Attention Pilots: TFR Alert! If you're flying in or to Central Florida, please check the NOTAMs immediately before departure. The entire area (including X59, MLB, COI, TIX, and MCO) is frequently subjected to large TFRs (40nm radius) and the activation of restricted areas associated with both Space Shuttle and unmanned launch operations at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS). The restricted zones are monitored closely and they are prepared to shoot down intruders if necessary. "Typical" (inadvertent) violations of the restricted areas typically result in the suspension of flying privileges for at least 5 months... this is not a good way to make more time to build an airplane! Note that ATC is not responsible for alerting you about nearby TFRs. Since many pop-up TFRs are created with little notice (at the demand of such anti-General Aviation entities such as the US Secret Service, DOD, and DHS) your controller may not even be aware of all active TFRs in your area. In the end, if you bust a TFR, your ONLY possible defense is to have called FSS for a briefing IMMEDIATELY before departure and had them fail to tell you about it. Always, Always, ALWAYS check for NOTAMS and TFRs right before takeoff! Call FSS before departure: 1-800-WX-BRIEF X59 NOTAMS Online Flight Restrictions / NOTAM Info Official Sources: FAA: TFRs | NOTAMs USAF: Patrick AFB Launch Hazards Unofficial Sources: TFRCheck.com RECOMMENDED! AOPA EAA Upcoming Launches Florida Today Patrick AFB

Valkaria Airport may be small, but there are a lot of exciting things going on! At various times you will see aviation activities ranging from powered parachutes and paragliders through turboprop executive aircraft, and everything in between. During the week, the majority of traffic is training from several local flight schools, while on the weekends there tends to be a good bit of recreational activity including homebuilts, ultralights, and light-sport type aircraft as well as the usual mix of Cessnas and Pipers. On occasion, we'll even see a small biz-jet or even a warbird come by for a visit! (So far, the size record is held by a B-24 Liberator that diverted to Valkaria due to bad weather at their planned destination... although rumor has it that NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft once stopped by!) There's a growing list of diverse aircraft types based at the field, including many homebuilts... it's a great place for shooting some landings on a beautiful Florida day!

Valkaria Airport is currently enjoying having many needed upgrades carried out in accordance with the 2007 Master Plan the airport community fought so very hard to get... and thus is quite literally is getting better and better all the time! Come by and visit... if you need an excuse, we host a fly-in/drive-in pancake breakfast every month, a full-tilt airshow/fly-in/community aviation day each February, and occasionally random other events like Young Eagles, NIFA practice, PPG group launches, and the like. Come by and visit, we'd love to meet you!

If you have any questions about Valkaria Airport, please call the airport office at (321) 952-4590. Steve Borowski, the airport manager, is a pilot himself as well as EAA member, and he runs a tight ship... he and his staff are always happy to answer your questions and make your visit to Valkaria a good one. They try really hard to make sure all airport users have a good, safe time at X59, so if you aren't sure about something, just ASK!

USEFUL LINKS:

Airport Info:

• Valkaria Airport Info - AirNav
  Full airport info, distance calculator, current fuel prices, hotel info, etc. (AirNav)
  
• Valkaria Airport Website - VAA
  Valkaria Aviation Association's website for Valkaria Airport
  
• Valkaria Airport Website - Brevard County
  The official, county-operated website for Valkaria Airport
  
• Valkaria Air Fest Website
  The VAF is a yearly event at X59 featuring exciting airshows, static aircraft displays, kid's activities, food, music, and much more!
  

Weather Info:

• Local Flying Weather
  Aviation Weather for the next 3 days (Air Sports Net)
  
• Local Doppler Radar
  Very configurable and quickly updated Local Doppler Radar display (Weather Underground)
  
• Local Doppler Radar
  Local Doppler Radar (Air Sports Net)
  

GREAT PRICES ON 100LL AVGAS!! Valkaria Airport has some of the least-expensive 100LL AvGas in the state of Florida! As someone posted on AirNav... "A great fuel stop. Friendly staff and lots of grassroots aviation going on. Good fuel prices. Don't pass this great little airport by." We couldn't agree more! IS YOUR AIRBOAT THIRSTY? In keeping with Valkaria Airport's tradition of serving the entire local community in many ways, Valkaria Airport's new fuel farm features a 100LL avgas pump dedicated to serving the airboat community. This pump is conveniently located on a paved driveway outside the restricted aircraft operational area, near the airport office.