Flight Time–Stuart

Today, I planned a flight to two new-to-me airports – North Palm Beach County and Stuart. I departed Valkaria at 10:20 AM and flew south at 3,500 feet. The air was smooth and the visibility was pretty good. Just north of North Palm Beach County, I started to set up the landing, but the field didn’t look like what I expected. After a few seconds, I realized that it was a perspective issue - my Airport Diagram was printed North Up and I was flying south. After a quick mental flip-a-roo, the sight picture made more sense. I entered the pattern and landed on Runway 9R.

After a quick taxi back, I took off from Runway 9R, then turned crosswind and downwind, departing to the west. I climbed straight ahead to 3,000 feet to clear the Class D airspace around the private William P Gwinn airport. Then I turned north and started setting up for a landing at Stuart.

Once the radios were all dialed in, I copied the airport information and turned straight towards Stuart. The Tower frequency was very busy, with at least three other planes approaching to land. At 11 miles out, I called in and was told to turn to a heading of 360 for sequencing to Runway 7. I turned as directed and flew north. A few miles later, I was told to turn for a straight in to Runway 7 and that I would be number 4 for landing. As I got closer, I was asked to slow down for spacing and that I was cleared to land number 2 behind a Cessna. The Cessna landed and was told to exit the runway at taxiway Delta. In the mean time, I was getting pretty close to landing. I realized that there was no way the Cessna would be off the runway before I landed, so I called Go Around. Honestly, I was expecting Tower to tell me to go around. I was actually surprised that he didn’t. I was even more surprised when he asked me if I needed assistance. I’m convinced that he expected me to land. I chose not to be the cause of a runway incursion today.

After adding full power and slowly removing the flaps, I asked which direction to turn. Tower told me to fly the left downwind for Runway 7. I flew west for a few miles, then Tower told me to enter a left base to Runway 7 and cleared me to land. I turned back towards the airport and made a normal landing. I was told to exit the runway at taxiway Delta and stay on Tower frequency.

Off at Delta, Tower asked where I parked and I told him I’d like to taxi back to Runway 7 and depart to the north. I was given taxi instructions for an intersection departure at taxiway Charlie 1. I held short of Charlie 1 and watched a Cessna land and pass by. Tower asked another plane if he was ready. He was not. Then he asked if I was ready and I said, “I’m ready!” He cleared me for takeoff with a north departure.

Stuart is a very nice small town. I crossed the St. Lucie River and the Intercoastal before turning north to follow the shoreline. I definitely want to return here and spend the day.

The flight to Valkaria was smooth sailing at 4,500 feet. At Valkaria, I entered the pattern behind a Cessna that was doing touch and goes. Another successful flight concluded.

The flight track is shown below.

Valkaria to North Palm Beach County to Stuart to Valkaria

Flight Time: 2.3 hours
Total Time: 588 hours