everglades outpost

SEAFOOD FEST FLY-IN

2012-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

EVERGLADES CITY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
As you can see in this aerial photo by John Apte, once again, on February 3d and 4th, the streets of Everglades City will be filled with thousands of visitors for the annual historic Seafood Festival. There will be lots of entertainment, events, exhibits, rides, and of course, great and delicious food options available. Be sure to arrive early and plan to spend the entire day or maybe two so you will have plenty of time to sample as much as possible. Chuck Gretske, of Wings Tours will be running free shuttle van service from the airport to the starting edge of the center of activity. Although it's only about a 6 or 7 minute walk, you will most likely need the van ride back; unless of course you would rather walk off some of those food indulgences.

Aircraft parking at the airport is on the substantial turf just north of the fuel farm. Please do not block the fueling area, even for a few minutes unless you are in the process of fueling. There will be location and push-back assistance available if you need it and lots of help with information, directions, and weather check, and plenty of local advice - even unsolicited.

This is always a great time to visit Everglades Airpark, not only for the Seafood Festival, but also to chat with fellow pilots and our many other aviation enthusiasts.

For further information and the entertainment schedule: www.evergladesseafoodfestival.com

FLY-IN FOR BREAKFAST AND MORE

2011-12-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

FLIGHT PLANNING

It is never to soon to plan your trip to Everglades City; anytime is the right time, but there are always a number of special times. For example, every month Chuck Gretske of Wings AeroTours hosts a free fly-in pancake breakfast complete with lots of flapjacks, coffee, sausages, gossip and critique of your landing by all those experts on the observation deck. Saturday, January 21st will be the date to welcome our local ultralight fliers and trek into town to visit the annual Art-In-The-Glades exhibit and have lunch in any of our famous restaurants. Don't forget to check with Chuck for the next month's pancake date.

In February the date certain is the 18th when the Antique Air Aficionados will hold their annual event. This is always a great opportunity to show off your classic and to talk with other pilots about their pride and joy. You can check the website listed below or call Bob Tweedie, Airport Manager at 394-3355, Chuck Gretske 695-3296; Mike 695-2224 or 784-1892; Mike Klein 695-0595; all in area code 239.

Everglades Antique Air Aficionados Fly-In

The first commercial airline carried passengers from St Pete to Tampa in 1914, only 11 years after the Wright Brothers first flew! And, in 1923, the Ta-Miami Air Line started operations between Tampa and Miami, in the same year that construction of the road was begun across the Glades.

Air history goes on. In 1930s Opa-Locka was opened as a Naval air base; Eastern and Pan Am were founded. Newspapers were flown to Sanibel by seaplane in the 1939 “Dawn Patrol”. World War II training bases sprang up in Southwest Florida’s clement climate at Fort Myers, Buckingham, Clewiston, and Naples.

Bring back the old warriors and dare-devils!That’s exactly what the Antique Air Aficionados will do on Saturday, February 18, when Everglades City Airpark hosts a Fly-In . There is no charge. Just arrive at Airfield X01 on the edge of the Everglades. You will be welcomed with a free pancake breakfast, courtesy of Wings 10,000 Island Tours, and a chance to win 5 lbs. of stone crab claws, the local delicacy generously donated by Triad Seafood Market & Cafe in Everglades City. Everyone is invited. Drop in by air, road, or sea and share your memories of vintage flying.

The event is being promoted by the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation. For more information, see their website www.evergladeshistorical.org .

SUMMER FLY-IN VISITS

2011-08-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

A summer season visit to Everglades City is always a time for the adventurous spirit; when the living might be laid back and quiet or stimulating with surprising developments like tropical weather samples - 'monsoon downpours' followed by brilliantly blue skies and star bright nights - unexpected wildlife visitors - gators, geckos, spoonbills, manatees - redfish fishing tournaments, backcountry kayaking and camping, and the opportunity to visit the wild in the company of other adventurous souls. There are numerous ground transport opportunities when flying in to X01; you can rent bikes, or call for pickup by restaurants and motels, rent a car from Enterprise, or just walk around the block to the Everglades National Park headquarters for a tour boat cruise and some nature education. Check the following for information on what's going on in and around Everglades City. For a rental car Enterprise would like a 24 hour notice although you can call them at Marco Island for local arrangements. If you later are heading out to the keys, you may wish to check our 100LL fuel price first.

