered my plane for the night because of anticipated storms. I have never been treated so well. I will always make Hammond Air Service a must stop in my future travels.

Great people along the way.

Nancy and I just made an 11 day trip from Baton Rouge to Utah and back. It was a great adventure and the best part was the people we met and were helped by. On the way out we made an unplanned stop in Leesville, LA (L39). The airport manager was very generous with the courtesy car, offering to let keep it overnight if we needed. A break for lunch was what I needed to get myself ready to continue IFR.

On the way back we were stopped by weather again at Fort Sumner, NM. On Sunday, FSM is a "ghost airport". We called nearby Billy the Kid Country Inn. No room at the Inn, but Elaine offered to pick us up, drive us to a competing motel and deliver us back to the airport next morning. Now that's going the 2nd and 3rd mile. The Billy the Kid Museum is well worth the $5 entrance cost. They have Billy's Winchester, his angora chaps, silver spurs and lots of other remarkable things.

Cleburne Aviation Services (CPT) just south of Dallas was another welcoming port, and 100LL was just $4.70/gal. We met many more friendly and helpful folks. The scenery was pretty fantastic too. John

Another +++ vote for Hammond Air, I stopped in for a xmas visit with my daughter and they hangered the airplane (for free) for 2 nights and were just the nicest folks you could ask for