 Hello everyone and welcome to our program today. Keith Gomez, our presenter, is a student pilot. He's got 68 hours and if you ever want to see him smile, and he's got a really good smile, ask him what it's like to fly the Bahamas. Today he's going to talk to you about those experiences which he's personally taken part in. He's an aviation specialist in the Ministry of Tourism. Keith can give you a broad outline of the joys of flying the Bahamas. Welcome Keith. Good morning. Good morning. First of all I'd like to thank Kathleen and the staff here at the FAA production studios for having us here to speak on flying the islands of the Bahamas. Flying the islands of the Bahamas is very easy and is very practical flying from here in South Florida to the Bahamas. Most and foremost the islands of the Bahamas lies only 46 miles off the coast of Florida, a very short distance and a very short halt. But before we go into the presentation I give you a little background on myself and my staff. Again, as Kathleen mentioned, my name is Keith Gomez and I'm in charge of aviation for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Our job at the Ministry of Tourism is to make it easier and accessible for aviators like yourself to fly the islands of the Bahamas. Whether you're departing from the northeast of the United States or the west coast, we want to ensure that all pilots interested in flying the islands of the Bahamas has a very safe and enjoyable experience. It's a very short distance to fly from anywhere in South Florida again to the Bahamas. Very short, very easy and very very accessible. First and foremost, as mentioned, flying the islands of the Bahamas is an extremely short distance. If you're departing from South Florida, for example, for Lauderdale, Bimini, or departing to the region, Andrus, or departing from Miami, the distance flying from southern Florida to the Bahamas is only 46 nautical miles. Departing from West Palm Beach, all points further north, the maximum amount of distance it will take you, departing to the Grand Bahama Islands is going to be about 60 nautical miles. Very short distance to fly. What you can expect when flying the islands of the Bahamas is beautiful scenery, a multitude of airports. There are over 60 airports welcoming general aviation to the islands of the Bahamas. What we in the Ministry of Tourism have done is ensure that working with our government agencies, Bahamas Civil Aviation and Bahamas Customs, it should ensure that your experience in flying these islands is very enjoyable and very easy. We want to make sure that you get to enjoy all that we have to offer so the procedures to clear Bahamas customs and immigration is extremely short and extremely simple. Most and foremost, a question that most aviators have in flying the islands of the Bahamas is, are there any fees involved with flying to the Bahamas? Do I have to pay an entrance fee? Do I have to pay flying from island to island? The answer to that question, ladies and gentlemen, is no. As of 2003, what the Bahamas of the Islands has done is ensure that what we have is called the Bahamas Private Pilot Bill of Rights. The Private Pilot Bill of Rights ensures that you, the aviator, are aware of what you're entitled to in advance of flying down to the Bahamas. What we've ensured is that there are no landing fees for General Aviation Aircraft under 6,000 pounds at any government airport. There are no tie-down fees in flying to the islands of the Bahamas, again for Private Pilots under 6,000 pounds. If you clear Bahamas Customs immigration at a private airport, you may be required to pay a small landing fee in the range of $4 to $12, very minimal cost in flying down to the Bahamas. What we've also done is ensured that there is no overtime charge for Bahamas Customs or immigration. Again, the point is to make it very easy and very accessible for you to enjoy what we have to offer in the Bahamas. Fuel costs is a major concern that most aviators have. Am I going to be charged $20 more than what I pay here in Florida? Am I going to be charged $30 more? The answer? No. Fuel costs in the Bahamas are very similar to those offered here in South Florida at most of your FBOs. For example, an FBO, let's just say for a lot of them, may charge you around $4.10 for a gallon of fuel. In the Bahamas, you may be expected to pay in the range of $4.30 to $4.40, minimal increases. If you fly down to the southern Bahamas, you may expect an additional 10 to 20% increase on that price. Again, our prices are very similar to what's expected here in southern Florida. We in the islands of the Bahamas are investing in infrastructure and logistics for you and general aviation. We're upgrading our airport runways, we're upgrading the communication systems within the islands of the Bahamas to ensure that you, the general aviator, have the same facilities that you are used to here in Florida. We have made available what we call the blue telephone system. This telephone system is available specifically for general aviators to ensure that you are able to communicate with the United States customs and immigration prior to making your departure from the Bahamas to the United States. As you know, it's a requirement to contact US customs at least one hour prior to your departure to the United States. So what we have done in the islands of the Bahamas is ensure that every single port of entry and every airport where you have to clear Bahamas customs has a dedicated phone service just for general aviation use. That phone is only for general aviators to make sure that you are able to make that call to return to the United States. We've invested in better radio coverage throughout the islands of the Bahamas. Our RCO system is up and running as of April 15th. Prior to this, during the period of January to April, most of our RCO systems were undergoing upgrades. That has now been completed and that system is up and running. So we have excellent radio coverage throughout the islands of the Bahamas for you to communicate to both Nassau radio and Miami flight service. We want to ensure that the communication system is up and running safety first. Night flying is a concern that a lot of aviators have in flying the islands of the Bahamas. Suppose I'm departing from the northeast or the midwest and my arrival time in southern Florida dictates that I get into the Bahamas after 6 p.m. If you're not aware, flying the islands of the Bahamas are rules and regulations stipulate that for most out island flying VFR night flying is prohibited. There is night service available at some airports but those light service available are really dedicated just for emergency use only. The only two islands that has night service will be Nassau International and Grand Bahama International Airport. Those two services have ILS capabilities. Outside of that, if you fly any other island in the Bahamas, you're restricted to the VFR night flying rule which prohibits you from night flying in the Bahamas. What we're trying to do now is make sure that the ILS system is extended throughout the rest of the islands of the Bahamas. As of today, there are only five other airports within the islands of the Bahamas that have lights at night. Those two, those five airports that are indicated are not ILS capable. So you're going to be restricted to just Nassau and Grand Bahama