Documentation for flying to the Bahamas
Hi Bruce, It truly is
VERY easy to fly from the USA to the Bahamas (or Cayman Islands or Turks & Caicos or all the way to Trinidad), and it's even a more
special experience to fly your own RV there!!!!!!!!
Coming home can be two-fold: It can either be
PLEASANT or
UNPLEASANT depending on who in the Customs office processes you back into the USA...
Here's what I learned from my trips traveling with the
Master traveler, Jim 'Jimmyb' Baker;
Required Docs:
*Valid Passport for you and your crew member(s)
Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 2 months after your return date.
*Valid Pilot License (the
new 'credit card' one with the 'English proficient' wording on the back)
*Valid Medical Certificate
*Valid Airworthiness
*Valid Registration
Online Registration
*Customs and Border Protection's eAPIS
information and
login/enrollment pages
Note: I still don't believe the process is user-friendly as the website claims.
*Customs
decal Note: I've been told you can buy it on the spot but haven't tried this
Aircraft:
*
Life vest for each crew member
*
12" N numbers
*A working radio
*Mode C transponder
*A copy of your aircraft insurance policy (desirable) and ensure (or call to get it added) it covers the British West Indies which includes the Bahamas, Greater Antilles (Caymans) and Lesser Antilles (all islands past Bahamas to South America)
I do not carry and have not ever been asked for a radio station license (or any other aircraft documentation for the plane)...ever...but you can read all you want on the radio license subject
here.
Forms:
*
International Flight Plan (Fill out at home then use it when you call Int'l FSS)
*
Bahamas Waiver (Carry a copy in the plane)
*
Bahamas C7A form (Present 2 copies to the official upon arrival)
*
Bahamas In/Out Declaration form (Present 2 copies to the official upon arrival and departure)
*
FAA Waiver (can't seem to get a good answer if still required: print it out and take it anyway)
Credit Cards:
I recommend either
Discover or
Capital One Credit Cards as the do NOT charge foreign transaction fees!
For the International flight plan, you can fill it out best you can at home, but honestly, when you call to file, let the briefer know this is your first time across the water and they will walk you through the form, NO PROBLEM!!! They are there to help ;-)
Note: For ANY form you fill out in the Bahamas, you have NO passengers, ALL are crew!!! This will save you $$$ in the Bahamas.
There is no need to tip any Bahamian official. Just pay what they ask of you, and take CASH.
Before Departing the USA:
*File with eAPIS then wait for the e-mail.....You
must have (receive) your EAPIS e-mail indicating
you are cleared to depart to the USA!!!
*File your international flight plan
After takeoff
*Squawk 1200 (if VFR departure)
*Contact FSS to open your flight Plan
*Close your flight plan prior to landing or call afterwards
Returning to USA, prior to departure:
*Login to eAPIS and get squared away with them then wait for your e-mail: You
must have (receive) your EAPIS e-mail indicating
you are cleared to return to the USA!!!
*File your international flight plan and include ADCUS in the remarks section.
*TELEPHONE Customs (at your airport of entry: AOE) directly and give them your ETA. You may change your ETA enroute with FSS but you need to ask them to notify Customs.
This is still required even though you checked in via eAPIS...
Returning to USA, after takeoff:
*Squawk 1200 (if VFR departure)
*Prior to entering the ADIZ, contact FSS and obtain your discrete SQUAWK code. Do
NOT cross the ADIZ without it!!!
*Arrive at your AOE AT or within 15 minutes AFTER your ETA. Do
NOT arrive early…you can radio ahead and try to notify Customs that you'll be early/late or you can slow down enroute or circle if you have to.
NEVER arrive early without prior notification!!!
*Close your flight plan prior to landing or call afterwards
After landing
*Taxi
DIRECTLY to the Customs 'Penalty Box': Do not go anywhere else, do not pass GO!!!!
*Take your required docs and (write down) your Customs decal number to take into Customs.
*Take your clothing bags with you unless otherwise directed (no need to carry in tool bags, scuba bag etc…)
*
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE before entering the building.
*Fill out your USA Customs 6095B
form and any other form they have for you
*Be nice, smile no matter how rude they might be…
I've posted all my trip reports to the Islands and elsewhere on my
website.
If you've ever considered a trip to the Bahamas or beyond, I encourage you to make the trip... and the more RVs that can join you, the merrier!
Also, if you are considering a guided trip to the Caribbean, Jim Parker of
Caribbean Flying Adventures, is
the Master Tour Guide for the Caribbean and you could fly in his group trips. He can also help secure your Cuban Overflight Permit if you are flying to the Cayman Islands (~2.5 RV hours from Key West). Jim's website has a ton of information on flying to the Caribbean. I've been a member since 2004, and he's only a phone call away with questions that I need answered. He's a person, not a book
I'm not paid by Jim or receive anything for promoting his website; I just like to share good websites for flying with my fellow RVers!
Our next trip is set for 2017.
Contact me if you'd like to join us
Rosie