Any certain places to make a stop between TN and FL?

[Air 1]

I'll be making a cross country from TN to Ft. Myers this coming week to get a few cross country hours for my instrument traing and I was just wondering if there are any neat places between here and there I should make a stop at? Also, any places that I should avoid. I will be taking a 172, so I'll be taking my time getting there. Page Field (FMY) looks to be the best GA airport in the area. Let me know if there is any more good places.

 

[gwilson]

If you need a place in southern Alabama, Dothan (KDHN) is a good stop. Airspeed FBO is very friendly. Fuel is self-serve and very low cost. There is good restaurant in the main terminal...good burgers, etc.

I agree with the KCDK recommendation. Another good option just north of Tampa is Crystal River (KCGC). You can land and walk to Dairy Queen for a quick lunch or dessert.

 

[Air 1]

Thanks for the replies guys, I may have to stop at all of the places you mentioned. I'll let you know how it went when I get back. Thanks!

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

I would recommend KCDK. It is about 70 miles north of Tampa and is a little 2000 foot strip on an island. Just a cool place to stop and theres a bunch of restaraunts in town. Good seafood..

I'd second Ceadar Key, it's an awesome stop. It's such a remote island, just off the coast. I think it's something like 60 miles from the nearest interstate, and lots of the downtown buildings are on the water, very beautiful area. Don't let the 2000' strip scare you, but don't take it for granted either. Few options for an engine failure after takeoff. I highly recomend Cedar Key, KCDK.

Have fun.

Shy

 

[CFIcare]

...should also add that KCDK is a great place, but there is no FBO, no fuel...heck no tie downs either. (KCGC, Crystal River, is 30 mi southeast, just past the nuclear plant, and they have services.)Bring cash for the cab ($10 per person). Also watch for low flying large birds....i hit an eagle with my nosewheel turning final in a 172 a few years back. Ouch.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

...should also add that KCDK is a great place, but there is no FBO, no fuel... i hit an eagle with my nosewheel turning final in a 172 a few years back. Ouch.

Ah, this is very true. I guess that's why he might be stopping in the first place, no? So... Air 1, yeah, there's no fuel there either. What happened to your nosewheel? Did it hang around or go AWOL?

Shy

 

[dicepilot]

St. Clair (Pell City) KPLR, has Sammy's Touch and go restaurant on the field. Closed Mondays. It is just east of KBHM.

 

[PaulThomas]

Check out X51 (everglade city) just south of FMY.

 

[Jon-Kyle Mohr]

May I ask where you are flying out of in TN?

 

[Air 1]

I fly out of McMinnville, which is Warren County Memorial (RNC), but I flew out of Collegedale (3M3) when I took off for Florida. The plane I rent is based out of there. I took of Monday morning and got back late Tuesday night. Thanks for everyone's recommendations for all of the stops. I first stopped at Thomasville (TVI) for a breather, then went on to Cedar Key, which is a fantastic place to stop. I wished we had the time to go on into town for a bite to eat, but we were running a little late. I did see the taxi though, pretty funny! We then went on and made a fuel stop at Crystal River, where I took advantage of the Dairy Queen on field. We finally made our way on to FMY after all of these stops, and stayed in between Tampa and Orlando's airspace going down there. All things went as planned and uneventful on the way down there and back. We had a pretty nice tailwind coming back, and only made one stop to stretch out. Thanks for all of the places you all told me to stop at, it made the trip much better!