Key West, FL at night

[jawright]

I have to do my 250nm X/C for my comm. SE and I was thinking of going to KEYW. The plane isn't available until 7pm, so the flight will have to all be at night. I was gonna file IFR, but I noticed that in R-2916 says "Strobelight and unmarked balloon and cable to 14,000" and the MEA for the airway next to R-2916 is 15,000 MSL (and I don't have oxygen).

I do have a GNS430 and can go direct, but how visible is this balloon and cable at night? How much does it get blown around? Can anyone whose flown this route suggest a safe way around the obstruction, or should I just pick a different destination?

[NickH]

The balloon is basically totally invisible, both day and night. You can see the ground facility during the day, but if you flew over it you'd see nothing until you hit the cable.

The best way to do it is to go VFR and follow US1 along the keys. It's a fantastic flight, US1 is very visible and if you stay south of it around the balloon area you'll be miles away.

[Murdoughnut]

If you do happen to cut the balloon cable, please let me know, as I have some friends in Cuba who've been waiting awhile for someone to take it out. Kidding - have a great flight!

[jawright]

Originally Posted by NickH

The balloon is basically totally invisible, both day and night. You can see the ground facility during the day, but if you flew over it you'd see nothing until you hit the cable.

The best way to do it is to go VFR and follow US1 along the keys. It's a fantastic flight, US1 is very visible and if you stay south of it around the balloon area you'll be miles away.

Right on. Maybe I'll just go IFR to Miami Exec., refuel, then VFR to KEYW. What is that balloon for, anyway? Weather observing?

[bike21]

Originally Posted by jawright

What is that balloon for, anyway? Weather observing?

Quiet!...they can hear you

[vabantha]

Originally Posted by jawright

I have to do my 250nm X/C for my comm. SE and I was thinking of going to KEYW. The plane isn't available until 7pm, so the flight will have to all be at night. I was gonna file IFR, but I noticed that in R-2916 says "Strobelight and unmarked balloon and cable to 14,000" and the MEA for the airway next to R-2916 is 15,000 MSL (and I don't have oxygen).

I do have a GNS430 and can go direct, but how visible is this balloon and cable at night? How much does it get blown around? Can anyone whose flown this route suggest a safe way around the obstruction, or should I just pick a different destination?

I don't know where you are starting from, but we used to fly IFR down V157 all the time at night. Miami Center hands you off to a navy controller about 30 miles out.

[TaterSalad]

Originally Posted by jawright

Right on. Maybe I'll just go IFR to Miami Exec., refuel, then VFR to KEYW. What is that balloon for, anyway? Weather observing?

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/tars.htm

I didn't find a specific reference to that exact restricted area, but I believe it to be the balloon they talk about, broadcasting TV into Cuba.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by TaterSalad

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/tars.htm

I didn't find a specific reference to that exact restricted area, but I believe it to be the balloon they talk about, broadcasting TV into Cuba.

Close...they can watch you from there, though... think drug trafficking, etc. It could have a TV transmitter also, but I have been told by numerous sources it's a monitoring station.

if this is the last time y'all hear from me, you know I was right, and why...who's at the door???

[I_WANNA_BE_ATP]

I have heard, but no actual proof, that the navy ATC will vector you around the balloon if needed. Had a friend, who was given a vector to the east, off airway, he didn't ask way, just complied, assumed it was to avoid traffic coming out of the NAS, but further discussions with other pilots said that it could have been to avoid the balloon and the cable.

Off Topic slightly, Where ya flying out of ??

[jawright]

I'd be flying from KSFB (no I do NOT attend the big academy at that airport).

[X-Forces]

Originally Posted by jawright

I have to do my 250nm X/C for my comm. SE and I was thinking of going to KEYW. The plane isn't available until 7pm, so the flight will have to all be at night. I was gonna file IFR, but I noticed that in R-2916 says "Strobelight and unmarked balloon and cable to 14,000" and the MEA for the airway next to R-2916 is 15,000 MSL (and I don't have oxygen).

I do have a GNS430 and can go direct, but how visible is this balloon and cable at night? How much does it get blown around? Can anyone whose flown this route suggest a safe way around the obstruction, or should I just pick a different destination?

I have flown from KORL to Key West quite a few times, and it still remains one of my favorite flights to make.

If you were going IFR anyway any of the airways you would travel (V157,V601,V539,V225) would miss the balloon by miles, so you would have no need to worry.

As stated already, the cable is invisible, or to say by the time you would see it you would slice it about 1 second later.

If you go back VFR, as I would recommend since (as stated already) the trip up US1 is just too cool not to do at least once, NAS Key west will indeed provide vectors if requested (they’re usually pretty bored!). However you don’t need them, as stated, just remain south of US1 and you’ll be fine.

If you were going day IFR you could always fly my favorite, V225 from Naples. It takes large nuts and a certain faith in your aircraft to do in a single, but it cuts the trip time down substantially, if that is a concern (I was always trying to save a few bucks where I could). Just make sure you have a self inflating raft!! (Or in the event of an engine failure you might make some sharks very happy)

[bLizZuE]

I flew down to Marathon, then over to Key West, then north back to Vero. I filed the NDB airway between Marathon and Key West, but they just vectored me the entire time. I wouldn't expect any issues either way. Just make sure you're talking to someone.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by X-Forces

It takes large nuts and a certain faith in your aircraft to do in a single, but it cuts the trip time down substantially, if that is a concern (I was always trying to save a few bucks where I could). Just make sure you have a self inflating raft!! (Or in the event of an engine failure you might make some sharks very happy)

5000 AGL over the Everglades and the Bay of Florida in a C172 gives great meaning to the term "auto rough".