Ron Lee
Well Known Member
Part 1. Preparation
I learned about this trip on 19 or 20 May 2011 when Rosie made his first post.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=72350
Given the prep work done by Rosie and Jim Baker, I was able to take care of the critical issues and decided to go by the following weekend. Then the flight planning began. While I have made trips to North Eleuthera Bahamas, the Caymans and Baja Mexico, I tend to forget some of the critical requirements.
I already had an eAPIS account. I ordered the Customs decal. Then the details of getting to Homestead FL had to be worked. My initial plan was Valdosta GA or Dothan AL for the overnight stop on Monday, 30 May. The next day would be an easy flight to Homestead prior to departing with the group for the Bahamas on 1 June.
As I got closer to departure day, there were high surface winds forecast in the region where I normally make my first fuel stop so I considered a short first leg then would have enough fuel to get past the high wind area. Little did I know that I either missed something or the high wind forecast was not as accurate as I expected.
Once I was told that I did not need my empty seat for a contingency passenger, I removed the passenger seat and used that area for my tool/spare parts bin. On this trip I carried about the same as my trip to Baja Mexico. I had a main tire/tube. Nose tire and three tubes. Foot operated inflator. Significant selection of bolts, washers, screws, electrical connectors, crimper/stripper, wire, open end wrenches, sockets. Allen wrenches, safety wire, torque wrench, spare alternator, electric fuel pump, alternator belt, spark plugs/sockets, spark plug wire, 5 minute epoxy and flock, file, screwdrivers and other assorted tools, electric drill, plexiglass drill bit, misc drill bits plus other always carry items (brake O-rings, valve stem cores, spare fuel cap).
I learned about this trip on 19 or 20 May 2011 when Rosie made his first post.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=72350
Given the prep work done by Rosie and Jim Baker, I was able to take care of the critical issues and decided to go by the following weekend. Then the flight planning began. While I have made trips to North Eleuthera Bahamas, the Caymans and Baja Mexico, I tend to forget some of the critical requirements.
I already had an eAPIS account. I ordered the Customs decal. Then the details of getting to Homestead FL had to be worked. My initial plan was Valdosta GA or Dothan AL for the overnight stop on Monday, 30 May. The next day would be an easy flight to Homestead prior to departing with the group for the Bahamas on 1 June.
As I got closer to departure day, there were high surface winds forecast in the region where I normally make my first fuel stop so I considered a short first leg then would have enough fuel to get past the high wind area. Little did I know that I either missed something or the high wind forecast was not as accurate as I expected.
Once I was told that I did not need my empty seat for a contingency passenger, I removed the passenger seat and used that area for my tool/spare parts bin. On this trip I carried about the same as my trip to Baja Mexico. I had a main tire/tube. Nose tire and three tubes. Foot operated inflator. Significant selection of bolts, washers, screws, electrical connectors, crimper/stripper, wire, open end wrenches, sockets. Allen wrenches, safety wire, torque wrench, spare alternator, electric fuel pump, alternator belt, spark plugs/sockets, spark plug wire, 5 minute epoxy and flock, file, screwdrivers and other assorted tools, electric drill, plexiglass drill bit, misc drill bits plus other always carry items (brake O-rings, valve stem cores, spare fuel cap).