Miami, Florida, airport and FBO recommendations

[Peter R.]

I might have to attend a business meeting in June in Miami, Florida, and am
looking at flying my Bonanza from NY State to Miami.

Any recommendations for a preferred airport and FBO? Judging by the
comments on Airnav, it appears that Kendall-Tamiami (KTMB) seems to be the
most friendly to a single-engine GA pilot.

Also, what about weather in Florida during early June? I suspect that
t-storm avoidance will be the name of the game, but is there a better time
to fly (early AM or late PM) to have the best chance of getting into and
out of the Florida peninsula?

--
Peter

[Peter Duniho]

"Peter R." > wrote in message
...
> [...]
> Also, what about weather in Florida during early June? I suspect that
> t-storm avoidance will be the name of the game, but is there a better time
> to fly (early AM or late PM) to have the best chance of getting into and
> out of the Florida peninsula?

I can't offer much advice about specific facilities around Miami. However,
as far as the weather goes...

Generally speaking, any time up until noon is fine. Usually the first hour
or so after noon can be fine too. After that, things get iffy, and don't
start calming down until after 6pm or so. 7-8pm or later is more reliable.

However, it's also the case that (again, generally) the thunderstorms are
well-defined and spread out. Unless there's one right over the start or end
of your flight, you can usually navigate around them. Even with the typical
low visibility around Florida, you can usually clearly see the position of
the thunderstorm by the rain falling.

Which brings up another point: for most successful navigation around the
weather, you'll probably be flying below the clouds in visual conditions.
Be sure to be on the lookout for very tall radio antennas, especially given
the relatively low visibilities that prevail.

Pete

[FLAV8R]

"Peter R." wrote in message...
>I might have to attend a business meeting in June in Miami, Florida, and am
> looking at flying my Bonanza from NY State to Miami.
>
> Any recommendations for a preferred airport and FBO? Judging by the
> comments on Airnav, it appears that Kendall-Tamiami (KTMB) seems to be the
> most friendly to a single-engine GA pilot.
>
> Also, what about weather in Florida during early June? I suspect that
> t-storm avoidance will be the name of the game, but is there a better time
> to fly (early AM or late PM) to have the best chance of getting into and
> out of the Florida peninsula?
>
Where exactly are you going in Miami?
South, North, Northeast, Southeast?

The AM is the best time to fly into Miami
without having to vector around the storms.
But most storms in Miami don't last very long.

Tamiami is one of the better operations in South Florida.
North Miami I would suggest KHWO-North Perry.
Deep South Miami you have Homestead.

David

[Peter R.]

FLAV8R > wrote:

> Where exactly are you going in Miami?
> South, North, Northeast, Southeast?

South Beach. The meeting and social events would be held at the Lowes
Hotel:

http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/

--
Peter

[Peter R.]

Peter Duniho > wrote:

> Which brings up another point: for most successful navigation around the
> weather, you'll probably be flying below the clouds in visual conditions.
> Be sure to be on the lookout for very tall radio antennas, especially given
> the relatively low visibilities that prevail.

Thanks, Pete. As a tactical aid, my Bonanza is equipped with downlinked
NEXRAD via WSI and a stormscope, although these days transmitting on my
number two radio interferes with the stormscope receiver and results in
numerous erroneous indications.

--
Peter

[FLAV8R]

"Peter R." wrote in message ...
> South Beach. The meeting and social events would be held at the Lowes
> Hotel:
> http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/
> Peter

South Beach would be easily accessed from KTMB www.airnav.com/airport/Ktmb
If there is free drinks and food, count me in.

Maybe a little side trip to Marathon Key for some fresh seafood.
Don't forget to stop by Joe's if you like seafood
11 Washington Ave
Miami Beach
(305) 673-4611

David

[Morgans]

"FLAV8R" > wrote

> The AM is the best time to fly into Miami
> without having to vector around the storms.
> But most storms in Miami don't last very long.

Right, and immediately after the storm, the sun comes out and the humidity
goes up to approximately 5,000 percent! <g>
--
Jim in NC

[Mortimer Schnerd, RN]

FLAV8R wrote:
> The AM is the best time to fly into Miami
> without having to vector around the storms.
> But most storms in Miami don't last very long.


Be aware that there is often fog in the early mornings in north Florida if
you've planned a fuel stop along the way. Even the thickest of fog will burn
off by 1000 most days. I used to have regular business in Lake City, FL and if
I didn't come in the night before I wasn't coming in at all until much later in
the morning.

> Tamiami is one of the better operations in South Florida.
> North Miami I would suggest KHWO-North Perry.
> Deep South Miami you have Homestead.


Nobody use Opa Locka any more for northern Miami? And yes, if you're planning
to drive down to the upper keys for any reason while you're there, Homestead is
the place to land.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

[Peter R.]

