The Islands Of The Bahamas Private Pilot Guide 2014-2015 149710_PrivatePilot_cov.indd 1 3/26/14 5:51 AM CONTENTS Welcome Message Minister of Tourism ........... 2 Message Comptroller of Customs .................... 3 Message President of AOPA ............................. 4 General Information ......................................... 5 Bahamas Official Gateway FBOs ..................... 7 Flying to The Bahamas Checklist .................... 8 Airport Information ........................................ 10 Frequently Asked Questions ........................... 12 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facilities – Airports of Entry .......................... 15 Bahamas Private Pilots’ Bill of Rights ........... 17 Bahamas Students Become Young Eagles ..... 18 Bahamas Customs Form C7A ........................ 19 Bahamas Customs Form C7 ........................... 20 Greg Rolle Chief Aviation Specialist [email protected] Elizabeth Vance [email protected] Donna Ash [email protected] Carlton Sands Project Coordinator [email protected] generated at BeQRious.com Contact us: Bahamas Tourist Office 1200 S. Pine Island Rd. Ste. 450 Plantation, FL 33324 Ph: 954.236.9292 Fax: 954.236.9282 bahamas.com/flying Welcome Message from the Minister of Tourism Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, MP Commonwealth of The Bahamas Minister of Tourism Bay Street, P.O. Box N-3701 P 1.242.302.2000 F 1.242.302.2098 Dear Aviator, Welcome to The Islands Of The Bahamas, a region of unique beauty and charm. Your short fl ight time allows you to experience our country’s exquisite views on many levels. From a bird’s eye view, there is no doubt that the various shades of our aquamarine and turquoise waters, the clearest in the world, show The Bahamas as a paradise on Earth. While getting here is a pleasure, we continue to work hard to ensure that your time on our islands and our satellite cays is fi lled with satisfying experiences. On many islands, access to points of interest has been improved and new or enhanced tours and attractions are being introduced. Even more importantly, our people remain as warm and inviting as our temperate climate. Enjoy your time in our islands. We look forward to greeting you again and again as you learn that our home is by all means yours as well. Warmest Regards, Hon. Obie H. Wilchcombe, MP Minister of Tourism 1.800.32 SPORT bahamas.com/fl ying • 1 149710_PrivatePilot_text.indd 1 3/26/14 5:56 AM Message from the Comptroller of Customs Mr. Charles Turner Bahamas Customs P.O. Box N-155 Nassau, Bahamas P 1.242.326.4401 – 4 F 1.242.322.6223 / 1.242.325.7409 Dear Aviators, We are delighted to welcome each of you to the beautiful shores of The Commonwealth Of The Bahamas. It is our hope that you will be able to visit many of our Family Islands. The signifi cance of the private fl yer is evident to us, hence, we have simplifi ed our procedures for movement throughout our archipelago by combing the General Declaration (Form C7A) and our Inter-Island (Coastwise) Movement Form (Transire) to be completed upon initial report inwards thereby avoiding the issuance of a new form for each of our Islands on any visit to The Bahamas. Additionally, individuals fl ying for pleasure are not required to pay Customs Service Charges regardless of the Port of arrival/departure or time of day. However, there is a one time Fifty Dollars ($50.00) Processing Fee upon arrival from foreign. Your contributions to The Bahamas are appreciated and it is our hope that you would continue to allow us to share in your memorable experiences. Yours truly, Charles Turner Comptroller of Customs 2 • bahamas.com/fl ying 1.800.32 SPORT 149710_PrivatePilot_text.indd 2 3/26/14 5:56 AM General Information Flying The Islands Of The Bahamas is truly Return to the U.S. requires an International simple and well within the capabilities of the Flight Plan fi led to the most convenient lightest single-engine aircraft. Leaving the U.S. Airport of Entry. You may advise Customs east coast of Florida, fi rst landfall occurs of arrival ETA by including the word ADCUS at Grand Bahama Island (60nm) or Bimini (advise Customs) on your Flight Plan. In (50nm). While conditions are typically addition, you must call U.S. Customs and VFR, GPS is the most reliable and accurate give at least one-hour notice prior to arrival. method of navigation, and GPS will get you All airplanes must have a transponder, to even the most remote of our islands. 