freeport

[Kream926]

planning a trip to freeport in a couple of week and was just wondering if anyone has done this in a light twin.

i have an fcc license and the plane has one of those international stickers and will be on a IFR flight plan.

do you need a current passportto enter even if you are a US citizen?
and on the way back i understand i have to stop in at a port of entry is that correct?


thanx for your help

 

[jeroom]

You will need your passport but not the FCC license (waiver for the Bahamas). Make sure you also have the custom sticker 2006 on the airplane when you come back. If not you will have to fill up an app for it ($25).
Enjoy Freeport, stop by 'Our Lucaya' hotel and go get a drink in the pool...

 

[jeroom]

planning a trip to freeport in a couple of week and was just wondering if anyone has done this in a light twin.

i have an fcc license and the plane has one of those international stickers and will be on a IFR flight plan.

do you need a current passportto enter even if you are a US citizen?
and on the way back i understand i have to stop in at a port of entry is that correct?


thanx for your help

You will need the passport arriving in the Bahamas or a birth cert. When you come back, you have to stop at an airport of entry, you have to fill a flight plan (VRF or IFR), advise US customs at airport of entry of your ETA at least 1hr before ETA (make sure you do it, they get cranky..)
Once airborne if VFR FPL leaving MYGF, you will need to contact Miami radio 126.7 or 126.9 or 122.0 (if I remember correctly) and get your custom sqawk No. before crossing the ADIZ...again, make sure you do that or you will see from pretty close what's the color of the customs and border protection helicopter! once arrived, taxi direct to the custom, leave all doors open, have paperwork ready + registration.

If you need more infos, PM me

 

[jparker]

Requirements for Freeport

IFR to the Bahamas is pretty easy. Returning to the U.S., you'll need an international flight plan; a customs decal; a an aircraft arrival form; your license, medical and registration, an hour's advance notification to U.S. customs (at your airport of choice on the Florida east coast - or anywhere on the coast if you have the range); a passport or driver's license and original birth certificate; a life vest for each person on board and the appropriate charts. Check out www.CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com. It's got all the charts, documents (with examples) and step by step procedures for landing at Freeport. If you want a little extra fun, clear customs at Bimini - which takes only five minutes - then fly VFR to Freeport.

I prefer the "out" islands of the Bahamas; but if I have to choose between Nassau and Freeport, I'd recommend Nassau because of "Atlantis." The aquarium is one of the most awesome in the world and you can stay at the Comfort Suites for a reasonable price with full access privileges to "Atlantis" - only a three minute walk. Complete pilot info for Nassau is also available on www.CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com.

Regards, Jim Parker

 

[grandma]

Don't forget when you leave the Bahamas to have $15 cash departure tax per person ready. This can be U.S. currency or Bahamian, but even the pilots have to pay if you're 91. If you stop by Bimini, say 'Hi' to the peacocks that sit at the little building. The freq IS 26.7 to get your VFR flight plan opened coming back to the U.S. The Bahamian customs folks are real nice and they'll have all the paperwork there for you to fill out.(The Freeport people know a newcomer though, and I SWEAR they get extra money out of you, somehow) Coming back in, the U.S. guys are a little more 'starched'.... be sure to throw out two or three extra 'thank you's' and 'yes sir's'.....

 

[iflyabeech]

I just flew to Freeport last Friday.
The customs and Immigration are not very helpful. This was my first time over there.
Remember there are customs and immigration----You have to talk to two different people, (Customs and Immigration). . .I didn't see that on any thing on AOPA or otherwise online.
Also, you must file a flight plan at the airport in the customs building. I had filed one (IFR) via FSS and after starting up ground made us go back in and file one in the building????
You need a birth certificate or a passport. A passport is not required until 2007, until then a birth certificate will work A.
They have all the forms there, we had already completed the forms, but they were outdated and we had to redo them, I suggest just waiting until you get there to fill out forms.
We paid a landing fee (twin turboprop) $10 and the departure fee $15/person.
US Customs in Key West was super easy. We gave them a call and it was way easy and they were super nice.

 

[iflyabeech]

Oh yeah, don't worry about customs sticker. Just fill out paperwork when you clear US customs and they will mail it to you. no problem mon. . .

 

[jparker]

Freeport Procedures

Here's the one pager from www.CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com that lays out detailed procedures for landing at Freeport - hope this is helpful. It does note that you need to touch base with both Customs and Immigration - and instructs the pilot to deposit a flight plan with the FBO even though you filed by phone with Miami (who knows why?) - same thing applies at Nassau. It's almost worth departing VFR to Bimini - clearing customs there and then filing VFR over the radio on the ground.

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] BAHAMAS – Freeport – Grand Bahamas Int'l Airport – MYGF
[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]FLIGHT PLAN: from Miami – direct Janus BR66V ZFP direct - 109 NM;[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] IN [/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] route Refueling Stops: fuel available in Freeport[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Documents:
[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Gen Decs In: 3[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Gen Decs Out: 3[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] ARRIVAl report: available in FBO[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] immigration Form:available in Customs[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Passport: or original birth certificate plus official photo ID[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] for pilots, pilot's license and photo ID[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Fees in US Dollars:
[/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] landing: $10[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT] [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Parking: $8 [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]per night[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] TERMINAL USAGE FEE - $15 (SUSPENDED 9/05 - terminal destroyed by Hurricane Katrina)[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Departure Tax:$15 per person including crew[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] CUSTOMS OVERTIME: none for aircraft owners on recreational flights; others pay $20 before 9 am, after 5 pm and on weekends.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] Fuel: $5.32 ($5.53 credit cards - $5.59 AX)

Terminal: small but adequate FBO with helpful staff.

After Landing: taxi to customs; FBO next door in temporary trailer.
PARKING-REFUELING PROCEDURES: after clearing customs, return to FBO; request fuel at front desk.
ARRIVALS PROCEDURES: two GenDec to Customs; one GenDec plus immigration forms to Immigration (use Cruising Permit if you will be flying to other Bahamas islands - retain one stamped permit); exit Customs area to FBO lounge and sign in with front desk; they help with arrivals report; organize fuel if needed.
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES: phone in flight (from hotel) using 1-800-992-7433 which is toll free from the Bahamas; AND present a flight plan at the FBO (who knows why); they will fax it to tower; FBO front desk will take care of everything else including GenDecs and departure tax.
Load aircraft and request flight plan and taxi.


Some one mentioned a birth certificate in lieu of a password. You need that PLUS an official photo ID document such as a driver's license.



[/FONT]

 

[outdoorsguy]

Man it reminds me of when I use to fly all over the Bahamas....Have a great trip and if you get a chance stop at Norms Cay..

 

[jparker]

Norman's Cay, the Bahamas - Resort Closed

Norman's Cay was one of our favorite Bahamas destinations - overnighting at McDuff's.

They sold out last year to a huge Asian developer that will turn Norman's Cay into a super luxury (and super expensive) destination - several years down the road.

So for the time being, there is no place to stay or eat on Norman's unless you own a house.