Puerto Rico Anyone?

[DonFromTX]

Spent a few days with a friend from Puerto Rico, he suggested I fly on down. Was looking at maps, looks like not too bad of a trip. Has anyone flown down there and survived it?

[AX-O]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

Spent a few days with a friend from Puerto Rico, he suggested I fly on down. Was looking at maps, looks like not too bad of a trip. Has anyone flown down there and survived it?

Talk to Rosie. He just visited me a few months back.

[Gary 40274]

I used to fly down to British Virgin Islands annually to sail. Stopping at Puerto Rico for fuel both ways was required.

It is a long trip, I would suggest that you start with the Bahamas for the first trip, then extend down the chain as you get more comfortable with the challenges. Fuel is not available at every airport and the check in requirements require you to land at an airport of entry first upon entering a country. The Turks and Caicos only have fuel at Provo. You need to decide about how you will traverse the long leg from Grand Turk to Puerto Rico. I think it is about 350 miles with no islands unless you dogleg to the Dominican republic.

Because you are flying an experimental aircraft You are required to get written permission to fly into any foreign country except .Bahamas, Mexico, or Canada. This can be a long process.

Remember most of all that all these folks are on island time so things move at a very relaxed pace.

If you want more detailed info contact me.

Gary Specketer
gspecketer@hotmail.com

[Chris Thomas]

Take extra money for foreign customs.......

Actually NO CASH is often better in Dom. Rep. etc.

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by AX-O

Talk to Rosie. He just visited me a few months back.

Here is a link to one of the longest threads on VAF that has the story of flying to Puetro Rico included in it. Rosie is the one that wrote it.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=98220

[DonFromTX]

Hey, thanks a lot. Just the information I was looking for.

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

Here is a link to one of the longest threads on VAF that has the story of flying to Puetro Rico included in it. Rosie is the one that wrote it.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=98220

[GalinHdz]

I have flown to PR three times already and it is a BLAST. The last time I did it we started the trip from Houston TX (9X1).

We meet in South Florida (KTMB) the day before we depart to flight plan, coordinate and make sure everything is in order. We make plans to arrive in PR at the same time so everyone files their flight plan and launches with this in mind. Some of us (me included) fly IFR direct while others go VFR and make several stops along the way. It all depends your airplane's capabilities. I take my experimental airplane down so I can help with any fears. Believe me it is a non issue.

During the time we are in PR we always make at least one side trip to another island for those that want to go. We also coordinate with the PR General Aviation Association and have at least one fly in while there. The flying weather between Florida and PR during December is normally INCREDIBLE.

We are already planning the 4th annual Florida to PR trip which is tentatively scheduled for Dec 13 - 23rd. We already have 4 airplanes signed up to go:
4th Annual Florida to Puerto Rico Trip. If you, or anyone else, is interested in joining us PM me and I will provide more details.

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by AX-O

Talk to Rosie. He just visited me a few months back.

Yup! That was one of the highlights of the trip: Flying out from the British Virgin Islands to Aguadilla to visit Axel and Alisha

Here's the routing I'd use that would keep you away from the Turks & Caicos (there fees are now prohibitive: Fuel was $250 and fees took the total to $410).

As for aircraft papers (AROW docs), not one foreign official wanted to see anything about the plane nor did they ask about having received prior permission: Passport and Pilot's License is all they want to see and they were glad to have you visit their island.

Both Great Exuma (e-mail Jermaine at Strachan Aviation ) and Puerto Plata are Easy in/Easy out and EASY flights in an RV

Have fun! Rosie

[Gary 40274]

As for aircraft papers (AROW docs), not one foreign official wanted to see anything about the plane nor did they ask about having received prior permission: Passport and Pilot's License is all they want to see and they were glad to have you visit their island.


Have fun! Rosie

I too have never been asked for the permission paperwork to enter a foreign country, the problem is that your airworthiness certificate is invalid if you don't have that permission. If your airworthiness is invalid, so is your insurance. Soooo if something happens you have no insurance coverage. Just food for thought.

Gary Specketer

From Rosie: Early on (first trips), we looked into 'approval' and there was nobody we could find to give the approval...

[DonFromTX]

OK, and now for the killer. I know that with a PPL and no medical (using my drivers license instead) I can fly to the Bahamas OK. Does any other part of the trip pose a problem with those credentials? If so I just might have to drag along someone with a medical