Sep 12, 2024
Update for 2024
I had a chance to stop by CJ Cannon’s on a King Air trip – for breakfast. I want to mention their breakfast menu and let you all know it is excellent.
Mentor Pilot for Experienced Pilot Services
One of the services our company provides is that of “Mentor Pilot.” In this situation an owner or operator asks us to supply a high time pilot in the right seat for various reasons, the most common being insurance requirements. Since we have several pilots on staff with more than 5000 hours total time in a myriad of aircraft, we are often asked to do this.
In this case, a local King Air B100 operator couldn’t get their pilot past the underwriters, even though he had a lot of in aircraft experience and some excellent training in type. Therefore they asked us to provide a pilot to sit right seat while he gained the necessary flight experience.
I took this one myself, as there are only two of us with B100 experience, and the other pilot was flying something else that day.
An Excellent Breakfast
Danny and I had a few hours to kill so we walked next door to CJ Cannons. You can also “fly in” and park on the ramp directly in front of the restaurant.
From here on are the reports from the previous visits, and or attempts to visit.
They say third time is the charm. Indeed, this was my third attempt to fly to Vero Beach and have lunch at CJ Cannon’s. And it happened.
Mike Harding called me Tuesday morning and said “I had a meeting cancel. You want to fly to Taco Tuesday?”
“It’s kind of late Mike, we won’t get a parking spot. You want to try for Vero instead?”
Mike was up for it so off we went.
As I have told my readers before, Mike owns a BE-24, Beech Sierra. It’s my favorite low wing single, because it has doors on both sides. I do not enjoy climbing in and over people to get to my seat, do you?
Anyway, enough of that. Let’s talk about the trip.
Typical Florida Spring Weather?
As is usual in Florida in the spring, there are a lot of frontal passages. Over the weekend we had a cold front go by that gave us some rain, and of course left us with some gusty winds.
It was 4500 Broken w gusty winds out of the southeast, which pretty much gave us a direct headwind on the way down. Mike is a great pilot and he handled the bumps and the winds with aplomb. His landing at VRB wasn’t stellar but nothing broke and we managed to walk away. Makes it a great landing in my book!
There is actually a ramp right in front of the restaurant where we could have parked. Really though, we both need the exercise and it was a nice day, if somewhat breezy, for a walk.
No Beer for Pilots
As we walked in and were being brought to our seat, Mike said “We’re pilots, so we can’t have beer, but you can bring us some whiskey.”
The poor girl looked shocked. I think she finally figured out he was kidding. I think.
Mike ordered a “mocktail” of Club Soda, Cranberry Juice and a lime. They brought it but forgot the lime each time. Mike said it was still good.
The Food
CJ Cannon’s is a large place with several sections, including a bar, restaurant, outdoor seating and what appeared to be some banquet rooms. The menu is very good with lots of selection.
I ordered an open faced Roast Beef Sandwich, which was excellent. The hush puppies were great too. I was not thrilled with the steamed broccoli, and in fact I think I had a digestive reaction afterwards as I had to make a “quick step” for the rest room at Sun Aviation.
I don’t blame the restaurant though. Supplies are short right now, and the idiots in Washington aren’t doing anything constructive to help that. It was probably slightly old broccoli.
Even with the reaction, I give the place 4 stars.
Self Fueling
I am getting way too familiar with self fueling pumps. I never wanted to do this. However, at 5.95/gallon, as opposed to 6.95 full serve, it was necessary.
We only took about 15 gallons but the damage was still in excess of $90. Yikes.
PIREP
The cost to me wqas Lunch and my share of fuel.
- Fuel at Vero Beach: $91.50
- Restaurant bill: $45
- Mike kicked in for fuel: -$50
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- Total: $86.50
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- Total flight time 2.6
Flying with somebody definitely helps keep the price down. Flying with somebody that owns a plane, well even more so. Thank you Mike for bringing me along!
Mike has a full time instructor but I gave him dual anyway. Hopefully he progresses with his next rating.
Summary
If you want a nice place to sit down, be served good food, and see a lot of aviation history on the walls, this is a great place to go. I recommend getting there before 1130 if you can, because it is a very popular place. Tables fill up quickly.
If you are staying overnight, it looks like a good place to stop for a drink as well.
If you have any suggestions for where we should try next, please let us know.