Mike Zidziunas – “Mike Z”

President, Lakeland Aero Club

Bahamas Flying Ambassador

INTRODUCTION

• Mike Z. – Flying and sailing to the Bahamas since the early 1980’s

• There are many, many locations to fly to in the Bahamas

• 63 named airports, according to Wikipedia

• Each airport may have slightly different requirements

• No one size fits all procedure, but they are similar

SUN ‘N FUN AND

THE BAHAMAS• SUN ‘n FUN has partnered with the

Bahamas to create a simple, informative website that will de-mystify flying to the Bahamas

• Will have up-to-date information for each airport, with transportation and lodging options

• Launching early Fall 2018

• www.flysnf.org/bahamas

3 Monsters Under the

Bed

Aircraft Requirements

Pilot Requirements

Departure from U.S.

Arrival in Bahamas

Island Hopping

Departure from

Bahamas

Arrival back in U.S.

3 MONSTERS

UNDER THE BED

MONSTER #1: Flying Over Water

• Engine trouble• Nervous / crazy pilot• Flying at night• Over terrain for foliage flights• Lots of cruise ships• Call the insurance company from the

bar!

MONSTER #2: eAPIS

• Electronic Advance Passenger Information System

• Scary stories at inception• Actually makes things easier• Mandatory• File up to 30 days in advance or as

little as 1 hour

MONSTER #3: ADIZ(Air Defense Identification Zone)

• Scary stories

• Contact ATC at least 15 minutes before penetrating ADIZ

• DO NOT squawk 1200 in ADIZ

• $20,000 jet ride you didn’t get!

AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS

• U.S Registered:• Airplane

(ASEL/ASES/AMEL/MES)• Light Sport• Experimental

• If it’s legal in the U.S., it’s legal there!

AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS

• ARROW

• 12” Registration Numbers

• Life Jackets (1 per passenger/crew)

• Range of 200 nm (w’reserve)

• Recommended: SPOT GPS, handheld radio, flares, life raft

AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS

• Good condition

• Tires and maintenance are expensive there

• U.S. Customs decal (www.dtops.gov)

• Radio station license (for the aircraft)

• Restricted Radio operator permit (for the

pilot) http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/

PILOT REQUIREMENTS

• Documents:

• Pilot certificate; light sport or higher

• Medical (BasicMed is OK)

• Driver’s license

• Restricted Radio Permit

• Passport

PILOT

REQUIREMENTS

• Reasonable crosswind skills – most

runways are crosswind to trade

winds, but typically light and

variable

• Outer Island runways vary typically

between 1500’ to 3000’ and can

be as narrow as 60’

DEPARTURE FROM THE U.S.

• Can depart from anywhere within aircraft range, clearing customs stateside not required for DEPARTING to the Bahamas

• File eAPIS up to 30 days in advance, or as little as 1 hour

• Click here for eAPIS website

• Fill out 3 copies of Bahamas form C7A, don’t sign or fill in arrival time

• Click here for Form C7A

• File international VFR or IFR Flight Plan

• (1-800-WX-Brief or online at https://www.1800wxbrief.com)

• Request VFR flight following, plan to arrive at an official Bahamas Port of Entry

• Click here for Bahamas FBO’s

ARRIVAL IN THE BAHAMAS

• Radar service from Miami is not available for much of the islands, limited ATC services

• Close your flight plan prior to descent (towered airports will close it for you)

• Land at an authorized Port of Entry

• Clear customs:

• $50 entry processing fee per aircraft

• Get C7A stamped (AKA “Cruising Permit”)

• Fill out Immigration Arrival Card

ISLAND HOPPING

• The most fun!

• Have C7A stamped at each stop

• Customs at most islands

• Have copy of Bahamas Private Pilot Bill of Rights

• Each island may be a little different, but gov’t regulations for fees apply to all gov’t owned airports

• Must leave from a Port of Entry

• Click here for Bahamas FBO’s

• Surrender your C7A and Immigration Departure Card

• $29 per person departure tax

• Make 2 phone calls:

• First call to international Flight Service. 305-233-2600. File flight plan and VFR pilots

get squawk code.

• Second call to U.S. Customs at your arrival destination – Must be the first U.S. Port of

Entry along your flight route UNLESS you have been pre-approved with an overflight

permit for an inland location

DEPARTURE FROM THE BAHAMAS

DEPARTURE FROM THE BAHAMAS

• Get confirmation code and two letters in case of

the need to divert

• Afternoon thunderstorms are likely in Florida

during summer, so leaving early is advised

• Be SURE to have a squawk code – F16’s are cool,

except when they are escorting you as a

potential security threat

ARRIVAL IN THE U.S.

• Arrive at U.S. Port of Entry

• Close flight plan w’ either ground or phone call

• Taxi to Customs secure parking

• Pilot only may exit the immediate aircraft area, wait for

Customs Agent to approach aircraft

• Ask if bags are necessary inside for scanning before

unloading

• No cell phone use or photos inside Customs Terminal

• Rules differ per location, be familiar with the laws

• Bring cash – many Out Island facilities are limited for credit card acceptance

• US Currency is accepted as well as Bahamian interchangeably

• Be prepared upon return to declare any significant purchases – jewelry, alcohol,

etc. Taxes may be due

• Call ahead to any airport or destination in the islands to be sure of operating hours,

transportation, fuel, etc.

• When landing at an airport with fuel, it’s best to take it on arrival vs. departure

• Keep a copy of the Private Pilot’s Bill of Rights on hand

• DO NOT BRING FIREARMS

• SUN ‘n FUN’s Flying to the Bahamas Website

• eAPIS website

• U.S. Customs – Decals, entry procedures and laws

• Bahamas Private Pilot Flying Guide

• Access Ambassadors & Airport Info

• Private Pilot’s Bill of Rights

• Form C7A

• FCC - Radio License, Station License

• Bahamas FBO’s

• Leidos Pilot Web Portal (1-800-WxBrief website)

www.flysnf.org/bahamas

WWW.FLYSNF.ORG/BAHAMAS