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-   -   Flying the gulf coast. (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=146900)

N804RV 02-21-2017 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mturnerb (Post 1151842)
Do not miss the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Cedar Key has a cool little airport and you can walk to restaurants in town.

Oh yeah! Another +1 :D

rv7boy 02-21-2017 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBD (Post 1151892)
He did, but it is now open on a limited basis. Looks like current hours are Friday-Sunday, 11am to 3pm. I took the wife and kids over there to see it before it "closed". Amazing collection of planes, for sure, and generous of him to share them with the public.

https://www.fantasyofflight.com/coll...2015-calendar/

Kermit has a fantastic Facebook page and you can keep up with the museum plans and goings-on via that. For example he recently hit 25,000 FB followers so he's going to have a raffle (sorry the raffle has already closed) to pick one lucky person to come to FoF and choose which airplane to fly in and get a personal tour with Kermit.

Check his web page and the Facebook page. But the previous mention about the museum being scaled down and very restricted hours is true.

However, he is planning a New Phase of Fantasy of Flight so in the future it should be interesting.

Gt-401 02-21-2017 08:32 PM

Thanks for the info guys! Keep it coming. Cedar key was already on the list. But I am definitely adding lamberts and the Meuseum in Pensacola.

Gt-401 02-21-2017 08:33 PM

Any tips on navigating the rats nest of airspace around Pensacola?

RV74ME 02-21-2017 08:41 PM

+1 on LuLu's in gulf shores (JKA)...there are also other great seafood options and they have several nice crew cars. Friendly staff, too

Jesse 02-21-2017 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gt-401 (Post 1152119)
Any tips on navigating the rats nest of airspace around Pensacola?

Get flight following and they will keep you out of he airspace that they want you out of. You can go north of the restricted areas via Crestview and Defuniak Springs, or you can go just off the beach and stay south of it. If it's a nice day, flying the beach is great.

GHRoss3 02-21-2017 09:21 PM

Flying the NW FL Gulf Coast Airspace
 
I fly out of Eglin AFB in an USAF Aeroclub 172. Our airspace can be extremely busy any day of the week, but accommodating. Flight along the Gulf in the East West corridor is not a problem if you know the rules, talk to Eglin Approach (125.1 or 132.1) and keep your mark one eyeball on a swivel. You might see Hurlburt Field's CV-22, C-130, and U-28s, visiting Army Helos, banner towing aircraft, a sight seeing Robinson R-44 helo that operates out of a pad near the Destin Commons, or an occasional RV in the corridor, plus jets departing DTS, and the Eglin fighter fleet heading out to the south warning areas over the Gulf. Don't assume the restricted areas/MOAs are cold on the weekends and please take the FAA Safety special flight rules course for the airspace around Elgin/Destin.

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/...e&preview=true

Because of the significant increase in VFR and IFR traffic going into Destin (DTS) the FAA will start operation of the the new Control Tower this spring.

My normal VFR route of flight to central FL is VFR to Handle (HLL) VORTAC, then through the Tyndall MOA direct to ADDAX, then direct Cross City (CTY) VORTAC and X60 Williston Muni for cheap gas and food at the Pyper Cafe. Jesse Saint is close at X35 Dunnellon Marion County. Enjoy the views of the sugar white sand beaches of NW FL.
Cheers,
George

jpowell13 02-24-2017 06:25 PM

Lakefront Apt in New Orleans
 
If you want to stop in New Orleans I recommend Lakefront Airport (KNEW). Lakefront was one of the premier airports in the south at one time. It was built on "made land" in Lake Pontchartrain in the 1930's because Huey Long wanted to keep it out of the hands of New Orleans elites. The art deco terminal was restored after Hurricane Katrina. The airport is not far (15 min) from the French Quarter. John

Gt-401 02-25-2017 05:24 AM

I took the course tonight. It was very helpful.. Thanks for the link, I wouldn't have found it otherwise.. We will make it to the coast tomorrow. Hoping to camp at dauphin Island tomorrow night.

We stopped at Natchez Mississippi today and toured some of the really old houses there. Great stop. Lots of history there.

Paul 5r4 02-27-2017 11:20 PM

Dauphin Island Alabama
 
If you're around South Alabama's Mobile Bay there is a nifty little airport called Dauphin Island. Usually no more than one or two planes on the ramp. There is nothing there not even an FBO. It's used by companies to ferry people to the rigs in the Gulf. For a great $100 burger be sure to check out Sunset Grill at most a 10 minute walk. There is another restaurant a few miles away that in the past would pick you up and bring you back. Don't know the name of that one and don't know if they still do. I was over there just this past weekend. A very relaxing and peaceful place.





Same place different day


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