Good airports to fly into in Florida?

[grantrobarts]

I'm going for a scenic cross country tomorrow with a fellow pilot. We've got a C182T Nav III for the entire day tomorrow.

Any good recommendations on some nice airports to explore, or eat lunch at? I was maybe considering going to the Panhandle. I'm over here in KDAB.

 

[Fuzzy_is_Hungry]

If you like Sushi, fly to Naples, APF. Ask the cute chicks at the counter where the good local Sushi place is. I can't remember the name, but it is close to the Red Lobster. Anyways, its the biggest pieces of sushi you will ever get.

 

[grantrobarts]

No, I fly that one too, but it's always booked solid so I am flying Air America Flight Center's 182.

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys.

 

[T-REX]

Fly into Albert Whitted in St. Pete, its right on the water downtown. There's a pier within walking distance it has a great outdoor restaurant that overlooks the runway and bay.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSPG

 

[Stifler's Mom]

What's that airport north of Tampa that is right on the water?

 

[JB74]

Definitely Albert Whited. Lots of scenery over there.

You could do DAB..SPG..APF..EYW..VRB..DAB.

The weather down here is gonna be awesome tomorrow. Have fun!

 

[imacdog]

Everglades (X01) is a fun airport to go into. Cross City is also fun as long as the bar is still there where you can buy the pig a beer.

 

[Lear2460]

APF- Good sushi place is called BLUE SUSHI

 

[Folding_Expert]

Naples has that good ribs place as well.

(APF) That would be Michelbob's. Kick-ass BBQ anything. We give free rides over there, just ask the people at the front counter for a ride if the crew car isn't available (which is also free).

 

[PaulThomas]

Folding, do you work at KAPF? I live 5 minutes away.

 

[jaxpilot]

Michelbobs is definitely good. Went there a few weeks ago when we flew into APF. Had to wait awhile for the Crew car to get back so we could use it but it was worth it.

 

[Pilot877]

(APF) That would be Michelbob's. Kick-ass BBQ anything. We give free rides over there, just ask the people at the front counter for a ride if the crew car isn't available (which is also free).

You guys are the best FBO ever! I never had a problem getting a ride or the use of the crew car, even when I came in with an old rent-a-Cessna.

 

[Fuzzy_is_Hungry]

I agree. I was based down there for a month last summer while flying for an aerial photo company. Nicest FBO ever. They would help me tie down my 172 even. Also, nice cold bottled water delivered to the aircraft when you pull in.

 

[JD2003]

Venice (VNC) Sharky's on the pier

 

[Capthuff]

You all think Mickelbob's is good?? Not me. I like Spanky's down the road a little bit and on the left. BETTER RIBS, service, price, atmosphere, you name it. Also Cedar Key and Everglades City were two of my favorite XCs when I lived in SRQ. Albert Whitted is also a great choice.

 

[Folding_Expert]

Folding, do you work at KAPF? I live 5 minutes away.

Yeppers. I assume you are one of the residents who doesn't mind the jet noise.

 

[grantrobarts]

Well guys, I ended up going to KSPG-KAPF-KVRB-KDAB. (5 hrs total)

AWESOME flight. There was a street race in SPG and an airshow at the airport. Ate lunch at the Pier and watched the Extra 300s and F16 do their thing.

Naples was busier than heck. I didn't realize the amount of private jet traffic they get. There were about 4 jets in line to take off after me when I left there.

I took the 182 up to 12,000 feet on the way home which was pretty nice. We were able to see coast to coast very clearly. Didn't make it down to EYW, just because of the headwinds we were going to have coming back.

Thanks again for the suggestions, and SPG was WELL worth the flight! (TPA approach was being a knucklehead with me though)

 

[Folding_Expert]

Naples was busier than heck. I didn't realize the amount of private jet traffic they get. There were about 4 jets in line to take off after me when I left there.

Heh, that's nothing. I've seen as many as 20 jets, sometimes more, waiting to takeoff - not including the ones sitting on the ramp, idling with one engine, waiting for Miami Center to issue releases (ground holds are pretty common down here in the winter, mainly because 99% of the traffic goes north).

Last month we broke an all time record - 17,000 operations in one month. That's remarkable for a municipal airport with a stage I and II ban and restricted to under 75,000 lbs max gross.

So you can imagine how we get our asses handed to us sometimes.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the trip. Did you do anything in Naples, or just stop in for fuel and a trip to the restroom?

 

[TurboS7]

You have got to fly into KTNT.

 

[grantrobarts]

Just stopped in Naples and took a break. But I was suprised with the jet traffic for a Class Delta airport. I had no idea that many million bazillionares flew into Naples.

 

[EDUC8-or]

Everglades (X01) is a fun airport to go into. Cross City is also fun as long as the bar is still there where you can buy the pig a beer.

The place in CTY is closed, but up until about a year ago you could BYOB for the pig. That's the last time I was there.

 

[PaulThomas]

Heh, that's nothing. I've seen as many as 20 jets, sometimes more, waiting to takeoff - not including the ones sitting on the ramp, idling with one engine, waiting for Miami Center to issue releases (ground holds are pretty common down here in the winter, mainly because 99% of the traffic goes north).

Last month we broke an all time record - 17,000 operations in one month. That's remarkable for a municipal airport with a stage I and II ban and restricted to under 75,000 lbs max gross.

So you can imagine how we get our asses handed to us sometimes.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the trip. Did you do anything in Naples, or just stop in for fuel and a trip to the restroom?

Traffic is insane...
When I came back in arround sunset on (Sunday) January 2nd, there was gridlock going on. I couldn't get a word in or get off the rwy due to planes on the taxiway. Ground had to get me through the commercial ramp.
I wish I had a pic of all the jet line up waiting.

And for the record, I don't mind the airport noise.

 

[JB74]

Traffic is insane...
When I came back in arround sunset on (Sunday) January 2nd, there was gridlock going on. I couldn't get a word in or get off the rwy due to planes on the taxiway. Ground had to get me through the commercial ramp.
I wish I had a pic of all the jet line up waiting.

And for the record, I don't mind the airport noise.

I saw it, was there the same time you were, it was a zoo! Controllers were getting worked, but they kept their cool. Center had ground holds going on all over so FL that day. Heard some student taxi off the ramp onto the taxi way (w/o a clearance) and got an a$$ chewing like no other. Funny stuff.

 

[Lear2460]

That day WAS nuts.....We had 20-30 big commercial jets on the far side of the ramp, and the taxiway had a line the length of the runway (so imagine).

There were commercial A/C that had been holding on the ground with PAX for over 5 hours. We has several Gulfstream A/c that we had kicked out earlier in the day come back to refuel from sitting at the end of the runway, or come back cause their trip was cancelled. Had a guy that had to wait for 5 hours because he was stuck in line, after he found out his trip was CX.

It was nuts....they were taking pets of the commercial jets and walking them on the ramp....I ONLY HOPE that their were FREE drinks going round and round on those poor flights!!!

 

[slowto250]

Try Cape Canaveral.....nice long runway and not much traffic.
The nice men in the Suv's will provide no cost transportation.
If you're lucky, you might even get a free lunch.
For the next 5-10 years.

Good luck.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Ocala is nice since its small and the restaurant (Tailwinds) is awesome...and all the guys drool over Sam (thats the chick owner).

Albert Whitted in St Pete is also nice

 

[grantrobarts]

hey slowto250, watch out someone might actually go do that now. haha