International Fly-in to the Bahamas

musesierra

musesierra

Flight Levels
I am posting this to see what interest there is in planning an international fly-in to the Bahamas next year around April or May. Instead of trying to learn all the international rules I was thinking of BAC partnering with www.airjourney.com for this. They do this all the time and always do a first class job. I have spoken with them at Sun-n-Fun and have watched several videos of trips. They plan everything and take care of all paperwork.

Thanks,
Doug
 
How about before? That way everyone can spend as little or as much time at Sun-n-Fun as they want. Would love some feedback and those that marked yes in the poll shoot me an email so I can keep an actual tally. I would like to be in touch with Air Journey by year end and have dates set so those that need to take off from work can schedule. Maybe we could use this as a kickoff for a new Caribbean Region for International BAC. :)
 
Wanted to give everyone some more information. Have been in contact with Air Journey and they are sending lots of new stuff. They were recently featured on SportPilot TV. You can view the show at the below URL. I ripped it off the TV but it still looks great. You can also view the links for the pre-Sun-n-Fun and post-Sun-n-Fun trips. They are different locations. Hope this helps give everyone a taste of what the trip would be like.

Pre:
http://www.airjourney.com/?fuseaction=journeys.detail&id=34

Post:
http://www.airjourney.com/?fuseaction=journeys.detail&id=33

Video of Air Journey:
http://members.aol.com/dougmuse/airjourney.wmv

Video from the Bahama tourism site:
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/experience/experience.aspx?experience=flyi

Videos of the Bahamas:
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/biih/index.aspx

Doug
 
Doug-

I like the idea! In fact, I have flown our Sierra from Salt Lake City to Marsh Harbor! It took 20 hours each way! But we had a blast. My family used to own a beach cottage on a small out-island called Scotland Cay. It was a private island with a small airstrip. We cleared customs in Marsh Harbor then hopped back in the plane for the 5 minute ride to Scotland Cay.

Leaving and re-entering the USA was through Ft. Pierce. I have flown from FL to the Bahamas many times and from many ports of entry and Ft. Pierce is the place I recommend.

Doing the trip with Air Journey makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons. And, though it would be a long haul for us, we would sure be up for the adventure! As long as I get to go bonefishing at least one day! :)

Chris L.
Sierra C24R
N5106M
KSLC
 
Everyone be thinking about your Christmas wish list... inflatable life vests, personal ELTs, survival kits, and all the other stuff needed to cross the water. Please let me know if you are more than 70% interested in going to the Bahamas so we can be working on when and what trip. Love to have a good group so we can give our "BAC to the Bahamas" show at BAC Fest 2007.

Doug
N18859
 
Bahamas

I have flown to Bahamas (treasure cay) last year from Raleigh (NC) , was an easy trip and had no issue with formalities, cleared custom in Daytona beach, email me if you want.
 
For all those who said Yes and Maybe in the poll please email me at doug dot muse at gmail dot com so I can start getting you more details. These trips get booked early so we need to get a count and figure out if we want a trip they already have or a custom trip.

Please let me know,
Doug
 
Great Idea!
I have made a few trips on my own to the Bahamas and never had much of a problem. I don't know that the commercial planning service is really needed. AOPA has a great deal of information for free. We could meet in florida for a quick procedures review over breakfast or lunch. I usually stop in Ft. Pierce on the way down, Self serve av gas and a great restaraunt on the field. Could rent rafts if desired there. File over palm beach gives time to climb before turning over water. Very short water leg that way.
Lots of little places to clear customs. Chubb Cay etc save a lot of money over the big places. Gas in Marsh harbor is cheaper than parts of florida.
There are a lot of places that easily can handle the likely number of planes.
I would vote for an earlier trip. Late Feb or early march. Use it as an excuse to go somewhere warm while it is still winter here.
Great idea to plan a group trip. we can use this forum to discuss safety planning etc questions.
 
Paul,

Do you have an idea for our own trip? My new 2007 Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Guide (from sporty's) came in and I love it. It has pictures, information, must knows, etc. on every island. For those that want to fly down (or across if living in FL) I can put together our "pilot kits" from the book.

