|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 Previous Item - Sun n Fun
This will go to the previous thread in this topic. | 
Favorite option: If you want this item to be marked as a favorite, click on the black heart.
Old Scouting Report from Key West Trip |
|  Next Item - SeaRey mentioned
This will go to the next thread in this topic. |
|
|
|
 |
Dan Nickens - Jan 24,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
This was posted back in way back in the early SeaRey days before Splashing and Dashing (1999 maybe?). It covers (and uncovers) some aspects of flying to the Keys in a SeaRey.<br /><br />South by Southeast by Searey, a Trip Report<br /><br />My path to ownership of a Searey included a brief flight in a Quicksilver on floats. It was spotted beside a bridge on a motorcycle trip to Key West. Sailing over the emerald green waters with the other sea birds was an intoxicating experience. After that experience I had to have a seaplane. Even though my Searey has taken me many places, I had not returned to the Keys in a seaplane since the first experience.<br /><br />I set off for Key West with my copilot, Ann, on Friday morning of Labor Day weekend. We packed minimal gear. For any extended expedition I carry the cellular phone, marine radio, emergency first aid gear, water, and inflatable life jackets. Ann pointed out that we could pick up anything else we needed on the trip (a coded reference to the mandatory tour of the Key West shops – I know this because I took a course in Cockpit Resource Management!).<br /><br />Summer is an excellent time for cruising the Keys due to generally calm winds and seas. Like the typical summer forecast for Florida, skies were predicted to be clear until late afternoon.<br /><br />Leaving Orlando, we headed to Kissimmee and picked up the chain of lakes leading southward. These broad, undeveloped lakes are becoming a rarity in Florida. On Friday, it was unusual to see even an occasional bass boat.<br /><br />The sparsely populated lakes are broad expanses of lightly colored water surrounded by green pastures and palm trees. There are even white sand beaches sprinkled around the shore.<br /><br />At the south end of Lake Kissimmee we passed River Ranch and picked up the Kissimmee River Canal. The canal was the Corps of Engineers’ answer to the meandering waterways of the river. No serious river, the logic went, would be so frivolous as to contain multiple, repetitious curves. So the Corps dug a straight ditch from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee.<br /><br />With predictable results, the consequences have been an environmental disaster. Clearly the Corps of Engineers are not students of the application of chaos theory and unanticipated consequences. Or maybe they are just fated to demonstrate how it works in nature.<br /><br />The ditch does provide an open runway for seaplanes along its entire length. Only an occasional boat presents a potential obstacle. There is another caveat to the free ticket south: the Avon Park bombing range. Looking across the field of broken targets is a clear reminder to avoid this area when it is active. Fortunately the dummy devastators had the holiday weekend off.<br /><br />Lake Okeechobee is another playground for seaplanes. It is shallow and the waves were not well developed on Friday. A casual landing was possible anywhere within view.<br /><br />Large dikes constructed by the Corpse of Engineers isolate many possible beaching areas. They keep the lake from flooding outside well-defined bounds during hurricanes. They have also opened a lot of area for mega-corporate farmers. Unfortunately it is contributing to the demise of the Everglades.<br /><br />With the prospect of a courtesy car to sample the culinary wares of Pahokee on the shore of Lake Okeechobee, we decided to stop at the airport (PKE). It had been a leisurely flight of 2.8 hours to this point.<br /><br />After landing, we found the one car off on an extended tour. Not to worry, the FBO had the usual collection of soda, candy, plus ice cream and pocket sandwiches. We politely declined to sample the pocket sandwiches.<br /><br />Only aviation fuel was readily available. According to Rotax, occasional use (less than 1/3) will not adversely affect the engine. There are marinas around the lake at which auto fuel can be obtained, but instead we opted for a tank of 100LL to mix with the unleaded. There is good access to a marina with fuel and a restaurant at the junction of the canal and lake, but we were passed that now.<br /><br />South of the lake, the sugar cane plantations spread across the former swamps (or wetlands). A vast plain of manicured greenery rolled by under the wings. The coal-colored water of canals bound each field. The emergency landing areas were plentiful. We did have to keep a vigilant watch out for the pesticides and low flying agcats.