POA Caribbean Adventure Caravan

EdFred said:
What's the exact dates again?
(Too lazy to read through)
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http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showpost.php?p=737282&postcount=31

Starting Sunday, March 31st, returning a couple weeks later.

I'll most likely be departing KSAV the morning of the 31st and hoping to make KFXE by noonish to prep for departing to the Bahamas. I'll also need to be back in FL on Sunday morning, April 7th to put Kelsey on a return flight before heading back to Nassau for a few days. So, I'm only planning on a one-week trip with the group.
 
I've been to Turks and Caicos....meh. I'd rather spend a couple more days in the USVI.

If I do go, I might just stay domestic. I can make it non-stop from Opa Locka to Puerto Rico, and then I don't have to deal with eAPIS or customs.
 
DavidWhite said:
POA Caribbean Adventure Caravan Participant List
[ROW][CELL] Who [/CELL][CELL] POA Username [/CELL][CELL] How Many? [/CELL][CELL] Any extra seats? (#) [/CELL][CELL] Aircraft type [/CELL][CELL] Confidence (High/Med/Low) [/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Troy & Teresa W[/CELL][CELL]TangoWhiskey[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1[/CELL][CELL]182[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Grant & Leslie P[/CELL][CELL]gprellwitz[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1-2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza F33A[/CELL][CELL]low[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Ben & Jen C[/CELL][CELL]EvilEagle[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza 36[/CELL][CELL]Med/High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Kent & Kelsey[/CELL][CELL]flyingcheesehead[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20R[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Dave White[/CELL][CELL]David White[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20P[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][CELL]Template Row - Your name[/CELL][CELL]POA Username[/CELL][CELL]How Many[/CELL][CELL]Extra Seats?[/CELL][CELL]Aircraft Type[/CELL][CELL]Confidence (Low/Med/High/Done Deal)[/CELL][/ROW]
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We're probably out, unless Ben and Jen have about 600lbs of extra payload for us, or someone wants to join us (we have about 300lbs of unused payload with 4.5 hrs fuel).
 
EdFred said:
I've been to Turks and Caicos....meh. I'd rather spend a couple more days in the USVI.

If I do go, I might just stay domestic. I can make it non-stop from Opa Locka to Puerto Rico, and then I don't have to deal with eAPIS or customs.
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As Troy has said several times in this thread, the itinerary is completely flexible. I don't have any particular desire to go to T&C or the Dominican Republic either. I'd like to do the Bahamas for sure, maybe PR, maybe USVI, maybe St. Maarten and St. Barts if time allows.
 
I'm planning on staying in the Bahamas the whole time. That accomplishes what I need - drinking age 18 and plenty of beach babes.
 
DavidWhite said:
I'm planning on staying in the Bahamas the whole time. That accomplishes what I need - drinking age 18 and plenty of beach babes.
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18 in the VI too (the whole Caribbean I think) - at least when I was there.
 
I'm so jealous of you folks that are going. I been wanting to do this trip for quite some time but probably won't have the opportunity until next year. However, If anyone needs a sexy beast of a copilot, I'm your man! :D
 
POA Caribbean Adventure Caravan Participant List
[ROW][CELL] Who [/CELL][CELL] POA Username [/CELL][CELL] How Many? [/CELL][CELL] Any extra seats? (#) [/CELL][CELL] Aircraft type [/CELL][CELL] Confidence (High/Med/Low) [/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Troy & Teresa W[/CELL][CELL]TangoWhiskey[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1[/CELL][CELL]182[/CELL][CELL] LOW - 5% [/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Grant & Leslie P[/CELL][CELL]gprellwitz[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1-2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza?[/CELL][CELL]Med/High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Ben & Jen C[/CELL][CELL]EvilEagle[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza 36[/CELL][CELL]Med/High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Kent & Kelsey[/CELL][CELL]flyingcheesehead[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20R[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Dave White[/CELL][CELL]David White[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20P[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Template Row - Your name[/CELL][CELL]POA Username[/CELL][CELL]How Many[/CELL][CELL]Extra Seats?[/CELL][CELL]Aircraft Type[/CELL][CELL]Confidence (Low/Med/High/Done Deal)[/CELL][/ROW]
 
