Flying the Cessna Caravan During the Pandemic, Tampa to St Louis

This flight in the Cessna Caravan was during the first week of April 2020 During the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything was starting to shut down and the airports were dramatically slower than normal.
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Music:
Dyalla Swain "yes Bowie"

[@brucethompson1879]

Jim, always glad to be along with you!

[@HarryPotter-gw6ee]

Thanks Mike. Hope you keep flying. Rough times ahead.

[@Edmonton54]

Great video - the empty terminals were such an eye opener. Stay Safe Jim!

[@johndemerse9172]

Hi Jim! Glad to see the Caravan again. Hope you and all your family and friends are doing good.

[@N1120A]

Awesomely done video Jim. Keep what you can coming.

[@vanallen9453]

..thanks Jim for sharing so many of your flying adventures..love your positive attitude and healthy sense of humor...keep up the good work Capt...

[@raccoonair]

Checklist: Landing gear welded down, good one Jim!

[@georgeharrison9012]

That was terrific! I look forward to hearing and seeing your experiences getting back to a "new" normal. Thank so much for posting! I guess we're all going thru a bit of the same, but it's still good to hear your voice.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks George. I'm hoping that new normal is coming fast.

[@jimcurlott8768]

Great video. Appreciated your edited in comments during your flight despite the audio difficulties. Again, thanks for including us in your career experiences.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Jim

[@paullehr9236]

Glad to see that you're well. Thanks for the video. "the landing gear is welded down" luv it...

[@jasonrwilkinson9216]

Thanks Jim, great to see some flying - I love that Caravan. Hope you and your family are well? Keep safe!

[@randym7419]

Jim, glad you are doing well. The Caravan looks like a joy to fly. Take care, and be safe!

[@captmoonbeam]

it's a pleasure to fly. You be safe out there also.

[@robinvanbuuren2513]

Thanks for this video. Really appreciate you’re video’s. Hopefully you will have the change to shoot some more with these strange times. Stay safe!

[@croystallings794]

Long time subscriber and noticed my home airport in your thumbnail, sweet sweet KPLR. Thank you for visiting! Safe flying Jim.

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Croy. It was a nice place to stop. It was just me and the guy doing line serrvice.

[@myckee]

Great to see you Jim!! Take care.

[@colingeorgeh]

I really like this video. I like your narration without the ambient noise. I always love the Caravan videos. This one was especially interesting due to the shutdown. Thanks for sharing this video on KZbin.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Colin.. I really appreciate your input.

[@bernardanderson7569]

Captain moon I'm so glad to get back right seat with you in the 208 Caravan

[@jamesw95]

Thanks , love seeing the Caravan

[@hectormuzquiz5277]

Hello skipper, so glad you are doing ok. I know the feeling when everything is empty!

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Hector. I hope you're doing well.

[@tomwest]

Thanks for the video as always Capt. I enjoyed the commentary pointing out some of the features!

[@captmoonbeam]

You're welcome Tom. Hope you're having a great weekend.

[@IrishDave]

That Tampa touchdown was as smooth as it gets in the 737.

[@captmoonbeam]

Unfortunately, there weren't many people to witness it..

[@IrishDave]

captmoonbeam luckily you caught it. Hey I became a patreon supporter, love your work.

[@eugeneodell1543]

Love airplanes!! Thanks for the vid. Always fun to watch..

[@gregscott169]

Another great video Jim, as you always do ! I look forward to your videos every week. Please keep them coming👌

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Greg.

[@Matt.Jernigan]

Glad to see you back. Stay safe.

[@peterhoover182]

Love me some Captmoonbeam on a nice Saturday evening

[@r.l.sewall7944]

Two weeks ago, we flew Southest (Palm Beach Intl to Baltimore) with 69 passengers on board, then (Baltimore to Manchester, NH) with 29 passengers. All airports extremely quiet, as you experienced in this trip.

[@PrivatePilotFlightVlogs]

Great video and insight to the airports in the US. Hope you are well, and keep safe.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks and fly safe out there.

[@careytreadwell9458]

Cpt. Your empty WN flt reminds me of my flight on northwest to IAD on 9/18/01. Only 13 people on the Jurassic 9. Surreal. We were just coming back to life post 9/11. Sad to see Lambert so empty. Here’s to better days to come sir!

