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We have now closed the 2016 survey for pilots visiting the Cedar Key Airport so we may compile the report. A very warm and heartfelt thank you to all who completed a survey this past year. We look forward to sharing with you, the Friends of KCDK and aviation community, the responses received as well as presenting direct evidence to the city of Cedar Key and Levy County on just how much the airfield is enjoyed and supportive of the local economy. Check back here or like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for updates about the survey report and other airport activities. Currently our mailing list is inop as Mail Chimp is requiring payment to maintain the number of our member contacts, which is over 200.
All of the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport expenses are currently sponsored directly out of pocket by our founder and president, Walter. This includes web hosting, airport signage, promotion, and the online survey client -- totaling just under $400 for the year (2016). While we hope to do another official call for donations towards a development plan of the association and the airfield (several years ago we were successful in raising enough to support installing a port-a-potty for a year), until then if you do feel inspired to monetarily support us in this pilots-helping-pilots operation it would be most appreciated >>> please contact us at [email protected] for donation information. (Please note, we are unincorporated and so are not eligible for tax deduction.) We do hope you enjoy visiting Cedar Key and the Cedar Key Airport (KCDK) and that we can help support you to have a safe and wonderful stay in years to come! Please come visit Cedar Key! Most all of the restaurants and bars on Dock Street and downtown are back open after Hurricane Hermine and would love your business. The runway is clear and in great condition, both windsocks have been replaced, tie down ropes are good, and lights are working. Sections of the security fencing are still down, which is the only item left unrepaired, but does not impact aircraft operations in any way. (See images below.) The road from the airport into town has been completely repaved and the bridge is safe and sound. Not to mention the amazingly warm and wonderful weather! If you have flown into the Cedar Key Airport (KCDK) at any time in 2016 we urge you to complete our online survey. The surveys we collected from pilots like you in 2012 is the reason why the airport is open today and gets attention from Levy County for quick repairs. Whether you came from far away or close to home, just did a stop-and-go for flight training or stayed for a week, visited back in January or just last weekend - all information is extremely valuable to the continued operation for the Cedar Key Airport. We have just over 50 responses so far this year and would love to collect whatever else we could before we close the survey before 01 January 2017. Click here to take the survey and read more about how the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport use the survey information. Happy Skies & Holidays from the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport!
The NOTAM has been lifted after Hurricane Hermine, but we would still caution visiting aircraft. A report from a Friends of the Cedar Key Airport member and pictures indicate that the perimeter fence is down in places and both wind socks are damaged. Power is restored now to the airfield but the functionality of the runway lights is questionable. One aircraft seems to have remained on the ramp through the storm, but came out unharmed.
Cedar Key experienced what might be the most devastating storm in 30 years last night as Hurricane Hermine came through. Dock Street and 2nd were severely flooded and there is significant damage to both homes and businesses. We have no report yet on the extent of the damage to the airport, but were sent these photos of the condition of the only road out to the airfield. Needless to say, please do not attempt to land at KCDK at this time. Hoping everyone continues to stay safe. This isn't the first storm we've seen and we will rebuild our lovely historic town.
Recently we were in touch with our contact at Levy County about what were the latest updates on improvement plans for the George T. Lewis Airport (KCDK) in Cedar Key, FL.
"Fairly soon" there will be a small open-air shelter just outside the ramp gate with a picnic table. This will be to provide shelter for those waiting for transportation into town and on airplane rides. It's also being discussed to have a port-a-potty available there as it would service both pilots and the public outside the fence but this will depend on grant money from the state. (Currently a portable is not available.) The originally proposed convenience building inside the fencing on the north side of the field and adjacent additional paved ramp space is still in the works. Again, it comes down to the grant money issued by the state for the new budgeted year which begins on July 1st. The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport was thanked and encouraged in our surveying of visiting pilots as it has been "very helpful" to Levy County in getting grants to make these improvements. So this is all thanks to pilots like you who provide invaluable information about your visit to Cedar Key! A big thanks to Vic from Base Leg Aviation for sending us some new aerial photos of the airport! (Also credited for the homepage banner image.) It's been confirmed that the disabled aircraft has been removed from the ramp so we're back operating with all of our tie down spaces. Always worth reminding we are a short airfield (with no VASI) and because of that there is a tendency to come in too high and too fast on approach. If there isn't a solid touchdown within the first third of the runway it's best to go around. There is little forgiveness for overshooting with marsh at both ends of the runway and breaking hard is quick to pop tires. Read all of our operational safety tips for flying into Cedar Key airport by clicking here.