for IFR flying or night flying in the Bahamas. We've changed our rules and regulations from IKO to the FAA to more or less make sure that you the general aviator since this is where the base of our traffic comes from have the same rules and regulations in the Bahamas that you're used to here in the United States. You want to ensure the transition is very, very easy and very simple. There's not a different set of rules and regulations to fly by in the Bahamas than you're used to here in America. Very important note is that at most government airports, I'm sorry let me phrase that, at all government airports private pilots are welcome and the rules and regulations that I mentioned to you earlier do apply. Private airports in the Bahamas as I indicated may charge you, may charge you a very small very minimal landing fee to clear Bahamas customs and immigration. However, very important note is that all of the private airports in the Bahamas do welcome the visiting aviator. They do welcome you to come by and if you do happen to land in clear customs and you like to take a tour of the island, most likely the owner of the island will accommodate you and provide you with some transportation to see the scenery. Again it's not a problem to visit a private island. Simply indicate to the island manager or the airport manager that you at the time of clearing customs and immigration would like to tour the facility and they are very accommodating. At all airports of entry with Bahamas customs and immigration you are required to clear at your first landing in the islands of the Bahamas. In other words if you're applying a destination in the southern Bahamas with your fuel range limits how far you do get to fly down to the Bahamas we ask that you plan your trip to coincide that your first stop is at an airport of entry and you are able to clear Bahamas customs and immigration. The hardest part of your trip flying to the islands of the Bahamas is going to be departing from a point of origin within the United States to southern Florida. That's the hardest part of your trip. Again we lie only 46 miles off the coast of Florida. A very short haul. If you're departing from let's just say for example Miami for Lauderdale by the time you get airborne you can almost see Bimini in the distance. Is that close? Is that easy to fly to Bahamas? Rules and regulations you must have in the Bahamas 12 inch numbers okay these are our rules that we're adopting it is law you must have at least 12 inch numbers to fly the islands of the Bahamas. Reason being again we want to make sure we're able to identify aircraft within every islands of the Bahamas and the point of the matter is that we're trying again to adopt the same rules that you apply to here in the United States. So there's no stipulation or there's no erroneous information regarding the n numbers. We want to show that the transition is very smooth very easy. The same standards that you apply here in America we apply in the Bahamas. There's no need to depart from the airport of entry here in Florida to get to the Bahamas. If you're playing this part in the back of your yard you simply file a flight plan get airborne and head to the Bahamas. Is that easy? You file a simple international flight plan. The IFR flight plan is mandatory, mandatory if you plan on landing in the Bahamas after sunset. Again usual sunset time in the Bahamas ranges from 5 to 7 pm depending on whether it's Easter standard or daylight saving. Now the point of the matter is that you must ensure that if you if your arrival time is going to be after sunset you have already applied your IFR flight plan. So if you plan on arriving on a VFR flight plan try to coincide your trip to land during that time frame when you will not be charged or be asked to file an international flight plan or IFR. If you're using firearms or taking firearms with you very important please please please register your firearms with the US customs prior to your departure. It's not a problem if you sleep more comfortable with Becky under the pillow. That's not a problem in the Bahamas however please ensure that it's registered prior to the departing. If you don't want any surprises all of a sudden there's a black hog that's slowing you down at Nassau International. Make sure you register your firearms prior to going to the Bahamas. Aircraft custom decals are very important. When departing the United States airspace to go to a foreign country it is important that you have the decal sticker on your aircraft. It can simply be purchased at any US customs office. You can check their website and you can find out information as to the nearest place to purchase that customs decal. When flying down to the Bahamas very important as to what you carry in terms of documentation. You must have your pilot's license, your medical, your aircraft registration, air worthiness certificate and proof of insurance. Most insurance companies do have extended coverage to the Bahamas if your carrier does not. It is possible for you to actually purchase a rider to ensure coverage over to the Bahamas. Okay again very important that you have your proof of insurance along with your air worthiness certificate, registration, your pilot's license and your medical. Very important. On route to the Bahamas very important that you do have one US Coast Guard approved life jacket per person. Very important you must have that that is required. What is an option is having a life raft that is not mandatory. Life rafts are optional. However it is mandatory that you do have a Coast Guard approved life jacket per person. Activate your flight plan before leaving Florida. A Miami flight service you're going to use one to two point two or Miami radio one to six point seven. Prior to landing make sure that you close your flight plan. Again ladies and gentlemen we do not want a Black Hawk search and all around the great Bahama bank looking for four one kilo just because you're on the beach kicking back drinking some Bahama mamas and you forgot to close your flight plan. Please please please close your flight plan okay. If for any reason you are unable to close your flight plan by air immediately upon landing and clearing customs immigration proceed to the nearest telephone and close on 1800 WX brief. Again that's part of the reason why we established the blue phone service. We want to ensure that all pilots have access to a dedicated landline for any reason whatsoever where it's calling US customs prior to your departure or in event you're unable to close by air you're able to close at that part of entry. Forms to fill out in terms of paperwork in clearing customs immigration extremely simple. Prior to about 2002 the forms to fill out would include a transire general decoration form C7 form and the Bahamas immigration card. In other words folks you'd have a multitude of forms to fill out no longer. What we've done is simplified all the forms needed to clear Bahamas customs immigration. There are only three forms needed three simple copies of the C7A form one copy is retained by Bahamas customs immigration another copy goes with you the pilot and one copy you keep in your plane. That copy acts as what we call the transire if for any reason you decide to island hop the islands of the Bahamas and you're asked by a custom officer at a different location if you cleared before