Flying a private plane around the Caribbean in spring 2004 [Archive]

Klaus Bucka-Lassen

November 1st 03, 10:52 PM

Hi everybody

We are two Danes and two Austrians who have thought of flying around
the Carribean for about a month in late winter/wpring 2004. Just from
looking at the map we figure it should be possible to do some loop
around the Caribbean Sea (Cuba - Haiti - Domenican Rep. - Puerto Rico
- Venezuela - Panama - Costa Rica - Nicaragua - Honduras). Maybe even
extend it to cover the Mexican Gulf as well (going through Texas, the
southern US states and coming down Florida back into the Carribean
loop). It looks doable to us - the longest stretch of water seems to
be no more than about an hour of flight.

I (Klaus) have a PPL and have already done a big trip of that
magnitude (2 1/2 months, 115 flying hours actually) around Australia
(www.bucka-lassen.dk/flacroz). Experience is about 200 hours as PIC.
Wolfgang, the other pilot also has a PPL and a little less experience.
We'd be looking into hiring a plane like a Cessna 172, a Grumman
Tiger, Piper Archer II or any similar sized plane (maybe slightly
bigger) that can carry about 300kg of passengers and luggage in total.

ANY suggestions on the route, hints on what to see and what not, what
countries to look up and which to avoid, tips on where to hire a
plane, administrative stuff that has to be sorted out (visas for
instance) etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Wolfgang, Eva, Linda, and
Klaus Bucka-Lassen

Dave

November 1st 03, 11:54 PM

"Klaus Bucka-Lassen" > wrote in message
m...
> Hi everybody
>
> We are two Danes and two Austrians who have thought of flying around
> the Carribean for about a month in late winter/wpring 2004. Just from
> looking at the map we figure it should be possible to do some loop
> around the Caribbean Sea (Cuba - Haiti - Domenican Rep. - Puerto Rico
> - Venezuela - Panama - Costa Rica - Nicaragua - Honduras). Maybe even
> extend it to cover the Mexican Gulf as well (going through Texas, the
> southern US states and coming down Florida back into the Carribean
> loop). It looks doable to us - the longest stretch of water seems to
> be no more than about an hour of flight.
>
> I (Klaus) have a PPL and have already done a big trip of that
> magnitude (2 1/2 months, 115 flying hours actually) around Australia
> (www.bucka-lassen.dk/flacroz). Experience is about 200 hours as PIC.
> Wolfgang, the other pilot also has a PPL and a little less experience.
> We'd be looking into hiring a plane like a Cessna 172, a Grumman
> Tiger, Piper Archer II or any similar sized plane (maybe slightly
> bigger) that can carry about 300kg of passengers and luggage in total.
>
> ANY suggestions on the route, hints on what to see and what not, what
> countries to look up and which to avoid, tips on where to hire a
> plane, administrative stuff that has to be sorted out (visas for
> instance) etc. would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Regards,
> Wolfgang, Eva, Linda, and
> Klaus Bucka-Lassen

I don't think you will be able to go to Cuba if you are using a US plane or
are starting or ending your journey in the US.

There is a bit of politics involved, a 45 year grudge (something to do with
commie *******s) so you would need to adjust your itinerary.

Newps

November 2nd 03, 03:33 AM

Dave wrote:

>
> I don't think you will be able to go to Cuba if you are using a US plane or
> are starting or ending your journey in the US.
>
> There is a bit of politics involved, a 45 year grudge (something to do with
> commie *******s) so you would need to adjust your itinerary.

The Cubans would love to have you, you just need to go there from a
country other than the USA. And you would need to go to a country other
than the USA on your first leg out of Cuba.

Capt. Doug

November 2nd 03, 03:40 AM

>Klaus Bucka-Lassen wrote in message Just from
> looking at the map we figure it should be possible to do some loop
> around the Caribbean Sea (Cuba - Haiti - Domenican Rep. - Puerto Rico
> - Venezuela - Panama - Costa Rica - Nicaragua - Honduras).

I had lunch in the Bahamas this afternoon.

You can do the route without being more than 50 miles from land at any time.
However, I recommend taking a life-raft with a survival kit for
single-engine over-water flying. The weather is generally good all year
round. Credit cards are NOT accepted at most airports. The US dollar is the
tender of choice. Air Traffic Control is ICAO standard throughout the region
although you may have to ask some controllers to say again if you aren't
accustomed to Spanish accents.

