Card's Caribbean Trip 2015

[scard]

Yesterday on Dominica, Shiner and Diddy got their FIRST SCUBA introduction right there at the dive site with all of the rest of us. Of course they stayed in some very shallow water with the instructor. Lucky dogs! Their dive expectations are completely skewed heretofore!


The rest of us went down to see some of the most amazing colors and creatures as seen in Rosie's photos.

Sharkbait, Cookie, Scoot, Taco getting ready to drop in for the first dive of the day.


It was a beautiful dive site in about 75' of water. Super calm, no current to fight.




Tanya was in charge of the camera below. Hey, we all know that guy! Tidbit... He once AGAIN has no alternator, the day before we depart Dominica. It lasted about 30min of the flight out of Antigua after the cabbie 'had it fixed'... There is no need to give him any more grief about that. We've already fully taken care of that around the bar.


Expert camera work (first pictures underwater for us). A shot of the back of my head .


When the wife says wave...


As usual, that is just a sample. See the album for the rest of the images in between. Time to head out to find some more adventure this morning. This afternoon 2pm we all are going on a tour to Trafalgar Falls and Titou Gorge. 200' swim in 68deg water (burrrrr) at a location where some of Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.

[Ash]

Originally Posted by scard

Ooops, found some more pictures from earlier, leaving Antigua this morning:

You are SO lucky that you are lot flying with LIAT (pictured in the background). Although they are "The Caribbean's Premier Airline", that's not saying much. LIAT stands for Leave Island Any Time. They stranded us in Antigua once and were nice enough to put us up at Jolly Beach as well. Unfortunately, it was only from midnight till 5am. It was really frustrating because you can see St Kitts (where we were headed back to) from Antigua, but couldn't get there. Would really like to get back there sometime.

[scard]

How about answering some of the mysterious questions from land lovers about how to get in and out of some of these countries. Keep in mind, I'm just a passenger, so my comments are from the 1000' level. Ask Cookie for the micro nitty-gritty.

Going into Stella Maris in the Bahamas was very easy. We pretty much didn't talk to anybody after crossing the ADIZ outbound until Stella Maris traffic the same as any US uncontrolled airfield. Al on ctaf piped up with the winds and sounded like he was expecting us (he was thanks to Lead). The fuel truck was rolling by the time we shut down and we went into the little customs building to clear Into and Out of the Bahamas at the same time. The customs agent was in absolutely no hurry as is usually the case and made it very obvious that he hated his job and would rather be taking a nap. 5 General Declaration forms (2 in, 3 out I think) and some other minor paper work, $50 each plane, and 1hr to process all three of us and we were on our way.

At top of climb at 9500' out of the Bahamas on the way to Punta Cana Dominican Republic, we coupled up with Miami Center who followed us all the way to the FIR off the north shore of the Dominican. There we got switched over to Santo Domingo Control. Boy, this is where things got interesting. We don't speak Spanish, and some of the controllers just barely speak English. It worked out, but we very politely asked the controllers to slowly repeat some things many times. Passing beyond Santo Domingo on the way to Punta Cana, inside the Dominican airspace, they switched us over to a Santo Domingo Radio (I think). This lady spoke so little English that we could only pick out about every five words,"quatro ocho dos dos Carlos... blah, blah, blah...". "Oh, ****, I think she is talking to us again..." We were just basically faking the readbacks, which it seemed that she barely understood as well. We just kept moving forward.

Out here, it seems that they want everyone to be under full control. There is no dumping flight following or doing "unapproved"... Although, if you ask to do something different than the flight plan (always required for every movement), you almost always get what you want. Anyway, we're with the impossible controller on the way to Punta Cana that we can't understand but it is time to start our decent out of 9.5k'. We chose the easy way out and contacted the last controller that we could understand at Santo Domingo Control for that approval which worked perfectly. "Descend pilots discretion, contact Punta Cana Control."