<br /><br />The Everglades begin abruptly at the south canal boundary. Mile after mile of a prickly veneer cover the muddy waters. These were still good emergency landings, even if the local denizens are unfriendly. Should such a prospect be unappealing, the eastern boundary can be flown by a more conservative (prudent?) pilot without addition of a lot of time.<br /><br />The next man-made landmark was Homestead, or what is left of it after Hurricane Andrew. South of Homestead the grassy marshlands continue to Florida Bay.<br /><br />The easiest route to the Keys is to follow US 1 southeast out of homestead. Instead, a short cut due south took us out over the numerous uninhabited islands.<br /><br />Out in the bay, there was no one in sight. Not a boat, not a car, not an airplane were in sight. A sandy beach offered a perfect excuse to land and go skinny-dipping. The warm water and sunshine were invigorating.<br /><br />The small beach was actually composed of crushed shell surrounded by mangroves and voracious horseflies. A much more relaxed swim was found away from the island. In places the bottom was white, slick silt with a very soothing effect on feet after the shelly beach.<br /><br />Following the chain of islands westward to Key West is a navigational experience without challenge. The only concern is avoiding the Naval Air Station at Key West with their ornery looking F-18s. Oh, yeah, don’t forget about the radar blimp at Big Pine Key. An encounter with its tether would make for an abbreviated carrier type landing.<br /><br />Key West approach sent us off shore by 5 miles to circumnavigate the Air Station. This was not a big concern in a seaplane. The flight was complete after only 3.3 hours.<br /><br />Touchdown was in plenty of time to rinse the salt water off the airplane at Island City Flight Service. This was timed to allow us to make it to the hotel in time for the sunset. <br /><br />Sunset is a major show and attracts all tourists to the west side of the island and Mallory square. The sunset view was spectacular and it was accompanied by many oohs and aahs from the gathered throng. The twilight was sprinkled with the noise of a Waco biplane on a sightseeing flight, a flotilla of boats, and the hawking of vendors.<br /><br />Off in the distance a Pitts Special was playing for the crowd. Loops, rolls, hammerheads were performed in the bright orange of twilight. When he tired of aerobatics, he began a series of simulated strafing runs on the Waco. Sitting on the ground watching this aerial ballet was frustrating for someone whose airplane was parked for the night. The pan-fried fish and cool drink with a sunset view offset some of the envy.<br /><br />Saturday was devoted to land bound tourist activities. Airplane saturation is not conducive to more joint expeditions. We toured all of the local museums (Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum, the Truman Little White House, the Audubon House, and others I choose to forget).<br /><br />This also provided some time for healing. A hazard of open cockpit operation is the unusual sun exposure. Having had some prior experience with this phenomenon, I typically apply mass quantities of sun block when flying. I nevertheless missed a crucial spot this time. The result was a bright red band on my upper left arm.<br /><br />A study done in the 1960’s found men with a statistically significant increase in skin melanomas on their left arm. It was attributed to sun exposure from their arm hanging out of car windows. The widespread advent of air conditioning is diminishing this appendage specific occurrence. Inadequate sunscreen may cause Searey pilots to reverse this trend.<br /><br />By the end of the day the thoughts of that Pitts yesterday drew me to the airport. We left in search of the ultimate sunset. The airport tower handed us off to approach control and we were left to fly westward over the uninhabited keys away from the other sunset worshipers. We circled slowly as the sun set with no other detractors. Mission accomplished.<br /><br />On Sunday we set out for Fort Jefferson. In preparation I had obtained a marine navigational chart. The chart showed a string of shipwrecks sprinkled along with a detailed depiction of the islands. It also provided a GPS coordinate for the fort. The GPS showed a straight shot westward of about 70 miles.<br /><br />The local Seaplanes of Key West group also provided a frequency 122.85. They use this frequency for air to air communication. These pilots are very familiar with the area and reassuring to hear when land is long out of sight. The frequency is also used for traffic avoidance on landing.