Airport

Gilbert Field is a general aviation airport at its best. The airport supports over 80,000 flight operations per year and various aeronautical activities. For over 50 years, Winter Haven has been the single largest location of seaplane training in the country. Because of its abundance of freshwater lakes and superb flying weather, visitors from around the world have chosen Winter Haven as the ideal location.

  • PATTERN ALTITUDE 1000’ MSL
  • LEFT TRAFFIC ALL RWYS
  • WINDS CALM
  • 5KTS-RWY 5 PREFERRED
  • STRAIGHT-IN APPROACHES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED

VFR Traffic Patterns & Right-of-way Procedures

Aircraft operating in the VFR pattern at KGIF or seaplanes operating at F57 have ‘right of way’ over straight-in-traffic during periods of Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). If an aircraft intends to land at KGIF in VMC via a straight-in approach, the pilot in command shall give way to airplanes already in the VFR pattern at either KGIF or F57.

Calm Wind Operations

When winds are less than 5 knots at Winter Haven Regional Airport, all local right schools and assigned GA aircraft will use Runway 5. Pilots landing at Brown’s Seaplane Base in calm water will use the northbound lane. This landing direction gives seaplane pilots the best visual cues for a safe landing. The procedure also permits seaplane pilots to take o to the north on Lake Jessie without crossing the paths of land planes using other runways at the airport.

Practice Instrument Procedures

Pilots intending to practice instrument procedures at KGIF will yield ‘right of way’ to aircraft already in the pattern for the preferred runway based on prevailing winds. When a potential conflict arises, pilots on the straight-in ground track will discontinue their approach unless all aircraft in VFR patterns agree to make necessary adjustments.

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