An excellent resource is the "Bahamas and Caribbean Guide for Pilots". The
website is
www.pilotpub.com (It shows the year 2002 but there is a more recent
edition).

If you arrive in the US on a major airline, you will likely be issued a
green form in lieu of a visa. Keep the green form with during your trip
around the Caribbean or you won't be allowed back in the US. Enjoy your
trip!

D.

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 08:14 AM

On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 03:40:22 GMT, Capt. Doug wrote:

>If you arrive in the US on a major airline, you will likely be issued a
>green form in lieu of a visa. Keep the green form with during your trip
>around the Caribbean or you won't be allowed back in the US. Enjoy your
>trip!

If you plan such a trip (Cuba etc.) then you should have a tourist visa.
Foreigners have a hard stand these days, esp. in the US.

#m

--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 08:23 AM

On 1 Nov 2003 14:52:55 -0800, Klaus Bucka-Lassen wrote:

>We are two Danes and two Austrians who have thought of flying around
>the Carribean for about a month in late winter/wpring 2004. Just from

check for VISA requirements. in all countries you plan to stay (and all
those you select as alternate).

>looking at the map we figure it should be possible to do some loop
>around the Caribbean Sea (Cuba - Haiti - Domenican Rep. - Puerto Rico
>- Venezuela - Panama - Costa Rica - Nicaragua - Honduras). Maybe even

well, doable and reasonable are 2 different things. :-)

>extend it to cover the Mexican Gulf as well (going through Texas, the
>southern US states and coming down Florida back into the Carribean
>loop). It looks doable to us - the longest stretch of water seems to
>be no more than about an hour of flight.

well, some of the above countries are on an evil axis, according to the
current US administration. Also you should check with your Austrian and
Danish embassy about travel warnings.

>I (Klaus) have a PPL and have already done a big trip of that

you all are planning to fly on basis of which national certificates? And
you plan on flying N-reg planes?

>magnitude (2 1/2 months, 115 flying hours actually) around Australia
>(www.bucka-lassen.dk/flacroz). Experience is about 200 hours as PIC.

well.
are you instrument rated?

>Wolfgang, the other pilot also has a PPL and a little less experience.

instrument rated?

>We'd be looking into hiring a plane like a Cessna 172, a Grumman
>Tiger, Piper Archer II or any similar sized plane (maybe slightly
>bigger) that can carry about 300kg of passengers and luggage in total.
>

4 plus fuel plus luggage plus survival gear in a C172 or an Archer?
nice idea.

>ANY suggestions on the route, hints on what to see and what not, what

_always_ unload your plane totally before leaving a country and search for
drugs.

>countries to look up and which to avoid, tips on where to hire a
>plane, administrative stuff that has to be sorted out (visas for
>instance) etc. would be greatly appreciated!

well, _I_'d look into an instrument and multi rating and min. 100 hours
intensive training. But this is only me.

#m
--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

Julian Scarfe

November 2nd 03, 12:47 PM

"Capt. Doug" > wrote in message
...

> If you arrive in the US on a major airline, you will likely be issued a
> green form in lieu of a visa. Keep the green form with during your trip
> around the Caribbean or you won't be allowed back in the US. Enjoy your
> trip!

As Martin suggests, I think it's more difficult than that. I've heard from
UK pilots who got into trouble presuming that they would be allowed to use
the visa waiver program when, after a trip to the Bahamas or similar, they
arrived back in the US in a light aircraft. You may need a full B-2 visa.

http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/bmgmt/inspect/vwpp.htm

"When Must I Obtain a Visa Instead of Using the VWP?
If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air
carrier, you must obtain a nonimmigrant visa prior to boarding the
aircraft."

Julian Scarfe

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 12:58 PM

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 12:47:03 -0000, Julian Scarfe wrote:

>http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/bmgmt/inspect/vwpp.htm
>
>"When Must I Obtain a Visa Instead of Using the VWP?
>If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air
>carrier, you must obtain a nonimmigrant visa prior to boarding the
>aircraft."

well, I once planned a trip to the Bahamas and checked with the local US
embassy. The lady there told me something about a special agreement valid
for the Bahamas, yadda yadda .... well, finally I cancelled the Bahamas
trip because of other factors. But for sure I will try to avoid any
possible hassles with an immigration-homeland-security-officer.

(as for now I avoid all problems by cancelling any plans for visiting the
US)

#m

--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

Thomas Borchert

November 2nd 03, 02:27 PM

Martin,

> instrument rated?
>

While I agree on your other comments: What for?

