----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----Good suggestions, Susan. We'll talk it all over at the Banquet and decide how and if we are going to do the Keys.
Syd
Susan wrote:
Here's a suggestion ... Why not plan on flying to Ft. Myers and taking the ferry from Ft. Myers down to Key West and then back to Ft. Myers?
You can leave the planes at Ft. Myers, travel to Key West on the ferry (I've heard it is an enjoyable trip), spend some time experiencing Key West and the lower Keys (maybe rent a couple of vans for traveling up the Keys a bit to experience some enjoyable dining experiences, like Cookie's at Geiger Key Marina (10 miles north of Key West) where you can eat hamburgers or fish sandwiches or pulled Cuban pork sandwiches, etc. while sitting outside along the water watching the Navy fighter jets taking off from Boca Chica and flying nearly overhead on their way out to do fighter training.
On a good day, Marathon is about an hour's drive from Key West - worth visiting the FBO there to get acquainted, then have lunch in Key West at the Island Tiki Bar or the Quay Restaurant, then either head up to Islamorada for dinner at the Hogg's Heaven restaurant/sports bar out on the water (great food), maybe spend the night in Marathon or thereabouts, and drive back down the Keys the next day exploring other places along the way. Head back to Key West for a bit more fun in the sun (lunch at Turtle Kraawls, dinner at Monty's - both of them on the water in Schooner Wharf area, etc.), perhaps overnight and return on the Ferry the next day from Key West back to Ft. Myers.
Susan
On Mar 6, 2006, at 9:05 PM, Sydney Cohen wrote:
----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----===================================
Hi Don,
You're right, I've never been to the Keys, and maybe I've assumed too much. I sure wouldn't want to ditch my plane in the ocean, and I'm sure the others would feel the same way. Maybe we should reconsider flying to the Keys. I didn't know how few options we would have.
You're also right about landing at Crystal River at 7 pm. We should probably plan to stay overnight in Camilla, GA, and refuel at Crystal River the next morning before flying to Sun-N-Fun.
Thanks for your suggestions. It's always nice to have another set of eyes look over my work.
Syd
DONALD BOWEN wrote:
Hi, Syd,==============================================================================
To land where, Syd? You seem to assume excellent visibility, no low cloud cover, and glide ratios that our Coupes don't have. Moreover, let's not confuse "need" (as required by regulations), with "need" as required when your engine quits and you are immediately in deep doo- doo. The "land" in the Keys is narrow, densely populated with trailer homes and fish camps and mangrove swamps and a heavily -traveled single highway. I recognize that you have put a good effort into your flight planning, but prudence dictates (in my opinion) a conservative approach. . For example, your plan to arrive at Crystal Riverat 7 pm (impending darkness) doesn't leave much room for error. Why all the hurry ? In that vein, I'd guess that some of your flying group will "hang their hat and asses" on your calculations, and potentially just plan to "follow the leader". It is only a guess, but I have led many yacht cruises to and from the Bahamas, and am consistently amazed at the captains who don't carry appropriate or update charts, spare fuel filters, etc. They just follow. Try that in the Miami Terminal Approach Area, and your wingmen would be in deep trouble the minute they lost sight of the leader, and didn't know EXACTLY where they were, and where they were going. Incoming and departing huge commercial jets are everywhere ! Yes, I believe you have " been there and done that", but the responsibilities of leadership can weigh heavily on your shoulders, when others of lesser experience have their lives are at stake and (might be ) completely depending on you.
I do not mean to second guess you, Syd, and will now butt out, wth the suggestin that you and your flight slow down a bit and take time to smell the roses (aka swamp cabbage) here in beautiful, but not always VFR, Florida. Good luck.
.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Don Bowen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----Original Message Follows----
From: Sydney Cohen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Sydney Cohen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Sun-N-Fun itinerary - Plan A
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 18:22:37 -0600
----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Not true, Scott. You need lifesaving equipment (life preservers or raft) if the flight is beyond gliding distance to land. Our flight crosses only about 5 miles of water, so with enough altitude, we can easily glide to land.
Syd
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
You only need flotation devices if the flight is operating commercialy. Is it a good idea to carry them anyways? Yes. But if you dont have room, and you are following a highway, just have fun and do it.
Scott
N94428 '50 G
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