you simply show them a copy of that form. There's no additional form that you would need to fill out. What's also required per person to fill out is called the Bahamas immigration card. That is mandatory that is one per person. So if you travel with five people all five individuals must fill out a copy of the Bahamas immigration card. This copy is retained by yourself and turned in prior to your departure to the United States. What I have here on screen is a copy of the C7A form. As you can see for yourself it's a very very simple form very straightforward. Again on the flip side you can actually download this form here in the United States fill it out in advance make two or three copies to take with you rather than filling other forms there in the Bahamas. What we try to do is make the forms very accessible so you take care of your paperwork. We all know how it is whether you travel to Canada or if you travel to Europe coming back to US. The problem is every country you go into you have to deal with Bahamas customs. I'm sorry you have to deal with any customs agency. The thing is when you go into a foreign destination the custom officer usually makes or breaks your state. If you're going for two days or going for two weeks you have a bad experience going through customs immigration it sort of puts a downpour on your trip. So you want to ensure that you have the forms available to get through the process as quick and as easy as possible okay. Again when entering the islands of the Bahamas the first thing you do very important is land at a dedicated airport of entry. The first part you land in must be an airport of entry. Can't stress that enough if for some reason you know Jimmy and Bob is having a party over on a specific key and you decide to land there before you clear again that block was going to land down and crash that party. Hey for one kilo you never cleared have to do it mandatory you must clear customs as soon as you enter the islands of the Bahamas. Close your flight plan very very important again. Present identification your pilot's license your proof of citizenship and for non-us citizens a passport and a visa may be required. As of January 2007 it is mandatory by US law that every citizen leaving the United States and returning must have in his possession a passport. Again that's US law you must have a passport to return. I know some of you are probably saying okay I don't plan on coming back. I'm going to sit on the beach the rest of my life and enjoy the Bahamas. Well if that's your plan go right ahead okay but you will not be allowed to come back home if you do not have a passport. So if for any reason you want to catch on Becky's wedding or cousin Sue's graduation must have that passport to get back home. Again the forms required very simple very easy. Three copies of the general declaration which is the C7A form one copy of the Bahamas customs and immigration card. Be very cooperative with customs immigration their humans just like you and me. Some have good days some have bad days just like you and me. So be cooperative smile just tell them hey I just want to get through this process to kick back on the beach go scuba diving or go snorkeling that's all I'm interested in. They say stamp reforms have a good day carry on. Landing in the Bahamas very simple very easy. In the Bahamas we have over 60 airports as I indicated earlier. Only two of those airports are controlled airports. National International and Grand Bahama International that's the only time you have to talk to the tower. Other than that all of our airports are uncontrolled. Use unicorn frequency one to two point eight. In the Bahamas when flying it's left traffic pattern okay. Always remember that in the Bahamas we drive on the left we fly on the left okay. Now again very simple very easy procedure. Communicate communicate communicate. You plan a landing island and all looks clear and all of a sudden that you see a little flash in the air you think you know maybe that's a canopy, maybe it's a cockpit. Communicate communicate communicate. Hey there's four one kilo I'm on final heading into Stanyol Key. Any pilots in the area heading in or final. Anybody's taking off. Anybody's landing. Anybody's in the vicinity. Please communicate. Communicate communicate communicate. Can't stress that enough. It's safety first. You're flying in uncontrolled airspace. Everybody has the right. Communicate communicate communicate all right. One question that we tend to get for pilots flying too in front of the Bahamas is concerning experimental aircraft. Experimental aircraft prior to last year had to fill out and make advance notice prior to go into the Bahamas. They had to communicate with the national international. Communicate with civil aviation. Get permission prior to go into the Bahamas no more no longer. We adopted the same standard validation that you would use flying from the United States to Canada. It's the same policy that we have in flying the islands of the Bahamas. Very simple very easy procedure. All that's needed is the valid certificate of aircraft registration. The registration and the registration marks are nationally assigned to that aircraft by the FAA. As long as you have the documentation supplied to you by the FAA that you are certified to fly and leave the United States we accept that documentation. There's no additional paperwork that you'd have to fill out stating that you're flying an experimental aircraft or get any other approval to fly experimental aircraft to the Bahamas. The same validation that you use to fly from the United States to any other country we accept in the islands of the Bahamas. So we want to ensure that that transition is very easy, very simple. Prior to like I mentioned 2002-2003 the procedure was extremely hazardous for a lot of pilots because they had to communicate with this agency. Get approval prior to going over. That puts a damper on your trip if you're planning on flying the Bahamas because then you have to get so much permission to fly the Bahamas no longer. Extremely simple you take off if you're playing this park behind your house, hop in a plane, file an international flight plan, head to the Bahamas. Again this is the idea of some of the scenery one could expect when flying the islands of the Bahamas. You may not fly that plane but that's typical scenery of what they expect in the islands of the Bahamas. Again as I mentioned earlier one stipulation that we have now in the private pilot bill of rights is that there's no overtime charge for Bahamas customs immigration. This slide shows you it's a message directly from the control of the person in charge of Bahamas customs in the islands of the Bahamas. His mandate to all of his office is to ensure that he makes it easier for all pilots flying the islands of the Bahamas to clear Bahamas customs immigration. So what we've done is ensure that a copy of this message is inside our private pilot guide. It goes to every single pilot. A copy of this message is also on our website at flying.Bahamas.com. What it does is educates you the pilot in advance of going down to the islands of the Bahamas as to what he or she is entitled to. Want to make sure that there are no surprises there are no surprise fees when you fly the islands of the Bahamas. You know in advance what you're entitled to so you know what to