any Antiguans out there?

[pilotcoxy]

Just wondering if someone over there could help me

I have been asked to attend ground school in Antigua from the 23rd Sept and am looking for accomodation for one month. Does anyone know of anywhere I could stay for that time? Or has anyone got a spare room they would rent out to a fellow pilot in need of some help? Any suggestions would be much appreciated

On a slightly different note is there a flying school over there? Or has anyone got an aircraft that I can come flying in, share cost etc, have a look around the Island with?

Thank you

[AMEX]

Me ! Me ! Pick me. Oh sorry that's Antigua not Teesside :(

See you at the bash;)

[Captain Stable]

Closest to a flying school would be Norman Aviation. Details at http://www.caribbeanonlineyellowpages.com/listings_4/4_category_A_2881.html

[pilotcoxy]

Thanks Capt Stable

I dont suppose you know what aircraft they have do you? Will look them up when I get there

pc

[Wadadli]

Norman Aviation used to do instruction in a PA28 Warrior, but their instructor joined LIAT some 5-6 years ago and I do not believe that some one has replaced him. Norman flies a PA31 and a PA34 for charter, mainly to Coco Point Lodge, Barbuda. (Capt. Stable, Ray left for Carib in '96).


The Sugar Mill Hotel opposite the old airport entrance gave reasonable deals to Liat pilots, however it was up for sale and I don't know if it is still trading. The Antigua Beachcomber is well situated close to the Liat main offices and hangars, but I don't know if they give special deals for Liat. Keep in mind that you are starting in the middle of the low season. You should be able to bargin! However, I suggest that you get in touch with LIALPA (http://www.caribbeanalpa.com/directory/index.shtml) or post a note on the Caribbean ALPA forum Caribbean ALPA (http://www.caribbeanalpa.com/directory/index.shtml) . Sorry, can't think of any names just now.

Do check the above forum and The Caribbean AirNews (http://www.candoo.com) . Bwee is restructuring. Their 3 Dash 8 and some of the pilots might go to LIAT, so you may not be given a starting date until well after the completion of the ground school.

Don't forget to have a Wadadli or two :D :D :D

Good luck!!!:cool:

[pilotcoxy]

Thanks Wadadli for all that info, very much appreciated

At the risk of sounding stupid what exactly is a Wadadli?

pc:cool:

[Shockwaves]

Hello PilotCoxy

I am also attending Ground School on 23rd September in Antigua and in the process of looking for accomodation.

Have you found anywhere and do you think it might be worth sharing a place to halve costs etc?

Are you travelling from the UK?

Look forward to meeting you on the 23rd!

[pilotcoxy]

Hi Shockwaves

Nice to hear from you

I have a few leads to chase up including B&Bs, or renting a room in a private house which seems the most affordable option, but life seems to grind to a halt over there on the weekend, so am calling them all again tomorrow

Have you sorted out your flight yet? Again have some more affordable options I can fill you in on after I speak to them tomorrow

Tell you what, if you email me a contact number I will give you a call tomorrow and let you know all my findings:
[email protected]
Will post a message here with my findings for you anyway

Looking forward to meeting you too!

pc

[Shockwaves]

I've sent an email to your yahoo account, and have a couple of contact numbers for places near the airport.

[pilotcoxy]

Well I have chased up all the leads, spent hours on the web and the best I can find is $54.00 US a night, which is an awful lot (when you've only survived on a flying instructos wage for the past two years!)

So if any of you Antiguans read this and have anymore suggestions then let me know, otherwise I gonna have to buy a tent!

[Wadadli]

Sorry for the late reply, U might be on your way by now.

Try to give Eli Fuller at Adventure Antigua (http://www.adventureantigua.com/bookings.html) a call. His family run, or used to The Lord Nelson Hotel( It was severely damaged in a hurricane some years back so it may or may not be back in business). He has a lot of info and also knows a many LIAT pilots. I will e-mail U with a name. Both buying and renting cars is expensive so try to find a place close to the airport until you get the final job offer.

