Airport base between Orlando and Tampa?

bflynn

bflynn

Final Approach
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Brian Flynn
Any recommendations on where to base an airplane between Orlando and Tampa? Obviously there's Lakeland, but it gets shut down annually and has high traffic otherwise.

Winter Haven seems to be an option. I don't know much about Bartow.

Am I missing anything?
 
I’m based at Winter Haven. Nice airport. Often busy, lots of flight training (Blue Line has a school on the field). Probably a year wait for a hangar, but there are ramp spots available.

What else would you like to know?
 
Half Fast said:
I’m based at Winter Haven. Nice airport. Often busy, lots of flight training (Blue Line has a school on the field). Probably a year wait for a hangar, but there are ramp spots available.

What else would you like to know?
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I think I remember winter haven having a midair between someone taking off and a floatplane that wasn’t in the right spot. Is traffic a problem or just busy?

I can call, but do you happen to know the ramp and hangar costs?
 
I just accepted a new job in Polk City. Auburndale and Winter Haven look like good candidates, but who knows what things will look like by the time we're moving.
 
bflynn said:
I think I remember winter haven having a midair between someone taking off and a floatplane that wasn’t in the right spot. Is traffic a problem or just busy?
Click to expand...

pilotsofamerica.com

Mid-Air at Winter Haven

Looks like it might be a Jack Brown Cub and an Archer. https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/2-planes-collide-near-winter-haven-regional-airport-police-say/
pilotsofamerica.com pilotsofamerica.com

It’s busy enough to need a tower and we’re supposed to get a remote tower. It’s been 2.5 years since it was announced and I haven’t seen any progress. The FAA seems to be slow-rolling any and all remote tower projects.
pilotsofamerica.com

Remote Tower Project?

I just received the attached notice from my home drome, KGIF (Winter Haven, FL) about implementing a remote tower and training new controllers. I would be interested in POA opinions. What say you?
pilotsofamerica.com pilotsofamerica.com

There’s quite a variety of aircraft, everything from weight-shift trike ultralights to charter jets and helicopters. The whole airspace is pretty busy. Look at a sectional. You can just about drop a blanket over Winter Haven, Bartow, Lake Wales, and Lakeland. Plus the two Bravos and the MOAs create a bit of a traffic funnel.

It’s all manageable, but it ain’t a midwestern corn field. This is no place to be NORDO, and some are.


bflynn said:
I can call, but do you happen to know the ramp and hangar costs?
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My T-hangar is a little under $350/mo. Don’t know about the ramp.

Overall it’s a good spot. Shops and independent A&Ps are on the field and there are plenty of other shops and resources nearby.
 
bflynn said:
I just accepted a new job in Polk City. Auburndale and Winter Haven look like good candidates, but who knows what things will look like by the time we're moving.
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I live in Haines City. Let me know when you’re here and we’ll grab lunch or something.
 
FA08?
 
If you have a piper, Bartow is a good spot. I forget the name of the place but the maintenance hangar there had 4 pipers in annual at the same time. The owner of the place was there on a Sunday working on one. And he gets around in a wheel chair.
 
I’ve landed at Winter Haven several times for fuel. Nice airport. Nice FBO. A little busy but not too bad
 
bflynn said:
Any recommendations on where to base an airplane between Orlando and Tampa? Obviously there's Lakeland, but it gets shut down annually and has high traffic otherwise.

Winter Haven seems to be an option. I don't know much about Bartow.

Am I missing anything?
Click to expand...
Avon Park
 
Plant city would be a good choice but I also like Lakeland,just be watchful for Prime jets.
 
I like Bartow but I have more experience flying into Winter Haven. Winter Haven has a restaurant. With these options with IAPs and mechanics on field relatively close, I would base my decision on driving distance and time in traffic. ATP has a school at Lakeland, as well as a few other bigger flight schools.
Example, Winter Haven might be closer, but Bartow or Plant City might be better options due to traffic. It takes me significantly less time to drive to visit my family in Bartow than family in Winter Haven coming from Southeast Tampa suburbs.
 
Kind of depends where between the two you want to be. I’ve used ZPH when visiting friends around Tampa and parked there for a visit to Sun n Fun. Nice airport but subject to the same issues with the skydiving mix we see with LHZ in our area.
 
Personally, I think the concern with the Prime jets out of LAL is unfounded. IMO PCM, LAL, BOW, and GIF are all reasonable choices. It boils down to what services on the field (availability and cost) and what kind of commute to and from the field do you want?
 
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