Flying to Peru and back this winter

[Csaffon]

Planning a trip to South America this winter on a Mooney and hoping to get some feedback on planning/routing .

I will be visiting the following countries:

Mexico
Guatemala
Cost Rica
Panama
Colombia
Peru
Aruba
Venezuela (Isla Margarita)
Lesser Antilles (varies depending on recommendations)
Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic
Bahamas

Having a little trouble finding rules and regulations for each country so I am thinking of subscribing to either Caribbean Flying Adventures Bahamas Caribbean Pilot's Guide (http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/) or Caribbean Sky Tours | Aviation Destination Expertise (http://www.caribbeanskytours.com/)

Also wondering if there are any good apps for Ipads that have any flight information on these territories since I cant find any VFR sectional equivalent for any of the Central/South American counties .

Any information is greatly appreciated.


Thanks

[DPeterson3]

Hello CSaffon,

We've got a similar thread going addressing planned flights down your route, but turning South after the islands and going through Brazil and onward to Uruguay and Argentina. I think the title of the thread is "Flying in South America" or something like that.

In any case, I've made numerous flights down as far as Nevis, which is just 5 miles south of St. Kitts and about 80 miles south of St. Martin. I don't expect the remainder of the island flying to be much different. If it helps, all of my trips have been in my 1964 M20E with 52 gallons on board.

Depending upon your goals, I can recommend routing and provide tips as far as Nevis. The short version is, it was low-stress flying after I got used to the long over-water stretches. You'll have customs and immigration to deal with, but courtesy goes a long way. Unless things have changed in the decade or so since I last flew that way, aviation has largely been accorded the same respect as maritime travel, meaning that the Captain and Crew of a private vessel are given a degree of latitude and in some cases official crew won't pay various taxes and fees for arrival and departure. Not a big deal either way.

It's almost always VFR, although I have found myself at night, IFR headed east from Puerto Rico flying IFR in uncontrolled airspace. An unusual experience.

Let me know how much experience you have so I won't bore you with the obvious, and any specific questions you have.

Rgds,
Don

[Csaffon]

Don

I am a instrument rated private pilot flying a Mooney M20J for this trip. I saw the flying South America post and see there is a lot on the countries I don't plan to visit but I will keep an eye on it for new posts.

My goals is to enjoy the ride with not much rigidity on schedule and would prefer to do the paperwork myself to keep costs down. Don't think I can get my GF a crew id to avoid taxes and entry/exit fees.

I am struggling with which countries to visit in the lesser Antilles. Hoping to be in Margarita Island for the new year to visit some friends and from there I want to see the Virgin islands and I hear that Culebra (PR) is an amazing destination as well. Any recommendations in between these places?


Thanks

[DPeterson3]

CS,

Sorry - I didn't see your reply when you posted it.

As I've noted, I've been as far as Nevis many times, but not beyond. I recommend that you avoid the American-held islands, as they are a nuisance, over populated, dirty, and the customs is downright belligerent.

I've had some nice experience in the Bahamas, but generally just over-fly these for a fuel stop in either Providenciales or Grand Turk. I don't think Grand Turk has fuel right now. so you'll have to plan on stopping at Provo. I'm installing the Monroy long-range tanks so I can go non-stop from Provo to Nevis, and have enough left over to run over to Antigua to re-fuel before heading south.

I highly recommend Nevis as a stop-over, although it's not the unspoiled paradise that it was in the 70's, 80's and 90's when it was a regular destination for me. Now it might be described as "spoiled paradise", but that's still a ton better than the cag-hole that describes most of the American Virgins.

If you simply must land on Puerto Rico you MUST phone US Customs and give them your arrival info via phone, ensuring at least a 1 hour notice prior to arrival. Neglect this at your peril.

St. Martin is good for a laugh. Big shopping area on the Dutch side, great food on the French. Clean on the Dutch side, and French on the French side.

St. Barth's is a treat, but you're supposed to get checked out by someone before landing there. I did years ago, but don't know the procedures now. Probably a lot more formal and expensive.

St. Kitts is a big island, and has some excellent resorts, if that's what you're looking for. Supposedly no AVGAS on St. Kitts. Use either St. Martin or Antigua.

Antigua is a good fuel stop and central commercial district for a lot of the surrounding islands.

South of there I cannot say beyond hear-say.

St. Lucia is supposed to be swank and expensive, and lovely.
Grenada beautiful and full of nature, plus nature geeks.
I've always been curious about Guadoloupe, but one must have a certain tolerance for things French.

I plan to try non-stop from Antigua to either Grenada or Trinidad. I'd prefer Tobago, but haven't confirmed I can fuel there.

Hope that helps.