[@CaptainCam]

Awesome video Cap!

[@murraydreyer235]

Great video and commentary Jim. Thanks as always.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Murray.

[@gervers]

It’s great to see the Cessna Caravan again! Great vlog as always! I hope you and the family are well and stay safe!

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks. We are and I hope you and yours are doing well.

[@Deerwood1985]

Love your video, amazing situation the world is living, I hope that everything will return to normal soon. Regards from Argentina.

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Mario. I feel the same also.

[@CyrusOG666]

Caravan looks like a blast to fly! Glad you’re well CM!

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Bryan. It is alot of fun to fly.

[@bradok3695]

Thanks for the video Captain. There's more people at the local Walmart than at both airports.😆 Stay safe.

[@Towert7]

Things are pretty much back to normal at the airports down here in FL. A lot more traffic in the air and on the ground. This is an interesting video and will serve as a reminder of what happened in April 2020. Nice job on the video and nice looking Caravan!

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks. I almopst dumped it because there was no ATC but then I realized I needed to put this up for history.

[@lmartinez3633]

Be safe you too Capt.

[@froggie6608]

Very enjoyable video Captain, thank you for sharing with us.

[@captmoonbeam]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@craigpennington1251]

Weird times we are living in. Stay safe and fly far.

[@Airflores322]

Thank you Jim, always appreciate your videos :)

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Richard. I hope you're avoiding all the unfortunate mess.

[@jakobscott]

Pell city was my neck of the woods! I lived in Anniston for a while. If you ever make a stop in Gulf Shores let me know I’ll bring you some jambalaya !

[@777SHW]

Reminds me of the movie, “The Langoliers”

[@captmoonbeam]

I loved that movie..

[@ericlozen9631]

Bronson Pinchot's character was a bit more likable in Beverly Hills Cop. I remember watching The Langoliers when it first premiered on TV in 1995. Loved seeing the L-1011 Tristar despite the artificial looks and poor detail.

[@larrymayberry2312]

Low and slow..you get to see more that way. Love this video. Thanks Captain.

[@captmoonbeam]

You're right. Thanks Larry.

[@sailord-life861]

Great vid cap have t seen the single pic flights in a while good voice over detail ✈️👍

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Sailor.

[@BeechSportBill]

...love flying with you!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

WOW! Can't say I've ever seen a major airport that dead in my whole life. Nobody else has, either! Yeah, the major highways in and around MA here are all dead like that, too. I'm loving it, though, lol - the commute to visit my dad every Sunday usually has me near my breaking point with the traffic. The past month it's been smooth sailing. A tolerable ride for a change! Anyway, thanks for the video, and glad you're healthy, Jim! Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. 😊

[@kiwikeith7633]

I did not miss the ATC audio - but huge thanks for not drowning out the turbine music with some tacky annoying band or the like.

[@alexandersheppard1997]

Arrived quick. Guess I'll have to wait for youtube to do its thing before I can enjoy it in HD.

[@mason9483]

I can't wait for things to get back to normal and this virus be a thing of the past! Stay safe Captain!

[@Fcreceptor]

Kelly B it’ll go back to normal for some people. Nothing has changed for me so far. What will change are businesses closing and/or filing BK, people becoming homeless and/or committing suicide, wider spread divorce and myriad public health issues. All for a virus that has about a 0.02% case fatality rate.

[@ericlozen9631]

@@Fcreceptor I had the same discussion with my mother about some of the points you touched on. Unfortunately however there's much more behind the story that the average citizen around the world is aware of. This is the beginning of something that few people want to believe or are willing to admit.

[@paulski6145]

@@ericlozen9631 yep! keep looking up!

[@ericlozen9631]

@@paulski6145 ✝️🇮🇱

[@eitanfrankowitz6992]

@@Fcreceptor It's ravaged our area up in the northeast.

[@briansavage932]

That was really cool, man. I've been wondering what it's been like visiting larger airports lately. So bizarre! Also, I usually love hearing the ATC audio but the voice over and pacing of this video did great without it. Happy flying!

[@flyguy7287]

Great vid as always Cap! Keep em coming when you can from a UK fan.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Craig and will do.

[@mitsnevets]

great video as usual Jim , stay safe !