<br /><br />Don’t forget to file a round trip DVFR flight plan. If you file one way you have to cancel at Ft. Jefferson. That requires an altitude above 3000’ or an expensive call on the Fort’s satellite phone (assuming it works). The disadvantage of the round trip flight plan is that they won’t start looking for you until it expires.<br /><br />The islands of the marine sanctuary continue westward from Key West through the Marquesas Keys. There are many appealing areas for landings, but the airspace is designated as a nature preserve. A landing could result in a fine if a marine officer spots your registration numbers (I’m only speaking hypothetically, not from first hand experience!).<br /><br />The protected airspace ends with the Marquesas. After the last key there is an open expanse of increasingly blue water. The GPS was reassuring with its depiction of land in the not-to-distant point. A check of ground speed, wind correction and time gives you something to do rather than worry about the GPS’ reliability. The specks of land around Ft. Jefferson are small enough that they could be missed by the inattentive.<br /><br />Both marine and aviation charts show a bombing and strafing range along the route. The status can be checked with Key West. The Searey would not make a formidable target for the jets.<br /><br />Wrecks were easily spotted by their regular geometric shape in the clear water. Some were also staked with pilings. On another day this could offer a great snorkeling opportunity.<br /><br />Although the expanse of water is great, the time out of sight of land was less than twenty minutes. Visibility was excellent and the islands were soon spotted. The water in the gulf was calm enough for an emergency landing. There was also plenty of boat traffic plying the water between these islands.<br /><br />Approaching Fort Jefferson we contacted the Florida Seaplanes pilots. They typically fly at 500’ in a Cessna Caravan and a C206 on floats. Traffic coordination was easy and they provided a heads up on wind direction and parking area. Both airplanes landed just before we did.<br /><br />The island and fort provide protected waters for landing. A beach on the north side of the dock has been set aside by the park service for seaplane use.<br /><br />This is where the amphibious option on the Searey showed off. With the gear down it was a simple matter to secure the airplane on the beach. The C-206 pilot, however, had to constantly monitor the lowering tide and reposition his airplane.<br /><br />Before landing we were unable to contact Key West approach or Miami flight watch to close our one way flight plan. The Caravan pilot agreed to close it out when he checked in with Key West. I also called on the satellite phone as a precaution after finding it hidden near Dr. Mud’s jail cell. At $16 per minute it was an abbreviated conversation.<br /><br />The large brick covered fortress completely dominates the small island it occupies. It is in remarkably good condition considering its location and severe environment. Some restoration is underway most of the time, primarily to metal structures under constant attack by the salt. This is a good reminder for vigilant protection of SeaRey parts. Guided tours are offered around the massive structure and were well worthwhile.<br /><br />Inside the fort are a large courtyard and several structures, including barracks and the armory. The courtyard has many trees. The greenery and cool shade were welcome relief from the sun.<br /><br />The eastern wall can be climbed for a relaxed view of the area. Cannons line the ramparts.<br /><br />A primitive camping area is available beside the fort. There are no showers or food. Water is provided inside the fort in “limited” quantities.<br /><br />Several excellent snorkeling spots were identified around the fort. This would be a worthwhile activity for cooling down in the middle of the day.<br /><br />We decided to try the less populated key west of the fort, Loggerhead Key. The Florida Seaplanes pilot advised caution saying park rangers are very sensitive to airplane operations. I was surprised and checked with a ranger. He told me the park restricts the airspace and landings are only permitted at Fort Jefferson. I pointed out the incongruity of allowing large boats to operate while prohibiting seaplanes. His response was to say that I could taxi across the open water, but not fly. Rather than fight inane bureaucracy, we decided to head back to Key West.<br /><br />Some very isolated showers had developed in the afternoon. These were easily avoided. The Caravan pilot reported that he sees numerous waterspouts during the summer and easily circumnavigates the active areas.