Video: KVNC
Your Gateway to the Gulf Coast
The Venice Municipal Airport is a general aviation facility located 1.7 miles south of the downtown area, along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, on approximately 835 acres. It has two 5,000-foot runways which intersect each other. They are both 150 feet wide, have medium intensity runway lighting (MIRL), runway end identifier lights (REILS) and precision approach path indicators (PAPIs).
The airport was built during the 1940s by the United States Army Air Forces and served as a military flight training facility. It also was used by Air Transport Command to deliver US-built aircraft destined for Britain under Lend-lease from the factories on the West Coast or for assignment to selected British pilots. Some of the aircraft were partially disassembled and prepared for being loaded on board ships for the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
After World War II, the U.S. government gave airport control to the City of Venice, naming the city the airport sponsor through various Federal grant assurances.
After the September 11 attacks of 2001, local, state and national authorities discovered that three of the 9/11 terrorists, Mohamed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi, and Ziad Jarrah, had all enrolled at the now-defunct Huffman Aviation flight training school at VNC for general aviation flight training.
There had been some forum discussions about the use of Avgas vs Mogas (with ethanol) on the internet. I've found that in the Florida heat it is wise to consider the possibility of vapor lock so I try to keep about a 60/40 mix (Mogas/Avgas). Ethanol doesn't seem to matter for a PiperSport so I usually go to the local Wawa for premium gas. Today I topped her off at the FBO to keep my normal mix.
It was a great opportunity for a systems check. All avionics works well. I even coupled my autopilot to a VOR station and watched her track inbound. CHT seems to be under control but still gets up to 245+ at top of climb. Certus has installed some exhaust wrap on other planes and is seeing good results. Sally may get some during his next visit.
The flight was routine. A beautiful day with some puffy clouds at about 2,500'. OAT in the mid-80's F and light breezes. Don't get complacent! As I descended into the pattern a flock of large birds passed by my left wing. Later, as I was crossing over the beach another flock (about a dozen) swooped by my left side. I don't think Sally would survive a battle with just one, let alone a dozen. Big birds.
The traffic back at KVDF was busy mostly with students. That's good news for the flight schools. I'm happy to see the comeback following the disastrous COVID pandemic. Just something to think about for the CFIs out there. If you see 2,3 or 4 planes at the hold short line it might be wise to extend your downwind a bit to let some of the planes on the ground depart. I know it messes up the pattern for your student but courtesy is also a good lesson to learn.
