Flying into Tampa

[TDTURBO]

I am flying into Tampa from Chicago in a couple weeks to pick up some friends to continue on into the Keys. I usually use reliever airports to refuel but they are arriving commercial. They want to finish the trip by hitching a ride with us. Will it be a major hassle picking people up at this airport? Would they have to cab it to the general aviation parking? Should I expect a STAR on arrival or a SID leaving? Is there a landing fee? I go into MDW often but rarely anything class B. If I recall, Tampa was recently a class C or TRSA so it's probably a small class B, I hope so. Flying in Florida has surprised me before, it's like a beehive, I thought MDW and the Chicago lake front was busy, now I have a new baseline, Florida is crazy.

Thanks......

 

[PCL_128]

TPA is class B and has been for quite some time. It's a pretty busy airport actually. DPs and STARS into and out of TPA usually require an MEA higher than what most pistons can do if I recall correctly (it has been about a year for me). Not sure about the landing fee, but there are FBOs that you could pick them up at. They would of course have to catch a cab to the GA part of the airport. If you are comfortable with busy airspace you should be okay, but don't go in if you don't feel confident. There are a couple of nasty controllers around there that don't have patience with the little guys. Hope this helps.

 

[bart]

I fly a Falcon and an Aerostar in there all the time. If you can handle Midway, it will be no big deal. Not sure if they use SIDs and STARs unless you are using J routes, so you may not have that hassle. I will be in there Wednesday with the Falcon.

 

[hyper]

Tampa's a relatively easy class B airport. It has it's peak moments as any, but their are busier ones. In the 5 years I've been consistently flying in/out of TPA, I've never had any rude controllers save 1. There is one real #rick that should find another job. The rest are outstanding and a pleasure. If you get Billy Burns, you'll know it......what a riot.

Raytheon is the FBO and is stocked with great people as well. If you buy fuel, they're usually happy to pick up your guests with the courtesy car.

Do them and yourself a favor and request 9/27.

 

[jetdriven]

try and go into sarasota (SRQ). Class C towered airport. its just on the south of tampa bay and there's a great FBO, Dolphin Aviation thats right off tamiami trail.

you can file "NO SID NO STAR" you know.

have fun on the trip, what kind of plane you taking?

 

[TDTURBO]

I fly a '82 182RG as much as I can. I bought it about 3 yrs ago and have taken it all over this half of the planet.

I need to fly into Tampa, my friends are arriving Commercial 121 from ORD so I don't have much choice.

I guess they could cab it to Sarasota but why if Tampa is cake. They figure if they go into Miami, they'll need to rent a car and drive another 4 1/2 hrs to Key west, which kinda ices the weekend. If we were staying longer, it would be doable but as it stands, we can just pick them up in Tampa and be in Key West 40 minutes later.

I'm not worried about the size of the airport so much as I am landing fees and proximity to the 121 carriers to the GA ramp. I just want to land, load and blow with minimal delay.

Thanks allot for all the suggestions, they will come in handy, I especially liked the 9/27 hint.

We have a very important swimsuit inspection symposium that will change the way you look at dental floss forever. Being the tropical drink connoisseur that I am, and a little help from 6-10 of them, I'll be able to appreciate all those biskinies in 3D.

 

[TDTURBO]

JetDriven,

I don't mind SID's or STARS as long as I expect which one I'm getting, if at all.

It's just nice to have them briefed and ready and not thrown at you by surprise like an ammended clearance into "busy airspace USA" expect Willow Run Arrival, turn left 220, decend and maintain 10 thousand, expect ILS 27 Left, contact tower on 128.35 and cancell with them or with me all in one breath. I like to know whats going to be said before its said, I hate surprises. I love them on the ground at the beach though.

 

[TDTURBO]

Any locals want to go Island hopping and snorkeling? Were staying local, No Cayman, Jamaca stuff, just Florida attractions.