Airplane rental in the Caribbean

[wsoder]

Hi,

My name is Will and I'm a private pilot who is looking for an airplane to rent in the Caribbean or in south Florida. My plan is to rent a Piper or Cessna and then do some island hopping for three weeks in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Leewards islands and Windward islands) this autumn. I have around 150h of flight time, JAA PPL and night qualification.

Do anyone know where I could rent an airplane in the Caribbean or in Florida? Maybe on Bahamas, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, St Martin or Martinique? Any suggestions and information is appreciated!

Best regards,
Will

[flyingswiss]

Well first of all you need to have the proper license, other then for the French Islands and few other you go nowhere with a JAA license.

The easiest place to get your license converted is the DR, it`s really a piece of cake, but then again no chance of renting a plane solo, same in probably most of the other islands.

Your only option is to get an FAA license, there are several companies in Florida (PM me and I will name you a few) that rent planes for solo/PIC flights to the Bahamas, very few, for insurance requirements will allow you to take them to many other Islands, the one I rented wasn`t allowed to go further south then TC.

It will be also very expensive as you will be taking a plane for several days, they will probably charge you extra/day.

I would stick with the Bahamas, Key West and South Florida...way less of a pain in the a** in bureaucracy also.

An other big problem is that you wanna do this flying in the hurricane season.

[wsoder]

Thank you for your answer! Yes I definitely need a FAA license and as you say it shouldn't be to much of a problem to get it. My plan is to go there during late November and December. As far as I know this should be pretty ok with regards to hurricanes.

I will contact you about companies in Florida. Thanks Again!

[Flying Mechanic]

When you fly south from the Bahamas , make sure your have a descent life raft. I used to do regularly in a Aztec back in 2004....ditching is your biggest worry!

[groupir972]

I do have the same question about plane renting so thanks you for the light!! 💡😃
Also I would be really interested about any flight school suggestions to get the FAA licenses as well and plane renting location .
Many thanks

King Regards

[FO767]

You can get an FAA PPL based on your JAA/EASA PPL. Look up FAA website for foreign licence verification. No need to get a FAA PPL if you're doing just a few leisure flights.