Flying to the Flying to the Caribbean

Document Requirements

• Airworthiness Registration• Standardized Validation of a Special

Airworthiness Certificate (Experimental)• Registration Certificate (permanent copy, no

pink temporary ones)• Pilot License-English Proficient• Medical Certificate (unless LSA, then USA rules

apply)

Documents Required

• Valid passports for all members of your party• US Customs and Border Protection Decal for

the aircraft-Purchased every year• Copy of your insurance policy with coverage

for the Caribbean or add-on

Suggested Equipment

• One Coast Guard-approved life vest for each soul on board

• Life raft to accommodate all on board• Emergency survival kit, including food• A portable VHF water proof radio• Large 12” N Numbers• An EPIRB-rescue beacon• Bahamas &Caribbean Pilots Guide

Great resource

Suggested Equipment

• WAC charts• Emergency water and food• Control locks and tie-down kit, including ropes

and stakes• Extra quarts of engine oil

eAPIS-Electronic Aircraft Passenger Information System

• Enroll: https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov• May take a week to get an email confirmation

so that you can activate your account. My experience was that it took less time.

• AOPA has a training video on how to use eAPIS: http://flash.aopa.org/asf/eAPIS/

• I would get your account at least 2-3 weeks before your flight.

eAPIS

• File the day before and also your return trip to get that out of the way.

• Receive and print your confirmation email and put with your paperwork.

• FAA regulations require that you file a flight plan for flights to the Bahamas regardless of VFR or IFR. Your first landing must be at a Bahamas Airport of Entry (AOE) See Customs Fax

Flight Plan

• The day before file your flight plan. Fax your customs form.

• Day of Flight: ATIS, Clearance, if going VFR arrange flight following at that time. Squawk code

• You must have an active flight plan and squawking a code before entering the US Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)

Flight

• Activate flight plan with Miami Radio in the run-up area.

• Enjoy the flight and get lots of pictures.• Close the flight with Nassau Radio 118.4 or the

“Blue Phone” at the FBO/Customs• Usually customs and FBO will be in the same

buildings

XM Weather

• NEXRAD only about 150 miles out from the contiguous US

• Lightning Data about 200 miles• Weather must be gained the old fashion way

by calling Miami Flight Service: 1(305) 233-2600

• I would also file my flight plans with a briefer.

Return Flight

• File VFR or IFR. I prefer IFR, but you have to put up with their choice of routes. If you want to stay shallow, go VFR.

• Day before call Customs and ask if they have your eAPIS.

• Call at least 1 hour before to refine time of arrival

• Call Miami Radio within 3 hours of leaving and activate flight plan and squawk code

Return flight

• Pick up Nassau Approach as soon as you can after take off.

• If they do not pass you on to Miami Approach, then call Miami approach before reaching ADIZ.

Bahamas Habitat, Cameron King

Caribbean Sky Tours

www.caribbeanskytours.comRick Gardner, Director

Great resource