Bahamas 2009!

About a week to go before we head out to the Bahamas. It seems we have quite a group together for the trip and some others that will be joining us midweek.
Thanks to Doug Muse for his efforts planning and promoting this flyin.
There are reportedly some great restaurants near our Dec 27 base, The Sandhurst Hotel in Ft. Pierce Florida.
See you there!
 
Thanks Paul. I wish I could make it but do not want to burn reserve living money while trying to find a new job. I am 100% for the next trip (after I get a new job). I expect lots of pictures for a great article on the trip. :)

Doug
 
Dr. Bill Heybrook (WA2EDN) , Charlotte NC, has offered to loan a Marine handheld radio
to anyone that wants to use it for this trip.
These are great emergency devices as well as a great way to find Taxis or dinner reservations when Island Hopping.
Less than a week to go!
 
I doubt that Dr. Bill can get that out here in time this time of the year. Do you think this is a worth while item to tote? Bass Pro has them for $70. I'll get one if this is a useful item.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
Nah,... I wouldn't buy one for the trip. If you have one bring it, but not so useful as to go out and buy one. I carry mine in a waterproof Seal Bag for abandon use or when I am in more remote places. Cellphones are becoming the norm now.
 
I could get it to someone local and then you pick up at the meeting in S. Fla before the crossing.
Just let me know
BILL
 
Bill,

I'm unsure of my routing. I was to fly to Cartersville to pick up some of the cargo to transport to Andros Island for Chad Moser. Not sure he still needs my capacity. Maybe he would be the guy to try to get the radio to. But, it would be just a "nice to have" item at this point. I think if I make the crossing at 12,500 ft I'll only have about 20 minutes that I couldn't glide either to the Bahamas or back to Florida. Weather is still a concern for me, as a VFR only pilot. So, maybe best to get it to someone who can definitely make the trip. I'll give this my best shot and will make it, if the weather is agreeable.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
 
A bunch of Beeches at the Bahamas so far. We had a good dinner get-together in Fort Pierce Saturday. Then we all left Sunday for Treasure Cay. Chad went to Andros, Marty made a stop there. We are busy planning side trips to fish, snorkel and just sightseeing.
Still waiting for Craig and Eddie.
So Far we have
1-Paul Werbin plus 3 friends
2-Marty Vanover
3-Charles Booten plus 1
4-Clay Plus 1
5-Paul Jones Plus 1
6-Eddie Smith Plus 1 (so I hear)
Photos etc at some later time.
Paul W
 
BAHAMAS!

What a trip! We had a great time! Took my aunt (first time in a small plane) 6 hours there from Nashville. 8.5 hr return trip (25-30 kt head winds).Atlanta took us right over Atlanta International (wow it's huge) we took some great pics. We flew to Jacksonville,Fl then down the coast to Ft. Pierce,Fl. Spent the night and flew over to the island Tuesday morning. Temps around 80 all week. We went snorkeling, explored part of the island, rented golf cart to ride around on. Flew to differnt places etc. Everyone needs to do this. Will have pics soon. And can't forget the good company of club and non club flyers that were a part of the group. Where is the next trip? Can't wait!

Eddie Smith
N8052R
 
Bahamas Boys:

Would love to have you post stories about going to and from, including any lessons learned. I know many are still unsure so any information or stories about the process would really help those considering for the next trip.

Thanks Guys,
Doug
 
I hope that the other"Bahama Boys" also submit articles, but we are in the process of pooling pictures. I will plan on submitting a BACTalk article soon.
 
I think the photos are delayed as we all try to figure out how to downsize our high resolution photos to something the website will accept
 
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!
 
The previous "Guest Posting" was from Charlie Boonton.
I wish I had the same experience at Customs. I landed a half hour before they opened, and received quite a lecture. Even though I waited and kept everyone together with bags at the plane, I was told that I landed illegally since the port was not yet open. They did offer me a $30,000.00 fine and revocation of my pilot certificates if I ever did this again. Hmmmm. Probably won't elect that option.
The fltplan.com fee is only if you want them to take care of your eAPIS filing. Everything else used for normal USA and International flight planning, weather briefing, and filing is free. They even will give you your IFR clearance to expect from the FAA computer if you check back about a half hour before flight. This is a great way to brief, file, plan etrc that even works great on smartphones.
I use the DHS site for eAPIS free and FLTPlan.com for just about everything else.
Paul W
 
Wow, Paul...sorry to hear about your potential a$$pain. Didn't mean to confuse everyone regarding FltPlan.com...I understand it's only if you use their automatic eAPIS filing...I use it for all my flight planning. Charley Booton, not Boonton...you don't live in Jersey anymore.
 
Oh, BTW...many thanks to Paul Werbin for planning this whole gig and scheduling our fun while there...what a blast!
 
Yeah, thanks Paul W. for all the info you provided before we even started. It was a great trip. The only issue I had was with the customs guys asking for the medicals from some of the group. I know as law enforcement they can ask for pilots license, but doubt they have the authority to ask for medicals. Anyway, who can argue with them, they wear guns! Paul, didn't know about the early arrival issue! I got there at 10:30, almost exactly when I had planned to arrive. They parked me in front of the door!! Great trip, and I plan to do it again. Thanks! Paul Jones
 
By the way, Charlie, you didn't mention my 182. Sadly, my baby Beech was still without an engine when we went. Paul Jones
 
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