I know you will have a good time.

Wadadli is another name for Antigua and also the local Lager: http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/antigua/img/large/p2080004.jpg

These are a few years old. On approach into ANU from V2-LDW
http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/antigua/img/large/p2290066.jpg


Here is the local Cherokee U might be able to rent. Aircraft in the background is from Carib Aviation Ltd., whose founder is Captain Frank S. Delisle OBE, the Original founder of LIAT. Also the disused RWY with hangars of Carib Aviation, Norman Aviation and the old Seagreen hangar.

http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/antigua/img/large/pb120016.jpg

Good Luck, Wadadli :cool: :cool: :cool:

[blue_side_up]

Pilotcoxy and Shockwave,
Congratulations, obviously you have both found a job in these lean times. However, curiousity is killing me! Where or on what aircraft are you doing the groundschool? Is there a guaranteed job when you finish?
Best of luck!

[G SXTY]

Hi pilotcoxy, I trust the all-over tan is coming along nicely.:)

Check your Yahoo when you get a chance.

[Wadadli]

Liat flies Dash8-100/300 out of Antigua(Headquarters) and Barbados. Usually they put you in a pool for future need. That can be a wait of 1 day until .......... You must also be a Caribbean National.

Check the Caribbean ALPA link above.

Wadadli.

[rightpedalRIGHTPEDAL]

Hey Wadadli

Which one are you - a frigate bird or an old goat, coz thats all I see last time I was on Redonda.
I hope you have the king's permission.;) :D :D

[pilotcoxy]

hi Wadadli et al

thank you for info, photos etc all very much appreciated

well the ground school went well, the Wadadli beer tastes good and yes i have gone into a holding pool! It has been good (if somewhat expensive) experience

In case any one else is looking for cheap accomodation, the Airport Hotel is the place to stay say you are with one of the local airlines and you will get a room for $500.00 ec per month, basic, has cable but also some big rats too. will look up their phone number.

Got to go, the beach (and Banks) is calling, am now killing time in Barbados just in case the airline calls and tells me they want me to go to the sim in Toronto

pc

[mkeelan]

pilotcoxy - glad to hear the groundschool went well. is Airport Hotel the actual name of the hotel? and was that $500US or $500EC? if it's in EC currency that sounds like a great deal.

also if you wouldn't mind checking your pm's i have a couple more questions for you, if you don't mind.

enjoy the beach and sun, might seeya soon....

[pilotcoxy]

Hi,

The price for the Airport Hotel was in EC dollars, excellent deal, en-suite room, in a timber building, cable tv, no fridge (but you get what you pay for) there is an ice making machine though. There is a restaurant on site (mention you are a pilot and get 10% discount)meals about $20 ec so not the cheapest. The Stickey Wicket can get burgers for 20-25 ec and nice surroundings - on the airport compound.

The Airport Hotel is very basic though and I did see a couple of rats though not in the room. If you go make sure you ask for a fan for your room as they probably wont offer it otherwise. You also need to mention you are a pilot with LIAT or another local firm.

The phone no is Antigua 4621191
fax4620928

pc

[mkeelan]

anyone one out there work for, or used to work for, or know lots about Carib Aviation - pm me if you don't mind answering a few questions.

[mkeelan]

wadadli - thanks for your reply - i sent you a pm.

cheers:cool:

[June Gloom]

Hi Folks,

as far as I recall (this information is about
one year old) the current owner of tha PA-28 pictured elsewhere in this thread, V2-LDW, is
Mr. David Hart, (268) 463-6700, and I believe
that he hires out the plane and provides training as well.

Enjoy,
J.G.

[Wadadli]

PilotCoxy, good it all went well. Passing ANU next week for SVD. Might see U.:)

June, thanks for info. It's been a few years. Got the pictures from a fellow German and PPL, Fredrik, who has a web page with pictures from ANU and the Caribbean and his experience of living and working in Antigua (http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/antigua/photos/).

Regards Wadadli:cool: