Katama Field

JC1188

Well-Known Member
Has anyone flown to or visited Katama Field in Marthas Vineyard, in Massachusetts?

When I turn 17 (One year and two months) I plan on getting my PPL and taking a couple of friends up there for the day, with thanks to Tim06.

What is there to do besides the beach 10 feet away, any restaurants near by?

Leave any suggestions, and I know I am planning very early
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I haven't actually flown the approach my self, but I have sat right seat and back seat a few times in and out. It's a scenic flight in and depending on where you depart the mainland from you aren't over water for too long. As to what to do... There isn't really a whole lot to do on MV. There IS the beach... and that's about it unless you want to see all the touristy places that Bill Clinton used to go to
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. I second what was already said.... WATCH THE WEATHER. A fog can form in there faster then you can say "pea soup". But if you do go, have a good time.

Ethan
 
My other choices are Hyannis, or Nantucket. I'm leaning towards Nantucket, although its rumoured to get busy..any suggestions Bob? I would be leaving from Mansfield (1b9) which is a flight time of a half hour away
 
Nantucket has more to do but the airport is going to charge you to land there and you need a reservation to land in the summer months.
 
I didn't fly into Katama but I did spend an afternoon there at the airport watching aircraft come and go. I asked the local guy at the "FBO" and he said they regularly get light twins even turboprops into the field. It appeared that it was in fairly good condition, I believe that there are 4 runways....

Additionally as someone above noted you can park your plane right on the beach. I didn't see any major obstacles surrounding the field so it might be a good first soft field to visit.
 
What are you looking to do? Visit an island for the day? Go do touristy stuff? Or enjoy a fly-in meal? The islands offer all, but at different islands. Block Island is where I took my wife for our anniverary, touristy, but very nice people. It definitely gets busy there in the summer, so be ready. Also, departing to the west can be tricky with a full load (heads into a hill) so be ready for it.

Nantucket has touristy stuff to do also. I went there last August and didn't have to have a reservation. It definitely gets busy there also. Martha's Vineyard I haven't been exploring on yet, but flown there a few times with students. Nice people working the tower, I've heard not as much stuff to do there.

Newport you could drive to, but overall lots of tourists come here, so people must like it here. The airport can get busy, definitely more training flights than the other islands.

If you're looking for a meal, find a good $100 hamburger spot and enjoy the day. There are many of these places around here, just ask around.

Overall, all these places are within reach in a single-engine airplane. Keep your altitude up so you can glide to land and you'll be fine. Get flight following, if able, and enjoy the ride. As always, get all the information (noise abatement procedures, etc.) possible before flying out.

For an even better trip, why not visit Long Island? There's an outing that will add a couple hours to your log book and be enjoyable by any taste.

Safe flying.
 
hm..good suggestions TX, thanks a lot.

good thing I won't get licensed until another year..I have plenty of time to plan
 
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