Happy Valentine's Day! The airport was a buzz with couple-filled aircraft here to enjoy the island. Today we got the signs hung to alert visiting pilots to visit the website and complete our 2016 survey. Four (4) are zipped to the fence: one by the ramp walking gate (pictured), one by the entrance to the ramp, one on the far side of the ramp, and one over on the north side of the field by the helipad gate. We have extras in case any get damaged or faded throughout the year so please let us know if you see one that needs attention or is missing. (The signs are one of the few costs The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport incur, as we are an unincorporated association of volunteers. If you would like to support our efforts with a donation, please read this post.) Capturing data from visiting pilots is the best way we can serve the airport and its best interests so please be sure to complete a survey for every visit/landing made to Cedar Key and encourage other visiting pilots to do so as well! Thank you!  Last time our members rallied we supported a port-a-potty on the field for a full year! We're calling out again to the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport and also to local Cedar Key businesses for support in our efforts to preserve and improve upon the airfield. All of our time is volunteered but there are a few costs we've fronted to keep our association going and would appreciate support in covering them. This is also an opportunity for individuals to show support or Cedar Key local businesses. Any size donation gets a promotion our website! (Please keep in mind we are an unincorporated association and all donations are not tax deductible.) Send us an email at [email protected] for information on how to donate.
Our costs for 2016 are as follows:
Depending on the funding collected beyond the above, we have lots of other things we'd like to achieve. In the event of a surplus we'll have a vote as to what would be the best way to use it and would love to hear your ideas at the time of your donation. Some prospective ideas include chocks, travel poster mailer, coordinating a "Fly-Thru" event, and a port-a-potty in the event Levy County's installation is delayed past the week before Sun n' Fun (our busiest time of the year). We thank you so much for your help! Check out this awesome video posted by Eric of Hang Gliding Hawaii of his recent visit to Cedar Key in a powered hang glider! Some great views of the islands... The members of the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport had at one point wholly sponsored a port-a-potty on the field which was later taken on by Levy County. During the extensive work on the runway there was one installed for the workers which was also available for aviators. Now that the work is complete, a facility is temporarily unavailable as there is a small dispute about the original location.
The hope is to have a restroom constructed for the airport, but there is no timeline for its completion. The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport are once again considering taking on this task, especially for the height of the visitor season surrounding Sun n' Fun in the spring. If this is something you'd like to support or appreciate for your next visit please feel free to start the discussion here or contact us via Facebook or Twitter. Thank you! Following the success of the 2011-2012 survey and all that it achieved, now in 2016 we are launching a new survey which focuses on aircraft parking and tie down availability at the airport. Read more about our objective and past success on our 'Survey' page. Also posted there are the 2013-2015 survey results which were ongoing on our website, though not promoted.
Please spread the word and submit a survey for each visit to the Cedar Key Airport in 2016! Thank you for your help! Check out the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport mention on the George T. Lewis Airport Wikipedia article! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_T._Lewis_Airport
The NOTAM has been lifted - THE AIRPORT IS OPEN! The runway lighting system still needs a component to have the pilot-controlled lighting to function. The plan is if that is not installed by Friday 10/16, the County will turn on the lights, at low intensity, for the entire weekend of Seafood Festival.
COME ENJOY THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS FOR SEAFOOD FESTIVAL. The recent improvements to the airport have been completed in time for the Cedar Key Seafood Festival the weekend of October 17-18. Please fly in and enjoy the fun and great seafood from the waters around our islands! See previous post on airport improvement notes and also our updated Airport Info page with parking and safety suggestions. All of the recent improvements to the airport have been completed. The work included:
The master plan still calls for major improvements to the runway by replacing the existing asphalt runway with concrete. It was not possible to accomplish this at this time because the present condition of the road bridges leading to the runway cannot take the weight and repetitiveness of the cement trucks to accomplish the project. The bridges have to be repaired or replaced first. The timing is uncertain for this, thus that is why the current improvements were performed to not allow the runway to deteriorate any further until then. The one major issue that the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport has repeatedly been told by pilots coming into Cedar Key is the need for additional aircraft parking. Unfortunately the current improvements did not include this. We have been told by the County that the plan for next year to pave a new ramp area mid-field on the north side of the runway. Aircraft can already park there but risk loose sand and burrs to do so. There is a gate in the fence for egress located there. It is marked as Area 2 for parking on our suggested parking map. See our Airport Info page for additional notes on parking. Please continue to complete our pilot survey. We use this information to support our efforts with the County for improvements to the airport and operations. Thank you. The Administrator for Levy County today advised that the recent work on the Cedar Key Airport will conclude by October 3rd, well in advance of the Seafood Festival starting October 17th. The work included:
The master plan still calls for major improvements to the runway by replacing the existing asphalt runway with concrete. It was not possible to accomplish this at this time because the present condition of the road bridges leading to the runway cannot take the weight and repetitiveness of the cement trucks to accomplish the project. The bridges have to be repaired or replaced. The timing is uncertain for this, thus that is why the current improvement were performed to not allow the runway to deteriorate any further until then. The one major issue that the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport has repeated been told by pilots coming into Cedar Key is the need for additional aircraft parking. Unfortunately the current improvements did not include this. We have been told by the County that the plan for next year to pave a new ramp area mid-field on the north side of the runway. Aircraft can already park there but risk the sand and burrs to do so. There is a gate in the fence for egress located there. It is marked as Area 2 for parking on our suggested parking map. Please continue to complete our pilot survey. We use this information to support our efforts with the County for improvements to the airport and operations. Thank you. Happy Summer Everyone
A quick update on happenings at the Cedar Key Airport. Work is progressing on the new road along the southern boundary of the airstrip, as well as construction of the fence surrounding the entire airport. The county requested that we temporarily remove our portable potty during construction since it would be in the way, however the construction company has a potty onsite for their workers and for public use. I wish to thank those again that have contributed towards the support of the potty, which will be reinstalled after construction. Since construction may require workers and vehicles to be on or near the runway, the county from time to time will need to close the airport. We recommend that you make it a point to check NOTAMS for runway closures. We will let you know when the dust settles. These improvements will make the Cedar Key Airport a safer airport and help secure its future. Thanks for all of your support Lovely, Friends of the Cedar Key Airport!
