Leg 8: KMCO-KTPA
Pilot: Bryan K.
As I did the first time I saw the proposed Six Pack route for the East Coast, I smiled again when I filed in my “flight plan” to go to Tampa. “Why don’t you just rent a car and drive there!”, was the only remark I received from the official.
My plan actually looked like driving directions prepared by the CAA: “follow Interstate 4, and turn right at the lights”. Because of a storm front that was circling the Tampa Bay area, I had to give up my idea of another VFR flight, and prepare a quick and simple IFR plan. Not a big deal, for this short trip. So at 2:48pm, I started the engines again, and quickly contacted Orlando Ground for my taxi instructions. I started taxiing towards runway 36L, while a lot of arriving traffic was keeping the tower busy.
I actually had front row seats to watch Nortwest Airlines 580 (the daily flight arriving from Minneapolis, Minnesota) land on 36L. A smooth one for that Airbus 320 that probably draw a few applauses for the Captain.
Rapidly reaching 5000’, I smiled when I noticed the traffic on I-4. I guess flying to Tampa was the best decision after all.
As planned, I followed I-4 almost all the way to Tampa. Of course, I strictly followed the speed limit!
Approaching Tampa, I flew close to Lakeland, home of the famous annual airshow Fun N’ Fly.
I did have to fly through a storm cell on my descent to KTPA, but Tampa Approach vectored me for a visual landing on runway 36R. Another good practice, but this time with more favourable winds than in Orlando.
Taxi was relatively short as I headed towards the local FBO, Tampa International Jet Services. I was surprised by the amount of traffic at the airport for this time in the afternoon. The waiting lineup for departure on runway 36R was getting longer by the minute.
The good folks of the FBO had already reserved me a parking spot, and my Avis rental car was already waiting. Good news, since I planned to have a nice meal tonight and continue my route tomorrow morning. Turns out one of the managers is a “Snowbird” from Quebec who decided to stay south after he retired. He invited me for dinner, eager to hear some of the tales of the Six Pack.
Cheers!