I know that I am wrong in thinking this way

Morgan3820

Morgan3820

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El Conquistador
I echo your feeling - particularly as it relates to the Bahamas. If you do something yourself, you see it go to the hands of the people that need it. Sending money, to a very bureaucratic government or charity feels far less tangible.

Not saying I won't send money or that having smaller GA planes stay out of the way isn't the right answer for this situation, but understand exactly what the OP is saying.
 
I couldn't figure out the benefit for using airplanes (especially small GA airplanes) for this considering the limited runways and ramp space. If we were talking Nassau, Eleuthra, or Cat Island, it would make more sense.

If you want to get a lot of material there fast, load it on a boat. A sportfishing boat could have a ton of material there in about 8 hours. And could stay anchored for days if the harbor was busy. Or you could use small boats to transfer the material to shore.

Whereas a typical light twin could carry a few hundred pounds.
 
What i want to know is how da fuq does the FAA...you know of America....tell Americans they cant flyy over Bahamian airspace? Dont feel like looking in the FAR but really??? They can control airspace above another country?

Sweet lets tell the Frecnh they cant fly over France and we wont have to worry about smelly Frenchman coming over to 'Merica...:D
 
The amount of aid they need is measured in number of containers (TEUs) per day. That means ocean going barges and heavy equipment, not private planes and sportfishers. Sorry.
 
ChemGuy said:
What i want to know is how da fuq does the FAA...you know of America....tell Americans they cant flyy over Bahamian airspace? Dont feel like looking in the FAR but really??? They can control airspace above another country?

Sweet lets tell the Frecnh they cant fly over France and we wont have to worry about smelly Frenchman coming over to 'Merica...:D
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I thought the same thing as you did. I then read that it was at the request of the Bahamian government.

I'm not quite sure where US airspace ends- is it 12 miles off shore? The ADIZ?
What about, hypothetically, Cubans flying over there from Cuba? Does a USA TFR have any force with aircraft flying from outside USA airspace?
 
Miami center controls the airspace above 6,000 feet over the Bahamas. They also have authority over any N registered aircraft. And the TFR was the right call. They had several near misses with rescue helicopters and gawkers in planes right after the storm passed. You can still get into the TFR, it just requires a form and sending in some documents. GA is not the most efficient way to get stuff over there. And you can’t just evacuate people because they need visas, passports, etc to come to the US.

If you want to donate directly, there are plenty of ways to do so. I would encourage you to donate too. Most human beings over there have nothing left. They could use your donation to support healthcare, cleanup, rebuilding, etc
 
Bahamas is a nation in name only. They have no way of enforcing their airspace. This is the case with Lesser Antilles nations as well, not otherwise supported by their old colonial masters. Nations in name only. Nothing new.

The US made the agreement to control the airspace above their terminal space, and the bahamas is not complaining. The tourism relationship has always been symbiotic. The Bahamas are a de facto American Ibiza. USCG presence all over the place. And personal interest from a metric eff ton of Anglos with snowbird footprints in the archipelago, which is why most anyone cares in the CONUS from a media basis.

Light GA piston airplanes used for hauling supplies are a hindrance in this instance. I know it's a pilot forum, but honestly, they are. Too many Florida lookie loos clogging up the airspace. Boats are incredibly more practical considering the proximity to US shore.
 
Having survived a major natural disaster once myself, I agree entirely with the TFR. A major recovery effort requires coordination of resources to be effective. Otherwise it becomes a total cluster and is dangerous and ineffective. The affected airports are neither large, nor in great shape after this event. The last thing they need is to be overwhelmed by a fleet of aircraft piloted by the well intentioned or the lookie loos.
 
Make it a sanctioned PAWS flight and rescue a few animals.
 
I'm waiting for the comparisons to the relief effort in Puerto Rico after Maria. I gotta feeling its not gonna be nice.
 
wilkersk said:
I'm waiting for the comparisons to the relief effort in Puerto Rico after Maria. I gotta feeling its not gonna be nice.
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Oh brother, dont put that evil on us Ricky Bobby. As someone directly affected by the former, ive been staying the hell away from that one. It is my sincere hope people dont go there. Puerto rico is a US territory of 3.1 million US citizens. The bahamas is a Country archipelago off the coast of Florida. There s no need to conflate narratives here.
 
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Pretty much sums it up: The FAA has banned unauthorized U.S. aircraft from entering Bahamian airspace to clear the airspace for government and sanctioned humanitarian flights. A TFR was issued Sunday at the request of the Bahamian government and any U.S. aircraft busting the TFR can expect a call from the agency. The move comes after days of frustration over Good Samaritan pilots clogging Bahamian airports and getting in the way of the coordinated relief effort.
 
Choose a relief agency for donations that aligns with your goals/beliefs/whatever. Don’t just send it to “the Bahamas”.
 
hindsight2020 said:
Oh brother, dont put that evil on us Ricky Bobby. As someone directly affected by the former, ive been staying the hell away from that one. It is my sincere hope people dont go there. Puerto rico is a US territory of 3.1 million US citizens. The bahamas is a Country archipelago off the coast of Florida. There s no need to conflate narratives here.
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That's kinda my point. Just like the Notre Dame fire, people are bound to make comparisons, facts be damned. And, I'm just waiting with baited breath to see which way the wind blows.
 
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