12” registration numbers on the plane, and Nassau, New Providence Island and Freeport, one U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket Grand Bahama Island are the major population for each person. Life rafts are suggested but centers. Flight operations are conducted not required. within the equivalent of a U.S. TCA with radar coverage. There are approach control, tower and ground frequencies. Nassau and Important Telephone Numbers Grand Bahama o er Flight Service facilities. Nassau is the seat of Government, the hub Direct Dial U.S. Bahamas of commerce and the busiest airport with the Nassau/FSS: most airline tra c. Weather 1.242.377.7178 377.7178 The other 54 airports in The Bahamas are Flight Plans 1.242.377.7 1 1 6 377.7116 uncontrolled and use standard procedures. All pilots monitor Common Tra c Advisory 24-Hour Flight 1.242.377.2003 377.7281 Frequency, CTAF 122.8, advising position and Plan Emergency intentions. Left tra c patterns are used, pattern altitude is 1,000’ AGL. Outbound Freeport FSS: 1.242.352.2205 352.2205 tra c announces before occupying runways (there are no taxiways except at Nassau and Princess Margaret 1.242.322.2861 322.2861 Freeport) and depart straight out or turn Hospital (Nassau) left, climbing above pattern altitude as soon as possible. Doctor’s Hospital 1.242.322.8411 322.8411 VFR night fl ying is prohibited in The Bahamas (Nassau) during o cial sunset to sunrise. Controlled airspace requires VFR minimums of 1,500’ and Rand Memorial 1.242.352.6735 352.6736 3 miles clear of clouds. The VFR minimums Hospital (Freeport) for uncontrolled airspace di er from the U.S. requirements of 1,000’ and 1 mile clear of U.S. International 1.800.992.7433 clouds and in sight of land or water. FSS 1.305.233.2600 Mandatory Requirements You need to fi le the e-APIS manifest and a U.S. International Flight Plan before depart- ing the U.S. and your fi rst point of arrival in The Bahamas must be at an Airport of Entry (AOE). Each person aboard the aircraft must have proof of citizenship: passport. 1.800.32 SPORT bahamas.com/fl ying • 3 149710_PrivatePilot_text.indd 3 3/26/14 5:56 AM The Islands Of The Bahamas 4 • bahamas.com/fl ying 1.800.32 SPORT 149710_PrivatePilot_text.indd 4 3/26/14 5:56 AM Bahamas O cial Gateway FBOs US Based Bahamas Bahamas Gateway FBOs On Island FBOs Banyan Air Service (KFXE)* Cherokee Aviation – (MYAM)* FT. LAUDERDALE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT MARSH HARBOUR AIRPORT 5360 NW 20th Terrace Marsh Harbor, Abaco, Bahamas Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 Phone: (242) 367-1900 Tel: 954-491-3170 - Fax: 954-771-0281 Toll Free in USA: (866) 920-9970 Email: [email protected] Fax: (242) 367-1901 www.banyanair.com/Bahamas Email: [email protected] www.cherokeeair.com APP Jet Center Fort Pierce (KFPR)* SAINT LUCIE INTL AIRPORT Executive Flight Support – (MYNN) 2982 Curtis King Blvd LYNDEN PINDLING Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Phone: 772-489-2285 Fax- 772-468-0252 Coral Harbour Road Email: [email protected] P.O. Box N-8174 www.appjetcenter.com Phone: (242) 377-3355 Fax: (242) 377-3470 Miami Executive Aviation (KOPF) Email: [email protected] OPA- LOCKA AIRPORT (OPF) www.efsnassau.com 15001 NW 42ND Ave Miami, FL 33054 Freeport Flight Centre – (MYGF) Phone: 305-687-8410 GRAND BAHAMA AIRPORT Email: [email protected] P.O. Box F-40359 www.miamiexecutive.com Freeport, Grand Bahama Phone: (242) 352-7315 Signature Flight Support (KPBI) Fax: (242) 351-7303 PALM BEACH AIRPORT Email: [email protected] 1500 Perimeter Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Hawkline Aviation – (MYLS)* Phone: 561-478-8700 STELLA MARIS AIRPORT Email: pbi@signaturefl ight.com Stella Maris, Bahamas www.signaturefl ight.com/location?iata=PBI Phone: (242) 338-2006 Fax: (242) 338-2006 Galaxy Aviation of Palm Beach (KPBI) Email: [email protected] PALM BEACH AIRPORT 3800 Southern Blvd Odyssey Aviation – (MYNN)* P. O. Box 15975 LYNDEN PINDLING West Palm Beach, FL 33406 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Phone: 561-683-4121 Coral Harbour Road Email: [email protected] P.O. Box AP-59248 www.galaxyaviation.com Phone: (242) 702-0200 Galaxy Aviation of Stuart (KSUA) Fax: (242) 362-0006 Email: [email protected] WITHAM FIELD AIRPORT www.odysseyfsp.com 2240 SE Witham Field Drive Stuart, FL 34996 Odyssey Aviation – Great Exuma (MYEF) Phone: 772-781-4720 EXUMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Email: [email protected] Moss Town www.galaxyaviation.com Great Exuma SheltAir Aviation - FORT LAUDERDALE Phone: (242) 702-0261 Alternate: (242) 345-0308 or (242) 702-0200 JET CENTER (KFLL) Cell: (242) 557-0227 Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport Fax: (242) 334-2670 1100 Lee Wagener Blvd Email: [email protected] Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 www.odysseyfsp.com Phone: 954-359-3200 Email: info-fl [email protected] White Crown Aviation – (MYEH)* www.sheltairaviation.com/ NORTH ELEUTHERA AIRPORT Showalter Flying Service (KORL)* North Eleuthera, Bahamas Phone: (242) 335-1650 ORLANDO EXECUTIVE AIRPORT Fax: (242) 335-1653 400 Herndon Ave www.whitecrownaviation.com Orlando, FL 32803 Phone 407- 894-7331 Email: [email protected] www.showalter.com The Bahamas & Caribbean Stuart Jet Center (KSUA) Pilot’s Guide WITHAM FIELD AIRPORT “Complete Aviation 2501 SE Aviation Way Stuart, FL 34996 and Travel Resource” Phone: 772-288-6700 sold at these Email: [email protected] Gateway FBOs www.stuartjet.com 1.800.32 SPORT bahamas.com/fl ying • 5 149710_PrivatePilot_text.indd 5 3/26/14 5:56 AM generated at BeQRious.com Flying To The Bahamas Checklist Outward Bound - From The United States To The Bahamas REQUIRED (must be done): 1.