Miami (what to do)

[Dewdrop]

I'm off to Miami on my hols mid July, don't want to fly solo when I'm there (can't be bothered to sort out the visa etc) but I would like to do something with an aviation bent... any suggestions

[FNG]

Visit Jack Brown's and log some dual time in a Cub on Floats.

[Dewdrop]

Wouldn't I need to apply for an FAA licence ?

[Charlie Zulu]

And if you did log some dual on a cub and you don't already have a seaplane rating then you'd need an M1 Visa also.

You don't need an M-1 Visa if you're just going to get a checkout and rent an aeroplane though.

[Dewdrop]

But wouldn't I need an FAA licence ? I was thinking more along the lines of Warbird rides and museums.

[Charlie Zulu]

Yes you would need an FAA licence.

Now on the other hand you could go as a "tourist" to the warbird museum at Kissimmee Airport, South Orlando.

They have Harvard rides, Waco Bi-plane rides etc... great fun!!!

Just let the pilot know that you fly at home... probably get a go that way. :-)

I had a ride in the Waco there, but that was back in '92 when I was only 15.

[Keygrip]

Nice ideas - but

MIA to Orlando is a four hour drive (each way).

I haven't seen any Waco's at Kissimmee (but that doesn't mean there aren't any).

The Harvards do operate daily - can't find a price on the web site.

There is also the P51-Mustang rides....but they go out at something like $2,500 an hour. Enjoy.

[treadigraph]

Visit Kermit Weeks' museum at Polk City, off Highway 4 between Orlando and Lakeland, west of Kissimmee and just north of Jack Brown's at Winter Haven. Think you can get rides there, but the musuem is well, well worth a visit. Sunderland, Connie, B-24, etc, etc, etc...

Kissimmee has a Waco - last time I was there it was being put back together after a unscheduled entrance at Disneywotsit.

If you happen to go down to Key West, there is a Waco joy riding outfit there, and I think you might al;so be able to get rides in Cessna Floatplanes - dolphin spotting?

Also a museum at Tamiami. what about a ride in a Chalks Mallard from Watson Island, Miami, out to Bahamas and back.

Enjoy your trip!

[Charlie Zulu]

Hi Keygrip,

MIA to Orlando is a four hour drive (each way).

Oops I forgot its such a long way when driving along the interstates. :O

[MLS-12D]

I've never been to Miami, but I don't have the impression that it is much of an aviation hub (I believe that Kermit Weeks (http://www.fantasyofflight.com/) used to be there, but for at least the past half-dozen years his museum has been farther north, about an hour's drive west of Orlando).

If you can make the drive north, it will be worth it. There's plenty to see and do in the greater Orlando area, including the following:

(1) North American Top Gun (http://www.natg.com/wbflights.html) (T6 rides in St. Augustine);

(2) Warbird Adventures (http://www.warbirdadventures.com/) (T6 rides in Kissimmee);

(3) Preston Aviation (http://www.flytailwheel.com/) (Stearman rides, just north of Orlando);

(4) Stallion 51 (http://www.stallion51.com/home.cfm) (TF51 rides, in Kissimmee).

(5) Tom Reilly's Flying Tiger Warbird Museum (http://www.warbirdmuseum.com/) (in Kissimmee; see also here (http://se_aviation.tripod.com/Flying_Tiger_Museum.htm));

(6) Florida Air Museum (http://www.sun-n-fun.org/content/museum/main.asp?section=museum) (in Lakeland);

(7) Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum (http://www.nbbd.com/godo/vac/) (in Titusville, right by the Kennedy Space Center); and

(8) Florida Military Aviation Museum (http://www.aero-web.org/museums/fl/fmam.htm) (in St. Petersburg).

[Flyin'Dutch']

Indeed a great number of good things to do between Orlando and Tampa but not a fat lot around Miami.

Can endorse Jack Brown's and Kermit Weeks' place. Back next spring for Sun 'n Fun and some more fun flying!

FD

[FWA NATCA]

Drive or fly down to Keywest and toss down a few at the Hogs Breath Saloon.

Mike