A week in Orlando

[Ned Gravel]

Last March, Ute and took our E model across the continent to Last Vegas and the trip was great.  Saw a lot of cool things and did the grand tour, including taking our Mooney home to the factory in Kerrville for a day.  Catching number 3 wire in Sedona was also fun (who hits number 1 wire on the first attempt anyway).

Next year, we have a one week spot booked in Orlando at one of those time share condos by Hilton on Orlando International Drive at the junction of Interstate 4 and Hwy 435.  The plan is to do the Disney tour after taking a couple of days to get there from Ottawa through Philadelphia and First Flight.

We are arriving during the weekend of the 23rd of April and I wanted to pick your knowledge for which of the three local fields are recommended for parking my Mooney.  The choices, I believe, are Kissimmee (home of Sun and Fun), Orlando Executive and Orlando International.

Suggestions?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Ned Gravel said:

Last March, Ute and took our E model across the continent to Last Vegas and the trip was great.  Saw a lot of cool things and did the grand tour, including taking our Mooney home to the factory in Kerrville for a day.  Catching number 3 wire in Sedona was also fun (who hits number 1 wire on the first attempt anyway).

Next year, we have a one week spot booked in Orlando at one of those time share condos by Hilton on Orlando International Drive at the junction of Interstate 4 and Hwy 435.  The plan is to do the Disney tour after taking a couple of days to get there from Ottawa through Philadelphia and First Flight.

We are arriving during the weekend of the 23rd of April and I wanted to pick your knowledge for which of the three local fields are recommended for parking my Mooney.  The choices, I believe, are Kissimmee (home of Sun and Fun), Orlando Executive and Orlando International.

Suggestions?

Hi Ned,

When we've done the Orlando area, we've stopped at Kissimmee.  Home of Stalion 51, time for a ride in A Mustang?

Clarence

[Ned Gravel]

Clarence:

I should'a known you'd be at work already.  

Mustang ride yah!!!!  But how is the airport for just parking C-FSWR for the week, and perhaps using it to take friends for local rides when I can do that instead of banging around Disney World?

 

 

[Houman]

Hi Ned, long time no talk, it's quite a coincidence, I'm going to Orlando next Saturday for 10 days with the Mooney to spend Christmas with family there and I have the same timeshare at Hilton on International drive, great place, amazing pools.

Departing my home airport CSK3, i was thinking on doing my 1st stop at KRIC Richmond for customs and gas at the same time and direct to KORL Orlando Executive, wondering if Kissimmee would be better, specially since my parents will come pick us up there so no real need for a rental. I'm also thinking of fly to Fort Lauderdale and fly over to the keys if weather permits.

should be fun....

[Deb]

Ned,

We have been to Sheltair at KORL, and Kissimmee Jet Center at KISM. I think Sheltair is $12/night, fuel $5.20/gal self serve. We used a crew car to get around for lunch, and we were not charged anything for our few hours on the ramo. The people and the FBO are great. Full disclosure: we're based at a Sheltair property and they take good care of us.

KISM is $15 for five nights, waived with 10 gals fuel purchase. Our rental car was waiting for us. The FBO is not much, not great facilities, but fuel is $4.50. 

KISM is slightly more convenient to Disneyworld. (We think Sun-n-Fun is at Lakeland (KLAL).

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there is a vertical wind tunnel in the area. 

[Ned Gravel]

Deb:

Well done!!  I was obviously confusing KISM with KLAL.  Thanks for that.  

Now that you have given me some information, I am leaning to KISM.  I like their prices and their apparent ease of getting a rental car and the access to Disney world and our condo.  Very much appreciated.

It also takes away the guilt I was feeling for going to Disney World instead of Sun'n'fun.  Lakeland Regional is 52 nm from the Disney World and Kissimmee is 10 nm.   So going to a different airport at a different time makes it all OK.  Whew!!

[Bartman]

As a matter of fact we just returned today from KISM. We used Signature and had a great experience. 

[1964-M20E]

I go to Orland about 4 times a year and I always go to Executive KORL.  It is the closest to my daughter's house except for KMCO but I'd rather not fight the big iron and the fuel and  tie-downs are much more expensive at KMCO.

