Chapter 1) Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 Overview
Today’s General Aviation pilot has the capability and desire to fly to new – to them - and interesting destinations. Often these new destinations carry with them challenges and demands for skills not necessarily experienced before. Destin, Florida, is a very attractive destination and has a very convenient airport literally within walking distance of beautiful beaches and deep-sea fishing facilities. Destin is also located within and near unusual and complex airspace. While using this airspace is quite straight forward, the unknowledgeable pilot can easily be overtaken by events and – at the least – be embarrassed, or – at worst – become involved in a serious safety event.
Chapter 2) Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 VFR Procedures
The basic requirement for operating within this airspace is to be in two-way radio communications with ATC – generally that’s Eglin Approach or Destin Tower. If you are on VFR Flight Following, you will generally be told when to contact Eglin Approach. If you have not been talking with another Approach Control facility (Cairns to the north, Tyndall to the east and Pensacola to the west), then you need to establish contact with Eglin well prior to entering their airspace. You should know of the utility of ATIS/ASOS in assisting in your safe arrival. Make sure you can identify Eglin AFB and Destin airport and contact Destin Tower when so advised by Eglin Approach. All departing VFR aircraft shall advise Destin Ground, prior to taxiing, of planned route of flight and you will receive appropriate departure instructions, a discrete squawk, and the Departure frequency.
Chapter 3) Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 IFR Procedures
The IFR-IMC portion of IFR arrivals into Destin are very much the same as IFR arrivals anywhere else. The fact that you are operating within the Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 airspace is totally transparent. However, the VMC portion of your arrival – whether or not you cancel your IFR Flight Plan – is different simply because of the complex operational environment of the local airspace. The mix of aircraft capabilities and pilot capabilities at Destin is quite large due to the nature of many of the transient aircraft and pilots and the intense local area flight training.
Chapter 4) Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 Internal and Transit Flights
VFR flights that transit the Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 airspace without landing should follow the initial contact procedures and routing as described in Chapter 2. The only difference would be that on your initial call to Eglin Approach you would tell him you wanted to transit the North – South or East – West Corridor to your final destination. Eglin Approach will give you a transponder code and instructions for your routing.
For flights that plan to remain within the Part 93 airspace, follow the departure procedures as described in Chapter 2 and just advise Destin Ground of where you would like to go. If you are going to stay in the Destin Traffic Pattern, it is permissible, just advise Destin Ground on initial contact.
Chapter 5) Online References
There are many online references available to today’s pilot to supplement traditional sources such as published NOTAMs, and FSS briefings. Pilots flying into areas with unusual airspace requirements need to be especially diligent in satisfying themselves they are well briefed before they depart home.
Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 Checklists:
The Eglin AFB Safety Office continues to work to prevent not only mid-air collisions, but also inadvertent interference with their primary mission. Figure 17 is one of their products.
Figure 17. The Eglin AFB Safety Office’s Mid-Air Collision Avoidance handout contains a wealth of information.
The Eglin AFB Safety Office continues to work to prevent not only mid-air collisions, but also inadvertent interference with their primary mission. Figure 15 is one of their products. Figure 16 is the handout available at the Destin Miracle Strip Aviation FBO Customer Service desk. Each of these handouts is a handy reference to have in the cockpit as you are operating in and around the Destin/Eglin AFB Part 93 airspace.
Figure 15. The Eglin AFB Safety Office's Mid-Air Collision Avoidance handout contains a wealth of information.
Figure 16. General departure information handout available at the Destin FBO.
