You can see the balloon from a good distance, so no worries there.
I disagree - When I flew down there, I never saw it - I don't know if that's because it wasn't up, or because there was an overcast layer at ~7000 MSL that would have obscured it. Caveat aviator. The consequences are severe:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20070425X00453&key=1
If you're vfr sightseeing, I'd call for flight-following once airborne. The Miami guys, while busy, tend to be really good.
I agree... Both Miami Center and NAS Key West controllers were great.
Basically have my IFR routing figured out to Marathon, tho any tips you might have as I approach the Miami area and continue on to Marathon would be appreciated.
I don't have any specifics for the Miami area - I've flown in the area of LNA and flew down the gulf coast from X39 (North Tampa) to Marathon and then Key West. I'd imagine MIA is pretty much like any other class B in that if you're IFR they're likely to route you well around. Frankly, I think most of the Everglades looks about the same.
I’m planning a day trip to Key West, and was looking for any info, tips, protocol, etc. as I want to do this short trip VFR. I know the area is busy with military traffic, and I promise to stay out of the restricted balloon area. The charts say to contact Key West approach because of the military traffic. Would I call them up as soon as I’m in the air? What other advice do you have?
1) Watch out for the balloon. See above.
2) IIRC, the dividing line between Miami Center and Key West (aka "Navy") Approach is right around Marathon. So, I'd say that once you're out of the general area of Marathon you can call Key West right away.
3) Key West NAS may not want you in their class D... I was told that but when I called them and they replied ("Eastablished two-way communications"), they didn't say anything to that effect - Until I was directly over the field, at which point they advised me "Do not overfly Key West NAS." (Uhh, it's a bit late for that NOW guys!!!
) So, I advised them that I was already overhead and turning to the south and went around the rest as much as I could.
4) In the "Just for the heck of it" department, there's an NDB airway coming north off of Marathon Key, Blue 9 IIRC. If you have NDB or GPS, give it a shot. I filed and flew it, and the briefer had never heard of such a thing but he said "Well, the computer took it so it must be OK." Heh. I don't know of any other NDB airways remaining in the ConUS.
5) Just in case of engine failure, you may want to decide before you go: Alligators, or Sharks?
Have fun!!!