Tips for First time flight to Key West?

[jastu23]

Later this month will be my first flight to Key West.  I've searched and found tons of places to visit while there, but coming in from Dallas in our J-model, I'm hoping to get some advice on routing from some experienced flyers.  With so few airports, and lots of swamp and water, what would be your suggested route(s)?  It's more about safety than speed, and some awesome sights and experiences would be a welcome treat.  I am instrument rated, for what it's worth.  I will be getting life jackets for my wife and me.  By the way, any suggestions for life jackets?  Won't have tons of need for them back in Dallas so not sure if renting would be best.

 

Thanks for your suggestions!

Jason

[Oldguy]

One of my Mooney friends not on Mooneyspace has made this trip several times from Birmingham. My wife and I are looking at going down this fall, and I have been talking with him about your very question. Here are some comments from him.

 

1. Stop in Bartow, Naples or somewhere and refuel before KEYW. Fuel prices are very high.

2. If you do not have a 406 ELT, buy a PLB and carry ON you as you cross the water.

3. He uses life vests he got at Academy which inflate when they get wet. They put them on when they make their fuel stop in Bartow.

4. File IFR.

5. If you can, put your handheld radio in a waterproof box or baggie (Tupperware or Ziploc) and have easily available. Take with you if you have to ditch.

 

99.99% of the time, there will not be any problem, but the 0.01% is why we plan the way we do.

 

Enjoy the trip.

 

John

[ArtVandelay]

You can follow the key chain down from Miami which class B airspace top is 7000, easy to just fly over, and never be far from land. If you have to ditch, the west side is both protected and shallow, less than 5' in many areas. I would do it in daylight obviously, and either IFR or FF is a must, close to area of heavy drug running.

[fantom]

Get familiar with R-2916....a cabled surveillance balloon that sits at 14,000 feet just northeast of Key West NAS.

[jastu23]

Great suggestions. I really appreciate it. I think up and down the chain will be best mix of safety and sightseeing. Good tip about stuffing the handheld in a ziploc. Looking forward to the trip.

[Hector]

This time of the year flying in the morning in Florida is best. Afternoon widespread thunderstorms are very typical. Often you can pick your way around them but there are times when there is just too many of them. Morning flight is almost always VFR conditions with excellent visibility. IFR or FF works good. Straight down he middle of the state will work well as well. Been down in the keys 3 times this month. Maybe I have grown too used to this trip but I don't even bother carrying life jackets. There is enough boat activity that if my engine quits I'm pretty sure I can glide to a boat. I make the crossing typically at 8000 feet or above and you will be talking to Miami Center at that point. When you get close to Key West you will be handed over to Key West approach. Gas is expensive everywhere in the Keys. If you are looking for an interesting place to stop you might consider Everglades city (X01). It's in the southern tip of Florida before you make the overwater crossing to the Keys. Cheap fuel and several seafood restaurants in town. You call them and they will come to the airport to pick you up and drop you off when you are done. Phone numbers are posted at the airport.

[Raptor05121]

Friendly MS'er here at the big bend area (24J) if anyone wants to stop by on the way down. I'm looking forward to making this trip myself maybe this year.

[Deb]

We've made the trip to KEYW many times, usually from the Miami area. Coming from Dallas, there are a number of military and restricted airspaces in the Panhandle; as Teejay said, this is best navigated IFR or with flight following. Most aim for HEVVN intersection and then the west coast of Florida. If you follow the west coast to the south, there isn't a lot south of Everglades City (X01) except Everglades and water until you reach Marathon. Longer, but probably more scenic (and avoiding water and the Everglades) would be to aim for Plam Beach and then follow the coastline and the Island chain. The Key West Naval Air Station prefers that you pass to the south; you'll then be on a right downwind for RWY 09 at KEYW. Departing KEYW, you're supposed to get clearance to enter Navy airspace. Since the airspace starts about a mile or so from the departure end of RWY 09, be prepared to turn north (easier) or south until you speak with them; if you go north, watch for that balloon/cable as fantom said.

As others note, gas is much less expensive on the west coast of Florida. The FBO is Landmark at KEYW; it's $10 ramp fee, $5 security fee (in March) and $7.58/gal for fuel. Cab is about $10/person to town.

We have the marine life vests which you can wear while flying, probably similar to the ones Oldguy is referring to. We also have a couple of PLBs and a raft. We take them with us and wear the vests if we fly direct; if we follow the Island chain, we don't bother.

There are a couple of Key West threads on Beechtalk.com which may have some additional suggestions.

[FloridaMan]

Stop for fuel wherever. I'd go direct CTY -> KARTR -> KEYW. Carry life vests, a PLB and only make the trip in VMC at high altitude; I think it comes to about 10 minutes that you are outside of gliding distance of land. I watch for boats in case I have to ditch. Keep in mind that dangerous thunderstorms can appear out of nowhere in Florida in less than 15 minutes. For that last leg of your flight from Naples to KEYW, if there is any doubt, Ft. Myers Beach is a nice place to spend a night and get up and continue to KEYW the next day. 