expect when you land at any airport of entry in the Bahamas. Again as stipulated there's no landing fees for single-engine aircraft under 6,000 pounds as well. There are no overtime customs and immigration charges. Very important to note if you land at 9 p.m. Monday night or if you land at 9 a.m. Sunday morning there's no overtime charge at any government airport in clearing Bahamas customs and immigration. Absolutely positively no overtime charges. There are no tie-down fees at any government airport. Some people tend to use private services like that of an FBO in the Bahamas. We have updated state-of-the-art FBOs at both Nassau International, Grand Bahama and the Abacos as well as the Luthorah. White Crown Aviation in North Luthorah. We have Cherokee Air in Marshal Abaco. We have Millionaire in Nassau International. We have Freeport Flight Service in Grand Bahama Island. If using the services of these private individuals you may be required to pay a particular tie-down fee to use their facility or their part of the realm. However, should you decide to tie it on a general aviation tarmac there's no charge. So important nobody comes to tie-down fees. If somebody's charging a tie-down fee you have to ask yourself where am I parked? Am I using the services of a private FBO? Am I at a private airport? If that is the case then you would be required to pay their fee but at any government airport anywhere in the islands of the Bahamas there's no tie-down fees. Again as I mentioned fuel availability throughout the islands of the Bahamas no matter where you are and we have over 700 islands 2,000 keys no matter where you are in the islands of the Bahamas. If the island that you're staying at does not have fuel you're no more than 20 minutes away flying time from fuel. No matter where you are in the islands of the Bahamas. If you're as far south as Inaugural as far north as Walker's Quay you're never more than 20 minutes flying time from fuel. Very important to note as long as you have a 20 minute reserve you can party all night long you can fly all the islands of the Bahamas. As long as you have a 20 minute reserve if the last port you're at does not have fuel you're still within fuel capability okay you're never more than 20 minutes maximum flying time from fuel. Night flying as I mentioned only Nassau and Freeport have ILS capability those are the only two islands that have it. There are five established FBOs within the islands of the Bahamas as I mentioned two base in Nassau a millionaire and executive. Grand Bahamas Freeport Flight Service North Elutera has White Crown Aviation and Abaco Island has Cherokee Air. A concern for pilots in flying the islands of the Bahamas is of course maintenance and repair what happens if something happens to my aircraft very easy very simple all of those FBOs I mentioned have a program whereby they're willing to fly a mechanic to your location within the islands of the Bahamas. Also Banyan Air Service based in South Florida for a lot of their executive has a program where they'll fly a Cherokee with a mechanic to any destination within the islands of the Bahamas to ensure that you have maintenance and repairs. Again a broken down aircraft out of fuel out of gas is not that big a concern within the islands of the Bahamas. You're never more than a phone call away from full service and getting airborne again no matter where you are in the islands of the Bahamas you have that access you have their capability. On average the runway length in the Bahamas would be about 5,000 feet. Nassau International Grand Bahamas International have runways of 11,000 feet. My grandmother Kalana claimed it okay. Read information in the Bahamas available on 1800 WX brief it's a dedicated telephone line service as I mentioned at every airport of entry. Also within the islands of the Bahamas 242-377-7178 will get you the same information as 1800 WX brief. Very important to note when leaving the Bahamas what do I do to make sure that I don't run a file of US customs or any US airspace regulations. You must depart the islands of the Bahamas from the airport of entry which means the last airport that you leave in the islands of the Bahamas must have Bahamas customs immigration capability. What you must do is file your international flight plan again at the dedicated phone service I mentioned the blue phones are dedicated just for your use. So if for any reason you didn't get a chance to call from the hotel or you're running late you didn't get a chance to call from anywhere within the terminal there's a dedicated telephone service a blue phone just for general aviation use only. On that telephone you simply call 1800 WX brief you file your international flight plan. What you do is you call in your advised customs give them an ETA your estimated time arrival the aircraft and passenger details who's on board how many people are on board what is their nationality that information be asked for you from the from the US customs officer provided with that information what they will do in turn is give you a dedicated transponder code. You must squawk that code 15 minutes prior to penetrating the ATIS zone for those of you that are not aware the ATIS zone is no no more than an imaginary line between the United States and the Bahamas prior to penetrating that ATIS zone you simply squawk that dedicated transponder code. What you do when clearing Bahamas customs immigration you give them a copy of the general decoration that you have you turn in your immigration card which you will have retained from clearing in the beginning you show them a copy of your flight plan on our end this ensures that your safety is paramount what it does is you give the customs officer a copy of your flight plan they in turn have a record of when you were estimated to depart the Bahamas when you were estimated to arrive at your destination again flight following it's a redundant system it's making sure that someone at all times is aware of where you're going and when you plan to be there you don't want to get calls all the time us mom never showed up dad never showed up no you want to ensure that we're able to make sure that we can say for sure okay I know 41 kilo was supposed to leave Chubbki at 1430 Zulu they were supposed to arrive at their destination 1840 Zulu here's the information we receive here's the information you have okay fine we know where they are that's the whole point to make sure that we know at all times that your safety is paramount what's required in the Bahamas as far as fees is one departure tax that's all that every person behaving and visiting pays when departing the islands of the Bahamas a $15 departure tax per person is the only fee encumbered with flying the islands of the Bahamas there are no additional fees or any fees that you pay to fly our islands as I mentioned that departure tax is mandatory for even myself I have to pay it as well okay so it's not just you it's also me after takeoff you activate your flight plan you can contact either NASA or Freeport radio or 124.2 or 128.0 if you're unable for any reason to contact NASA or Freeport radio you can contact Miami radio on 126.7 for flight following that service is also available on Miami radio or NASA radio on 121.0 okay again the whole point of the matter is safety safety safety you want to ensure that your flight plan is filed