You've stepped up to the challenge posed by of one of our members to help fund the port-a-potty for a full year... and we've succeeded! Altogether there have been 12 months committed by Friends of the Cedar Key Airport members! With some of the donations already in (thank you!!!), we've sent out a check to make sure it's ready and waiting for everyone headed to Sun-n-Fun this weekend! When the remainder of the donations come in, Walter intends on paying everything at once in advance to assure that this service remains available. Special thanks for your generosity and commitment to KCDK. Tomorrow we'll be sending an email out to all members with what happens at the Levy County meeting about the airport tonight. Thank you so much again! Dear Friends of the Cedar Key Airport
I am forwarding a public notice attachment that I received from Levy County. The county manager, Fred Moody, will be holding a public meeting in Cedar Key on April 9th 2013 to present information and get feedback about the master plan for the Cedar Key Airport. I want to encourage all of you to try to attend if you are able. What will be discussed are two main points about the master plan. One will be the relocation of the county road that runs along side of the runway to be further away from the runway to the south closer to the houses along that way. Second, will be about fencing in the airport. I have always stated as goals for the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport, are to 1) support keeping the airport open, 2) to operate safely, and 3) help the airport support the commerce for the City of CedarKey and for Levy County. The master plan for the airport, which has been approved for years but lacked funding, has included relocating the county road and fencing the airport. To my understanding, the county has received FAA funding to move forward with these. I think that these are good moves and want to encourage all of you to support these improvements. I know that we all love the quaint little airport and how unique it is, and hate to see it change. But quite simply, it needs these improvements for safety and to remain open. Airports are supposed to be fenced. The Stage of Florida has allowed the airport to remain open under an exemption from the rules. Let's make the airport safer and enjoy having it remain open. I know that some folks may not like these changes, especially those that will have the relocated road closer to their houses, but that has always been County land. These improvements will assure that the airport remains open. Please support it. On another note, I have heard and received emails from visitors to the airport that they enjoy having the Port-a-Potty located there. I want to thank all of you that have provided funds to help support the cost of $85 per month to have it there. Your support has helped pay for many months of use. However, there have been plenty of months that I have supported it personally. I have asked the County to help support it, and was declined. I will ask Fred Moody again if funding is possible. I will also be asking the City of Cedar Key to support it in the next week or so. So unless the City helps, it will take another wave of help from you and visitors to help pay for it. As much as I would like to continue to support it personally, I simple cannot and will have to remove it. So if you want to keep there, let's find a way to have it supported financially. Thank you! The Sun N Fun fly-in will be in Lakeland the week of April 9th. This is the time that many pilots that are flying to or from Lakeland stop into Cedar Key for a visit. Let's help them all feel welcome! Cedar Key Airport Brings Big Benefits to Cedar Key
By Walter Kraujalis, Director, Friends of the Cedar Key Airport The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport held its first anniversary meeting Sunday, March 18th at the Cedar Key Library at which the results of their year-long pilot survey were presented. The Friends of the Cedar Key Airport is an unincorporated association of local and visiting pilots and aircraft owners, as well as local property owners, business owners and interested citizens who are supportive of the airport. Their stated goals are to help keep the Cedar Key Airport open, help its operational safety, and to help it provide safety and economic benefits to Cedar Key and Levy County. For the past year, the group conducted a survey of pilots landing at Cedar Key which asked several questions including why they came here, where they came from, had they been here before and did they plan to come back, and also provide an estimate of the amount of money they spent during their visit. Respondents were also asked to give their comments about the airport and ideas to improve it. This was the first time such information had been gathered. A total of 231 responses were received which is presumed to be 10% of the total number of pilots landing during the year. The group’s director, Walter Kraujalis, presented the following results:
As a result of this report, the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport has committed to sponsoring a port-a-potty for use at the airport and is working with the county on this. This survey shows that the Cedar Key Airport brings a big economic benefit to the town as well as vital strategic safety benefits such as a landing area for EMS helicopters and disaster relief. The full survey report, and more information about the Friends of the Cedar Key Airport, as well as a way for interested persons to provide monetary support for the group’s efforts to help the airport, on their website at www.CedarKeyAirport.org. Old News
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