Down we went, switched over to the TCA controller who spoke very good english. "Whew." 4822C Follow the Southwest 737 on 4mi final to runway 08. 22C and flight, traffic in sight follow runway 08. They almost never acknowledge the fact that this is a flight, but we clarify that fact clearly, slowly, and often. Switch tower, that spoke even better english, cleared to land. We had our three ship in moderate (not close, not extended) trail just in case the tower got nervous about us landing three airplanes at once. It happens, but nobody said anything so we all touched down in pretty close spacing.

For the taxi to the ramp at Punta Cana after collecting the flight, Ground was pretty chatty and I indulged his curiosities about the airplanes, where we had come from, etc. Customs and flight plans in and out were very easily handled by one FBO lady. $25 in, $25 out as we were using their ramp. It took about 10min / airplane to process here. Outbound from Punta Cana, we cleared out with the same FBO lady and she filed our International flight plan forms with the tower. Taxi out. As much as we tried to explain what we wanted to do, they didn't quite understand the concept of launching a flight. Each wingman got a squawk code and we got launched individually on a pretty short interval. It worked. I heard that the later flights were able to do a more normal section takeoff.

As I said, always in radio contact and control along our route to Antigua... Arriving Antigua, again they didn't say anything about the formation arrival, so this time we landed 2 + 1 and proceeded to get a full taxi tour of the entire airport grounds. The had no clue what in the world to do with us, especially when we told them that there were six more airplanes inbound in a bit. We toured all three ramps as a little traveling parade of three taxiing formation airplanes. We shut down at one end of the airport and Cookie called ground while all wingmen held tight in their airplanes. "Antigua ground, 4822C... Go ahead. Yes sir, I don't think we're in the right location here on the airfield. Please understand that we are an international flight that will be staying for three days and we need to properly clear customs and immigration..." They had taxied us out to some distant location that was deserted. "I'm sorry, 22C, you're right, that probably isn't where we should have sent you. We're contacting the airport authorities to try to figure out what to do with you. Please standby." They eventually found us a spot on the main ramp as we formation taxied all of our ducks back across the airfield.

Clearing into Antigua was also pretty easy but did require some patience, smiles, and deep cooperation. More GenDecs, and another slightly grumpy customs officer who's first reaction was something like "no, you can't do it this way, you must go....", until her supervisor came into the small office and told her, "No, Private Flight, you stamp here...." She begrudgingly did so and the supervisor said, you are cleared to go and pointed to the exit door. This is where you don't ask questions but smile, say thank you very much and have a great day, as you immediately start making your way to the door.

(whew, break time. We're getting there.)
Time to reposition to the pool... :-)


Ok, where were we, Antigua! After all of the fun was consumed everybody got their Intl. flight plan forms prepared, CARICOM filed (kinda' like US EAPIS), and back to the airport. First step was to find the A.I.S (Airport Information Services) office to file flight plans and pay fees. This took about 45min for 4 planes. Pilots only for this step, so I kept 'the ladies' company on a bench in the breezeway . From what I hear, the official doing the flight plans was completely overwhelmed as usual. After that, we collect our bags and "passengers" or "crew". Quick distinction: passenger = someone that doesn't have pilot credentials or can't be sweet-talked into being allowed as crew and few more dollars to pay. Crew = has a pilots license or other credentials associated with the aircraft that may or may not be checked (repairman's certificate?). Muddy waters on official island business can sometimes be used to your advantage.

We belly up to the "Secure" area for outbound customs and immigration, again with a little more confusion on the part of the officials. The magic words are "Private Flight" as we're basically in the main passenger terminal where some are trying to herd us through the normal lines. "No, private flight, here are our GenDocs." I think it was two more GenDocs out. Then to baggage screening. We're talking about the fact that we're in the normal passenger screening line with "unusual" stuff in our bags such as many bottles of water...