FLAV8R > wrote:

> South Beach would be easily accessed from KTMB www.airnav.com/airport/Ktmb
> If there is free drinks and food, count me in.

LOL!

> Maybe a little side trip to Marathon Key for some fresh seafood.
> Don't forget to stop by Joe's if you like seafood

Now you have me thinking. :) While everyone else is getting together for
dinner at some nearby restaurant, I will be taking a flight down to the
Keys. That'll learn 'em.

--
Peter

[Peter R.]

"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" > wrote:

> Be aware that there is often fog in the early mornings in north Florida if
> you've planned a fuel stop along the way.

Preliminary flight planning shows that it will take me about 5.5 hours of
flying time and at least one fuel stop. Even if I left at sunrise I wound
not make it down there until noon or so.

--
Peter

[[email protected]]

If you go into MTH, I highly recommend taking a cab to Keys Fisheries!

[Denny]

Don't let em spook you... T-storms can happen any time in S. Fla...
Yes, they are more frequent after noon, but that doesn't mean that at
precisely noon the state goes into aviation lock down... I have flown
all over that state at all times of the day numerous times over the
past 25 years - for example, plowing right down the West coast three
miles off shore to get to Fun-N-Sun by 8PM...
Most trips I never saw a bumper, other times I did have to deviate 20
miles or so, once I had to land and wait 2 hours for a line of T-storms
to pass over at 10AM, and then went back to motoring North..
Fly smart, deviate around the bumpers, and don't worry about what time
you get there after noon...

denny

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" > wrote in message
. ..

> Be aware that there is often fog in the early mornings in north Florida if
> you've planned a fuel stop along the way. Even the thickest of fog will
> burn off by 1000 most days.

By following this thread to the letter if I want the play it safe there is
only about a 3 hour block of daylight that can be flown in FL.

[Peter R.]

Denny > wrote:

> Fly smart, deviate around the bumpers, and don't worry about what time
> you get there after noon...

Thanks, Denny.

--
Peter

[Peter Duniho]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
> By following this thread to the letter if I want the play it safe there is
> only about a 3 hour block of daylight that can be flown in FL.

Depends on your definition of "play it safe".

If you really want to play it safe, stay on the ground.

But yes, in some sense if you want to reduce your chances of having to deal
with ANY of the adverse weather Florida has to offer to practically nil,
there's not much time during the day during which you can fly.

Of course, most pilots recognize that the adverse weather is manageable even
at other times, and don't restrict their flying to those times. But if you
really want to "play it safe" as possible, you're right. Three hours or so
is all you've got (and even that doesn't give you a 100% guarantee).

Pete

[Otis Winslow]

Peter R. wrote:
> I might have to attend a business meeting in June in Miami, Florida, and am
> looking at flying my Bonanza from NY State to Miami.
>
> Any recommendations for a preferred airport and FBO? Judging by the
> comments on Airnav, it appears that Kendall-Tamiami (KTMB) seems to be the
> most friendly to a single-engine GA pilot.
>
> Also, what about weather in Florida during early June? I suspect that
> t-storm avoidance will be the name of the game, but is there a better time
> to fly (early AM or late PM) to have the best chance of getting into and
> out of the Florida peninsula?
>

I went into KTMB when I flew down there. I parked at Reliance and they
seemed to be a good FBO. Go down the west side of town at 2000 ft and
stay west of Krome Avenue and out of the B space. Miami Approach was
good to work with. Keep your eyes open .. there was a lot of VFR
traffic around there.

[Otis Winslow]

Peter R. wrote:
> FLAV8R > wrote:
>
>
>>Where exactly are you going in Miami?
>>South, North, Northeast, Southeast?
>
>
> South Beach. The meeting and social events would be held at the Lowes
> Hotel:
>
> http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/
>

If your renting a car (recommended since there's lots to see around
Miami) .. go north out of the airport to SW 88th St, then east to US 1,
northeast on US 1, then get on Brickell when you see the signs, then up
to McArthur Causeway (by the Heat Arena) and it goes right out to South
Beach. It goes right by the cruise ship port.

The Palmetto (826) and Dolphin (836) get pretty backed up sometimes ..
I usually avoid them.

Lincoln Park Mall is right there in Miami Beach .. lots of nice outdoor
restaurants and shops to browse around.

[Peter R.]

Otis Winslow > wrote:

> If your renting a car (recommended since there's lots to see around
> Miami) .. go north out of the airport to SW 88th St, then east to US 1,
> northeast on US 1, then get on Brickell when you see the signs, then up
> to McArthur Causeway (by the Heat Arena) and it goes right out to South
> Beach. It goes right by the cruise ship port.

Thank you, Otis. Great advice there.


--
Peter