Trip Planning - Need Fuel/Food stop

[Seth]

I'm flying from the DC area (KGAI) to Orlando (KISM) next week.  The flight should take just over four hours, which I have the range and capability to do - however my passenger (girlfriend) I'm pretty sure can't make the four hours without a pit stop.  A 2.5 to 3 hour flight is probably the best way to break up the trip, and that puts me anywhere from Charleston to Savannah, to the Florida Border.  I plan to fly toward Svannah before turning south to head to Orlando (hugging the east coast).  I have no problem flying a bit inland if you suggest a great stop.

Priorities:

1.  Nice FBO bathroom for the lady (all I need is a tree or bush).  A decent bathroom is fine - It simply cannot be nasty

2.  Low fuel price

3.  Restaurant on the field (if she is fed, she is happy)

Usually, though not always, an onfield restaurant and bathroom go hand in hand.  However, I do not want the fuel price to suffer too much - usually doesn't have to.  I do plan to avoid SAV and CHS at this time (though they'd be listed as alternates just in case).

I'm open to suggestions.  I could always pack some snacks, and just stop at the best priced airport along the way, but I'd like to know from those who know the area, where do you suggest I stop.  Departure from GAI shoudl be about 8:30 on Friday morning, arriving for the pit stop around 11:00 to 11:30 EST.

Thanks you in advance!

-Seth

[pjsny78]

Hi Seth,

I got to Florida pretty often from NY and I know you don’t want to hear this but every time on my way to south Florida I always stop at odyssey in Charleston intl. they have great crew cars and a tremendous amount of restaurants in the vicinity.

The only drawback is the high fuel costs. You can always get a .20-.50 cent discount but even with that it’s still very high but I always pay it because I really love going there. I usually go nonstop from Charleston to ft. Lauderdale but if I have to stop I do so at Daytona Beach. There is cheap fuel there and I’m sure there is a restaurant. I have never eaten there but it’s a huge place there has to be something.

Anyways I hope this helps.

[jetdriven]

Fort Pierce may be too far south but great restaurant and cheap SS fuel. 

[GeorgePerry]

Seth

I like using AirNav Fuel stop planner.  It works really well finding the cheapest way to get from point A to B with a stop in the middle.  It doesn't help you find a resturant but at least it gives you a starting point for getting there inexpensively.

http://www.airnav.com/plan/fuel/

[bnicolette]

Seth,

SGJ is always a good stop.  I've been in there many times and the "old town" is not far from the airport.  They have crew cars there available.  It is a quaint old town and definitely worth a stop with many restaurants to choose from plus a lot of little shops I'm sure the girlfriend would love browsing.  Self serve fuel price was showing $4.89 per gallon also.  However, it is probably a 3.5 hour flight to there instead of 2.5 -3.

[rbridges]

If you're talking about next Friday, I'd be willing to meet you at Perry (PXE), but that would take you a fair amount inland.  There are several chain restaurants within 10 minutes driving distance from the airport.  I met Hank for lunch on his trip to south Florida for his tank seal, and we hit the local Longhorn's.

 

[Cabanaboy]

Consider North Myrtle Beach (CRE),has a tower,  great runway, easy in and out there. Need use crew car and i suggest Greg Normans in Barefoot Landing or another restaurant at Barefoot Landing.

http://www.bflanding.com/dining/102-greg-normans-australian-grille

Myrtle Beach (MYR), has a tower, use GA side in Myrtle Beach,  has SS 5.47/gal. Has great new very nice FBO building. It is a short walk to Market Common which is a very neat area with many restaurants and shops, try Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Gordan Beirsch, or PF Changs for lunch. I am based at MYR.

http://www.marketcommonmb.com/businessdirectory.php

[takair]

I'm based out of Savannah (SAV).  Claxton (CWV) has cheap fuel, reasonable bathroom, a car, and nearby southern barbecue.  It is typically not attended, so PM me and I can talk you through getting the car, etc.  St Simon (SSI) might be a little more convenient.  They almost always have an oversize car available and lots of food within 5 minutes.  Fuel is a little more, but top notch bathroom.  Feel free to PM me on either or others in the Savannah area.  If you are looking for company I might be able to meet you too. 

[1964-M20E]

Seth

 

I just retuned form KORL yesterday.  KORL to KNEW is a non stop for me 3.5 to 4.0 hours.  If I do make a stop going to KORL it is at KCTY nice people and usually god fuel prices but that is on the Gulf side of FL not the Atlantic.  Ranger Jet Center showed the best fuel prices at KISM and they were only going to charge me $35 for a week tie down.  I got Sheltair at KORL to match that and their SS fuel prices were comparable.  When I'm there it is a easier drive from KORL the KISM.

Have fun and be safe.