To Klaus:
Many of the countries you mention are classic drug runner countries.
Cut your list down a little bit and you'll save a lot of trouble.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

C J Campbell

November 2nd 03, 02:56 PM

"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
...
..
|
| well, some of the above countries are on an evil axis, according to the
| current US administration. Also you should check with your Austrian and
| Danish embassy about travel warnings.

Really? I seem to recall only three countries being mentioned in the 'Axis
of Evil' speech, none of them in the western hemisphere.

[email protected]

November 2nd 03, 04:44 PM

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 12:47:03 -0000, "Julian Scarfe"
> wrote:

>"Capt. Doug" > wrote in message
...
>
>> If you arrive in the US on a major airline, you will likely be issued a
>> green form in lieu of a visa. Keep the green form with during your trip
>> around the Caribbean or you won't be allowed back in the US. Enjoy your
>> trip!
>
>As Martin suggests, I think it's more difficult than that. I've heard from
>UK pilots who got into trouble presuming that they would be allowed to use
>the visa waiver program when, after a trip to the Bahamas or similar, they
>arrived back in the US in a light aircraft. You may need a full B-2 visa.
>
>http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/bmgmt/inspect/vwpp.htm
>
>"When Must I Obtain a Visa Instead of Using the VWP?
>If you intend to arrive in the United States aboard a non-signatory air
>carrier, you must obtain a nonimmigrant visa prior to boarding the
>aircraft."
>
>Julian Scarfe

I have a FAA Certificate and UK licence and twice flown to the
Bahamas.

First time no hassle, even when I had to divert to West Palm Beach due
to weather.

Second time I got the most awkward immigration guy you could imagine.
He wasn't pleased I gone out of the hall back to the aircraft
unaccompanied to get my passport.

He complained about me stepping over the line when nobody else was
ahead of me

He decided my permanent Visa was no longer valid as the regulations
had changed so he cancelled it! This was despite being accepted on my
arrival to the US a week earlier.

He asked why I had not checked with immigration on departure (not
possible, nor suggested, at Titusville, Florida). He said I should
have contacted them anyway though the first time I went to the Bahamas
no comment was made.

He wanted the address where I was staying but as I was late back I
still needed to find a hotel.

Despite recommendations of ease of customs/immigration I won't ever
use Fort Pierce again.

David

Piper Warrior G-BHJO
Scotland, UK

E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 05:23 PM

On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 06:56:15 -0800, C J Campbell wrote:

>| well, some of the above countries are on an evil axis, according to the
>| current US administration. Also you should check with your Austrian and
>| Danish embassy about travel warnings.
>
>Really? I seem to recall only three countries being mentioned in the 'Axis
>of Evil' speech, none of them in the western hemisphere.

they *are* evil. nobody has to make comments about it. either you are with
the gov'ment or you are !"§"!$§!11^^^well, I guess it is time for my
medication.

:-)

#m

--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 05:26 PM

On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 16:44:33 +0000, wrote:

>Second time I got the most awkward immigration guy you could imagine.
>He wasn't pleased I gone out of the hall back to the aircraft
>unaccompanied to get my passport.
>

well. their rules; you may find them silly, but it is their game.

>He complained about me stepping over the line when nobody else was
>ahead of me
>

another rule. you broke it.

>He decided my permanent Visa was no longer valid as the regulations
>had changed so he cancelled it! This was despite being accepted on my
>arrival to the US a week earlier.
>

maybe the regulations changed within this week?

>He asked why I had not checked with immigration on departure (not
>possible, nor suggested, at Titusville, Florida). He said I should
>have contacted them anyway though the first time I went to the Bahamas
>no comment was made.
>

you did ADCUS? you informed them of your planned arrival time?

>He wanted the address where I was staying but as I was late back I
>still needed to find a hotel.
>

then tell him "I will check in at the Holiday Inn (or whatever chain)"

>Despite recommendations of ease of customs/immigration I won't ever
>use Fort Pierce again.
>
>
>David

#m

--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

Thomas Borchert

November 2nd 03, 07:07 PM

C,

> Really? I seem to recall only three countries being mentioned in the 'Axis
> of Evil' speech, none of them in the western hemisphere.
>

He said "a", not "the". There's a war on drugs besides the war on terror.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[email protected]

November 2nd 03, 08:18 PM

On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 17:26:44 GMT, Martin Hotze >
wrote:

>On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 16:44:33 +0000, wrote:
>
>>Second time I got the most awkward immigration guy you could imagine.
>>He wasn't pleased I gone out of the hall back to the aircraft
>>unaccompanied to get my passport.
>>
>
>well. their rules; you may find them silly, but it is their game.
>

No objection to rules but a sign on the door to say no exit would be
helpful. Instead they left me filling in the forms and then went into
the next room. No sign of them when I looked.