POA Caribbean Adventure Caravan Participant List
[ROW][CELL] Who [/CELL][CELL] POA Username [/CELL][CELL] How Many? [/CELL][CELL] Any extra seats? (#) [/CELL][CELL] Aircraft type [/CELL][CELL] Confidence (High/Med/Low) [/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Troy & Teresa W[/CELL][CELL]TangoWhiskey[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1[/CELL][CELL]182[/CELL][CELL] LOW - 5% [/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Grant & Leslie P[/CELL][CELL]gprellwitz[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]1-2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza F33A[/CELL][CELL]low[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Ben & Jen C[/CELL][CELL]EvilEagle[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]Bonanza 36[/CELL][CELL]Med/High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Kent & Kelsey[/CELL][CELL]flyingcheesehead[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20R[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Dave White[/CELL][CELL]David White[/CELL][CELL]2[/CELL][CELL]no[/CELL][CELL]M20P[/CELL][CELL]High[/CELL][/ROW][ROW][CELL]Template Row - Your name[/CELL][CELL]POA Username[/CELL][CELL]How Many[/CELL][CELL]Extra Seats?[/CELL][CELL]Aircraft Type[/CELL][CELL]Confidence (Low/Med/High/Done Deal)[/CELL][/ROW]

Just re-updated to merge Troy's changes with mine.
 
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gprellwitz said:
Just re-updated to merge Troy's changes with mine.
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It's best to leave the list outside of the quotes so that when the next person quotes you, the list is there inside the quote. For example, nobody can get your version of the list when they want to change it.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Grant, their T182 should be available. I haven't released the reservation yet, but if you want it, I can coordinate transfer. Checkout seemed simple--show up, fly with their instructor. International policy was liberal. I had negotiated a dry rate (to simplify cash / credit card international fuel purchases) and a daily 2 hour minimum.
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Again I have only good things to say about Atlas - my trip in their plane last year went absolutely as planned, with perfect support when we did hit a minor snag (dead battery).

Re Turks and Caicos I remember the tech stop en route to Puerto Rico being fairly expensive in terms of fees o_O - maybe I got charged with something I shouldn't have been.
 
gprellwitz said:
Well, at least the 406 issue is no more. Good news:
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Aero-News.net posted an article February 1st that indicated that the 406 ELT deadline was back in place for the Bahamas. I wrote directly to the Bahama's Aeronautical Information Services and received this reply today:

Hope you will find NOTAM reference ELT 406 MHZ most helpful. This information will come in a form of an AIC showing effective date as February 01, 2015. Also attach to this email an AIC 04/09 showing the cost of the Bahamas AIP. Persons who purchase the Bahamas AIP will receive all data for 2013.

(A0023/13 NOTAMN
Q)MYNA/QXXXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999
A)MYNN B)1302071852 C)1305022359
E)WIE AIC 01/12 DATED JAN 31, 2012 REF EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER(ELT)406 MHZ HAS BEEN
EXTENDED TO FEB 01, 2015
F)FL000 G)FL999)
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I've attached the AIP document he refers to, as well, for reference.
 

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I just got back from two weeks in the Caribbean. Prices seemed a little lower than last year and less hassle with customs, and lower fees. No 406 required but nice to have. Gas low side $6.75, high side $7.40. Stopped in Stella Maris,
Puna Cana DR, San Juan PR, St. Kitts (no 100LL), St. Croix, Puerto Plata DR. Was a good trip, the natives seemed a bit friendlier this year than last. Did customs in Ft. Pierce which was hassle free. Have a good time.
 