it's open and activated flight following is a peace of mind for a lot of people you're flying from the islands of the Bahamas you want to ensure that you get your death to your destination very very safely again as I mentioned entering the United States airspace you want to ensure that you have that transponder code from flight service station at least 15 minutes prior to penetrating that air zone okay if for any reason you have not received that code we ask that you circle the vicinity and make sure you get that before you penetrate that air zone it's a bit disheartening when you're flying that Cessna 172 and an F-16 raucous pass hey who are you you know that that could make a break a whole trip okay that that trust me that that I was seeing some planes flying around here a B2 and a F-18 if I'm in a 172 and one of those things goes past that that'll make my trip trust me that's a memory again close your flight plan in the air once you have the airport in sight or you're in familiar terrain close your flight plan you have a variety of frequencies to do that on one two two point two or one two six point seven if for any reason again when you land you're unable to close your flight plan in the air please proceed at the nearest phone and do that on 1800 WX brief again again again safety safety safety ensure that your flight plan is open and activated as soon as you take off ensure that it's closed prior to landing if for any reason you're unable to close that flight plan prior to landing as soon as you do proceed to the nearest customer officer and the nearest payphone call close your flight plan when landing you must land your first destination must be at an airport of entry here in the United States from Tamiami Airport as far north as Fort Pierce you can pick your destination if for any reason you're flying at to points further north your flight plan may dictate that you land at the airport further north than south florida please make sure that the airport that you're dedicated to landing is a dedicated airport of entry you must clear us customs and immigration immediately upon arrival very important wait for your customs instructions these guys are in charge okay their reason is to protect their country just like our customs officers enable themselves to protect our country so await instructions be patient they're human as they mentioned just like we are okay they're tempted to mood swings just like we are please ensure that you have enough time where you're not rushing and then you're harassing the custom officer he in turn starts harassing you they are the law okay you cannot win okay prepare your u.s arrival report on your customs declaration cards if you're able to have that in advance that does ensure that your trip goes through a lot smoother if not patience patience patience take your time and go through the procedures it will be through as quickly as possible in the islands of the Bahamas and the Bahamas ministry of tourism what we have done to encourage the first time aviated the flight of the Bahamas islands is incorporate a program called the Bahamas fly ins these programs run on a monthly basis we usually run 12 to 13 every year the Bahamas flying program it's a fun uh it's a atmosphere whereby the new aviator can get his wings can get the experience of flying to an international destination it's a very easy very simple process okay it's a great experience is a good way to ensure camaraderie in the aviation community particularly for the new aviator who just got his wings okay you just get your license and you want to fly someplace you want to do something fun want to do something different fly the islands of the Bahamas our program ensures that you're able to fly with experienced aviators who've been to the islands of the uh sorry the islands of the Bahamas before and at the same time you're flying with other new student pilots who've just got their license who wanted to have the same experience that you're asking for again as I mentioned a great way to introduce you the pilot and your family to the aviation community and what it entails flying from one country to another very easy very simple process it's idea for a flying club or flying association or just a group of friends who want to get together and fly to a particular destination a very easy very simple process the format for flying the islands of the Bahamas the lead pilot is going to give you a full pilot's briefing on what to expect in terms of destination hotel accommodations the entire experience and filling out the forms and paperwork to clear Bahamas customs and immigration what we do we escort you from the beginning straight through to the end from the destination airport here in the Bahamas to your host airport in the islands of the Bahamas and back home again we're with you the entire duration of the trip from flight planning to the flight following to landing to partying on the beach to coming back home safely we're there with you we're never going to take you airborne and say okay for one kilo head straight on south into bimini call me when you get back no we're there with you we're there with you the entire duration of the trip registration fee to take part in the Bahamas flying program is $40 that $40 fee covers the cocktail reception welcome to the Bahamas reception it covers a gift bag including Bahamas giveaway items it covers items from the host hotel the host destination and what it does is provide you with all the forms and all the paperwork required to fly the islands of the Bahamas for more information on that particular program you can check our website at flying.Bahamas.com okay again it's a very very fun-filled way to experience the islands of the Bahamas if you've never done it before or if you just want to fly with a group of pilots and just enjoy that camaraderie it's a great way to enjoy the islands of the Bahamas all the information that i provided you with in flying islands of Bahamas can be found on our website at flying.Bahamas.com if for any reason you just want to call our office and just walk you through the paperwork or walk you through the procedures our 800 number 1-800-327-7678 is available again another 800 number to call us on is 1-800-32-Sport I know that we have a video that we're going to use to show you the procedures everything that i've been through in this presentation will be incumbent on that video you can also call our office or check our website to have the copy of that video mailed to you okay this idea just some of the scenery one could expect in flying the islands of the Bahamas that's not a computer-generated image that is actually it that is the Bahamas this is what you can expect when flying okay 700 islands 2000 keys that's all they have to say that's it okay again a very fun-filled way to experience the Bahamas fly with a group of friends join our flying program or just contact your local association or flying club and ask them if they have any Bahamas trips very easy very simple a very very easy way to experience another destination the Bahamas we're close we're safe we're right next door okay I don't know if you guys want to cue the video and just give them an idea hello i'm john obradovich and my wife and I published the Bahamas and Caribbean pilots guide first let's just say that when you fly to the Bahamas the hardest flying you'll do is when