If I had to choose a favourite airfield in Florida, it would surely be Venice. The
staff at the FBO will make you feel welcome and will provide a courtesy car to take you to
the local seafood restaurant, ‘Sharky’s on the Pier’. As the name suggests,
Sharky’s is situated at the base of a pier that overlooks Venice beach. The quality
of the food and value for money are excellent. When you have finished your meal the
restaurant staff will telephone the FBO for the courtesy car to come back and pick you up.
Make sure you tip the driver, usually at least $1 per person each way.
It is possible to walk from the airfield to the beach by exiting the airfield and
turning left down the main road immediately outside, but the walk could take you in excess
of 20 minutes. The beaches at Venice are excellent for shell collecting, but there is also
a wealth of shark’s teeth washed up from the ancient shark burial grounds that lie
just offshore. If you see people wading in the shallows of the water, dragging what
appears to be a small sieve, you know what they are doing, they are trawling for
shark’s teeth!
Offshore at Venice - Sharky's is at the entrance to the pier
(Photograph courtesy of Alan Le Marinel)
However, one word of caution. Venice is extremely noise sensitive, so until you
actually enter the circuit you should remain above 1,500 feet. If runway 04 is the active
runway, you also need to take care on final approach which takes you out over the sea. It
is possible that wind shear could be in evidence as you come in over the threshold.
The ramp staff at Venice are extremely helpful. Once you have landed, head for the
ramp and look out for directions as to where you should park, usually from someone driving
a small ‘follow me’ vehicle. The staff at Venice are very keen on neat parking.
More often than not they will ask you to shut down your engine in the middle of the main
parking ramp and then tow the aircraft to a suitable tie-down.
If you plan to stay overnight there is a restaurant actually on the airfield, called
‘Paulo’s’, but it is only open in the evening. Paulo’s specialises in
Italian food and they are strongly recommended for a good evening meal in the upstairs
room which has expansive views out over the airfield. There is a bar downstairs with an
atmosphere all of its own where you can enjoy a drink after your meal.
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