Bon Voyage,

Don

Don

[Levraimatt]

If you swing by Colombia, drop me an email. I'm an A320 pilot in Bogota, I can point you to some really cool flights. Do be extremely careful about the weather and topography, Bogota International does not allow GA traffic, our GA airport is SKGY, where you have FBO's. Due to the specifics of COlombia you have to file a file plan for every flight AND swing by the local Antinarcotics for a plane inspection before every flight. It's a quick thing. If you don't do that, expect a Tucano escort.
Flying here is absolutely amazing, some of the most impressive sights you'll ever see.

[Csaffon]

Don

Thanks for the reply. I am planning on flying to Puerto Rico to see a friend but will take a closer look at the other Islands you recommend on avoiding. Nevis sounds amazing and Probably stop in one more Island south of that but still debating on which.

I will let you know once i decide on this. Have you decided or looked at insurance companies for the south American portion??


Levraimatt

Thanks for the reply. I intend on flying form panama into either Rionegro or Pereira and then after customs fly to Manizales to visit some friends. After that fly through el Valle del Cauca and get fuel at Pasto or something, then Depart to Peru. From Peru I fly back the same route over Pereira to the Atlantic coast and off to the Caribbean.

Still having trouble finding information on how to fly VFR in south America and where to get charts and airport information publications. Also heard that landing Fees and overnight parking are extremely expensive in Colombia. Do you know about this? Do you fly for Avianca?



Muchas Gracias

[DPeterson3]

I have not yet started searching for South American Insurance, although I have received a couple of recommendations. The Caribbean portion is routinely covered by my existing carrier. I am hoping they will just provide an extension coverage, but we'll see what turns up.

Safe travels,
Don

[KingChango]

LESSER ANTILLES,
you gotta check out Curacao TNCC, which is about 60nm east of Aruba, :ok:
its a great winter destination.
on the way up north from there, after u pass PR/ dominican republic.. ive seen Providenciales...an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. From up above, it looks amazing

while ure at the dominican republic, plan a stay at Punta Cana MDPC. also looks like one of those beaches ull find in heaven, only everything is all inclusive. hope u intend to fly with a hangover :P :=

there are so many excellent destinations around here.
other is obviously st.maarten. oh man,

[wwelvaert]

In Peru only 3 airports officially have avgas: Trujillo, Lima and Pisco. I'd suggest to clear customs in Trujillo and avoid Lima because Lima is quite busy and takes a lot longer to get in and out of. There are a few private airfields near Lima like SPLX (owned by Master of the Sky) that you can use as well, but contact the owners first.

In Colombia Cartagena (SKCG) is a beautiful place to visit and airport has good service. Cali is also a good fuel stop but I've never left the airport there, so I don't know what the area is like.

Peru typically takes the longest to issue landing permits. During the southern hemisphere summer, the coastal weather in Peru is very nice. Inland is rainseason from December - April, so be extra careful if you're planning to fly over the Andes.

[Csaffon]

wwelvaert (http://www.pprune.org/members/310724-wwelvaert)

Thinking of only going to Talara SPYL but since they don't have fuel I guess I might stop in Guayaquil to gas up on the way back to Colombia. Dont know if that is a cost effective way or if there are any alternatives in Ecuador or the Border with Colombia like Ipiales or Pasto maybe.

I do plan on going to Cartagena on the way out to the Carribean.

What do you use to fly VFR in Peru? any place to get these publications?

When you say Peru landing permits take long , do you know how much approximately.



Thanks

[wwelvaert]

I plan on 1 week to get Peru permits and that's either using an agent or through the folks in the office at an established Peruvian flight school. If you're doing the permits on your own it may take even longer, but I've never done them myself so I'm not sure.

Guayaquil is a good stop. There's a lot of General Aviation there, you'll have no trouble getting in and out. Avgas was about $6.70 / gal last time I was there, which is about average for this area. Ecuador landing permits are easy.

I'm always IFR, not sure where you can get VFR charts for Peru.

The AIP lists Talara as international airport, jet fuel, no avgas. Email is Aeropuerto DOT deTalara AT adp DOT com DOT pe.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but don't forget your orange fluorescent jacket, most airports here are kind of serious about that and it will help getting through the airports quicker if you look the part of a pilot.

Enjoy the ceviche and pisco sour :)

[bentleyboy]

Hello wwelvaert
Interesting info. Do you happen to have a more comprehenive brief for Lima?
Thanks

[Csaffon]

Heard that Costa Rica is charging insane amounts for parking a small airplane but have not been able to confirm it.

Does anyone know if this is true or who/how does the parking and fuel in Tobias Bolaños Pavas MRPV.

Any alternatives?


Thanks