[@Adam_Gray]

If Lambert & TPA looked that way, just imagine what a regional must look like 👀. I'm seeing more corporate jets flying into DAL than Southwest, now that's was scary back around the same time this video was shot. Texas has the choke on tryin to start back up, it won't be long before we're at full power and taking off again!

[@nashguy207]

I hope the Airlines can recover fro this. there loses are incredible during these times. Thanks for taking us with Jim. I'LL forgive for no atc audio. LOL Hope you and your family are doing well during these times.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Nashguy. I think they'll come back but, they'll have to make some big changes.

[@williamkrass6603]

Terminal reminded me of Dulles back in the 60’s.

[@bernardanderson7569]

Good to see you moving it to put the company investment in the Hangar

[@AKidNamedKenny96]

Nice video! I wish you were able to land at Tuskegee! I graduated from there! Stay safe!

[@kamloopscruiser874]

Nice see you back.

[@captmoonbeam]

Always good to be here.

[@kenwilson4477]

Jim, I JUST watched that Last Man on Earth movie a couple weeks ago. It was surprisingly good

[@mattbasford6299]

I flew from Little Rock to Fort Walton Beach on Northwest Airlines September 20, 2001. 7 people on the flight. On my return to Memphis for a layover, there were 8 other passengers and I knew 4 by their 1st name. It was surreal. Also, was that KCDK out your window at 4:41? I'm almost sure it is. I love flying into that little strip.

[@dickwentzel2940]

Hang in there Jim. It’ll all be OK in the end...if it isn’t OK, then it isn’t the end.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks for that great advice Dick 😎

[@petecohen5995]

Yeah, these fires here in NoFlo and SoGa are prescribed burns. They kill visibility on otherwise fantastically clear days. Next time you get close to TLH, lemmie know, I'll buy you a cup of coffee!

[@andrewm3760]

I also fly out of Spirit of St Louis very cool videos

[@jayfleegle9455]

It’s really slow down here in the south too. Not to many flights out of RSW or Naples.☹️

[@ChrisB257]

Unreal Jim - what a crazy situation. Bet the Caravan was glad to get back in the air! Good to see you regardless of things.

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Chris. Itr was good to fly. Been slow ever since. stay safe out there.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great flight Captain.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks

[@vaughnbluejr5960]

There are several Empire Airline Cessna Caravans that fly out of KGEG for FedX to several smaller airports. They all have the extra storage on belly of the plane. Btw, I enjoy watching your videos, Capt.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Vaughn. We don't have the cargo pod but sometimes it would be nice.

[@josephjolly1936]

Thanks for the ride, stay safe.👍🇺🇸

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks, you too!

[@gtr1952]

Thanks captain, very interesting all that's going on!! Nice caravan to! Was that first landing a little hot, or just the camera perspective? Just curious, thanks for everything!!! --gary

[@kevincollins8014]

Not sure if this is the case but alot of farmers burn stalks and things off of their fields before planting. I agree with the emptiness it is really crazy. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Kevin.

[@yankeeed15pr]

Take care, be safe!

[@kittykat999a]

Hi Captain, thanks for this video. My best wishes to you, take care and be well.

[@captmoonbeam]

thanks Gene.

[@khunopie9159]

I like the flashlight idea but glowing wands like aircraft marshals use would be a super-professional way to alert the Uber!

[@captmoonbeam]

😂👍

[@bigd-1-channel514]

Nice flight, nice video.

[@derrick_blak_]

love the caravan!!

[@guillaumetardieux1674]

Thanks for taking us to the moon ! 😁

[@captmoonbeam]

Hopefully one day it'll be a vacation to Mars.

[@donjohnston3776]

Good Morning. Friendly advice from an older person just leaving for a day of work at a hospital ER, wear a mask in a vehicle with someone not from your household, even in the back seat. You have yourself and a family to protect. All the Best.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Don that's good advice we should all heed.

[@TheFlightLevel]

Beautiful! Can’t wait to fly the Caravan in the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020!

[@captmoonbeam]

the mighty Van is a great airplane to fly.

[@rickyhildebrand114]

For a five hour flight I would need a empty 2 litre coke bottle ....lol..

[@Breenild]

Awesome how many typeratings do you have? Or don't you need any typerating in that classes one aircraft?