you go from wherever you live to Florida that that's a lot more difficult in terms of restricted airspace and terrain and weather when you get to the Bahamas there is no terrain the highest point is 200 feet above sea level and the weather is almost always ideal it's 44 miles from the shoreline to the first island which is bimini and from bimini on there's virtually an island in sight all the time there's large land masses as well as there's small islands but you always seem to have land in sight and an island in sight visiting the islands of the Bahamas you must file a us international flight plan before departing the u.s and your first point of arrival in the Bahamas must be at an airport of entry each person aboard the aircraft must have proof of citizenship a passport or birth certificate keep your aircraft registration available and check that your aircraft insurance policy extends to the Bahamas most do all airplanes must have a mode c transponder 12-inch registration numbers on the plane and one us coastcard approved life jacket for each person life rafts are suggested but not required vests and optional life raft equipment can be inexpensively rented at most fbo's in south florida a typical cruise altitudes radio reception is fine speaking with the choice of miami or nassau radio nassau approach mooney eight eight echo fox truck you need an echo fox go ahead yeah i'm going to cancel flight following at this time out airports in a second hi i'm craig patin producer of this dvd flying out here is easy and the radios work fine both bahamas approach and nassau center have remotes throughout the islands customs is a no-brainer you land you fill out a c7a form once you get stamped then you're free to island hop until you leave the country offshore weather is usually good vfr because of the gulf streams moderating influence the weather generally remains in the 70s and 80s year-round for trouble-free navigation gps is your best bet with v ors and ils approaches in freeport and nassau it can get a little breezy out here in the islands and i've also found from water to land you have to consider wind shear i carry a little bit of extra speed on final i don't try to plant the plane right on the numbers upon arriving you must land at an airport of entry the first time you enter the islands normal hours for customs are nine a.m to five thirty p.m clearing customs is no problem all you do is fill out the bahamian immigration card one per person and four copies of the c7a form with this single permit you can island hop with ease the bahamian government has developed a private pilot's bill of rights no landing fees for single engine private planes under six thousand pounds no overtime customs and immigration fees for private aircraft visiting for recreational purposes and no tie-down fees at any government owned airport the islands of the bahamas begin 55 miles off the florida coast and are made up of 700 islands 30 of which are inhabited covering a vast area of 100 000 square miles afgas is currently available at nine airports in the islands you are never more than 20 minutes flying time away from fuel afgas prices are similar to florida's fbo's there's good fbo's throughout the country marsh harbour free port nasa but also i carry a card from fbo's in florida banyan for instance will send a charity with a mechanic to your location if you need repairs in a hurry and that's nice to know that help is only a couple hours away when departing surrender your copy of the immigration card and pay departure tax of $15 per person you must file an international flight plan with 800 wx brief or nasa radio in the air before takeoff you are required to contact us customs at your airport of entry at least one hour before arrival notifying them of your exact arrival time a phone call is the only way to comply once in the air you must contact Miami radio 15 minutes before penetrating the adiz just past bimini hi i'm david grantham i'm a pilot for united states customs and border protection in new orleans also this year i'm the chair elect of the international federal pavilion here at oshkosh one of the places we enjoy going is the Bahamas and a lot of us are always a little apprehensive about clearing customs into or out of the Bahamas this year if you're going to travel make sure you make your one-hour call to the us custom service prior to coming back into the united states and we assure you we don't want to hold you up clearing customs back into the states make your call try to have as much paperwork done as possible greet the customs officer and we'll get you through as quick as we possibly can thank you the bahamas.com website has a very informative section under activities flying there you'll find important phone numbers tips and questions answered another popular way to experience the islands the bahamas tourist office has incorporated fly-in the fly-ins provide for discounted hotel and sports activity rates flying over water i don't feel there's any more dangerous or troublesome than flying over the land you got a plane you got a playground over here is very easy feel free to call the Bahamas tourist office at eight hundred three two seven seven six seven eight anytime so fly on over and we'll see you in the islands the folks i've been seeing that video who won't go to the Bahamas i mean that make me won't go and i'm from there so you know i won't go to the Bahamas i know you want to go to the Bahamas let's do this now this time i'd like to ask are there any questions or concerns after seeing the video and hearing the presentation are there any concerns at all with flying the islands of the Bahamas yes sir that's correct it would be like sunset again the problem with night flying is the lack of capability in the in the out islands the only two islands that have is capability would be nasa international and grand baham international we have extended lights to some out island airports however those lights are reserved for emergency use only those airports do not have is capability again to ensure your safety we don't want to encourage something that we ourselves can't guarantee so we'd rather reserve that until we have is capability at those airports we try to restrict the night flying capability to those airports again the whole point being not to restrict your flight but to ensure your safety are there any other concerns yes sir do you have to have two flight plans the i've got here late so i didn't hear what you were talking about earlier sure as far as either departing or coming back into the u.s do you have to have a Bahamas flight plan also because i've been a couple of times and that's the way i did it because that's the way i was told there i filed with the Bahamas a separate flight plan with the i can't remember i called the local number but i also called back to the states and filed a flight plan also but this was ifr wasn't vfr well is that do you have to do that i i didn't know uh simply when flying a flight plan you just filed one flight plan whether it's ifr or vfr okay the fact that you did it twice i guess that was by choice but it's not required no sir if that's not that's the question you're asking is it mandatory no it is not mandatory okay so they should have it in the tower if i file ifr on the one wx brief they should have it okay yes sir thank you no problem any other concerns