Florida trips?

[Eurotraveller]

Hi,

I'm off to Florida in November for a week to build approx 25 hours up to 100hrs P1 so I can get my CPL issued.

I'm also looking to complete my 300nm cross-country whilst I'm out there.

Has anyone who has been out to Florida got any suggestions for any potential routes to fly while I'm out there? Starting out from Kissimmee and ideally returning same-day.

Cheers

[Fright Level]

Easy ... Key West.

[Katamarino]

Key West? Hell yes! Only time in my flying career I've had a controller tell me to 'Stay low, multiple jet fighters incoming from your 12 o clock' :ooh:

[cpl4hire]

Make it Key West, book a Hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy !

Make sure you talk to the Military Airfield/Navy base near Key west International and follow intructions for transiting their zone.
NB. Dont get confused the big Airfield is the military one, the small Airfield is Key West International!

CPL4hire

[ChampChump]

Everglades City..... :ok:

That last should probably be in inverted commas.

No place for an engine failure thereabouts, however.

[BackPacker]

When I did my PPL out there, my most memorable x-country was out west to Venice, with the final approach being flown over the stark blue water of the Gulf of Mexico.

If I were to go back for hour building I would bring a small backpack with me with a change of underwear and do a few overnighters. Key West, but also up the FL panhandle.

It's not just the hourbuilding, but also having to care for an aircraft for multiple days, getting refueled at strange places, messing with tiedowns (or not), arranging whatever sort of handling you require is experience too!

[Eurotraveller]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, keep 'em coming!

[gfunc]

I second (or third/forth/fifth) the motion for Key West.

Make sure you follow the coast both ways as it is orders of magnitude less bouncy than over land. Plus if you are lucky you'll get the magic clearance "at or below 500ft along the beach".

If you follow the Keys from Key Largo to Key West you'll see some fantastic scenery and there'll be a forced landing option (Hwy 1) that is more attractive than the sharks. Bring a camera!

I would recommend spending at least an evening in Key West as it's one of the few places in the US that seems to have character. The contrast from the horrible sprawl of Orlando is stark.

I believe I am correct in thinking this trip should cover the 300nm requirement if you make a pit stop somewhere around Miami, although I am prepared to be corrected by the ruler brigade.

Enjoy the trip.

Gareth.

P.S. My pics from my Key West trip: Picasa Web Albums - Gareth (http://picasaweb.google.com/garethfantastic/)

[deltaxray]

Key west is a definite but try cecil airfield near jacksonville. I gotta see some cool vertical takeoffs from F16s there. Always some nice military aircraft in St Augustine too. Gainsville during college football season is brilliant. Nice bbqs on the ramp there.

[VP8]

Check out some of the airfields at AirNav (http://www.airnav.com/)

Listing ramp agents etc :ok:

Seconded St Augustine loverly airfield and FBO, watch out for the arrester cables, ATC told me they were doen when they were rigged!!

Do Patrick still do the Kennedy/Nasa triparound the sights?

VEEPS

[B2N2]

Key West obviously....but how about New Orleans?
There one day back the next or stay a couple of days.

Other suggestion:
Kissimee- Key West-Bimini-Fort Lauderdale-Kissimee

Kissimee-Nassau-Freeport-West Palm Beach-Kissimee

That should get you 25 hrs in a couple of days.:ok:

[Rocket2]

Go to Cedar Key on the West coast - best seafood restaurants in the USA - interesting site too with the sea at both ends of the runway (ample long enough) - a local taxi will offer a ride into town on the unicomm - take it - will probably meet you at the aircraft with a stretched limo - make you feel really special ;)

[Katamarino]

Of course, if you go to Cedar Key...DON'T TAXI ON THE ROAD :D

Seconded though, I loved that airfield! Even if the taxi doesn't seem to be operating (it wasn't the day we were there), its not hard to find a lift.

[dont overfil]

You mean the old checker cab with the big fan screwed to the dash has gone?
I Just love the Bahamas out islands. How about Orlando-Marsh Harbour then island hop down the Exuma chain and Long Island to Pittstown Point. Return by Cat Island, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and Fort Pierce. That should take about 15 hours, virtually no ATC and a small resort at most of the strips.
I know it's not returning the same day but you won't want to. Sorry but I'm just addicted to the place. www.flytheoutislands.com (http://www.flytheoutislands.com) and you can see some of the strips from the cockpit.
DO.

[gusspa44]

For sure it has to be key west and cedar key as top destinations .Both great locations Albert Whitted in St Petersburg (nice approach over water ) and Venice ( near beach) both worth a visit also.Florida is a great place to go flying enjoy!!!

[alfaaloop]

Try Lake Okachobee (not sure about the spelling) and Ocala is nice too. Try flying up north into Georgia aswell- spoilt for choice!. Also,nice approach into Merritt Island so have alook there if you get chance. If you go into Kendall Miami check out the personal cinema set up in the FBO- unbelievable! Ahh, great days!