<br /><br />Reversing our course we flew back towards the Marquesas. Not far offshore, but outside the marine sanctuary boundary, we spotted a large sunken ship. It had all the look of a perfect snorkeling spot.<br /><br />I set up for a landing near some pilings marking the wreck. The first tentative impact with the one to two foot waves indicated that a landing would not be particularly smooth. To avoid a torturous takeoff, the landing was aborted and we simply surveyed the site by air. Maybe next time we will check this early in the morning when the seas are calmer.<br /><br />Returning to the airport was a snap. The squawk code provided by the flight service station got us a quick, no hassle ID with approach control.<br /><br />Key West is a busy airport. Some of the strangest paint schemes can be spotted on commercial aircraft. Multicolored pictures of parrots, pirate heads and a lot of pink seems to be the scheme of choice for local airlines.<br /><br />Auto fuel was obtained from a service station and ferried to the airplane by rental car. Once again the airplane was thoroughly cleaned before putting it away for the night. The total, round trip flight was only 3.1 hours.<br /><br />For departure on Monday the Weather Channel showed some rain showers out in the Florida Bay blocking a straight route north. Thunderstorms moving east, southeast from Tampa also pointed towards a routing up the east coast. We departed and followed the island chain eastward to Miami.<br /><br />Rather than stay along the populated corridor tracking US1 through the islands, we chose to fly along the uninhabited islands on the bay side. The water was very calm but storms were visible to the north out in the Bay.<br /><br />For this segment of the flight I engaged the Searey’s flight controller. Other aircraft may have sophisticated autopilots (“george”) to fly them, but the Searey’s jane works great for cruising. She can be expensive but I consider her a sunk cost. Although you can’t call her jane to her face, Ann does a great job maintaining the airplane in an upright, stable condition. This permitted me to ponder the various passing seascapes, seabirds and sea life.<br /><br />With jane so engaged I spotted a pod of porpoise. They were circling in the shallow water, fencing in their prey. After circling to see what they were up to I decided to land some distance away for closer observation.<br /><br />Upon touchdown the water in front of the Searey began to boil with waves. A fast escort of large porpoise had joined us. It was a short race as the Searey pilot quickly opted out by shutting down the engine. These large animals were creating sizable seas, a little too rough to play in.<br /><br />There was nothing left to do but secure the airplane and join them. Not having a swimsuit readily available, it was expedient to shuck the clothes and jump in. There was time to gather a mask and snorkel. Ann, always much more practical than myself, remained in the airplane.<br /><br />There are places you can pay to swim in a pen with captive porpoise. Here was a large group that offered to play for free.<br /><br />Unfortunately the porpoise were much more interested in the airplane and other fish than myself. Although they remained in the area, swimming after them was an exercise in futility. It was an exhilarating exercise none the less.<br /><br />Eventually I returned to the Searey only to find that I had forgotten to lower the landing gear. The mechanical gear is much too hard for Ann to operate (or so she said). The only choice was to clamber aboard by climbing up the wing strut. Without clothing this can be a difficult and dangerous proposition. It was especially uncomfortable with the accompanying gales of laughter from the impudent co-pilot.<br /><br />After reboarding and donning more modest apparel, we were ready for departure. Our porpoise friends found this sufficiently entertaining to provide an escort. The Searey can definitely outrun them flat out in a straight line.<br /><br />Passing to east of Key Largo it was a short distance to Biscayne Bay. The imposing sight of Miami on the horizon was overshadowed by the growing backdrop of towering cumulus. It was clear over the bay, however, and boats were everywhere.<br /><br />Staying offshore of Miami at 500’ kept us clear of most controlled airspace. Occasionally we had to contact control towers to avoid extended offshore diversions.<br /><br />Chalk’s seaplane base is located in a protected harbor area in Miami. On a calm day landing in the Atlantic outside the harbor would be a challenging proposition in the Searey. A better choice is to stay close enough to the intercoastal waterway. Today, however, the intercoastal was clogged with boats making it a virtual obstacle course for any attempted landing.