In article ,
EDR wrote:

In article , Stimbo
wrote:

Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the
Bahamas
from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ??

e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs
procedures, etc.

I used to work as a dispatcher for Executive Jet (now NetJets) and we
would have to call Bahamian Customs to let them know we had an aircraft
that would be arriving.
The typical response from the person on the other end of the line was,
"Ya mahn, we be here."
Included in REMARKS box of our release form for the pilots was the
comment, "Spoke with Inspector Ya Mahn."

I've never flown in the islands, but I've sailed them (Bahamas, US &
British Virgins, Windwards). Everything runs on island time down there.
"Ya man, we be here" sounds about right.

We pulled some pretty wierd stunts. On one trip, we were traveling with
a Chinese national with no visa and an expired Chinese passport. About
the worse we ever got from the Customs folks was "You know dis is
against de rules, mon? You could get into a lot of trouble, mon. Enjoy
your stay, and please spend lots of money while you be here in our
island paradise, mon" :-)