[@BEvans-sb3lp]

Thanks Capt. Tuskegee is where I get all my fuel. Much cheaper than here in Montgomery. They were probably shut down. The Rona hit them pretty hard as far as business. Be safe out there and wear that mask!

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi B. They were my first choice but, I was worried that that's what had happened.

[@wlflightlr]

Strange days indeed!! I wonder what caused all those fires? Take care.

[@captmoonbeam]

sometimes farmers burn fields to clear them but, a lot of these looked like small spots in forested areas,

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Hi Captain, with the meteorology info, did you only need the radar rain cell imagine to fly. Do you check barometric pressure and humidity, giving you more info, to forecast prevailing weather? Take care, have fun🌫

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi John. I always fully check the weather and file IFR even if it's clear. The few areas of weather were never an issue.

[@prereed]

Thanks for the trip. Stay well.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks for coming along Henry,

[@garylucas6511]

You flew close to my house and refueled at St Clair/Pell City airport that used to use as a pit stop when flying friends and family around. Most of my stops were due to my bladder limitations! :-) It would have be cool to be at the same airport you land at sometime BTW, I use Shelby County airport (KEET) as home base.

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Gary. I'd be lying if I said I never made a stop for the same reason.

[@bernarddugas5251]

Great videos

[@fancybobbybob]

Stay safe Captain!

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks and you do the same.

[@UTarcher72]

Lets hope some normalcy is coming soon. Capt. Moonbeam, are you still flying a regular schedule or have your missions been cut back?

[@outabeat]

My family has spent the week at our place in Santa Barbra, CA which is just south of the airport and there is no shortage of charters and private jets departing. The planes climbed out over our house all day long. I guess having some cash pays during these times.

[@captmoonbeam]

Our airport has been much slower than usual and the charter operators have really slowed. Maybe just a difference in regions.

[@outabeat]

@@captmoonbeam I figured its different all around the country. But we've taken a liking to waving or doing some sort of YMCA gesture to the pilots and passengers that are climbing out on take off. It's pretty fun.

[@howardkietzer9493]

wow thats good time,

[@truckertim2958]

Hey Capt did you see all the construction they are doing down here in Tampa? Took me a while to pick up my Mother in law had to find her. Be safe!!!

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Tim. They've really been doing a lot of work there.

[@truckertim2958]

captmoonbeam I believe it’s a new parking garage and some other stuff according to the news it’s a mess I have to deliver freight to the airport and it’s not trucker friendly like it was. Lol

[@dlavarco]

The Langoliers

[@NatesRandomVideo]

Had to travel the first couple of weeks for medical reasons for stuff worse than the virus, and it was a similar empty airport experience. Be well, Cap.

[@captmoonbeam]

Hi Nate. Hate to hear that with the virus being out there. Hope you've managed to avoid it.

[@NatesRandomVideo]

captmoonbeam so far!

[@rainmutt3240]

Yeah, I know what you mean about how weird those airports feel. I assisted a friend to John Wayne Airport for elective surgery about 5-weeks ago . Round trip w/ Alaska from SEA. 14 passengers going down, had the surgery, returned 10-days later w/ 8 passengers on board....weird. Hey on an unrelated note, I read on the Internet about Harrison Ford was being "called on the carpet" by FAA. Did he land on the wrong runway again or is this a continuation of what happened b4?

[@captmoonbeam]

I saw a headline about that but, didn't have time to read the article.

[@CollinW93]

I've been thinking of you lately Jim. Stay well. Talk soon :)

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Colin. You stay well out there.

[@papah7398]

Capt, I hate to ask but are you and Kris still an item?...I always enjoyed the excursions with the two of you....it brings back memories....trust you are doing well....

[@ruhrpicture5391]

Good video....thank's and nice greetings from germany ( XPlane11 Carenado C208B "Pilot" ) Happy landings 🙂

[@captmoonbeam]

Many thanks and stay safe out there.

[@shonrainey3946]

I’d love to have a job like that, but at 45 years old and only a student pilot license I doubt it’ll happen. Still fun to watch though

[@Paulm48781]

Must be real easy to get a clearance these days.

[@williamklein2197]

Must have been a strange day!

[@kevinbrowne1278]

Keep em coming! Stay safe!

[@captmoonbeam]

Will do! and you stay safe also Kevin.