[scard]

At the baggage screening they wanted to see our ipads but not laptops. Shoes off (are you kidding me). "Uh, ma'am, what is all this liquid!" "Yes sir, Private Flight. I am the captain of a small aircraft preparing to depart over the ocean, as are all of these people behind me, and we must have these required provisions onboard.... Private Flight." "Oh, yes ma'am, (smiles all around from the officials), I just had to ask. No problem. You can all pass right on through." Out the back Jack! Next hurdle, the ticket agents guarding the doors to the ramp... Walking quickly now that security isn't on our tail, "Private Flight", pointing to the doors to the ramp. Guards frowns turned into smiles as they realized that they weren't being approached by lost passengers, and the final exit doors swung open to the ramp. Everybody just keep walking... as someone else on the ramp just outside the door began asking more questions. Nope, just keep walking toward the collection of "cute little airplanes on the ramp". We had collected attention of all kinds of people on the ramp both coming and going. All friendly. When we arrived, Tanya was chatting up two airline crew that came to check out the cool little airplanes. She even got the email address of one, who later helped provide advanced perfect clarity on the process to get out. And we're clear of Antigua!

Hang in there. We're headed to Dominica! Once again ATC "control" the whole way, minor PITA. If you're not comfortable in and out of a C or B or IFR in the states, this might very well exceed your comfort level or capability...

Land Dominica at Canefield. Small airport with no real commercial traffic. Tie down and walk into "customs". One very nice guy greets you at the door of the little building with a smile. We handed him one GenDec and $3/airplane. Immediately walked into a small office and handed another guy a GenDec. Smiles all around and the taxi was waiting for us. This one takes the Easy Cake hands down! I write this by the pool on Dominica. The dive boat just returned. I expect that customs out will be just as easy, probably with a trip up to the Canefield control tower to file flight plans and fees and we'll be on our way.



https://plus.google.com/photos/10049...Obcrp_GpuLJswE

[curtis]

Very detailed, thanks Scott.

[rv7boy]

Good report, Thanks, Scott.

I've already seen some of the fuel prices there by looking at AirNav and other sources. Not too surprising, but I'm wondering if you guys have any concerns about the quality of the 100LL. I'm sure you're checking your fuel sumps each time for water, contamination and blue (?) color. (100LL is blue in other countries, or is it?)

Anyway, do you have any stories to tell about refueling out in the boondocks? Rosie has already posted something about a fuel run to Martinique but he left us hanging by not completing this sentence: "Got spanked by both the tower in the air and" over one of his photos.

So we're all waiting to hear his version of what happened. So the different fuel burn rates drive some of the refuel location decisions. Same as here in the states, but you guys have fewer choices.

Enjoy your vacation! We are enjoying your photos and narratives.

[scard]

All of the fuel seems to be just fine. It is sometimes far between available fuel, such that they pump quite a lot of it where it is available. Yes, we sump many times before firing for a leg, and I ALWAYS watch every last drop enter the tank. I've yet to find any water or other particulate in the Blue fuel.

Yeah, Rosie "messed up" and got his lashings real good from the Martinique controllers AND the cops that met him on the ground for "dangerous maneuvers", by not contacting the departure controller outbound that he didn't know he was supposed to contact.

Just one person somehow showed up with a fuel state that made him nervous for the return, so Rosie escorted him to nearest fuel ahead of time at great expense. That is all I have to say about that...

We had an amazing last 4hrs touring / swimming some of the falls up in the rain forest. Simply amazing. Gotta' run for dinner plans again.

[scard]

The last night on Dominica is in the books. After 11pm getting back to the room from a 3hr dinner. Island time you know. Packing, flight plans, double checking strategy for getting out with all wingmen intact, getting fuel at Anguilla, and over night in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic tomorrow. Taxi leaving 8:15am for a long day ahead.

I'm leaving behind our "jump start" battery for Rosie as his Denso (da' electronics not so operational) is dead again.

Good night from Dominica as I listen to the waves crashing on the rocks only 30' below our balcony door for one more night. Tomorrow starts the multi-day "RV race" for home.

[zilik]

Home? You guys just got started.

[Michael White]

Originally Posted by zilik

Home? You guys just got started.

Apparently they only paid for the 5 minute argument, not the full half hour...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y