 

Sheltair at KORL gives me good service and I have been happy with them. Of course right now they are proud of their full serve AVGAS.

 

I've heard good things about Kissimmee

Jet Center and they have good fuel prices right now.

 

Ultimately I'd go for the one that is most convenient to where you are are going and on 435 and I drive KORL would be the best IMHO.

 

 

 

[1964-M20E]

Sounds like we need to have a get together I'm going there after Christmas but I'm driving 4 wheels for this trip.

[Seth]

Ned-

It was 2012 when I went with my then girlfriend, now spouse, to Disney in the the Mooney.  We also went to the Harry Potter land/world at Universal (they've since built up more).  I was never into Harry Potter but she sure was.  Our daughter and any future kids will be I'm sure.  it'll be a fun trip in a few years again.

We used KISM - Just as noted, the FBO facilities aren't much to look at, but the pricing is the best for storage and fuel, the runways are 5000 feet and 6000 feet - way more than double the length needed for Mooney Ops.

I was vectored around to join the ILS due to low clouds (in Florida weather blows through and every 30 minutes you have something different) so below me opened up Disney as they had vectored nearly above the park and legally I was flying in the TFR.  I then continued South, turned east, and joined the localizer.  

I don't drink often (2-3 times per year) but remember, they serve alcohol at EPCOT, not the Magic Kingdom.  So when visiting the world showcase, depending on your company, get a drink in every country and go around the world (we must have made friend's with EVERYONE in England as we were not the only people with this idea - and it was stop 7 or 8 for us at that point).

Also, enjoy the  Soaring ride at EPCOT - it's supposed to mimic a hang glider.

As a plus, and as noted. Staillion51 is based at KISM. www.stallion51.com When getting ready to head home from a fun vacation, I loaded up the plane watching a P-51 come in for a landing - that left a nice smile on my face.

Promised myself I'd make it back for an hour in one at some point in my life.  Need to get that tailwheel endorsement first!  I know I can go and ride in it with the instructor, but I want some good tailwheel time, some heavy tailwheel time, and maybe a few flights in a T-6 first so I can REALLY enjoy the Mustang.  

Enjoy your trip!

-Seth

[Oldguy]

Ned,

I've been into KISM several times over the past couple of years and found it to be an all-round good airport for getting into and out of the Orlando/Disney area. Used Signature every time but the first trip there and have been very pleased with their customer service. We are early morning travelers and like to get out at the crack of dawn, but they are not officially open until 7:00. Still, every time I have been there, someone is in the FBO before 6:00 and will let us in to get our plane prepped.

John

[merrja]

KISM is much better if you're going to be on that side of Orlando.  I fly to FL 8-10 x per year and if you're going to be on the North side you might want to consider Sanford 

[Cabanaboy]

Use Kissimmee Jet Center at KISM, if you need a rental car call them at 407-847-9095, the rental cars rates were very very cheap (i used enterprise) when booked directly with Kissimmee Jet Center(Oct 2014). Close to Disney etc. Not a fancy FBO.

[Ned Gravel]

Thanks for the recommendations.  I like the cheap car rental option.

[Houman]

I had good experience with kism jet Center, they have a 5 day stay at 0$ if you top off and fuel is cheapest there. Amazing thing was that I stayed for 3 days, came to settle my bill and told them that I will be coming back in 2 days after a tour of the keys, the lady at the counter told me then not to settle my bill yet, since if I do, upon my return, I would have to pay the other 2 days of overnight charges. This way they count it as one stay and I get the other 2 nights for free... That was very nice of her...

[Brandontwalker]

KISM is much better if you're going to be on that side of Orlando.  I fly to FL 8-10 x per year and if you're going to be on the North side you might want to consider Sanford 

I have used Kissimmee Jet Center and only have great things to say about them. Also a +1 for Sanford. MillionAir is top notch and go way beyond the call of duty.

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[Ned Gravel]

Ok so I am still in Laos getting ready to come home in a week and get the aircraft ready to take my girl to Orlando.  We plan on clearing customs in Philadelphia and spend that night near First Flight. Which is the preferred overnight stop?  Dare Regional?  Or Elizabeth City?  

