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Bahamas...let's plan it

Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

N295TC said:
Depending on the time of year to whether or not I would do it VFR only. Certain times of the year thunderstorms can pop up out of no where in a matter of minutes in the Florida, Bahamas areas.
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Yea, I remember coming back from Orlando and the clouds were rising faster then I could climb trying to get over top. To see that up close was great, but would not want to be in them.
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

We obviously have a bit of interest generated into this excursion. Should we start looking at a 'ball park' period/timeline?

Joel, Any months you'd recommend staying away from?? (Wx, Tourist, Lodging availability)?

I'd recommend going ahead and applying for your customs and boarder decal. (think it was $27)? I went with 'standard' shipping and got it in about a week. Don't think you need to go express.

Some discussion as to if you need a FCC operator's license.

And look into setting up an EAPIS account.

Joel / others, anything else to start prepping for??

John
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Jamesdub said:
We obviously have a bit of interest generated into this excursion. Should we start looking at a 'ball park' period/timeline?

Joel, Any months you'd recommend staying away from?? (Wx, Tourist, Lodging availability)?

I'd recommend going ahead and applying for your customs and boarder decal. (think it was $27)? I went with 'standard' shipping and got it in about a week. Don't think you need to go express.

Some discussion as to if you need a FCC operator's license.

And look into setting up an EAPIS account.

Joel / others, anything else to start prepping for??

John
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John: I am 100% in...just need to nail down some times.

Where did you get your decal?
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Jamesdub said:
We obviously have a bit of interest generated into this excursion. Should we start looking at a 'ball park' period/timeline?

Joel, Any months you'd recommend staying away from?? (Wx, Tourist, Lodging availability)?

I'd recommend going ahead and applying for your customs and boarder decal. (think it was $27)? I went with 'standard' shipping and got it in about a week. Don't think you need to go express.

Some discussion as to if you need a FCC operator's license.

And look into setting up an EAPIS account.

Joel / others, anything else to start prepping for??

John
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John

I like to go in the late April early May time frame. By then the weather coming cross country is pretty good (after the winter stuff and before hurricane season). Many of the resorts rates go down on May1 since the winter season is over.
I guess I waited too long and had a challenge getting into the places I usually stop. I just did this today and as I have had to in the past changed my itinerary around to be able to get rooms. You can usually find someplace to stay but the more popular spots book up early. Many only have 8-12 rooms.

CBP decal went up to 28.24 for 2018.

Other than that you have it covered. Need the EAPIS account set up well in advance (with the shutdowns every week).


Been part of the discussions on the radio operators license in the past and to each his own, but in all my trips out there never been asked for any documents other than passport.
 
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Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

jukelemon said:
Thanks.

Just set up the EAPIS account :D

I will wait on confirmed times and dates before getting the decal.
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That's cool, but the decal is good for the year. (calendar yr I believe)
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Jamesdub said:
That's cool, but the decal is good for the year. (calendar yr I believe)
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Understood.

Just no point in buying if the plan comes to not :D

Next steps? I would be happy to call some places if I can get a listing of potential Yeahs from members.
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Commander91gm said:
John

I like to go in the late April early May time frame. By then the weather coming cross country is pretty good (after the winter stuff and before hurricane season). Many of the resorts rates go down on May1 since the winter season is over.
I guess I waited too long and had a challenge getting into the places I usually stop. I just did this today and as I have had to in the past changed my itinerary around to be able to get rooms. You can usually find someplace to stay but the more popular spots book up early. Many only have 8-12 rooms.

CBP decal went up to 28.24 for 2018.

Other than that you have it covered. Need the EAPIS account set up well in advance (with the shutdowns every week).


Been part of the discussions on the radio operators license in the past and to each his own, but in all my trips out there never been asked for any documents other than passport.
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Coming up pretty quick (less then 3 weeks) EAIPS outbound and inbound filed - Flight plans done - all necessary forms filled out and printed.

Starting to get excited!!
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

So...first off... Eleuthra was very nice. Likely not for those that want a lot to do...but for me it was ideal.

I spent some time at the local FBO at ELH. Met a young pilot whose main job was taking one family back and forth from Miami to ELH in their jet :D

He said the flying here and back is very easy and without much issue.

He stated that he always files for an IFR flight from Miami but cancels it almost immediately. Then does not talk to anyone until ~2k feet and 10 miles or so away from ELH and just like a non towered airport.

They do not carry a raft on their plane. Just PFDs for each person.

He has his radio license and EAPIS account. Nothing else is needed.

He made it sound pretty simple.
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

My 2cents. I have been going to Bahamas for about 5 years now. First trip was down with about 5 other commanders and we went to Eleuthra, Exumas, and went to Stella Mars and such. It was wonderful and island hopped but stayed on Eleuthra in a big house. When going there I met a guy Greg Turton that has two houses on Guana Cay and has a program called Pilots Retreat. You can look it up on web by pulling up Pilots Retreat Guana Cay. Its where you pay like 5K a year and you get the use of an apartment that's under the two house and he uses google calendar to manage it. You can go as many times a year and you also get the use of a golf cart and boat all for same money. Greg is also the guy that owns Artic Air the ice coolers for airplanes. (great guy from GA) I was in that program for about 3 years and loved it so much there that told him that I would if any deal came along like to buy a place there. An opportunity came along about 2 years ago and we jumped on it. Long story short I don't island hop in plane any more as I have a place on Guana Cay and we island hop in boats around the Abacos. I highly recommend this place however its not a place to fly in and then island hop in planes as you land in Marsh Harbor and then take a ferry boat over to Guana Cay.
 
Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Bahamas



A bit rainer than I would like .
 

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Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Not much has changed. Ned built a new rental house on the west side of the property.

Still one of the best beaches anywhere.


General aviation traffic is off by 54% due to the new fees, and there answer to falling revenue is to add parking charges to it.





Idiots - hurting the out islands big time.



Really quiet on the island.
 
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Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Commander91gm said:
Not much has changed. Ned built a new rental house on the west side of the property.

Still one of the best beaches anywhere.


General aviation traffic is off by 54% due to the new fees, and there answer to falling revenue is to add parking charges to it.





Idiots - hurting the out islands big time.




Really quiet on the island.
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That is sad.Last year we were hit with a $15 a day parking fee and an early departure fee of $75 (before 9am),we Stayed on Long Island. Between the landing fees and fuel prices (Vat) Island hopping got expensive real quick...
I'll bitch, but I'm going back.
That is for sure the best beach on Cat.
Enjoy!
 
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Re: Bahamas...let's plan it

Not sure how all this works as these threads are pretty old! I have a nice 42 foot cat with three double state rooms and jus bought a Commander if anyone is interested in going to the Bahamas I am quite fimilar with the water portion and could put two couples up! Any interest?

Huck
 
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