>>He complained about me stepping over the line when nobody else was
>>ahead of me
>>
>
>another rule. you broke it.
>
As nobody in the hall so I called out and stepped towards the voices
in another room. No reply for a while until I moved forward!

>>He decided my permanent Visa was no longer valid as the regulations
>>had changed so he cancelled it! This was despite being accepted on my
>>arrival to the US a week earlier.
>>
>
>maybe the regulations changed within this week?
>
No, they apparently changed some considerable time before (2-3
years?).

>>He asked why I had not checked with immigration on departure (not
>>possible, nor suggested, at Titusville, Florida). He said I should
>>have contacted them anyway though the first time I went to the Bahamas
>>no comment was made.
>>
>
>you did ADCUS? you informed them of your planned arrival time?
>

Yes, but I had officially I left USA for Bahamas and not had any
documentation stamped. Now he wanted to know why. Not unreasonable but
nobody had suggested that's required and was not a problem on the
previous trip some years previous. I've not seen anything in any
documentation that I needed to leave from Florida at a Port of Entry.

>>He wanted the address where I was staying but as I was late back I
>>still needed to find a hotel.
>>
>
>then tell him "I will check in at the Holiday Inn (or whatever chain)"
>

I still had to fly back to Titusville so had no idea where I was
staying so I put then following nights address, at a resort. But I did
not have the complete address available with me!

>>Despite recommendations of ease of customs/immigration I won't ever
>>use Fort Pierce again.
>>
>>
>>David
>

This guy was unhelpful when asked and was simply being officious.
No sign of 'sorry but you should have done it another way'. Just being
as B*** awkward as he could have been!!!

E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot

Klaus Bucka-Lassen

November 2nd 03, 08:59 PM

Hi everybody

Thanks a lot for the replies - they are greatly appreciated! Keep them
coming :-)

As for the license ... I should have told you in the first mail of
course. Neither of us have an instrument rating and don't plan to get
one. We both have the Swiss JAR licenses. I also had the Australian
license back in 2000/2001, but that is invalid by now. We have no
extra endorsements (retractable undercarriage, float alighting gear,
constant-speed propeller, and the likes) but would consider doing them
if it is necessary or makes our lives easier on this trip.

I've already seen most of the US (covered 42 states by motorcycle in
1995) so other than hiring a plane there, I personally don't have an
urge to go to the states again - on this trip anyway. That would also
save us some visa-problems as pointed out by some of you. The question
then is if we can find another place where we can hire a plane (in a
reasonable condition). Four people + luggage + survival gear will
admitedly be hard, not to say impossible, in a PA28 for instance. So
we might look into something slightly bigger - maybe something with
retractable gear / turbo / constant speed or similar performance
improving technologies.

As for where to hire the plane I had an idea of going to one of the
British, French, or Dutch islands (Turks, Caicos, Virgin, Anguilla,
Point-a-Pitre, Martinique, etc.). At least Great Brittain and France
(not sure about Holland) are JAR-countries like Switzerland, so our
licenses should be valid there (unless there are special rules about
thos islands). However it will be a whole lot more expensive and
complicated to get to those islands then say Miami for example.

We'll definitely go and get both the "Bahamas and Caribbean Guide for
Pilots" and the Lonely Planet for the Eastern Caribbean. Is there any
literature of that kind (especially for pilots) for the South &
Central American countries (Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua,
Honduras, Guatemala)?

As for the drug-problem that was mentioned in a few postings: Even if
I did empty the entire plane of luggage before each departure ... I
couldn't possibly search all places where drugs could be hidden. And I
do imagine that professionals that do want to use us as drug couriers
would be able to hide those drugs in places I couldn't even think of
right now. Is that a real possibility - sound crazy to me to hide
stuff in my plane if they couldn't even be sure where I am going next!

Axis of evil are by definition (George W. Bush): Iraq, Iran and North
Corea (I think), but let's not get into that discussion - it could
easily drown the real issue here ;-). However, I do agree that some
countries are more suitable for vacation than others. Haiti for
instance doesn't sound so great. But which ones do you think we should
avoid?

