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Flying to Cuba

GalinHdz

Well Known Member
For those that are interested, the law for traveling to to Cuba has not changed but the rules for complying with the law changed dramatically on January 16, 2015. There are 12 authorized travel related transactions which US Citizens can use for travel to Cuba. These categories have always existed but required special licenses/permits for compliance. As of January 16, 2015 there are no special requirements to obtain a license or permit for travel to Cuba IF you fall under one of these categories. However, the Cuban government (CAA) has not come out with any information about flying an experimental or LSA aircraft to Cuba. If I get any information about this I will post it here.

REGULAR TOURISM FROM THE US TO CUBA IS NOT ONE OF THE 12 AUTHORIZED TRAVEL RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND IS STILL PROHIBITED FOR US CITIZENS!

:cool:
 
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Educational transfer .

Wonder if there's any flying clubs down there ( not :rolleyes:) that you could connect with and maybe have a educational transfer in the form of a fly-in to their field. :D That really would be a awesome trip. Call it a $100 cigar flight.
 
....

The Cuban government has not come out with any information about flying an experimental or LSA aircraft to Cuba. If I get any information about this I will post it here.

:cool:


Thanks Galin for follow up. I would like to join your second group of "RVs to Cuba" travelers :)
 
Baja Bush Pilots is currently putting a trip to Cuba together. No other details at this time.
 
there is no general aviation in cuba.
the only time you see a piston aircraft in cuba is one of the charter flights. I have seen a couple of navajo's with N numbers but thats about it.

it's a very interesting place to fly into.

bob burns
 
Cuba

I collect old aviation magazines. In the mid to late fifties Cuba had a lot of private aircraft and airfields. The magazines ran ads about Havana and flying to Cuba. When did the private airplanes go away and where did they go?? What caused the demise of private aviation in Cuba??
Al Bennett soloed two of his kids way before they were 16. One in Mexico and one in Cuba. I think one was 11 and one was 12.
 
Youngest solo

Al Bennett Jr. soloed in Mexico at age 11, his sister Betty in Cuba in 1952 at age 10, and brother Ken at age 9. Guiness stopped keeping records of youngest solo after Ken, so according to Guinness Ken is still officially the record holder.
 
Vlad

Bill, I see how much flying Vlad does & am following his lead..

Also, I'm downsizing. Looking @ a 7A .. Flying one (mostly one) or two in a 10 doesn't make sense. Plus, I'm certain I'll be zipping around @ 180 kts. ;)
 
180 knots

If you are flying your new 7a around at 180 knots youll be burning as many dinosours as your 4 seater flying 165k. I'd bet most people that have 10's spend 90% of their time with 2 or less souls on board.

Don't know if remember, but we met at Jesse's flyin last year. If you are ever in the area on a Sunday stop by 52FA in Lake Wales, you have official permission. Gary Palinkas has come in his rv and he brings his tent. I believe Turbo has been into the field with a couple of different rides.
 
I collect old aviation magazines. In the mid to late fifties Cuba had a lot of private aircraft and airfields. The magazines ran ads about Havana and flying to Cuba. When did the private airplanes go away and where did they go?? What caused the demise of private aviation in Cuba??
Al Bennett soloed two of his kids way before they were 16. One in Mexico and one in Cuba. I think one was 11 and one was 12.

I suspect over the years most of the private aircraft in Cuba flew North on one way trips.
G
 
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Cuba

In the 50's, a gentlemen then living in the Detroit area, designed and built a midget racer he called the Loving Love. His name was Neal Loving. I believe he was born in Jamaica. He flew the midget from Detroit to Kingston Jamaica, making at least two stops in Cuba.
The airplane went to the EAA Museum, but may be gone now. He sold plans and at least a couple others were built.
 
Especially when they had been violating Cuban sovereign airspace for years then try to get out when intercepted. After this happened they haven't been back. Hopefully Cuba will follow all other Caribbean nations and let EAB fly there sooner than later.

:cool:

I sure hope they will, and I hope that they extend that "privilege" to their own citizens, and not just foreign travelers.
 
Cuban Aviation

DanH, that is a very enlightening article on Cuban aviation; a very rich history.
 
At a clinic at OshKosh, Jim Parker from http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com hosted a forum about flying to Cuba. He recently landed at an airport on the south side & said he was the first scheduled and approved GA landing there in 55 years. He's putting together a group to fly down later this year. He's offering to do the paperwork for other GA traffic for about $1000.
He's working with the Cuban & US State departments.
BTW, he's also working with the Cuban State department to adjust the landing fee to accommodate GA. I believe he paid around $250, same as the commercial guys.
 
Just received this email from Jim Parker. Looks like he reduced some of the prices due to the State Dept requirements.

