Renting in Bahamas?

Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and instructor from
any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas?

I'm planning on being there in July and would like to do some sightseeing &
flying (I'm PPL/IA). Would rather do typical "FBO-style"
instruction/checkout, but if there are none like that, would do air tour
hoping to at least get right seat view.

I was just in Marsh Harbour, which is a non-towered field served by
three airlines and about the same number of air-taxi commuter
services! I was astounded by the number of GA operations--half a mile
of hangars, including one east of the terminal and at least three to
the west. A lot of the planes on the tarmac (and it was tarmac!) were
twins.

The runway is in fairly rough shape, pavement-wise.

Have a great time! Won't the sand be bloody hot in July?


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net

The FBO where I rent in South Florida has a lot of pilots who fly to the
Bahamas. So many they have a 'Bahamas' ground school course. You may want to
just fly into West Palm Beach, hang out a few days, then fly yourself to the
Islands.

In my experience, the Bahamas is very expensive (fuel, food, rentals, etc).
It may be worth your while contacting Premier Aviation in Florida and
exploring the idea of flying yourself, or having a CFI fly over with you.
It's a very short, pleasant hop over the ocean.

I rent from Premier frequently and the equipment is always in great shape!
The owner's name is Michael, and the office has a real 'down south' flavor,
even though half the crew are transplants from NY.

FWIW,

Marty
ps. Their website is http://www.beanewpilot.com




"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

I was just in Marsh Harbour, which is a non-towered field served by
three airlines and about the same number of air-taxi commuter
services! I was astounded by the number of GA operations--half a mile
of hangars, including one east of the terminal and at least three to
the west. A lot of the planes on the tarmac (and it was tarmac!) were
twins.

The runway is in fairly rough shape, pavement-wise.

Have a great time! Won't the sand be bloody hot in July?


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net

Thanks guys.

I also found www.flying.bahamas.com on a big fold-out ad in my new AOPA
Airport Directory. I just viewed a fantastic video on that site about
flying there from Florida. No mention of rentals or GA flights originating
from the Bahamas, however... :-(

I don't want to worry about flight planning from the USA on this trip. I
just want to rent a CFI & plane once I'm there if my sightseeing schedule
allows - that's why I asked specifically about renting there.

I'd like to fly there from the mainland someday, however.


"Marty from Sunny Florida" wrote in message
...
The FBO where I rent in South Florida has a lot of pilots who fly to the
Bahamas. So many they have a 'Bahamas' ground school course. You may want
to
just fly into West Palm Beach, hang out a few days, then fly yourself to
the
Islands.

In my experience, the Bahamas is very expensive (fuel, food, rentals,
etc).
It may be worth your while contacting Premier Aviation in Florida and
exploring the idea of flying yourself, or having a CFI fly over with you.
It's a very short, pleasant hop over the ocean.

I rent from Premier frequently and the equipment is always in great shape!
The owner's name is Michael, and the office has a real 'down south'
flavor,
even though half the crew are transplants from NY.

FWIW,

Marty
ps. Their website is http://www.beanewpilot.com




"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

I was just in Marsh Harbour, which is a non-towered field served by
three airlines and about the same number of air-taxi commuter
services! I was astounded by the number of GA operations--half a mile
of hangars, including one east of the terminal and at least three to
the west. A lot of the planes on the tarmac (and it was tarmac!) were
twins.

The runway is in fairly rough shape, pavement-wise.

Have a great time! Won't the sand be bloody hot in July?


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net

Marty Ross wrote:

I don't want to worry about flight planning from the USA on this trip.

Eh? "Flight Planning"? What, is the FPL button on your GPS sticking?

- Andrew

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
The runway is in fairly rough shape, pavement-wise.

Shucks, that runway is good compared to some others. It's the pine trees
surrounding the runway that kill people.

Won't the sand be bloody hot in July?

It depends on the content of the sand. Some beaches are very low in silica
content and high in calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate beaches don't
heatsoak near as much as the silica beaches. Your head will burn before your
feet will.

D.

"Marty Ross" wrote in message
Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and instructor
from
any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas?

It's slim pickings as there isn't a lot of demand for rentals. I suggest
calling Capt. Steve at Freeport Flight Center (apologies- i don't have my
library available to supply the phone number right now). Just per chance, do
you plan to overfly a certain wedding for papparazzi photos?

D.

"Marty Ross" wrote in message
ink.net...
Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and instructor
from
any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas?

I'm planning on being there in July and would like to do some sightseeing
&
flying (I'm PPL/IA). Would rather do typical "FBO-style"
instruction/checkout, but if there are none like that, would do air tour
hoping to at least get right seat view.




I just went to BIMINI (MYBS) on the 5th of Feb. I say rent a plane in the US
then fly over be prepared to deal with US customs service on the way home.
The Bahamas customs is not that bad at all $15.00 per head departure fee and
a small survey.

See Photo,
http://www.warflying.net/meatmybs.jpg

Bimini Airport
http://www.warflying.net/mybs.jpg

Marty Ross wrote:
Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and
instructor from any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas?

I'm planning on being there in July and would like to do some
sightseeing & flying (I'm PPL/IA). Would rather do typical
"FBO-style" instruction/checkout, but if there are none like that,
would do air tour hoping to at least get right seat view.

All the other answers set aside, nobody mentioned a rather obvious problem:
Apparently you don't have a pilot license of the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas. Do you know for certain that your license from whatever country
(your didn't say) will be accepted by Bahaman authorities and in turn by the
FBO?

I know for certain that you cannot operate an airplane with US registry in
the US unless you have a US pilot certificate (FAR 61.3(a)(1)) and I assume
that other countries will have similar regulations.

jue

If you want clean, accurate and correct answers to flying in the Bahamas,
call Premier Aviation. They rent planes from West Palm Beach Florida for
flights to the islands all the time. Ask for Mike. The phone number is:
561.432.8747

Marty




"Jürgen Exner" wrote in message
news:hafQd.18796$uc.15244@trnddc05...
Marty Ross wrote:
Anyone know of, or have experience with, renting a plane and
instructor from any of the northwest islands in the Bahamas?

I'm planning on being there in July and would like to do some
sightseeing & flying (I'm PPL/IA). Would rather do typical
"FBO-style" instruction/checkout, but if there are none like that,
would do air tour hoping to at least get right seat view.

All the other answers set aside, nobody mentioned a rather obvious
problem:
Apparently you don't have a pilot license of the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas. Do you know for certain that your license from whatever country
(your didn't say) will be accepted by Bahaman authorities and in turn by
the
FBO?

I know for certain that you cannot operate an airplane with US registry in
the US unless you have a US pilot certificate (FAR 61.3(a)(1)) and I
assume
that other countries will have similar regulations.

jue