Flying to the

1. Flying to the Caribbean Flying to the

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

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6. Suggested Equipment • WAC charts • Emergency water and food • Control locks and tie-down kit, including ropes and stakes • Extra quarts of engine oil

7. 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.

8. 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

10. 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)

14. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Bahamas Habitat, Cameron King

22. Caribbean Sky Tours www.caribbeanskytours.com Rick Gardner, Director

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