P3C NAS Jacksonville to NAS Boca Chica (Key West)

Here's a short flight from Jacksonville Naval Air Station (KNIP) down the Florida pennisula to Boca Chica Naval Air Station (KNQX) next door to Key West. FSX P3C conversion to FS2020.

 

Lined up for takeoff on Jax Runway 10. Some rain showers in the area ahead of us over toward the beaches.

 

 

Climbing out over the St Johns river with the tall buildings of downtown Jacksonville visible in the distance.

 

 

Missed the rain showers on an after takeoff turn to the SW but scattered cumulus clouds are the forecast weather for the first half of the flight along our route.

 

 

Climbing up to cruise altitude is no problem with our 4 T56-14-A turboprops generating close to 5500 HP each.

 

 

Leveled off over the lake country of central Florida at our cruise altitude of FL190 for the short 1 hour and 3 minute flight to the keys.

 

 

On final to Boca Chica over the turquoise waters of the keys. Key West is off the right wing. We'll be heading for Sloppy Joes once we get shut down.

 

 

Flare before touchdown. OK - so we're a little short and off centerline but hey - we're on the runway - so who's complaining?:D:D

 

 

Shut down on the ramp with the F/A-18s of the VFA-106 "Gladiators" in the background.

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by BillD22

Cool Piper Cubs? Actually they are Lockheed P-3 Orions! :pilot: An Excellent set too!

 

Christopher Tarana

A good flight and nice captures of your Navy Orion Bill. A good, descriptive narrative too. :cool: :D

Very nice Bill! I live in Florida and I can relate to the weather you captured in your narrative! Thanks for sharing!

 

Rick :cool:

Thanks for the comments Rick, Larry, & Chris

Great shots Bill!

 

I made parts or all of that trip several times in various (Navy-Marine)aircraft. Those were mostly day and night NAV. hops.

 

My only experience with a P-3 was a ferry hop moving a P-3 from North Island to the East Coast. I really admire those folks who spend all those hours on station patrolling off the coasts in a P-3!

 

Michael