Bahama flying

[jmpoplin]

Has anyone here flown to the Bahamas? What paperwork/documentation do you need to file going and coming? Any special survival gear requirements for passangers?

 

[Steve]

There's literature available for doing that.

My experience was to stop in Ft. Pierce (FPR), have lunch at the Tiki, then pick up the required documentation and survival gear from the now APP Jet Center FBO and head out for the 70 nm hop across open water. The FBO can provide you all the information you need on the spot.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFPR/APP

Pretty painless. Just be sure to arrive in the islands before sunset.

 

[Dave Siciliano]

Grant just got back; I'm sure he'll have nice things to add. I've gone several times in the past. Customs on the return requires a form with passengers listed and other info. If you return to the States from an FBO, they usually help, or several web flight planners now have the forms. Over water survival gear is required. The AOPA web site has great information as does the Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Guide which you can purchase on their web site.

Have a great trip.

Dave

 

[gprellwitz]

I'll write up more later, but in short the hardest thing is eAPIS, and even that isn't too bad if you know the date you're returning before you leave. You just file both legs at that time. If you're IFR there's really nothing special you need to do for the flight itself.
When over there keep your forms if you're going to be island hopping or you will need to do a transrire using carbon paper (remember that stuff?). I did a writeup at http://www.aandmaviation.com/bahamas09.html that should get you started.