X39 – North Tampa Aero Park: The Happy Hangar Cafe

August 10, 2021

I found out about this place from a Facebook post in the Orlando Pilots group. I decided I needed to check it out myself.

I rented a C-172 from my club (Orlando Aviators) and flew over this morning. I even filed IFR just to see what that was like again. It was scattered clouds so I got about .2 of actual instrument time. Wooooo

With the vectoring it extended the flight time a bit. It’s only 62 miles but it took me an hour. It was a nice flight over very flat terrain (Florida huh) but still scenic. It’s amazing how much of the state is still “the wilds” – basically uninhabited wilderness.

Took me a bit to find X39. Look for the hangars on the SW side, just across the highway (which I believe is I-75).

I landed on 32 and had to back taxi to the parking area. There are no parallel taxiways. The runway surface is old but still quite usable.

Parking is a little tricky. There is not a lot of ramp space so you might need to push it back on to the grass somewhere. No big deal.

As I walked up the steps, the waitress Erica actually came out and opened the door for me. I was greeted warmly by, well just about everybody. It is a very friendly place! I was quickly given a cup of coffee and a glass of water. I was never allowed to empty either as they kept getting filled up, once even by another customer (!), Dennis, who is there two or three mornings a week.

I got to speak with the owner Lorie, who co-owns the building and the hangar next door with her husband Keith Carver, an A&P, who also gives rides in a beautiful Stearman he keeps parked in front of the hangar.

Taxiing out I had to wait for a C-177 Cardinal to back taxi but no big deal. Departed back the the NE to KORL and arrived with no incident. Great place to visit and I will be back!