<br /><br />We stopped at Lantana for fuel after the 3.4 hour flight. We also refueled with a sandwich from the airport snack bar.<br /><br />At Fort Pierce the thunderstorms finally intersected with the coastline. This caused an unplanned stop after another 1.4 hours. This stop cost about an hour of down time and $2.00 for soft drinks at the airport restaurant. Lots of pilots returning from the Bahamas joined me pondering the storm movement on the radar display. The storms quickly moved offshore opening up a corridor for our return to Orlando.<br /><br />From Fort Pierce we flew across the flat agricultural areas leading back to the Kissimmee chain of lakes. We made one emergency stop at our house on Lake Down for “passenger comfort” (another female code phrase). By the time we headed back to the airport, we were treated to another sunset silhouetted by distant thunderstorms, every bit as impressive as those were in Key West.<br /><br />It was an excellent use of the Searey and an exhilarating expedition. The flight from Ft. Pierce took 1.2 hours. The total flight time was 15.2 hours at a power setting of 75% (5000 rpm) with a typical cruise speed of 75 to 80 mph. The Quicksilver experience was completely eclipsed.<br /><br />
| | |
|
Tom Lansing - Jan 24,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Dan, WOW I have driven the keys on a motorcycle several times and it is a great way to see the area. I can't imagine how pretty it was from Rey height. On that note Kerry & Paige never seem to worry about transponder and without looking over the sec's just how easy is to fly around the state VFR no flight plan? Other than an occasional problem understanding some southern drawl dialicts I have no problem with radio work but the PA boys seem to use mostly for inter plane group activities. Can you give some free advice?
| | |
|
Dan Nickens - Jan 24,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
For what free advice is worth, here it is: you can fly around most of the state with no flight plan and you won't have to talk to anyone. There are notable exceptions, however, including the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) boundary west of Key West. There are also numerous restricted areas for military operations (especially in the panhandle) that don't require a flight plan, just flight planing.
| | |
|
Larry Woods - Jan 24,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Hi Dan:<br /><br />GREAT discourse. <br /><br />I haven't been down to the Keys for many years. Your prose has jazzed up my travel bug. (g)<br /><br />Best,<br />Larry
| | |
|
Darrell Lynds - Jan 25,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Hey Larry, we've got plenty of empty seats in the air and on the ground to Key West starting Feb 26th... at last count six seareys and half a dozen vehicles. C'MON DOWN !!
| | |
|
Larry Woods - Jan 25,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Hi Darrell:<br /><br />Many thanks for the invitation. Unfortunately, I can't make this event. I will be travelling down to Sun N Fun and hope to catch up with many of you at that time. <br /><br />Do you know if John Long will have his A-24 at Sun N Fun? I am contemplating bringing mine down if the weather at this end cooperates, but would definitely drive if John will be there with his (Great Lakes winter weather is a hit and miss affair.... usually nasty). <br /><br />Can't wait to finish my new Venture as it gets me to Lakeland in 4 hours. I suspect the A-24 might take a bit more time. (g) <br /><br />Best,<br />Larry
| | |
|
Jon Ladd - Jan 25,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Larry, John said he and the A24 will be there and hopefully be flying it.
| | |
|
Larry Woods - Jan 25,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Hi Jon:<br /><br />Many thanks.<br /><br />Might you have a phone number for John so I could contact him?<br /><br />Best,<br />Larry
| | |
|
Jon Ladd - Jan 25,2007
Viewers
| Reply
|
| |
Nope, sorry.<br /><br />Here's his email:<br /><br />John Long <br /><br />128 Authority Lane <br />Sebring Regional Airport <br />Sebring, Florida 33870 <br />E-mail: johnl@fpna.com <br />
| | |
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
- About Searey.us -
- Contact Searey.us -
|
- Privacy Statement -
- Terms of service -
|
Copyright © 2024 Searey.us & Brevard Web Pro, Inc. -
Copyrights may also be reserved
by posters and used by license on this site. See Terms of Service for more information.
|
| |
- Please visit our NEW
Chapter Place Website at: chapterplace.com or
Free Chapter Management Website at: ourchapter.org. Good for all chapters, groups or families. |
| | | | | |