Walt said:
I just got back from two weeks in the Caribbean. Prices seemed a little lower than last year and less hassle with customs, and lower fees. No 406 required but nice to have. Gas low side $6.75, high side $7.40. Stopped in Stella Maris,
Puna Cana DR, San Juan PR, St. Kitts (no 100LL), St. Croix, Puerto Plata DR. Was a good trip, the natives seemed a bit friendlier this year than last. Did customs in Ft. Pierce which was hassle free. Have a good time.
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Thanks for the PIREP!
 
Sigh... Looks like the Mooney might be gone before the trip. :( In which case, I'll still be coming down, but bringing a club plane, and probably not going any farther than Nassau.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Sigh... Looks like the Mooney might be gone before the trip. :( In which case, I'll still be coming down, but bringing a club plane, and probably not going any farther than Nassau.
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Well congrats on selling it and on the flip side, sorry you sold it. But you did get to fly a freaking awesome plane for the price of fuel.
 
Kent, what dates are you going to be in Nassau, and where are you staying?
 
No surgery + manufacturer's sponsorship + all softball costs covered for the year = not going on this trip. Plus no date, so the chances were pretty much nil anyway.
 
I've just started reading this thread, and have started my own similar thread on POA. Once I've read through the many interesting, exciting and informative posts here I'll reply. At a glance, it looks like I might be in the Caribbean the same time as some of you. Feel free to contact me or reply here or on my thread.

Happy Flying -j
 
Wow, lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! I've posted a summary on the new Caribbean POA thread I started. Is anyone on this thread still going this year? If you'll be going a little earlier, it's looking like we might leave KSBA 3/15/2013 and reach Freeport about 3/20 to return sometime around the end of March. Hope to reach British Virgin Islands. If you'd like to meet up, drop a line on my new thread or here, or email me via the blog below.
 
I'm still planning on it, but I haven't been planning enough... Or, rather, I've been planning too much - My wedding! - to the detriment of trip planning.

Man, what a bunch of hoops to jump through! And I have some questions for those who've done it before:

1) According to AOPA, you need a "Letter of Authorization if the aircraft is not registered in the pilot's name." What needs to be included? Is it just a note saying that the plane isn't stolen or is there some other purpose?

2) Customs (CBP) decal - AOPA says this takes several weeks to obtain?!? Is there any way to get one in person?
 
flyingcheesehead said:
I'm still planning on it, but I haven't been planning enough... Or, rather, I've been planning too much - My wedding! - to the detriment of trip planning.

Man, what a bunch of hoops to jump through! And I have some questions for those who've done it before:

1) According to AOPA, you need a "Letter of Authorization if the aircraft is not registered in the pilot's name." What needs to be included? Is it just a note saying that the plane isn't stolen or is there some other purpose?

2) Customs (CBP) decal - AOPA says this takes several weeks to obtain?!? Is there any way to get one in person?
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I never carried, nor was I asked to produce, a letter or authorization when going into the Bahamas. That's not to say that it may not be required.

You can order the CBP decal online and carrying the receipt is sufficient if you haven't received the decal in the mail.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
I'm still planning on it, but I haven't been planning enough... Or, rather, I've been planning too much - My wedding! - to the detriment of trip planning.

Man, what a bunch of hoops to jump through! And I have some questions for those who've done it before:

1) According to AOPA, you need a "Letter of Authorization if the aircraft is not registered in the pilot's name." What needs to be included? Is it just a note saying that the plane isn't stolen or is there some other purpose?

2) Customs (CBP) decal - AOPA says this takes several weeks to obtain?!? Is there any way to get one in person?
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The sticker isn't necessary, just print the receipt, you'll be in the system anyway if you forget that, no big deal, I do that all the time.

As for the letter of authorization, all I have ever shown was my passport and Visa card.
 
I've had fun planning this trip, and greatly appreciate all the tips shared here. Today we're in St. Augustine (blog) and decided on impulse to check into riding the tailwind to Marsh Harbor. The FBO guy has gone many times and says you basically don't need to plan much. Just show up and it's all good. Assuming of course you've done the EAPIS outbound, file flight plan, have the CBP sticker or receipt (we have both), and have your passports (oh, and some cash).

