REFLECTOR: Flying to the Bahamas

Scott Derrick scott at tnstaafl.net
Sun Oct 4 08:56:14 CDT 2009


Whew!!   You should wright a book Scott!

Scott Baker wrote:
> Flying to the Bahamas, continued
>
> Navigation:
>
> GPS is the preferred way to navigate.  I used a Garmin 496 with
> weather. Suggest updating the aviation database if this has not been
> done in a while. There are a few VOR's in the Bahamas with DME.
>
>
>
> Radio Communications:
>
> When possible, most pilots prefer to deal with Miami Radio when
> opening and closing flight plans.  Miami Radio monitors several
> discrete frequencies - one for the northern islands and one for the
> southern.  Altitude is important when communicating with Miami,
> especially the further eastward you travel.  On my trip to N.
> Eleuthera I cancelled with Nassau Radio without problems.  Most of the
> outlying airports are non-towered and use a common Unicom frequency.  
> Just jump in and announce your intentions.
>
>
>
> Clearing customs:
>
> I can't speak for how this works at every airport of entry - at N.
> Eleuthera we taxied to the FBO and was greeted by someone with a golf
> cart to help carry your personal luggage to the customs desk. 
> Aircraft luggage (safety equipment; covers; tie downs; charts, etc can
> stay in the airplane). Clearing customs in the Bahamas was a laid back
> experience - just like in the USA you will clear customs and also
> clear immigration (sometimes two different desks; sometimes performed
> by the same person).  If you have completed the forms ahead of time (3
> copies; sometimes 5-copies) the process is done in minutes.  If not,
> they of course have the forms there.  Good luck if you need help in
> completing the forms, however.  Some of the forms are designed for a
> combination of marine and aviation use.  Sometimes the customs
> officials themselves are not sure what information goes where!  The
> key to clearing customs is to be patient and simply be friendly. 
> There are no customs fees getting into the Bahamas when you use a
> government customs office.  Some private islands have contract customs
> offices, which do charge a customs processing fee.
>
>
>
> Getting around the Bahamas by air
>
> If you used Bahamian customs Form C7A for entry, a copy of this form
> also serves as your "cruise permit" to visit all Bahamian islands.  It
> simply serves as evidence that you have already cleared customs when
> you first entered the Bahamas.  If you used Form C7, then a separate
> Transire form is used.
>
>
>
> The arrival and customs procedures in the Bahamas is akin to landing
> at a non-towered airport in the USA - meeting the person at the FBO -
> and filling out a form for fuel service.  Really, it's that easy and
> convenient.
>
>
>
> Cell phone coverage in the Bahamas is spotty.  Your phone, depending
> upon the service provider, may or may not work.  Pay phones from the
> Bahamas are expensive.  I mention this because you are required to
> telephone US Customs with 24-hours of your intended arrival back in
> the USA.  US Customs has a central telephone number, but it is best to
> call the Customs office directly at your US Airport of Entry.  The
> call simply serves a confirmation to Customs officials of your
> expected arrival time.  I was at a hotel outside of my cell telephone
> coverage and needed to use a land-line call to the states ($10).  The
> hotel did have wireless internet.  In retrospect I think having a
> Skype account would be a neat thing to have to call home; US Customs;
> and FSS to file the return flight plan.
>
>
>
> Getting home -
>
> Since I was leaving first thing in the morning, I elected to file an
> international flight plan the evening before.  I elected to call St.
> Petersburg FSS to file.  You can also file with a Bahamian FSS or a US
> FSS using special telephones at most Airport of Entry offices.   Be
> sure you have filed a eAPIS form at least 1-hour prior to departure. 
> Note: you may file the return eAPIS form days in advance if you prefer.
>
>
>
> Departing Customs - Involves processing a customs declaration form and
> paying a $20/person exit tax.  Again, this is a simple process.  A few
> minutes and you are out the door walking to the aircraft.
>
>
>
> Departure - VFR              Simply take off and go.  Once you get to
> altitude or once you get closer to the ADIZ, contact MIAMI Radio to
> activate your flight plan and get a discrete customs transponder
> code.  This MUST be done before crossing the eastern ADIZ (note there
> are two ADIZ's . one that is a few miles off the US coast line, and
> another that is around 50 nm off the coast).  Squawk the assigned code
> and continue with the flight.
>
>
>
> Deviating for weather is not a problem - as long as you are still
> planning to make your initial landing at the planned airport of entry,
> customs officials understand that you might need to get around weather
> and that your estimated time of arrival might be off a bit.  If you
> are forced to deviate to an airport of entry other than the one you
> have planned, then give FSS a call and ask them to telephone customs. 
> Let's say that you planned to land at Ft. Pierce as your filed airport
> of entry - but weather forces you to deviate closer to Ft. Lauderdale
> . if you are then able to continue your flight without landing to Ft.
> Pierce, do so - even though you will be passing over other airports of
> entries.
>
>
>
> Upon landing at the US Airport of Entry, be sure to taxi to and shut
> down in the area designated by Customs.
>
>
>
> Clearing US Customs -    Similar routine to the Bahamas.  Bring
> personal baggage into the customs office.  Complete the required
> forms.  Present your Passport.  Baggage may or may not be screened. 
> eAPIS report is already in their files.                Process takes
> 15-minutes at most.
>
>
>
> Other:
>
> Be sure to write or call the Bahamas Tourist Office to ask for their
> Private Pilot Guide.  Great info, including a map.  Describes
> everything you need. Also comes with a DVD.
>
> 954-236-9292
>
> Bahamas Tourist Office
>
> 1200 Pine Island Road, Suite 750
>
> Plantation, FL 33324
>
>
>
> Hope you have a great time!
>
> Scott B
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry Miles"
> <terrence_miles at hotmail.com>
> To: "'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 11:01 PM
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Flying to the Bahamas
>
>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> I have to go to a family wedding in S. FL in November and I am thinking
>> about taking the Velo down for the wedding, and then take a couple
>> more days
>> off and head out to the Bamahas.  I know there are likely ICAO forms and
>> customs issues that I have to figure out.  Has anybody done this?
>>
>> There is an outfit that acts like a tour guide and takes groups of
>> airplanes.  I heard his presentation at Osh back 2 yrs ago.  It is these
>> folks.  http://www.airjourney.com/  I am thinking I can do it some
>> cheaper
>> on my own, but maybe it's better to have someone hold your hand the
>> first
>> time through?
>>
>> Thanks for any input.
>>
>> Terry
>>
>>
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