About the George T. Lewis Airport (KCDK) in Cedar Key, FL
Please Note: All information provided on this website is unofficial and should not be relied upon without confirmation from official aviation planning information. The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport and any of its members do not take responsibility of its content. The information being offered is to informally let pilots flying into the Cedar Key airport know about some of its peculiarities. Cedar Key is one of the most beautiful and unique airports in the country. It is always a worthwhile visit!
General Aviation Airfield Information
THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND VASI ARE NOTAM'd OUT OF SERVICE TILL FURTHER NOTICE. THE AIRPORT IS ONLY OPEN FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. CHECKS NOTAMS FOR CURRENT INFORMATION.
Use 122.9 and announce all intentions.
Left-hand traffic for both Runway 05 and Runway 23.
There is a displaced threshold for both Runway 05 and Runway 23.
Taxi on the runway and allow more time for landing aircraft to taxi-back / completely clear the active before turning for final, especially when landing Runway 05. (What was previously a taxiway is now a road outside of the perimeter fence.)
Mobile phone signal is weak and there is no airport phone. (Verizon works best, T-Mobile works fairly well, AT&T sometimes works.)
RUNWAY LIGHTS AND VASI ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF SERVICE!! Runway lighting for night operations is pilot controlled on 122.9 and has been recently improved (thanks to your help!) along with the rotating beacon.
The airport perimeter has now been fenced (thanks to your help!) with a 4-foot tall, black chain link fence. Walk-thru gate is available from the ramp. The fence does not cross along the ends of the runway, these areas are landscaped with small shrubbery.
Vehicle gates are locked and controlled by the Levy County administrator's office. Please plan on using the walk-thru gate, but the Cedar Key Police may be called to arrange access at (352) 543-5180.
The port-a-potty is back! Woohoo! Paid for by Levy County. Located in the cul-de-sac outside the fencing of the ramp.
Camping by the plane is not allowed, but not rigidly enforced.
Find additional KCDK aviation and Cedar Key city information via our links page.
The runway is short - the shortest paved public runway in Florida - and both runways with a displaced threshold. Still plenty of runway for most light aircraft to take off and land, but please be mindful. It is very common to come in too high and too fast on approach! If you do not touch down in the first third of the runway do not be embarrassed about going around. Consequences of landing long or hot may be blown tires or a swim in the marsh. WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
We would highly discourage student pilots flying solo into KCDK.
There is no weather reporting service on the field (ATIS or AWOS) though you can reference the NOAA Station CDRF1 that is located approximately 1 mile to the east of the airport. There are 2 windsocks located on the north side at both ends of the runway.
NOTE: RUNWAY LIGHTS AND VASI ARE NOTAM OUT OF SERVICE TILL FURTHER NOTICE. While runway lighting has been improved recently visibility at night on the field is still minimal. If you have never been to KCDK before it is highly recommended not to perform night or dusk operations. Even for KCDK experienced pilots, night-time departures taking-off Runway 23 (to the southwest) are highly discouraged. (See memorial plaque by the ramp.) Especially on overcast or moonless nights out over the Gulf you are taking off into a black hole. Do not attempt to climb out visually, use your instruments. If you are not IFR rated/current taking-off on Runway 5 over the town with city lights is a risk mitigation.
While the installation of the fence has greatly improved deterring non-aviation traffic on the airport, pedestrians and bicycles still find their way onto the runway - please be cautious. Also being 4-foot tall, black chain link fence it is sometimes difficult to see with no ramp lighting - mind your props and wingtips!
The Cedar Key area is surrounded and a part of a large protected bird sanctuary, i.e. there are lots of large birds in the area including osprey, eagles, herons, egrets, buzzards, pelicans, and seagulls. There are even several osprey nests within the immediate area of the runway. Watch out and advise other traffic of bird activity when appropriate. It is encouraged to report birdstrikes to the FAA.
Theft is rare, but can happen anywhere. Do not leave aircraft unlocked or items in the open.
If you're in a pickle, some local pilots monitor 122.9 at home and will come out to help or when in need call Walter with the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport at (352) 222-6800.
AIRCRAFT PARKING & GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Aircraft parking is always at your own risk.
It's suggested to bring your own chalks or tie downs in the event of off-pavement parking.
When parking off-pavement, watch out for soft sand and cactus. If you don't see grass, its probably soft sand... and even still. Your plane can get stuck and cannot get out even with full power - though this is interesting to watch. Prickly plants are tough enough to pop tires.
Be aware of concrete pads along the runway edges which house runway lights. These can snag your nose wheel and cause your prop to get close enough to contact the concrete.
Local Taxi Service. Miss Judy has retired. Maria has taken over. Please call her at 352-538-2654 to pre-arrange transportation. She does not monitor Unicom and is not always in town. Latest know rate was $15 per person to town.
Local Golf Cart Rental. Call/text Dell at 727-410-2112. He can have a golf cart waiting for you upon arrival. $40 per 2 hours.
The paved ramp is at the southwest end of the runway and has 4 spaces available with tie downs (marked '1' in the image).
Just to the north of the ramp under/around a group of palms in the grass and on some older pavement 2 to 3 aircraft can fit (marked '2' in the image).
The next best parking is mid-field on the north side of the airport (marked '3' in the image). If using this space please stay well clear of the cement helipad used for EMS.
Lastly, directly across the runway from the ramp there is additional grass space (marked '4' in the image).
There are several golf cart rental companies in town which will do airport pick ups by request. Also bike rental companies where they might arrange a drop off.
The walk into town from the ramp takes approximately 30 minutes.
Non-Aviator Visitor Information
The Cedar Key Airport does not have general commercial aircraft service. You will not be able to purchase an airline ticket into Cedar Key, though a charter might be available in a small aircraft from other smaller southeastern airports. The closest commercial airline service airports to Cedar Key are Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) approximately a 1 hour drive away, Tampa International Airport (TPA) approx. 2hr drive, and Orlando International Airport (MCO) approx. 2 hour drive.
The airport is known to be one of the best places to watch the sunset on the island. Please respect the airport fences and boundaries. Do not approach the ends of the runway from the water or walk into the airport environment.
If you are interested in taking a scenic plane ride check out CK Island Air Tours with Marv who is available and out on the field most weekends, weather permitting.
There is a bench by the aircraft parking area to view landing aircraft under the trees by the cul-de-sac. There, and along the fence line on the south side of the runway, are the best places to safely watch the planes.
Use caution when crossing the runway in a vehicle on the northeast end - come to a complete halt the stop sign to look and listen for aircraft on the ground and in the air before passing. This is the most dangerous junction for both motorist and aviator.
Motor vehicles, golf carts, or bicycles are all prohibited from operating on the runway or within the fenced airport environment per local statue without prior Cedar Key Police authorization. Do not enter the gated area or approach the ends on the runway.
Do not park in the cul-de-sac, please use the side of the road along the runway (on the grass) to park.