Sport Pilot Talk

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

Weather permitting we will be flying down to Orlando next Friday to
celebrate our 19th anniversary. We plan to go from KHQU over to
Savannah, then down the coast and turn to take a bladder break in
Gainesville prior to arriving at KISM. Looking for advice on fuel and either
tie down or hanger space at KISM, best FBO there? Do they really have 4
or 5 FBO's at KISM?

Thank you in advance.

Jack Tyler · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:31 pm Post subject:

Suggest you check fuel prices. Here in the Jax area, there is a $1/gal spread in price for 100LL...and I never viewed GNV as an inexpensive place to fuel (tho' my info is now dated). Some fields offer self-service 100LL fuel stands that are open 24/7, and those prices are always the lowest. HEG is outside all the controlled airspace in the Jax area and has s/s fuel in front of the FBO. Runways/taxiways are in very good condition and you can even rack up a quick, free game of pool inside the FBO (a many decades tradition at Herlong) before departing. Another popular fuel stop is Palatka (Kay Larkin Airport - 28J). It's fuel is cheap enough that pilots 20 NM away at CRG fly down there to fuel. However, it puts you right in the midst of a very busy airspace. HEG keeps you to the west of NAS Jax, all that coastal traffic, most of the training space used by Embry Riddle, and the IFR ins/outs in the corridor between JAX to the north and St. Augustine (SGJ) to the south.

If you want to consider the run down the coast, I suggest you first read the relevant portion of the November newsletter I just finished up for our local EAA chapter. I got the sectional graphic and all the commentary from one of the Senior TraCon controllers based at JAX, and of course your intended route is where he places his greatest concern. His advice would be to be sure and use Flight Following if you go that route, in which case you'll be much safer until exiting Daytona's airspace to the south.

http://www.193.eaachapter.org/apps/documents/

ISM is indeed a very busy place.