Florida Recommendations - Tampa Area

midlifeflyer

midlifeflyer

Touchdown! Greaser!
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May 25, 2006
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KTTA, North Carolina
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Who you kiddin?
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KTTA
Possible trip to the Tampa area in two months. VDF and TPF are about the same driving time for my ground destination. LAL and PCM to the north not that much further. One to two night stay and rental car needed.

Looking for recommendations. Thanks.
 
I like ZPH, but VDF is pretty decent too.
 
RyanB said:
I like ZPH, but VDF is pretty decent too.
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I like ZPH too. Been to both airports in the past, but it's been a "few" years (10 for ZPH; 20 for VDF). ZPH is still a possibility but a bit further away than the others.
 
If you need a quick turn on a rental car, I would lean towards LAL or VDF. Where is your ground destination?
 
Your destination and where you are planning to stay will most likely the driver here. I’m based at VDF, work on MacDill AFB, and have lived on the East side of the Bay for a number of years so pretty familiar with the whole area.
 
For those who asked, the "about the same driving time" is based on the Apollo Beach area.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Yep, VDF, easy call.

If you would rather Uber and grass doesn't scare you, FD77 and 48X are options also.
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Actually, Uber/Lyft is a definite option as opposed to car rental. Depending on which airplane I take, grass isn't' scary at all, but I do want the option of having instrument approaches available if needed.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Possible trip to the Tampa area in two months. VDF and TPF are about the same driving time for my ground destination. LAL and PCM to the north not that much further. One to two night stay and rental car needed.

Looking for recommendations. Thanks.
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You will almost certainly want to arrive at KSPG or KCLW.

There are actually things to do nearby.

Dreams go to die east of Tampa.
 
WJG-GMT-RootBeer said:
First I have heard anyone say that.

The coast over here is stunning and destinations such as Venice are crazy close.

Preferences I suppose.
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Lots of plane traffic along the coast south of Tampa. The center of the state, away from Tampa and Orlando, has lots of pretty lakes and fewer aircraft. North of Tampa along the coast isn’t terribly crowded and has pretty views, plus Crystal River and Cedar Key.
 
Half Fast said:
Lots of plane traffic along the coast south of Tampa. The center of the state, away from Tampa and Orlando, has lots of pretty lakes and fewer aircraft. North of Tampa along the coast isn’t terribly crowded and has pretty views, plus Crystal River and Cedar Key.
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Can confirm. Dad was watching the manatees while he was doing pattern work at crystal river during his flight review.
 
Airport Manatee 48x is about 11 miles from Apollo Beach.
 
Pros and cons. You decide which is which.

Tampa Exec - 30 minutes to Apollo beach, straight down I-75
Self Serve fuel half the price, $4.30
Skyport Aviation is reviewed slightly higher.
Simple in and out

Peter O'Knight
Selmon Expressy way toll road about $8 round trip, 25 mins. Don't try 275/I-4 unless it's 3 am.
Fuel is $7.30
Atlas Aviation gets mixed reviews, I take away that it's in a busy place.
The flight to Peter O'Knight will be more interesting as you'll almost certainly go through the Class B.
 
I’m flying to Tampa Tuesday for the ReliaQuest Bowl and have to make same decision. ForeFlight doesn’t show any self serve at Exec. Is it secret?
 
Public Service Announcement - Don't try Winter Haven for fuel. KGIF's self-serve pump has been broken for several weeks. They're selling from the truck at self-serve price for tenants, but I don't think that goes for visiting aircraft.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Dunno about Exec, but ZPH has self serve at good price.
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I know this gets me kicked out if the CB club, but when it's an overnight stay, fuel cost, while not inconsequential, is low in my priority list. I've chosen PHL and BDL over other nearby airports. Sometimes the net cost has ended up about the same or less, even without the convenience factor.

But yes ZPH is known for good prices, even full serve.
 
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