[John Pleisse]

I have done this trip several times. I always stop at Brunswick. Then it is only 1.5 to Orando. I never planned Brunswick, weather and bladder always seemed to dictate. There is always a yankee front that starts just north or Jax. You have most of the trip behind you and you can stop, refuel and regroup for wx on the last leg. Facilities are only average to perhaps poor.  

If you want ammenities, Hilton Head is nice (very little on the airport itself)....just take a taxi to a pre planned resort/restuarant or Savannah is a great stop...real first class FBO's, you can taxi past the Gulfstream Factory, etc. I always did Savannah in 3:15-3:30 and Bruswick just a hair longer.

My trips were always KGAI-KORL-KGAI. In a 201.... with an approach or two, it was always 5.1 to 6.3 hobbs. This was also when ATC would vector direct over Tyson's Corner and down the corridor along the edges of the Freeze, instead of a tour of the Chesapeake Bay, as is now often the case. I am sure "The Love Missle" will yeild a faster trip for you!!

[GaryP1007]

I second the vote for KCRE (North Myrtle Beach).  Nice facilities, nice people and many lunch/dinner options.

[bnicolette]

CRE is a great airport and a decent FBO.  Crew car and restaurants near by. (Even a Steeler pub just north of the airport on 17N)  Fuel is a little pricey @ $6.29/gallon. 

SSI is also a great airport with a nice FBO.  Crew car and restaurants near by including some real upscale places.

 

What do you guys use to find fuel prices?  I have been using 100ll.com   I like it because it give the lowest price around the airport you've chosen.

[Becca]

Quote: takair

I'm based out of Savannah (SAV).  Claxton (CWV) has cheap fuel, reasonable bathroom, a car, and nearby southern barbecue.  It is typically not attended, so PM me and I can talk you through getting the car, etc.  St Simon (SSI) might be a little more convenient.  They almost always have an oversize car available and lots of food within 5 minutes.  Fuel is a little more, but top notch bathroom.  Feel free to PM me on either or others in the Savannah area.  If you are looking for company I might be able to meet you too. 

[pjsny78]

Quote: Bnicolette

CRE is a great airport and a decent FBO.  Crew car and restaurants near by. (Even a Steeler pub just north of the airport on 17N)  Fuel is a little pricey @ $6.29/gallon. 

SSI is also a great airport with a nice FBO.  Crew car and restaurants near by including some real upscale places.

 

What do you guys use to find fuel prices?  I have been using 100ll.com   I like it because it give the lowest price around the airport you've chosen.

[carusoam]

I used SSI nice FBO.  We brought our own lunches, so I don't recall restaurants.  We bought fuel and departed quickly.

 

Best regards,

-a-

[carusoam]

DP

Best regards,

-a-

[Hank]

I've had good experience at Barnwell, SC [KBNL] about a halfhour north of Savannah. Nice brick FBO, multiple runways with approaches, and a fine crew car to go into town. Cheap fuel, too--the combination is tough to beat. But there are few restaurants open for lunch on Sunday; Friday shouldn't be a problem.

Wherever you stop, have a good trip and make sure it's pleasant for the passengers, too!

[fantom]

Ditto on Barnwell, BNL, nice people and reasonable fuel.

[Seth]

Thank you for ALL the suggestions.  I've been looking at all noted airports - I'm thinking it will be BNL, SSI, or BQK.  I may also consider MYR or CRE if the weather does not look good further into the trip and we want to slice it in half as opposed to a longer first leg and shorter second leg.  BNL is the least expensive fuel I've seen in a long time and only adds four minutes to the trip.  SAV and CHS are also posibilities, but mainly as alternates (though I've landed at both in the past).  Also HXD - I've been there before - nice facilities.

We may pack our lunch to just get a quick turnaround - again, I would just fly the full distance non-stop, but it is better to have a happy calm passenger.  No joke, at each of the probably three pit stop locations, the fuel is less expensive than my home base.  So I'll top off.

The Floria suggestions are great, but those are all under an hour to Orlando (ISM) so I figured if we were going that far, we can get all the way in one hop. 

Take care and again thank you for the suggestions,

-Seth

[KSMooniac]

www.fly2lunch.com is a great (and free) site to find an airport restaurant.  Please add info and reviews of any place you use too!

[Shadrach]

SSI is nice, I was just there in Oct. I used to like KJZI, but I have no love for them now...

[N601RX]

If you get forced inland due to weather or something, check out Eufaula EUF.  They have $5.25 gas, car, onfield restraunt and a friendly 200lb dog that stands waist high .

[skyking]

i can vouch for CRE also. great place to stop.

[Seth]

Even though a stop is the best way to reduce speed, as Jim mentioned, the biggest speed killer out there, we'll stop whenever she wants to.  She got me these mini F-14 cuff links for Valentines Day!

 

[pjsny78]

Nice...

Lucky Man. Glad you are back on the east coast. Now we have to get you to another Mooney Fly In soon with the group.

maybe you can even convince your girlfriend to come.