Everyone needs to make sure your insurance policy has an endorsement for the Bahamas or for international travel.

Maybe we can do this in March so the waters will be just right for diving & snorkeling.

Thanks,
Doug
 
Things to do now to get ready for spring Bahamas trip

First Suggestion.. Things to do now for a spring Bahamas Trip. These could take a few months.
1) As of this year everyone needs a passport, kids adults etc. Post offices have the applications, photos can be had at most chain drug stores
2) you need a limited radio telephone operators license and the plane needs a station license. This was the old second 'R' in our ARROW prefilght nemonic that went away for US planes a while back. If the plane or you don't have one you can apply on the FCC.GOV webite ,or at least print the forms. I found this one pretty confusing a few years ago, but do-able.
3) Check insurance, usually not a problem. No special policy needed like Mexico has.
4) Apply online for a US Customs sticker for 2007. This is $25 and can be done on entry to the US. But if it is already on the plane it smooths things a little.


Next suggestion in a few weeks.... Getting the plane ready and selecting overwater gear that makes sense.
 
Doug, I forgot that suggestion! the Carribean Guide is great for a lot of reasons. The dreaming alone is well worth the $50. I have foundthat the publisher is very accurate and will answer email. Really everything you need to know is in that book. It just needs to be checked against current HSA rules before you go.
I think that Norman's Cay is great for a very small group, probably 8 people or less. That is if they re-open with the new owners. You can land the plane and walk to the cottage. I would check on the runway condition, I heard it needed some work recently.
Treasure Cay is a bigger place with more facilities as far as a resort goes. But it is a 15 mile cab ride to the beach area from the airport so Island hopping is not as convenient.
Chub Cay is a quiet place with a good runway and part time customs house. I understand that I a High end resort is being opened there and now has some facilities up and running. Very close to Florida.
Marsh Harbor offers a bunch of different options and is popular with sailors. The airport is a little busier and has avgas.
I have never been to Staniel Cay but that is next on my personal list, Eluthera has some great sounding places. Farther down the island chain Lond Island has Cape Santa Maria and Stella Maris that advertise a lot to pilots and seem to be appealing. They are another hour or so down the chain and I have never gotten there.
Nassau and Grand Bahama Island are big touristy places that have shopping, casinos etc. Easy to fly in for a night on the way back etc but doesn't have the flavor that the out islands offer.
But, Million Air FBO on Nassau is good about faxing flight plans and customs docs if needed. But now days the phones will usually work so that's not needed.
 
I'm also interested, in fact my wife and I have already talked about flying down to Ft Pierce, where her Dad lives and flying over from there. Problem for us is that she's a middle school teacher so we wouldn't be able to commit till after she gets out in late June.

Kerry
 
photos

I added a few pictures to the International Fly in area as "Bahamas Someday" If people would like I can resize photos of 5 or 6 more Bahamas fields and submit them.
 
Our local EAA chapter had a Christmas party this past Wednesday. Two different guys at the airport have houses down in the Bahamas. They are on Crooked Island which I think is one of the last islands in the chain, if not THE last. I was sitting across from Jim Finley, one of the guys, at dinner and talking about flying down there. I'm starting to get fired up about the possibility of making the trip. Any tentative time frame in mind?

Cloyd
 
Crooked is not at the very end. Three airports there and a cool looking lodge near the airport. Has 12 rooms, walk to airport. Named www.pittstownpoint.com.

There has been talk of early spring. I guess we need to do a poll or get responses.

Who votes for:
March -
April -
May -

I am open to any. Anyone want to check school calendars so others can bring spouses and kids along. I think everyone needs to also start speaking up on if they want to fly to a single island and stay there then island hop on our own time or plan a multi-island trip.

I like the idea of staying at a single island then "plane-pooling" for the island sites. If a single island, then take a look at the previous posts for links to the islands and start expressing which island you would like.

Thanks,
Doug
 
For the 15 that said yes in the poll, please let me know who you are. Don't forget to apply for the passport and FCC Radio license soon. Also let me know month you want to go and which option (single island or multiple island).

Happy New Year,
Doug
 
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