or questions yes sir one more quick question the um fuel situation did does your website have current availability on fuel yes sir we do okay it's on a website again uh we're here exhibiting at sun and fun if you go by our booth uh b 72 you can also pick up what's called a private pilot guide that guide lists every single airport the fuel availability of that airport and the runway lens so you have all information on each individual airport whether or not it has fuel whether or not the air all the airports on the island have fuel or do not have fuel that information is available both on our website and in our private pilot guide and that that can be relied on yes sir it can okay thank you yes sir for island hopping i was told that you had to obtain a cruising permit is that correct no sir okay when you clear bahamas custom immigration again you fill out three copies of the c 78 form what you're referring to was in the old days you fill out a separate form called a transire that is no longer required the c 78 form that you fill out will act as your transire you simply retain a copy of that in your plane and on your person when flying from island to island if acts by a custom officer if you've cleared before you simply show a copy of the form which would state and a stamp showing that you have already already cleared customs and immigration flying to alice of Bahamas or island hopping is just as easy as flying to Miami renting a car and driving to Nebraska is that easy there's no additional paperwork that you'd have to fill out there's no additional concern you'd have to worry yourself with once you fly and clear customs immigration you're free to explore our country thank you all right again folks i want to show one thing it's very very easy to fly to Bahamas i know a lot of times people say well i'm going to a foreign country you know i don't want to get stuck i don't want to get charged with any fears i don't want a guy coming to my car my aircraft with a m16 you know i don't want anybody coming to my hotel room banging the door dragging me out to prison in the middle of the night that's not the Bahamas that's a movie okay that's not the Bahamas flying to Bahamas is just as safe as flying from Lakeland to Fort Pierce it's that easy it's that simple 46 miles off the coast of Florida paradise begins it's very easy to fly fly to Bahamas there's no question no concern that's considered dumb or i don't want anybody else to hear me say this trust me if there's a question that you have in flying to Bahamas we've heard it before okay so feel free all your questions that's why we're here that's why we work in conjunction with the FAA production studios to air your concerns and answer them so please feel free sir you had a question the islands look pretty compact i guess rental cars are not even necessary as far as transportation once you get there on some islands okay plus in the Bahamas distance isn't a big concern to us you know most of our islands are maybe 30 miles long or maybe 40 miles wide the most here in the united states rental cars is a concern what we have in the Bahamas on a lot of different islands on a lot of keys of rental golf carts uh for those of you that know uh using golf carts sometimes you can walk faster than a golf cart so again rental car or rental golf cart that's not a major concern the information provided in our private pilot guide gives you airport airport information for every single island what you can do is call in advance and say you know hey i'm flying or flying into or i'm flying into farmers key do you guys have public transportation nearby do i need it to get to my airport uh my hotel destination i'm sorry do i need a rental car do i need a golf cart can i just walk there with my luggage can i walk and leave my wife at the plane or can i walk and leave my husband at the plane you know it's it's easy and the most destinations you find in the island of Bahamas the host hotel is usually right near the airport or not far if for example you're flying to let's just say a destination like harbour island you fly in line at northeastern airport you then take a taxi cab or a rental transportation to the ferry dock a five minute ferry you're on the island a two minute golf cart ride or a three minute walk you're at your hotel so distance and time is relative in the Bahamas is more laid back distance is nothing to us you're in the Bahamas kickback relax when you get there you get there okay so it's not it's not the hustling bustle you're going to the Bahamas you're not going to new york city there's no hustling bustle time is irrelevant folks you go into paradise you go into relax anyone else with a question yes sir i know last year there was there was work going on between the government of the Bahamas and the u.s regarding special light sport aircraft permitting correct has that been resolved and concluded and what was the outcome yes sir i'm proud here today to announce that light sport aircraft as of last month receive full recognition to fly to the island of Bahamas without any advanced notice again would be adopted similar to the experimental aircraft is the same standardization you would use flying your light sport from the united states into canada so i'm proud to announce uh the last few days i've had people asking the very same question at our booth and again i'm proud to announce that yes that issue has been resolved light sport aircraft are welcome to fly to island of the Bahamas again the requirement being that you must have the 12 inch numbers okay so you can get temporary numbers to put on your aircraft to fly to island of the Bahamas but there's no advanced notification required just like if you fly a a bonanza to the Bahamas or a moony you can fly a light sport to the Bahamas just pick up and go okay very easy very simple procedures filing a national flight plan you take a copy of your air woodiness certificate as well as your certificate of registration and you simply file and fly to island of the Bahamas very easy very simple is there any concerns out there that i haven't addressed or anything else you just want clarification on it's not a bother that's what we're here for a concern a lot of people tend to have again maintenance and repair as you saw in the video very easy very simple to get the result you never want a few hours away than having your aircraft airborne again regardless of whether you have a flat tire or a spark plug out or you just need to get rid of another passenger is very easy you never want to phone call away again what a lot of pilots tend to do as mentioned in the video is carry a card from the fbo that you're familiar with here in south florida if you're not familiar with the fbo here in south florida we in the island of Bahamas have dedicated a few fbo's in south florida as Bahamas specialists these fbo managers have took it upon themselves to approach us and said how can we assist in making it easier for pilots to fly to island of the Bahamas and get the services that they need in case those needs arrive again there's a copy of that listing on our website at flying.bahamas.com and it's also available inside our private pilot guide so definitely folks there's no need for any concerns regarding fuel aircraft safety maintenance and repair the only concern you should have is relaxation that's the only word you associate