Regards,
Klaus Bucka-Lassen

P.S.: This time I have only posted to rec.aviation.piloting since this
seems to be the right place now.

Martin Hotze

November 2nd 03, 10:28 PM

On 2 Nov 2003 12:59:36 -0800, Klaus Bucka-Lassen wrote:

> Four people + luggage + survival gear will
>admitedly be hard, not to say impossible, in a PA28 for instance. So
>we might look into something slightly bigger - maybe something with
>retractable gear / turbo / constant speed or similar performance
>improving technologies.

Maybe a C182 will do the job.
You need a high speed endorsment for a C182.
And you might have some additional reqirements for renting a C182 (or any
other more powerful airplane).

Also look into insurance or check your rented plane for insurance coverage
in all those countries. You might need to buy additional insurance.

#m
--
http://www.refuseandresist.org/

G.R. Patterson III

November 2nd 03, 11:07 PM

wrote:
>
> This guy was unhelpful when asked and was simply being officious.
> No sign of 'sorry but you should have done it another way'. Just being
> as B*** awkward as he could have been!!!

There have always been more horse's asses than there are horses.

George Patterson
You can dress a hog in a tuxedo, but he still wants to roll in the mud.

CriticalMass

November 3rd 03, 12:47 AM

> wrote in message
...
> Despite recommendations of ease of customs/immigration I won't ever
> use Fort Pierce again.
>
>
> David
>
> Piper Warrior G-BHJO
> Scotland, UK

You and I are in TOTAL agreement.

The one, and only time, THIS US citizen flew through Ft Pierce to the
Bahamas will be the last.

The Ft Pierce Customs people were absolutely the most arrogant, rude, and
ignorant excuses for anything that passes for human beings I have ever
encountered in my life (I'm 59 now, and this was about 5 years ago).

Total dickheads. Now, after 911, and the advent of our wondrous new TSA
bureaucracy, I wouldn't even consider doing any such thing. It was broken
before, and more government can't have made it better.

CriticalMass

November 3rd 03, 12:57 AM

"Klaus Bucka-Lassen" > wrote in message
om...

> As for where to hire the plane I had an idea of going to one of the
> British, French, or Dutch islands (Turks, Caicos, Virgin, Anguilla,
> Point-a-Pitre, Martinique, etc.). At least Great Brittain and France
> (not sure about Holland) are JAR-countries like Switzerland, so our
> licenses should be valid there (unless there are special rules about
> thos islands). However it will be a whole lot more expensive and
> complicated to get to those islands then say Miami for example.

In my opinion, you all have a HUGE amount of spunk (American slang for
"willingness to be adventurous", I guess) to even contemplate a trip like
this

>However, I do agree that some countries are more suitable for vacation than
others. Haiti for
> instance doesn't sound so great.

Sounds really bad to me.

CriticalMass

November 3rd 03, 12:58 AM

"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
...
> On 2 Nov 2003 12:59:36 -0800, Klaus Bucka-Lassen wrote:
>
> > Four people + luggage + survival gear will
> >admitedly be hard, not to say impossible, in a PA28 for instance. So
> >we might look into something slightly bigger - maybe something with
> >retractable gear / turbo / constant speed or similar performance
> >improving technologies.
>
> Maybe a C182 will do the job.
> You need a high speed endorsment for a C182.

Never heard of a "high speed endorsement". Who requires that?

Capt. Doug

November 3rd 03, 01:12 AM

> wrote in message > This guy was unhelpful when asked
>and was simply being officious.
> No sign of 'sorry but you should have done it another way'. Just being
> as B*** awkward as he could have been!!!

That Customs officer was being an ass. The Customs office in Fort Pirce is
famous for it. Only the general aviation side of Customs at Miami Int'l is
the worse. I wish I was there to help you out. The head Customs buttwipe in
Ft. Pierce used to be at Palm Beach Int'l until he pulled his routine on the
wrong passenger.

D.

Capt. Doug

November 3rd 03, 01:12 AM

>Martin Hotze wrote in message > If you plan such a trip (Cuba etc.) then
you should >have a tourist visa.
> Foreigners have a hard stand these days, esp. in the US.

I am thoroughly familiar with immigration issues as pertains to the
US. This month marks 25 years that I have been flying the Caribbean. A visa
waiver is valid for re-entry into the US for 90 days from the
date of first entry from anywhere in the western hemisphere. To prove the
date of first entry, the person(s) must present the green stub of the I-94
form which was validated at their original entry along with their passport.

D.