After half a day at First Flight, we are heading south as fa as Charleston, SC.  Suggestions on overnighting there?

The next morning we fly to Kissimmee.  

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, Ned Gravel said:

Ok so I am still in Laos getting ready to come home in a week and get the aircraft ready to take my girl to Orlando.  We plan on clearing customs in Philadelphia and spend that night near First Flight. Which is the preferred overnight stop?  Dare Regional?  Or Elizabeth City?  

After half a day at First Flight, we are heading south as fa as Charleston, SC.  Suggestions on overnighting there?

The next morning we fly to Kissimmee.  

Ned, Manteo (KMQI) is closest to First Flight and a nice stop. Airport is convenient to town, in the past I've borrowed their crew car to go down to Wanchese for lunch. But long time MSer Amelia (Mimi Reiheld) is based at Edenton and is a treasure trove of local info. She'll probably comment but send her a PM if she doesn't have her ears on.  

[Ned Gravel]

Bob:

Thanks for this.  Amelia and I talked last Caravan and we discovered we were both also sailors.  Might be reason to spend that night overlooking Albermarle Sound.  I will send her an e-mail.  

[Seth]

On April 6, 2016 at 11:30 AM, Ned Gravel said:

Ok so I am still in Laos getting ready to come home in a week and get the aircraft ready to take my girl to Orlando.  We plan on clearing customs in Philadelphia and spend that night near First Flight. Which is the preferred overnight stop?  Dare Regional?  Or Elizabeth City?  

After half a day at First Flight, we are heading south as fa as Charleston, SC.  Suggestions on overnighting there?

The next morning we fly to Kissimmee.  

In South Carolina go to KSAV instead and if you are into it. Spend a few hours at "The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum."  They have a B-17G in almost restored condition there.  Though it's obviously the main attraction, the exhibits themselves are really good.

-Seth

 

 

[Hank]

1 hour ago, Seth said:

In South Carolina go to KSAV instead and if you are into it. Spend a few hours at "The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum."  They have a B-17G in almost restored condition there.  Though it's obviously the main attraction, the exhibits themselves are really good.

-Seth

 

 

SAV is for sure a fun stop, but fuel up somewhere else! Coming down from the north, I highly recommend Barnwell, SC. But I forge the identifier. It's about 20 Mooney minutes from SAV, and I saved >$2/gal. Their crew car also has COLD A/C, which was nice in June.

Have a great trip!

[Seth]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

SAV is for sure a fun stop, but fuel up somewhere else! Coming down from the north, I highly recommend Barnwell, SC. But I forge the identifier. It's about 20 Mooney minutes from SAV, and I saved >$2/gal. Their crew car also has COLD A/C, which was nice in June.

Have a great trip!

I agree with Hank - fuel up elsewhere!  Or call ahead to SAV and figure out minimum fuel va ramp fee etc . . . And still fuel be majority elsewhere.  Either before or after visiting the awesome museum!

[Ned Gravel]

Thanks Hank and Seth.  That day (22 April) starts at Mimi's and we spend more than a couple of hours walking the ground at First Flight.   After two more hours of flying, I am not sure we will be looking to tour another museum just yet.  We may stop in to KSAV on the way to Kissimmee on the 23rd though, because stopping further south on the 22nd day puts us an hour closer to Orlando when we wake up on the 23rd.

[Ned Gravel]

Tomorrow we start heading south.  eAPIS is filed.  6,6, and 6 in the log book to be legal for IFR.  We anticipate KPHL by 12:30 to clear customs and Edenton between 3:15 and 4:00 pm tomorrow, depending on the delays in Philadelphia of course.  (Is 100LL really $6.80 a gallon at Atlantic Aviation there?)

Ute and I are looking forward to spend an evening with Mimi and Robert.

[Chris from PA]

Yes, fuel is $6.80 a gallon in Philly. Ridiculous. I'm based at PNE (just north of PHL) and avoid purchasing gas here whenever possible. If you don't mind another stop I can recommend a couple of places nearby with self serve gas under $4.00