All in all, a day or two spent here is well worth the time; just be sure to be ready for anything.

http://www.evergladesmulletrapper.com/pdfs/parks.pdf

http://www.evergladesmulletrapper.com/

http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/home.do Phone: 239-394-2601

FRANK SECREST

2011-06-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Frank Secrest one our most enthusiastic supporters of Everglades Airpark passed away on Flag Day, June 14^th. Frank was a member of the Collier County Airport Authority and Advisory Board for many years and he often led the effort for improvements at X01 including the hangar restoration project following Hurricane Wilma – Frank’s airplane was destroyed in the hurricane and he later based his new 172 here. Frank spent his military service in the Air Force as an aircrew member and afterwards he went on to earn Airline Transport Pilot Ratings on Boeing 727, DC10, and Boeing 747-400 aircraft and had also worked as an FAA Air Traffic Controller, and an FAA Traffic Control Certified Weather Observer. Prior to retiring, Frank spent thirty years as a pilot with United Airlines flying primarily the Pacific to Australia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the many far flung destinations of the South Pacific. Here in Southwest Florida he was a pilot member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (Aviation Operations), in addition to being a very active member of the Everglades City Pilots Association. Frank was a good friend, liked by everyone and will surely be missed by everyone.

TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE AT X01

2011-05-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

For it's size, Everglades airport may be one of the most popular places for swapping stories and opinions and for leisurely stopovers or friendly visits in the whole of southwest Florida. Here are just a few of the recent comments posted on the AirNav website; why not add yours after your next visit and let us know if there is some way we can enhance your trip even more.

From Taylor Robinson on 25-Mar-2011
This is a wonderful little airport to visit. Close to town a couple of neat hotels and great food. Everyone is very nice. Great scenery too!
From Billy Byers on 22-Mar-2011
What a great old Florida airstrip! Nathan was very helpful, Pancake Breakfast was perfect for us since we camped under the awing the night before! Make sure you stop in and visit the City!!! Its great and they WANT your business, great hospitality!
From Ed Fischer on 31-Dec-2010
Excellent, friendly small-town facility. Stayed overnight at Ivey House (excellent), and ate twice at Camellia St. Grill (fabulous local food, wacky decor); both are about one mile from airport. Also, Everglades Visitor Center, with 90-minute boat rides, kayak/canoe tours, etc. Is about one mile from airport (opposite direction from town). And check out the Everglades City Museum! Rod and Gun Club is worth a peek inside even if you don't eat there.
From Mace Horoff on 22-Dec-2010
I flew in here numerous times over the last 17 years--great place! Yesterday I got to go around twice after using the Marco Island AWOS for wind. It indicated a crosswind, but it was blowing straight down 33, which is the runway I was using. I had a hard time spotting the windsock (it's on the approach end of 15) until I was flying past it the second time. No one answered Unicom. It would be nice if they put a second windsock on the field. Lesson learned - be certain of the wind direction before landing based on local references! X01 is a nice airport and Everglades City is a visit to old Florida.
From Ron Ferraiuolo, N739XL on 11-Nov-2010
On approach, Al gave me plenty of detailed info on the crosswind so that I was prepared. Upon arrival, Al was loaded with info as to airboat rides and where to eat. All worked out fine, including a free ride into town and free ride back to the airport. GREAT friendly place and we will be back. THANKS Al for all your help.
From Carlos Claudio on 03-Aug-2010
This is a great stop to enjoy the view. Friendly people. Heather's coffee blend is the best. Don't forget to land on the numbers at 1.3 Vso.
From Ed Ross on 07-Mar-2010
Flew in for a Sunday lunch. The FBO was clean and the gentleman at the desk was very helpful. It was our first time so we did not know where to go to eat. There is a book in the FBO with all of the restaurants listed. We chose the TRIAD Seafood Restaurant. The food was hot, fresh and delicious. We even took back a couple of pounds of stone crab on ice. Did not need to rent the bikes as someone from the restaurant came to pick us up and bring us back...Only about a mile away. The self-serve pump worked fine. Most of the parking is on the grass and the ground was firm. Fun, scenic place... Will definitely come back.

2010-09-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Al Dowalter – the Voice of the Everglades

As Everglades Airpark is what the FAA calls an ‘uncontrolled field’, it doesn’t necessarily mean there is no control over flight activities. At Everglades if you are flying in on a weekend and enter the pattern at 1000 feet AGL, flying a left hand pattern for Runway 33 or a right hand pattern for Runway 15 while calling on CTAF 123.075, you will most likely hear back from Al Dowalter (Big Al to some), our man on the air who provides whatever information you may request to make your best approach for landing at our outpost. Once on the ground, he will direct you for fueling and parking instructions – occasionally with a bit of subtle emphasis if needed - and will offer any suggestions for your movement operations. Inside the terminal building Al can rent out a bicycle or two, phone a restaurant or other business for passenger pick up, or just chat with you about the Everglades City environs and it’s unique cast of characters. Al has been in, around, and experienced hundreds of aviation operations over the years, from his own J3 Piper Cub back on the farm to the latest and greatest Cirrus SR22’s - one of which went through our fence some time back - but you can ask Al about that, plus be regaled with dozens of other tales from the 10,000 islands wilderness. Try to set aside a weekend to visit and spend some time with our Voice of the Everglades.

CTAF Frequency Change

2009-10-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

NOTICE TO FLYERS COMING TO EVERGLADES AIRPARK: On November 1, 2009 the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) at x01 was changed to 123.075 Mhz.

2009-04-12T17:21:00.000-07:00