Florida Panhandle Help Please

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jcurry

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Jcurry
Hello,
I live in central Florida and I will be flying to Destin, Fl in September. I have not flown the panhandle before. I've read were people say the airspaces there are no big deal but it looks intimidating to me. I plan to fly the east-west vfr corridor. In addition to studying the sectional, can anyone recommend a video, study aid or anything similar to help me prepare for this adventure?

Thank you,
Jack
 
MooneyDriver78 said:
Just request flight following, be prepared to be vectored for airspace and traffic, then rest easy.
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^What he said.^

I used to fly to the panhandle (Tallahassee) from Dallas at least annually - that stopped when Grandmother finally agreed to move to Texas at 105 years old (she made it to 111, BTW). On flight following, or (as situation dictated) an IFR flight plan, and never an issue or a disruptive re-route. Controllers very accommodating. Also had good experience flying to and from "mainland" Florida (KTIX) through the panhandle airspace.

Just call 'em up and participate in the system. In my experience, our ATC folks are top notch (and there was this one time when I wanted to buy the duty controller at Cairns Army Approach a big bottle of whiskey for the fastest-delivered IFR clearance in history).
 
SCCutler said:
^What he said.^

I used to fly to the panhandle (Tallahassee) from Dallas at least annually - that stopped when Grandmother finally agreed to move to Texas at 105 years old (she made it to 111, BTW). On flight following, or (as situation dictated) an IFR flight plan, and never an issue or a disruptive re-route. Controllers very accommodating. Also had good experience flying to and from "mainland" Florida (KTIX) through the panhandle airspace.

Just call 'em up and participate in the system. In my experience, our ATC folks are top notch (and there was this one time when I wanted to buy the duty controller at Cairns Army Approach a big bottle of whiskey for the fastest-delivered IFR clearance in history).
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That's incredible about your grandmother!
I'm based right next to KTIX at X21 (Dunn). I am a VFR pilot. Thanks for the info.
 
Take the beach route. Spectacular scenery. Either grab flight following on the way up, or contact approach at KPAM. They run hundred of aircraft a day through that corridor without issue, many of them students. They'll hand you off down the line to Eglin and Destin.
 
jcurry said:
That's incredible about your grandmother!
I'm based right next to KTIX at X21 (Dunn). I am a VFR pilot. Thanks for the info.
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Some airports are sandwiched among the airspaces (54J comes to mind), be sure to check for NOTAMs and when departing get FF ASAP, have the approach frequency tuned in so you’re not fumbling around just after takeoff.
 
MooneyDriver78 said:
Some airports are sandwiched among the airspaces (54J comes to mind), be sure to check for NOTAMs and when departing get FF ASAP, have the approach frequency tuned in so you’re not fumbling around just after takeoff.
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Do you mean with Eglin? Rookie here. Just want to confirm.
 
Know the location of White Point VFR waypoint. I've only flown to DTS once but was asked on the way in and out to fly to it and report on arrival.
 
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond with some really good info. I really appreciate it. I have some prepping to do.....
Thanks
 
jcurry said:
Hello,
I live in central Florida and I will be flying to Destin, Fl in September. I have not flown the panhandle before. I've read were people say the airspaces there are no big deal but it looks intimidating to me. I plan to fly the east-west vfr corridor. In addition to studying the sectional, can anyone recommend a video, study aid or anything similar to help me prepare for this adventure?

Thank you,
Jack
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It looks bad on the charts, but as everyone else says just talk to ATC. Even if just VFR you will often get vectored right through the restricted areas near Destin.
 
Just my $0.02. FLA controllers are the best. IFR or flight following, they are your friend.

BTW, FLA airspace looks much worse on a chart than it is.
 
I’ve been flying into Destin since the 80’s. You definitely want flight following, all the controllers that I’ve dealt with have very professional and accommodating, if you aren’t sure what they are asking, just tell them. Weekends can be busy, especially Saturday and Sunday around noon, but nothing too crazy. Enjoy your flight and be glad you aren’t driving in the traffic!
Edit: avoid the chain restaurants!! For good local seafood, try Boshamps, Harbor Docks and Dewey Destin’s!
 
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Been flying out and around Destin for 25 years. Just fly the corridor along the beach and with flight following you will get handed off to Eglin and treated just like any other flight. If the weather is good you will get handed off to Destin Tower about 8 mile east of Destin. Destin tower may ask you to report a check point called The Flag. It is Legendary Marina about 2.5 miles east of of Destin Airport just on the North shoreline of Destin at MId-Bay bridge. The roof is painted with the American Flag! Also, it is not uncommon to be on a right base for one of the runways and another plane on a left base for the same runway. I have been asked to do a 360 a few times for spacing. Destin Tower does not have radar. They will be looking for you visually. Watch for the tourist Heli's down below 500'. If you need anymore info, feel free to reach out to me! The 3 restaurants mentioned above can't be beat. I know the owner of Harbor Docks and you could not ask for a nicer guy.
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Larry Wilkinson said:
Been flying out and around Destin for 25 years. Just fly the corridor along the beach and with flight following you will get handed off to Eglin and treated just like any other flight. If the weather is good you will get handed off to Destin Tower about 8 mile east of Destin. Destin tower may ask you to report a check point called The Flag. It is Legendary Marina about 2.5 miles east of of Destin Airport just on the North shoreline of Destin at MId-Bay bridge. The roof is painted with the American Flag! Also, it is not uncommon to be on a right base for one of the runways and another plane on a left base for the same runway. I have been asked to do a 360 a few times for spacing. Destin Tower does not have radar. They will be looking for you visually. Watch for the tourist Heli's down below 500'. If you need anymore info, feel free to reach out to me! The 3 restaurants mentioned above can't be beat. I know the owner of Harbor Docks and you could not ask for a nicer guy.
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@jcurry
 
Larry Wilkinson said:
Been flying out and around Destin for 25 years. Just fly the corridor along the beach and with flight following you will get handed off to Eglin and treated just like any other flight. If the weather is good you will get handed off to Destin Tower about 8 mile east of Destin. Destin tower may ask you to report a check point called The Flag. It is Legendary Marina about 2.5 miles east of of Destin Airport just on the North shoreline of Destin at MId-Bay bridge. The roof is painted with the American Flag! Also, it is not uncommon to be on a right base for one of the runways and another plane on a left base for the same runway. I have been asked to do a 360 a few times for spacing. Destin Tower does not have radar. They will be looking for you visually. Watch for the tourist Heli's down below 500'. If you need anymore info, feel free to reach out to me! The 3 restaurants mentioned above can't be beat. I know the owner of Harbor Docks and you could not ask for a nicer guy.
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Larry,
Very nice of you to take the time to provide me with that information.
Thank you,
Jack
 
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