REFLECTOR: Flying to the Bahamas

Mon Oct 5 17:16:12 CDT 2009

Thanks for putting this all down, Scott.

Doug Holub
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Baker" <sbakr at comcast.net>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 7:39 AM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Flying to the Bahamas

> 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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