Meatwad

I am trying to determine whether a HF radio is needed for a flight from Panama City, Panama to Nassau, Bahamas. The route takes you over water fro 570 miles. Flying a 25,000 feet. I am trying to figure out how far can you go with only VHF. FAR 91.511 states I can do it as long as I am not without VHF communication for more than 30 minutes. thoughts?

philbky

That area is criss-crossed with a good number of airways and jetways and is well trafficked - though much of the traffic is above FL250.

Once upon a time the area was full of piston engined freighters and gave many late nights listening pleasure on HF in the UK.

Why not contact ARINC for advice.

ed1016nw

I used to do KFLL to MPTO across the gulf with no loss of vhf at any time. I believe there is a New York remote vhf frequency which is quite strange as you are the bones of 2000nm from NY.

SNS3Guppy

You've got VHF communication along that routing, and there's no need at all for HF. However, you can go all day long and not talk to a soul, if you like...forget about the half hour.

Meatwad

Thanks for the posts. I called Panama and Kingston Centers and asked. They said no need for HF. Thank God.