If we're not in jail tonight and can find wifi I'll post an update on the other thread I started.

Happy Flying -j
 
JohnSBA said:
I've had fun planning this trip, and greatly appreciate all the tips shared here. Today we're in St. Augustine (blog) and decided on impulse to check into riding the tailwind to Marsh Harbor. The FBO guy has gone many times and says you basically don't need to plan much. Just show up and it's all good. Assuming of course you've done the EAPIS outbound, file flight plan, have the CBP sticker or receipt (we have both), and have your passports (oh, and some cash).

If we're not in jail tonight and can find wifi I'll post an update on the other thread I started.

Happy Flying -j
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If ou have money to spend, you will not be in jail lol.
 
We made it!
su8adu5y.jpg


Where are you guys? :dunno: :(
 
Well, I've learned that we will likely be basing the Bonanza in Nassau next winter, so we might very well be in next year! Hope you guys are having a great time!
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Where are you guys?
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Lucaya on Grand Bahama. Stopped at Freeport for a night on our way to Abaco, and like it so much in the nearby settlement of Lucaya we've stayed here. Did fly over Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbor for a look Saturday, and it reinforced our decision to stay here. Hey, we had a beer tonight in glasses just like those you're toasting success with! :)

Hope you've found a cozy place to wait out this storm.
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JohnSBA said:
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Lucaya on Grand Bahama. Stopped at Freeport for a night on our way to Abaco, and like it so much in the nearby settlement of Lucaya we've stayed here. Did fly over Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbor for a look Saturday, and it reinforced our decision to stay here. Hey, we had a beer tonight in glasses just like those you're toasting success with! :)

Hope you've found a cozy place to wait out this storm.
photostream
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Hey, that pool looks awfully familiar... Are you at the Grand Lucayan?
 
I just saw on AOPA live this past weekend that folks comming back from the Bahamas are getting crushed watiing for Immigration having to wait over 2 hours in the plane for for immigration due to the sequester. Hope it goes faster for you guys.
 
gprellwitz said:
Well, I've learned that we will likely be basing the Bonanza in Nassau next winter, so we might very well be in next year! Hope you guys are having a great time!
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Why would they do that? No one renting it at your field??
 
AdamZ said:
wait over 2 hours in the plane for for immigration
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Wow thank you SO much for mentioning that!! Would've been even more unpleasant to discover that upon our return without planning for it! Maybe I'll try to find out which airports are most impacted in the West Palm Beach area, and will try to remember to post a followup on how it goes.
 
JohnSBA said:
Wow thank you SO much for mentioning that!! Would've been even more unpleasant to discover that upon our return without planning for it! Maybe I'll try to find out which airports are most impacted in the West Palm Beach area, and will try to remember to post a followup on how it goes.
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AOPA has requested that pilots and pax be allowed to deplane and stay with the plane rather than remain inside a baking plane. They have not yet recevied a response from CBP.

They said the longest wait was like 2:45 just to get out of the damn plane. Good luck. I'll be interested to hear about your report. you might want to check the AOPA forum subsection on Carribean flying as they may have updates.
 
AdamZ said:
Why would they do that? No one renting it at your field??
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No, just a lot of interest among members to go cruising through the Bahamas without wanting to fly (and pay for) the 16 hour round trip from Chicago to the Bahamas. It's not a done deal yet, but they're working on the website, rules, etc. Flying during the winter is somewhat weather constrained in the Midwest, but not so much so in the Bahamas, so this keeps the plane in flyable weather year round. Down in November, back in April. Maybe a stop at Sun 'n Fun on the way back.
 
In case it's helpful for anyone contemplating a flight to the Bahamas, I've just posted a pirep on my blog to supplement what I'm collecting in this POA thread I started. Looks like we're going to meet up with Kent who turns out to be staying in our same hotel today! :)

Happy Flying -j
 
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