with the Bahamas relaxation you fly you land you relax that's it that's all it is to fly to island of the Bahamas a concern that one person mentioned to me a few days ago was Keith of iFly at island of the Bahamas and iFly a seaplane where do i go to clear customs immigration it's not a concern for most aviators but for those few that that love their seaplanes or their amphibious aircraft that is a major concern the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority is currently uh reviewing ways to regulate and ensure that seaplane arrivals to the Bahamas do not have to all land at nasa international or grand Baham international to clear customs immigration what they're doing right now is trying to identify certain seaplane areas that they could designate a seaplane basis i know here in the united states in order to fly from point to point in the seaplane you have to land at a dedicated seaplane base which would be on a lake or a body of water that's dedicated as a seaplane base in the Bahamas there are only two places that are designated seaplane basis one is bimini and the other is nasa international so as of right now what they're doing is trying to identify other places to encourage the seaplane traffic from the united states to visit all islands that we offer it's only common sense i mean you look at the tranquil waters you look at what we have the beaches the coals the beautiful bays is a beautiful place to island hawk and a beautiful way to island hawk by landing a seaplane throughout islands you're talking about 700 islands and 2000 quays that's a lot more water than there's runways so if i'm a seaplane operator i definitely want to see that regulation come through as of right now they are undergoing a review of that regulation and we hope to have an answer from them for you prior to the end of the summer again folks this is the Bahamas everything is laid back even government okay so even sometimes you may hear when it comes to regulation soon come on it's soon come i can't tell you when but it's soon come all right i'm trying to figure out if i addressed anything oh one concern that a lot of aviators have is regarding bringing a pet to the Bahamas and bringing a pet to the Bahamas where it'd be cats dogs husbands is a very simple procedure okay all you simply need to do is fill out a copy of the pet application that application can be obtained from my office in Fort Lauderdale again you can either check our website at flying dot Bahamas.com or call us at 1832 sport you simply request a copy of the pet application we send a copy to you anywhere you are in the United States you fill out a copy of that along with the ten dollar international money order you send a copy of that down to the Bahamas to Nassau and they in turn send you a copy of the pet permit very important is this you must have a copy of that permit in your possession before you come to the Bahamas you can't line with uh the pet labrador and say well they supposed to send me one it never came you know soon come on no no no that doesn't work okay you have to have a copy of the actual permit in your possession before you enter the Bahamas okay so regarding bringing pets simply call our office we will send you a copy of the pet application you fill that out with a ten dollar international money order send it down to Nassau they in turn send you the actual permit the turnaround time is usually anywhere from five to ten days so it's very quick very simple procedure is that any concern that i have not addressed that anybody could think of throw it at me please please please throw it at me let me see is there any concern here that the aviator might have uh how many vfr days are there okay there's 365 throughout the year i'd roughly estimate 365 in the Bahamas you have that much vfr flying days in the Bahamas uh vision within the Bahamas you can see for miles once you're airborne there's very little haze very little cloudy skies you may see scattered clouds and thunderstorms if they if you do encounter them you see last anywhere from two to three hours the only place you tend to uh undergo any weather i could definitely say without any hesitation would be over the actual island itself if you notice carefully when flying out into the Bahamas if you fly from island to island you may see a group of scattered clouds over the island then there'd be miles where just clear sky and then there's a group of clouds on the horizon that's because you're approaching land most clouds tend to form over any land mass well same thing applies with us here in the Bahamas you find scattered clouds throughout the islands of the Bahamas but very very little inclement weather that would prohibit your flying again very very easy very simple procedure an excellent excellent excellent vfr flying in the islands of the Bahamas now types of aircraft i would recommend you use anything that could get airborne whatever whatever floats your boat whatever aircraft you like that's the best aircraft to fly to islands of the Bahamas and again average runway land 5000 feet now of course if you're flying a citation or a led jet you may want to think once or twice about landing that let's just say rum key or any small destination with a 1500 foot runway you know you may just end up in the bay but outside of that folks you can fly any island you want in the Bahamas over 50 airports throughout the entire country a lot of destinations a lot of things to see and do one thing i'd like to encourage aviators to do is experience all we have to offer you're ready ahead of the game because you're a pilot so you're experiencing something that a lot of people on a general vacation will not experience you get to see the Bahamas from the air once you land engage in snorkeling engage in diving see all we have to offer take part in some of our festivals one particular festival that's coming up right now uh this week it's called the family island regatta that's the site to behold for those of you that don't know what the regard it is it's behaving sloops old fishing boats will be called like smack boats we're huge canvas sails not the typical america's cup type vessel but our old bahamian type vessels with these huge canvas sails the sails are usually bigger than the boat again this occurs next week and runs through to the first week of may it's definitely a site to behold so anybody planning a trip within the next two weeks i'd encourage you to make a stop in georgetown exuma to see the family island regatta if there's any other time in the year that i would recommend you go down it definitely be christmas there's a national festival called junken and that festival in parade usually takes place the day after christmas which is called boxing day and again on new year's day it's colorful uh the parade in trinidad has nothing on it in terms of color in terms of sound sights you will not be disappointed okay now if there are any questions regarding flying the island of hamas i'll be here at sun and fun until the close booth b 72 please feel free to stop by and see how i am okay any questions any concerns folks it's been a pleasure i want to thank you the f a production studios for having us we enjoyed being here we hope to see you guys again next year thank you very well um yes sir you're too professional all right you guys approved thank you so much oh thank you