Bahamas [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums

Tinstaafl

14th Oct 2005, 23:41

I fly into the Bahamas regularly. What is it you want to know? I'll take a stab with some basic info:

There's only two controlled fields: Nassau & Freeport. Everywhere else is non-controlled. All NC strips use the same frequency (122.8). Christ know's why - it can be bedlam sometimes with people stepping on other's transmissions because they're out of range (but you're not).

Usually there's no parallel taxiway so backtracking is the norm. Make sure you broadcast your intentions & listen out for others! Wish they'd install some parallels. It would dramatically reduce the conflict caused by the time needed to backtrack.

Many of the fields have customs/immigration facilities. Usually of 'shed' standards. There are normally two separate functionaries: A customs bod & another as the immigration bod. You'll be expected to walk one of your 3 copies of your gen. dec. from one to the other, even if they occupy adjoining desks...

For return to the US you will need your outbound Gen.Dec. stamped by customs before you leave.

NB: The Captain goes to customs first, lots rubber stamping of gen. decs. takes place along with payment of monies (US $ is fine) then you take one of the stamped gen. decs. to immigration & pay more money. Meanwhile the pax go to immigration & then to customs.

In some fields you also have to pay the landing fee separately eg Freeport. Freeport just recently got a CC reader to let you use a CC for paying the landing fee. A couple of places have FBOs (Nassau & Marsh Harbour) so using those facilities lets you pay all the fees in one go using a CC). Everywhere else is **CASH ONLY**.

You will be charged additional amounts by customs & by immigration for overtime, public holiday & weekend arrivals/departures. Today, for example, was a public holiday there & it cost US or Bahamian $118.00 to bring 5 pax in & for the single pilot to leave (there's a $15 /person departure tax).

Usual business hours are 0900-1700 or so. Don't quote me.

On some islands the airstrip is also used as a road eg Spanish Cay.

Fuel is *not* available everywhere.

Most flying is VFR. Miami Centre covers down to A070, below that ops are usually VFR except into Nassau or Freeport. Cancel IFR on descent into th e non-controlled airports before you lose contact with Miami then call for clearance on climb-out passing 3 or 5000' or so.

It can be a right pain in the arse trying to submit a flight plan for flight back in to the US from the Bahamas. If you can you're better doing before you leave the US. Otherwise do from your Bahamian hotel. If you're fortunate enough to be going into somewhere with an FBO then you'll be able to use their facilities to submit a plan to US ATC. US customs require a minimum 1hr prior notice so allow for that time and also include 'ADCUS' in the remarks part of your plan.

Even if you have a plan already submitted to US ATC for return to the US you'll still need to submit a local one at the controlled Bahamian fields prior to departure.

Lots of infrastructure was wrecked in the hurricanes of 2004 including navaids, towers etc etc. Don't expect everything - or even anything - to work.

There's a great publication called 'The pilot's guide to the Bahamas' or similar. Definitely recommended.

Have fun & make sure you try the fried conch.