Cuba Flight Planning Concierge Service Up and Running
Dates for Cuba Fly Ins Coming Soon
Jim Parker Departs for Havana Saturday August 8

At Oshkosh, hundreds of pilots signed up for Cuba Fly Ins or the concierge service to Fly to Cuba on their own. Thank you for stopping by our booth or registering online. Click here for details:
www.CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com

The Cuba Flight Planning Concierge Service is available beginning Friday August 7 and at a reduced price of $625 instead of $935. The lower price is due to reduced requirements by the U.S. government.

This package includes everything you need to be legal, safe, organized and confident flying your own plane to CUBA!

Dates for the Fully escorted Fly Ins - accompanied by Jim Parker - will be announced in the next few weeks. These tours will be at least a $1,000 to $2,000 less that those offered by other operators. Importantly, these Fly Ins will put money into the hands of everyday Cubans rather than tour operators in the U.S.

Caribbean Flying Adventures continues to maintain its policy of offering affordable Fly Ins to private pilots and mentoring pilots on how to fly to tropical island destinations on their own.

Apologies for the delay in getting back to so many of you who are anxiously awaiting information and dates for the Cuba trips. I have been up to my eyeballs in issues relating to aircraft insurance, rapidly changing U.S. regulations, working with U.S. customs/immigration and FAA officials who are trying to catch up with the changing regulations and Miami Center on procedures for departing to Cuba.

It has all fallen into place in the past few days so that those of you who wish to use the Cuba Flight Planning Concierge Service as soon as "inmediately" will be flying your plane to Cuba and doing so legally, safely and with complete confidence.
 
Cuba Fly ins

Just received this email from Jim Parker re: scheduled trip.
A bit pricey but includes all costs associated with the trip.


First Cuba Fly Ins Set for Oct 9 and Nov 5
Five nights - Six Days
KEYW - MUVR - MUHA - KEYW


FINALLY. We are off to CUBA in our Own Planes

Many of you have emailed asking "when?" The first trip is scheduled for October 9-14. The next Fly In is Nov 5-10. There are three slots available for the October 9 Fly In. I know it is short notice but if you are interested and have or can get insurance coverage for Cuba, send me an email today to lock in your slot or be waitlisted. Email me also if you want to be listed for the Nov 5 Fly In.

We will be visiting Varadero for briefings with Civil Aviation officials on airport and safety procedures and then on to Havana for historical and cultural tours plus interactions with everyday Cubans.

Sorry for the short notice. It has taken three trips to Cuba to feel confident that I have it all figured out. I just returned on Saturday. Not to mention countless hours with U.S. bureaucrats at Treasury, Commerce, FAA and CBP. At last, we are good to go as a ?People to People? group, fully compliant with all U.S. regulations in our own aircraft.
I will arrange all the licenses and permits for both the U.S. and Cuba. The package cost includes all hotels, food, drinks, transfers, airport fees (around $800 ? higher for heavier aircraft), visas, tours, shows, guides and a full time escort pilot (me).
We will be flying to two airports in Cuba for interaction with the Cuban people and a series of educational and cultural experiences unique to Cuba.
Route: KEYW ? MUVR ? MUHA ? KEYW
Cost: $1,950 per person double occupancy (payment by check or bank transfer) ? includes hotels, taxes, all food and drinks, visa, airports fees, transportation, guided tours, educational and cultural events; and an opportunity to meet real everyday Cubans. We will walk through old town Havana, drive down the grand avenues of Havana in mint-condition 1950?s automobiles, visit Hemingway?s House, enjoy a front row seat at the 75 year old, spectacular Tropicana Cabaret show, eat at cozy private restaurants ? plus shop for cigars and Havana rum.
What must you do besides telling me you want to go? Make certain your insurance coverage is for the Islands of the Caribbean or the Islands of the West Indies ? without a Cuba exclusion. My USAIG covers Cuba. QBE informed me today they would cover Cuba at no additional cost but with a higher deductible for the Cuban travel. LL Johns and Starr both offer Cuba coverage. If you have AIG, switch carriers. They threatened to cancel a member?s policy simply for asking about Cuba coverage! There is no restriction by the U.S. limiting your carrier?s ability to cover Cuba and pay Cuba as long as you are traveling under one of the authorized 12 categories, which we will be.
Join this historic visit to a destination that has been beyond our reach for 55 years. We?ll depart Key West Friday morning Oct 9th.

Regards, Jim Parker
 
I just returned from a flight to Cuba. The experience was AWESOME! We did all the coordinating ourselves and even though the flying portion was a bit expensive it was worth it. For now there is still no official word on flying an experimental aircraft to Cuba (I asked) and you are required to go IFR. I am working on an experimental approval with the Cuban Civil Aviation Authorities and personally think it will happen.

You can read about the trip from a pilot's perspective in the bottom of the ADVENTURES section of our website, www.puertoricoflyer.com.

:cool:
 
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