Summer Flying in Florida

[LazyBones125]

Hey Everyone, First of all just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Yuriy I have been lurking around JetCareers for a very long time just never posted before but here goes.

I just got my Instrument rating last month and decided that I was gonna go down to florida to continue my training, simply due to the fact that I can be more focused on flying down there and that it's much cheaper then the prices here in the New York area. I was planning to go down there in June and I just wanted to get your opinion on whether I should go in June or wait until September. From what I heard the summers in florida can be brutal, very hot, and t-storms everyday. The only problem with waiting till september is that I will put my training on hold for 4 months. I might rent an airplane once or twice a month to stay current though.

Just wanted your opinion on whether it would be smarter to wait until september to go down there.

 

[Murdoughnut]

The flying here is fine if you go and get back before noon. I like a good 6am departure during the summer.

 

[amjon]

The summers are EXTREMELY hot here. If you can wait until September it will be much more enjoyable (though maybe not cool yet).

Amanda

 

[Crockrocket94]

I flight instructed full time in the summer on the east coast of florida and I rarely had to cancel due to weather. I just flew around it. Thats the good thing, it wont last more than 20 minutes usually

 

[Murdoughnut]

I flight instructed full time in the summer on the east coast of florida and I rarely had to cancel due to weather. I just flew around it. Thats the good thing, it wont last more than 20 minutes usually

In Tampa Bay it storms like the apocalypse everyday between 4-6pm - just in time for the commute home.

 

[SatelliteBeachPilot]

I started my instrument training last July in Daytona Beach, 6 am flights are the way to go!

 

[Baronman]

I agree with above posts. You'll find great flying weather in the mornings. The air will still be cool and not too turbulent.

Provided a weather front is not coming through, most of the afternoon storms are just Air Mass Thunderstorms caused by the heating of the ground during the day (lifting air) and the high moisture content. They are pretty localized and usually you can fly around them without too much of a problem.

If a cold front is coming through...different story. It'll be nasty.

Bottom line is I wouldn't put off my training in Florida just because of the thunderstorms. Just be willing to fly in the mornings and realize that from 4-7pm during many afternoons it'll be stormy out.

 

[killbilly]

In Tampa Bay it storms like the apocalypse everyday between 4-6pm - just in time for the commute home.

This is 100% true. You can almost set your watch by it.

But, like the other post said, they're short-lived storms. Usually.

Unless there's a hurricane. In which case all bets are off.

 

[Sidious]

What I love is when you have to bring a towel to wipe down the seat and seat belt after the last guy just got out cause it was so hot lol.


Like everyone said, 6am departure or 6pm departure.


I love Florida though and wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[ILS37R]

Florida summers = hot and humid.

Dawn to 10am: Good flying (unless there's morning fog)
10am to 1pmish: bumpy, hot flying
1pmish-5ish: dodging thunderstormy flying
5ish-7pm: still hot, but nice flying
After 7pm: lovely flying

The differences between June, July, August and September are negligible in terms of temperature: they're all very hot and humid. One thing to beware of in the latter months is the heart of hurricane season. If a hurricane or tropical storm has your airport in its path, be prepared to sit for three to five days, and possibly move to higher ground if you're on the coast.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

The nicer A/C around here all have air conditioning, which is nice. T-storms aren't generally a huge problem. Isolated T-storms are common in the summer, but you can easily fly around them. And they don't last long.

It's hot everywhere in the summer, I wouldn't say Florida is any worse than anyplace else.

It is generally cheaper here, and there are lots of airports.

 

[FlySooner9]

It's not horrible, i cant speak for Florida but i have flown during several summers now here in Oklahoma. Temperatures are always in the upper 90's to low 100's. Instrument training sucked pretty bad last summer with the heat plus being under the hood, but any other kind of training isn't that bad in the heat. Just stay hydrated and try to stay high.

 

[bunk22]

Just finished a IP flying tour in Pensacola, FL...well, Whiting actually. Granted I'm a military pilot but flying the T-34C around Florida, mainly VMC type flying with the majority of stuff we do in primary, the summer time can be a pain. Like others said, usually good till 1100-1200 then the t-storms grow. Sometimes easy to fly around it but not to complete the X as we needed to. Calms down in the late afternoon and good at night.

 

[rdsoxpilot]

From June to September it's pretty brutal out, mainly because of the humidity. (It's already starting to sizzle here..) And you can def. set your watch by the daily 4-6pm t'storms.

Not to mention the typical updraft/downdraft thermals you get year round which tends to get old quickly.

But Florida isn't all that bad, plenty of beaches & golf courses. No mountains or hills to speak of. Tons of flight schools to pick from as well.

As for putting it off for 4 months? The choice is yours, but my .02 is that flying is like riding a bike. Might have to do a few review flights but you'll be good to go in no time.

Best of luck-

 

[LazyBones125]

Thanks for your replies guys, I was kind off leaning towards staying here until September then going down to Florida. Do you guys think that if I dont fly for 4 months I will be really rusty when I start in September again?

Over the summer while im here I can study for the writtens and oral and when I go down to Florida in September I will be ready with all the knowledge.

 

[launchpad]

Thanks for your replies guys, I was kind off leaning towards staying here until September then going down to Florida. Do you guys think that if I dont fly for 4 months I will be really rusty when I start in September again?

Over the summer while im here I can study for the writtens and oral and when I go down to Florida in September I will be ready with all the knowledge.

if you don't do any flying at all, you will get very rusty in 4 months. This especially holds true for your newly acquired instrument skills. If you decide to stay until september, get in a plane at least once a week. Also, if there is a frasca or other sim near you, get into that at least twice a month for an hour at a time.

Most of the 141 flight schools in FL will expect you to be proficient when you start. If you've been practicing, all it will take is one or two evaluation flights before you get into whatever training you're going to do...if you're rusty, it could end up being a lot more than that.

as far as the heat, you'll survive. The only part that really sucks is pattern work and taxiing out. Once you get above 3000 or so, it cools off nicely. If you're an early riser, you won't have to worry about heat or thunderstorms...