Florida Keys

[DieselDragRacer]

What does the Florida Keys offer as far as scenic flight ops? The g/f and I will be based out of Islamorada 5/19-5/26 and I would like to see the Keys from the air.

Ideally, I would rather pay a local CFI to take us up in a 172 or the like but I would imagine there isn't much flight instruction going on down there (maybe I'm wrong?).

Any ideas? Any shady ops to avoid?

Thanks!

 

[FlaZoomie]

There are already several "flying tour" companies at Key West that have been doing this for years. Call the FBO at Key West (Island City Flying Service at 305-296-5422) and they will direct you to the operator(s).

 

[Galaxy]

Last I checked there was a guy in marathon with an L-29. Go for that ride--
Or the seaplanes in key west. I think there is a Waco there too

 

[gnvav8r]

We took a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas, about 70 nm west. Historic fort, where Dr. Mudd was interred for the "crime" of unknowingly setting John Wilkes Booth broken leg. With typical gov't foresight, the Fort was build on a suitable key, only later did they realize that the surrounding waters were so shallow as to prevent enemby warships ever getting within firing range. So they used it as a prison. Lots of birds to see.

Pete

 

[Seadogrun]

Last I checked there was a guy in marathon with an L-29. Go for that ride--
Or the seaplanes in key west. I think there is a Waco there too

It only costs about $700/HALF Hour. Flying the Keys offers great scenery. Why not get checked out in a 172 in MTH and do a self guided tour? I think it would be a possibility.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Thanks to 6 and 7 day work weeks at the family owned business I'm still just a dumb student pilot so checking out in a 172 would have a few obstacles.

Not being one to do the tourist trap tours in general my idea was to see if there was such a thing a CFI in Key West who I could pay for an hour or two of flight time to put in his or her logbook.

Am I going to be able to find a CFI at the FBO in Key West or am I stuck with a canned tourist flight?

Thanks!

 

[Seadogrun]

You'll be closer to Marathon airport (MTH) which I'm pretty sure has some flight training. Some training facilities don't allow "riders" during instruction so that could be a snag. For example the instructor could take you up for your "sightseeing instruction", but might not allow your girlfriend to ride along. You should call down there and find out.

The Key West sightseeing tours are pretty good too, but it probably about a two hour drive from Islamarada.

If you end up going out of MTH have the instructor take you out and see the Sombrero Key(an awesome reef with a lighthouse) and just cruise down the shoreline. You'll see tons of fish, sharks, rays, turtles and stuff like that. Also the Bahia Honda bridge is pretty cool. Just west of MTH is the Seven Mile Bridge which many will reconize from the movie "True Lies."



Good luck with your trip.