Hello all and a, I hope, happy 2017.
An update on airplanes in Barbados.
My Archer II is due back from the US in January (I hope) - it is now the world's most expensive 1976 PS28-181 having been in the US since May 2014 and has pretty much new everything and everything rebuilt. It has been a nightmare - I will tell you about it sometime if my blood pressure can stand it - suffice to say never, ever let your airplane out of your possession or further away than a 30 minute car ride.
The plane looks great (generally) but is maybe not what it once was mechanically the quarter million dollars spent on it including legal fees notwithstanding.
So airplanes here - basically as I have said elsewhere once mine gets back I there will be four single engine airplanes here that one can rent. Two are US reg and two Barbados reg - the two Barbados reg are a 152 and a 172 SP - they rent as I understand it for B$270 and B$450/tacho - there is a need for a check out and for the 172 some minimum total and type hours for the insurance. The two US registered are a Cherokee Six (so fixed gear and a CP prop) and my PA28-181 - the Six rents out for between B$450 and B$600/tacho depending on where one is going and going - there is a minimum number of total and on type hours - so it is likely a case of flying with an instructor. Instructors run around B$75/hr (ground and air). My PA28-181 - I used to have a "Martini" policy (anyone, anytime, anywhere) so one could and people did do ab-initio training in it - not too sure how I will set it up this time as the $10,000 premium was rather high for relatively low hours each year. My plan is to rent it out for B$450/tacho - if you need a commercial pilot I can probably get you one for free (those hours for the ATP need to get done by lots of guys here) - basically, you rent the airplane and the commercial guy flys it for you/acts as safety pilot.
To fly to another island one needs an FAA license in the US reg airplanes and a Barbados license in the Barbados airplanes. Should say Martinique needs an airport specific checkout (about 3-4 hours of flying) - but nothing of the sort for Bequia, Canouan, Union etc.)
With JAR/EASA one can solo the Barbados reg airplanes in Barbados airspace (the classic flight around the island).
The Barbados reg airplanes are airplane club airplanes and one has to join - do not however be tempted to sign up as a fully "flying" member as the wording of the agreement is that you agree to take on a share of the club debts in the event that it folds (rumoured to be seven figures!).
I will post something on here when I depart the US in January and also when I get back here - OK so no solo flying for almost three years - like riding a bike yes?