Earlier this year whilst vacationing in Florida my Niece came to stay with us for a few weeks, and offered to take my friend and me on a pleasure flight to Venice Beach. My niece is a qualified pilot and had been itching to take us on a flight.
We arrived at Kissimmee airport on a beautifully sunny Sunday morning at approximately 9:30 and whilst my niece completed the pre-flight of the aircraft we met with the team at Sunstate Aviation and had coffee and donuts in the lounge area, which is filled with lovely relaxing leather sofas.
Approximately half and hour later we were lining up on the runway and were cleared to take off. The flight was just brilliant. We flew in a Cessna 172 – Sunstate have around 8, all of which are under 2 years old.
It took us around 40 mins to fly there and the scenery was just amazing. We flew at approximately 7000ft and I could see both coastlines of Florida. The view from the air is spectacular.
Venice is a stunning airport, we landed on Runway 13 and flew right over the beach and Gulf as part of the approach in, and the views were amazing.
We then landed and went to the Cockpit Café for a spot of lunch. The owners Yarda & Kirsten make you feel immediately welcome and the food was just fantastic. I had banana and walnut pancakes which were heavenly. It was such a great atmosphere; people were flying in from all around – parking up their plane and coming in for some lunch. It makes you feel very jet-set.
So with full tummies and smiles on our faces we headed back to the plane for the flight back. Kissimmee airport is very close to Disney property and there is a restriction that you can’t fly below 3000ft over Disney unless you have permission. But coming back my niece asked Orlando approach for permission and they granted it. So we flew all over Disney property, it looks absolutely superb from the air; you can really see the scale. Spaceship Earth looks literally like a golf ball from the air!
It was a truly one of a kind experience and the prices for renting an aircraft with Sunstate is very reasonable. The Cessna 172 with an instructor is $137 per hr, for 2 passengers this works out at roughly £39 each. Money well spent for a truly once in a lifetime experience.
So the next time you’re in the sunshine state call Sunstate on 407 944 3592 you will not be disappointed.
Directions
Sunstate Aviation is conveniently located just off US192 so is extremely accessible.
Go East on the 192 towards John Young Parkway
Turn Right onto Thacker Street
Then turn Left onto Patrick Street
'Sunstate Aviation' is No. 3008 Patrick Street
We arrived at Kissimmee airport on a beautifully sunny Sunday morning at approximately 9:30 and whilst my niece completed the pre-flight of the aircraft we met with the team at Sunstate Aviation and had coffee and donuts in the lounge area, which is filled with lovely relaxing leather sofas.
Approximately half and hour later we were lining up on the runway and were cleared to take off. The flight was just brilliant. We flew in a Cessna 172 – Sunstate have around 8, all of which are under 2 years old.
It took us around 40 mins to fly there and the scenery was just amazing. We flew at approximately 7000ft and I could see both coastlines of Florida. The view from the air is spectacular.
Venice is a stunning airport, we landed on Runway 13 and flew right over the beach and Gulf as part of the approach in, and the views were amazing.
We then landed and went to the Cockpit Café for a spot of lunch. The owners Yarda & Kirsten make you feel immediately welcome and the food was just fantastic. I had banana and walnut pancakes which were heavenly. It was such a great atmosphere; people were flying in from all around – parking up their plane and coming in for some lunch. It makes you feel very jet-set.
So with full tummies and smiles on our faces we headed back to the plane for the flight back. Kissimmee airport is very close to Disney property and there is a restriction that you can’t fly below 3000ft over Disney unless you have permission. But coming back my niece asked Orlando approach for permission and they granted it. So we flew all over Disney property, it looks absolutely superb from the air; you can really see the scale. Spaceship Earth looks literally like a golf ball from the air!
It was a truly one of a kind experience and the prices for renting an aircraft with Sunstate is very reasonable. The Cessna 172 with an instructor is $137 per hr, for 2 passengers this works out at roughly £39 each. Money well spent for a truly once in a lifetime experience.
So the next time you’re in the sunshine state call Sunstate on 407 944 3592 you will not be disappointed.
Directions
Sunstate Aviation is conveniently located just off US192 so is extremely accessible.
Go East on the 192 towards John Young Parkway
Turn Right onto Thacker Street
Then turn Left onto Patrick Street
'Sunstate Aviation' is No. 3008 Patrick Street