What a wonderful time! My first BAC event and really enjoyed meeting everyone...great fellowship. We even let a Piper Cherokee 180 owned by my buddy Clay Goddin intemingle with aviation greatness.
My wife, Jean will make a production (slide show/mpegs) as soon as she gets all the digital shots from everyone. Her email is
[email protected] if you could send her whatever you have.
Lessons learned: if you file IFR, it's merely a matter of maintaining contact with Miami Center and if Freeport's radar and/or comms are working, Miami will pass you on to them. Inbound from the States, Freeport radar and comms were inop, so Miami kept asking us DME to Treasure Cay so they could procedurally deconflict with other traffic prior to letting us descend. Same basic issue on the return flight, but Freeport's comm was working, so the Bahamian controller asked our DME to Freeport for deconfliction. Otherwise, it's just maintaining contact with ATC, and you're fine. VFR filing is a different matter as explained in the AOPA site and the flyer distributed among BAC members which spell out Bahama procedures. It entails opening/closing on certain flight service freqs and passing estimated ADIZ penetration time.
Our route was basically some vectors after takeoff from KFPR then direct to Freeport, then Treasure Cay, MYAT. Return was Freeport, direct Angee via BR62V, then KFPR.
eAPIS filing was accomplished for me by Chad Moser since he included my flight on his FltPlan.com account. I didn't know that as I had filed early on the website, but didn't know that eAPIS integration with FltPlan.com costs $250/yr...word to the wise. Otherwise, I could've just filled the eAPIS paperwork on-line and filed via some other website or the typical 1-800-WXBRIEF. Ensure you register with eAPIS weeks earlier before actually planning your flight. Also, when you file outbound (leaving the states), you may as well file for your return trip at that time...that way it's one less hassle coming home and Customs will have you on file as well.
Paperwork-wise, I downloaded the C7A, C7, and declaration form ahead on-line...not really necessary. Just let Volo Aviation FBO give you a package which includes all the above and fill out before wheels-up or on the way. Customs in the Bahamas is a no-brainer and after they stamp your forms and passports, you're on your way...NO PROBLEM MON! Now, US Customs is an entirely different story! We all got tapped PRIOR to departing the US...had to completely unload our baggage on to a cart and run it through the x-ray. They asked me for my license and medical...don't think it's their jurisdiction, but I think this was all in the wake of the Nigerian Christmas bomber. Upon your return, you need to call US Customs NLT 1 hour before takeoff, but I chose to call the night before...glad I did. He told me to be patient and expect 80-120 aircraft to clear customs at Ft Pierce between 10:00 and 2:00...I promptly edited my flight plan to arrive at 10:00 vice 11:30 as originally planned. Bear in mind, Customs doesn't open until 10:00, so if you arrive early, you must remain in your airplane until they arrive! I was among the first three planes to arrive and got in/out ASAP...again had to completely empty the plane, load the cart and run through the processing...have passports, license, medical, registration ready. Customs has their own ramp just north of Volo Aviation FBO.
Additionally, the Bahamas requires a $15 airport tax paid before you depart. Good idea to convert your Bahama $'s to US $'s before you leave...they spend the same there, but don't exchange that way. Some of my credit card bills total a few more bucks than what was charged in-country.
Of course, ensure you have your decal $27.50 affixed to your plane, 12" ID on your fuselage, your FCC license, pilot license, current medical, airworthiness cert, registration, weight/balance info, and passports. As far as emergency equipment, I purchased the CO2 cartridge life vests for $50 at West Marine (or any local boat shop). They are the kind that you wrap around your waist like a fanny pack, pull the cord and drape over your neck after inflation (AFTER you exit the plane). You can rent them for $4.50/day and a cheaper weekly rate. Same with the 4-man raft: $18/day and $90/wk. I also had sea dye, whistle, orange marker, water proof flashlights, small strobe lights, and a signal mirror that I purchased at West Marine as well. Other folks brought your basic ski vest...as long as they're Coast Guard approved (again, don AFTER exiting so as not to get pinned to the roof of your plane under water). Other suggestions include a waterproof radio/beacon and an emergency seat belt knife (allows you to cut your seat belt if inverted underwater and your body weight prevents you from unbuckling). To and from I saw plenty of boats/ships and figure I'd ditch near one, if necessary. Moreover, we were flying within minutes of each other, so one could assist in rescue ops, if required.
Gas is expensive...expect over $5.50/gal. Outbound we had stiff tailwinds and it took about 1:30, but coming home, we encountered 25/30 knot headwinds, so plan your gas accordingly. I filled up at Marsh Harbour (MYAM, about 10 min south of Treasure Cay) the day before coming home since no avgas there. I understand Treasure will have 100LL by mid Jan 2010. It's just good to know you have full tanks flying over the TRIANGLE!
We hopped to Staniel Cay (MYES) in the Exumas and gassed at North Eleuthera (MYEH) enroute...plan your fuel stops early/carefully as only a few strips have gas. Great time at Staniel Cay...snorkeling, swimming pigs, petting nurse sharks, and the Cannonball Grotto where the 1965 Bond film of the same name was filmed...all gorgeous and the bluest, clearest water in the world!
Overall, fantastic time, great people, and lots to do...but be patient, everyone is on island time MON! We Americans like prompt service...not always the case. Hope you can make sense of my gibberish...lots of jumping around, but in summary, a real easy and pleasureable experience...the utlimate utility of our Baby Beech's!
PS, I passed my buddy Clay and his Cherokee 180 on our return...the speedy Sierra made me proud! Never remember overtaking anyone before!
