midcap
Pattern Altitude
im just being curious as to how the trip is. Flying from KHUM to destin (not sure which airport is best) is going to be a common thing for me when I get my ticket. Just looking for advice.
Anyone fly from Louisna or thereabout to Destin?
- Thread starter midcap
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Haven't personally flown down there, but people I know who have usually use Destin Exec KDTS and a guy I know of in particular used Destin Jet while he was there. Im sure others will be able to give better advice.
Tflhndn
Pre-takeoff checklist
I flew into Destin back in November and stayed with destin jet north. There are two FBOs. North and south. Both owned by the same company. Best I could tell, north was fancier, snootier and more for people who owned planes but hired someone to fly them. South was nice, more down to earth and geared for people who fly their planes, not just fly in them.
MooneyDriver78
En-Route
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Tom
With the traffic, including military, I would file IFR or request flight following.
ARFlyer
En-Route
I'd also watch out for a crane on short final over the beach. It should be gone by now but you never know.
When I flew in last June we had to go around the darn thing. When I say it was at the exact glide slope height I'm not kidding.
When I flew in last June we had to go around the darn thing. When I say it was at the exact glide slope height I'm not kidding.
Yikes..that'd be an unwelcoming surprise breaking out short final on the ILS. Notamed?
ARFlyer
En-Route
Yep. I just checked the NOTAMs. I thought it was gone come August. It says it's there till next summer.
Be on a sharp look out for it. The NOTAM doesn't do it justice. Line guy said a jet almost took it out back in April. The crew saw the flag go under the cockpit by about 25 feet. Scared the crap out of them.
Not trying to scare you from flying in. It's a great airport. Just be on watch for the crane if your landing north over the beach. It's right above the condos at the end of the runway.
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midcap
Pattern Altitude
No worries...
Seanaldinho
Pattern Altitude
Read up on the special airspace, its pretty simple just talk to approach and if they aren't clear ask to clarify. KDTS is pretty much the only airport. KCEW to the north is a 45 minute drive to Destin, everywhere else is pretty far. Destin Jet now owns both of the FBOs, South used to be owned by someone else. If you have any other questions just PM me, I grew up and learned to fly at DTS.
N747JB
Final Approach
I'm in Destin now and fly down here at least twice per month. The airspace isn't too complicated, but flight following is a must if you are VFR. The Eglin controllers are really good and let them know if you aren't familiar with the area. If you are staying in the Destin area, DTS is really your only option, Crestview is much cheaper, but if traffic is bad, it can be a long ride! I've always used the south FBO, they even sort of closed it last fall, calling it a flying club, I kept using it! Good people working there, they always have fresh cookies and treats for our dogs!!
mscard88
Touchdown! Greaser!
I was a controller at Eglin years ago so you need to be aware of the Special Air Traffic Rule FAR Part 93 for Eglin AFB. Basically whether VFR or IFR you contact Eglin Approach. Nothing difficult just that a lot of activity (classified and unclassified) goes on at the Eglin complex which is why they have all the restricted areas. F-35 training base and many other fighters (Test Wing) based at Eglin. Airlines fly into Eglin also. Great time of year to visit Destin IMO. Still crowded but not as bad as summer. Cool museum outside of Eglin AFB called the Air Force Armament Museum, and FREE. Ton of military planes outside on display as well inside. MOAB (mother of all bombs) is there too, big sucker!
midcap
Pattern Altitude
Thanks for the replies guys.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
One more thing, I was watching a you tune video from the guy that has that Premier jet, and it looks like he was talking to Elgin traffic the whole time until he saw DTS visually and then cancelled IFR and went VFR and landed. Is that a normal procedure?
mscard88
Touchdown! Greaser!
Well thought I explained that in post #12 but yeah, it is.
Here's a course we used at the Eglin AFB Aero Club by the FAA if you want it.
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?pf=1&preview=true&cID=47
midcap
Pattern Altitude
thanks for the link, I knew you have to contact Eglin but after watching the video it made more sense.
N747JB
Final Approach
The standard clearance when approaching DTS IFR is to report Eglin and Destin in sight before getting cleared for the visual. Pretty simple stuff, the biggest problem is when an IFR airplane is cleared for the visual and won't cancel IFR, holding everyone up.
Doggtyred
En-Route
I imagine it could be.. IF there was an ILS there.
Doggtyred
En-Route
To minimums? No... Visual day with landing assured? Absolutely.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
I see, RNAV approaches are used.
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Owning a plane and buying gas, expensive. Flying to Destin on a holiday weekend and looking at all the suckers backed up on the Mid-bay bridge? PRICELESS!!!
mscard88
Touchdown! Greaser!
And then when you leave the airport you'll be backed up on Hwy 98 and join the crowd too!
jaybee
Cleared for Takeoff
And then when you leave the airport you'll be backed up on Hwy 98 and join the crowd too!
I remember it taking 10 minutes to drive from Fort Walton to Destin and the people that lived in Niceville would spend the extra 10 minute drive to not go over the empty Mid-Bay bridge back in the 90's.
I recently left the area after post divorce. It's a beautiful place for sure but I do not miss the traffic one bit.
mscard88
Touchdown! Greaser!
I went to Hurlburt AFB once around '68 or '69, and drove with 3 other guys to Panama City. There was absolutely nothing in Destin but a few motels and fishing businesses, and no traffic lights. Wished I'd had a crystal ball back then and bought land. When I was stationed at Eglin AFB in the mid 80s it still wasn't bad, especially after summer, but it was beginning to get crazy and grow. Won't be long before it's developed completely between Panama City and Gulf Shores AL.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
I know I am bringing up an old post, but do they charge for you to park there or could you hangar there for a few days?
Soldier64
Pre-takeoff checklist
They absolutely will charge. I dropped a friend off there in my plane from Rucker since he owns a house on the beach and I never even shut the engine off and he said they tried to get him to pay $25 just for getting out of my plane.
N747JB
Final Approach
Typical resort area, overnight fees, one night waived with fuel purchase. Go to South, it's more friendly for piston airplanes and owners!
N747JB
Final Approach
That's one of the reasons we bought on Holiday Isle, we can get to the airport without ever getting on 98, just go straight across at the light in front of Winn Dixie. Even on the 4th of July, we can avoid the traffic if we choose.And then when you leave the airport you'll be backed up on Hwy 98 and join the crowd too!
Seanaldinho
Pattern Altitude
That's one of the reasons we bought on Holiday Isle, we can get to the airport without ever getting on 98, just go straight across at the light in front of Winn Dixie. Even on the 4th of July, we can avoid the traffic if we choose.
And you can take the harbor taxi to most places worth going.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
ouch...
midcap
Pattern Altitude
oh ok cool, That sounds like a plan, thanks.
N747JB
Final Approach
I've got them on speed dial!! My son has spent a couple summers in Destin and when we first called the water taxi, we gave them specific directions to our house, when they got there, they ask why didn't you just say "Logan's house"?