Capt. Doug

November 3rd 03, 01:45 AM

>Klaus Bucka-Lassen wrote in message > Neither of us have an instrument
rating and >don't plan to get one.

Instrument ratings are only required for night flying. Caribbean weather is
usually VMC.

> As for where to hire the plane I had an idea of going to one of the
> British, French, or Dutch islands (Turks, Caicos, Virgin, Anguilla,
> Point-a-Pitre, Martinique, etc.). At least Great Brittain and France
> (not sure about Holland) are JAR-countries like Switzerland, so our
> licenses should be valid there (unless there are special rules about
> thos islands). However it will be a whole lot more expensive and
> complicated to get to those islands then say Miami for example.

Guadelope and Martinique are both French territories. Both have non-stop
flights from Paris and possibly from Brussels. Both have flight schools. I
don't have any phone numbers though.

> As for the drug-problem that was mentioned in a few postings: Even if
> I did empty the entire plane of luggage before each departure Is that a
real >possibility?

A very remote possibility. The bad guys stay to themselves.

>However, I do agree that some
> countries are more suitable for vacation than others. Haiti for
> instance doesn't sound so great. But which ones do you think we should
> avoid?

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines docks in Haiti twice a week. Club med is
scheduled to re-open in Haiti soon. Jamaica has a huge tourism industry
while also maintaining the highest per capita homicide rate in the islands.
Don't discount a destination because of a negative public image. Decide
which ground based activities you wish to partake in (diving, fishing,
hiking, partying) and then decide on where to visit.

D.

Thomas Borchert

November 3rd 03, 07:28 AM

Klaus,

> (covered 42 states by motorcycle in
> 1995)
>

You seem to be a man of unusually long holidays...

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

David

November 3rd 03, 10:33 AM

On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 01:45:30 GMT, "Capt. Doug"
> wrote:

>> As for where to hire the plane I had an idea of going to one of the
>> British, French, or Dutch islands (Turks, Caicos, Virgin, Anguilla,
>> Point-a-Pitre, Martinique, etc.). At least Great Brittain and France
>> (not sure about Holland) are JAR-countries like Switzerland, so our
>> licenses should be valid there (unless there are special rules about
>> thos islands). However it will be a whole lot more expensive and
>> complicated to get to those islands then say Miami for example.
>
>Guadelope and Martinique are both French territories. Both have non-stop
>flights from Paris and possibly from Brussels. Both have flight schools. I
>don't have any phone numbers though.
>
I found the following, for possible aircraft rental a couple of years
ago, when I did a caribbean cruise. Don't know if it's still valid.

Ace Flying Centre, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 340 776 4141
Clair Aero, Tortola, Virgin Islands 248 495 2271
Fly BVI, Tortola, Virgin Islands 284 495 1747

Light Aeroplane Club, Grantley Adams Airport,
Barbados +1 246 428 7101 via Ext.

Peter Barnard, Castries Flying Club, St. Lucia +1 758 452 2333
Fax +1 758 452 3336 (PA28-180)
I had a fantastic flight round the island with Peter but I don't know
about off Island rental.

Premier Air, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 340 778 0090

St. Bathelemy Wings Flying Club, Aeroporte de St. Bathelemy,
97133, District of Guadeloupe 0590 27 72 63, Fax 27 82 52
Instructor & Air Traffic Controller studiooceane.wanadoo.fr
C172 U$ 90, C182 U$ 150
Mandatory Instruction from French Pilot BEFORE landing!
Whilst my wife enjoyed the beach I spent a couple of hours watching
the landings over a high hill with turbulent crosswinds.

David

Piper Warrior G-BHJO
Scotland, UK

E-mail (Remove Space after pilot): pilot

R J Carpenter

November 3rd 03, 12:11 PM

"David" > wrote in message
...

> St. Bathelemy Wings Flying Club, Aeroporte de St. Bathelemy,
> 97133, District of Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe itself, not SBH 100+ miles to the north, has a number of
airports. The main PTP w/ 11,000-ft runway is home to a number of private
planes. The airport at St Francois is smaller, and has fewer planes which
call it home. St Francois is an upscale resort area. I really haven't
looked at the small airport next to Basse Terre. There are small airports
w/ scheduled Twotter service on 4 of the nearby islands of Guadeloupe. I've
seen 2 of them and didn't notice any resident planes.

The airport at Montserrat, within sight north of Guadeloupe, has been closed
by volcanic flows. I understand that a new airport is about to open.