 

My favorite FBO anywhere is at KFMY; cheap fuel, nice facilities and 2-hr crew cars. 

[FloridaMan]

Get familiar with R-2916....a cabled surveillance balloon that sits at 14,000 feet just northeast of Key West NAS.

 

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Safety-and-Technique/Accident-Analysis/Accident-Statistics/ePilot-Reports/airship-tether-severs-cessna-wing-killing-three

[carusoam]

For confused LBers...

KFMY- Fort Myers....

KMYF- Mongomery Field - San Diego...

Had to look these up.

-a-

[jkhirsch]

I have been to Dry Tortugas on a boat and done the tour of Fort Jefferson, it's a pretty cool place to go. Would have much preferred a float plane to the hour boat ride.

 

This was part of a motorcycle trip where we rode the keys, not sure which would be better flying or cruising.

[ArtVandelay]

Oh and has anyone flown west of EYW to sightsee that cluster of islands maybe 20 miles at the most to the west? Maybe called the dry tortuga's or something? That could be interesting to see as well.

Dry Tortugas are more like 65NM west, you are thinking of Marquesas Keys.

[Deb]

X01(Everglades City) is 2400 x 60 ft. It's best known for the restaurant which also sells stone crab claws (at about half of what they cost in Miami.) The seafood was good and it was a fun afternoon. They'll pick you up and take you back. Stone crab season is October through March.

[Piloto]

Have lunch at Sloppy Joe's. A must when in Key West.

 

http://www.sloppyjoes.com/

 

José

[fantom]

I've flown into Everglades City so many times I should have a reserved parking spot.

 

The really good place to eat for CB'ers and capture a bit of what the city is all about is TRIAD Seafood, 239-695-0722, and they will pick you up and drop you back at the airport.

 

If you're not a good swimmer, be careful with your airspeed, it's 2,400 ft, and it's RIGHT hand traffic. Fuel is self service and usually a CB delight.

[flyboy0681]

I've flown into Everglades City so many times I should have a reserved parking spot.

 

The really good place to eat for CB'ers and capture a bit of what the city is all about is TRIAD Seafood, 239-695-0722, and they will pick you up and drop you back at the airport.

 

If you're not a good swimmer, be careful with your airspeed, it's 2,400 ft, and it's RIGHT hand traffic. Fuel is self service and usually a CB delight.

 

The last time I was at X01 I was shocked to find that Orlo bought a new car.

[Hector]

Have lunch at Sloppy Joe's. A must when in Key West.

http://www.sloppyjoes.com/

José

Then go next door to Irish Kevin's to kill a few brain cells.

If your significant other is traveling with you then you might score some points by taking her to a dessert restaurant called "Better Than Sex"

The best Cuban restaurant in town "El Siboney".

Great place for lunch away from all the tourist crap, Hog Fish Grill.

[jastu23]

The replies to my question are awesome! Thank you all. I love too how the first posts were very much safety and routing centric, and once the crowd figured, "OK, now that he's safe, let's make sure he has fun!" The good news is that my wife and I will be joining my best bud for his 50th birthday, and not having fun this one around isn't an option. The better news is that I'll be back for sure many times, and will eventually knock out all these great spots along the way! Thanks again, y'all!!

[jastu23]

https://vimeo.com/136886929

Thanks for all the great advice. My wife may not agree, but for me, what could be more beautiful than left traffic into KEYW!

[Raptor05121]

awesome!

[jastu23]

Thanks, Raptor. We're heading back tomorrow and your home base looks like a great spot for a fuel stop. Y'all got a good spot for a quick lunch by chance?

[fantom]

Note that it's RIGHT hand traffic for the prevailing 15 runway, but LEFT hand for runway 33. The best way to keep it straight is to remember the downwind is always over water, on the Gulf side.

 

You might notice a plane or two in the water. Not to worry....Everglades City was the drug smuggling center of Florida back in the '80's. Very colorful history and many of the locals have 'done time'.

[82Mike]

My J is based out of KMKY (Marco Island) fuel is cheaper at KAPF (Naples), but Marco is very pretty also.  If you decide to stop at Everglades city, be good on your short field landings and T/O trees and water at both ends.  Also, know how to land cross wind.  In the winter you will ALWAYS have an East wind with a mostly N/S runway.  Marco is 35/17 also but is 5400 ft long and 150 foot wide.  Any MSers that ever come down here look me up N133DB (Rhodie 1) everyone at APF tower knows me.  Too much flying here lol

[yvesg]

On November 17, 2015 at 8:30 PM, 82Mike said:

My J is based out of KMKY (Marco Island) fuel is cheaper at KAPF (Naples), but Marco is very pretty also.  If you decide to stop at Everglades city, be good on your short field landings and T/O trees and water at both ends.  Also, know how to land cross wind.  In the winter you will ALWAYS have an East wind with a mostly N/S runway.  Marco is 35/17 also but is 5400 ft long and 150 foot wide.  Any MSers that ever come down here look me up N133DB (Rhodie 1) everyone at APF tower knows me.  Too much flying here lol

Currently planning a trip to south Florida between Christmas and New years so might go your way. Will have more details in a few days.

Yves