TUPJ Info

[VGerect]

I'm planning to take a trip down to TUPJ for a few days. If anyone has been there before how did it go ?

-Do I need a handler or is the FBO capable of helping ?
-How much for parking ?
-Any good tips or gotchas to watch out for?
-Best place for a drink after we get there ?

Thanks- VG

 

[JJET44]

Was there 2 weeks ago, the place is a $#!thole.
Short RWY, no FBO. Moses at Platinum Port will help you out as your handler, 305.320.9808
Don't Stay at the Lambert, it sucks. Stay downtown at Long Bay.
The place we hung out at for drinks was Pusers on Waterfront Dr in Roadtown.
Can"t remember how much for parking because it was one bill for everything, Landing, parking, handling, etc.
If you need customs on the way back, use Aquadilla PR (TJBQ). $2.77 per gal and customs was fast.
If you have never been there before, make sure you ask for the GPS approach. It'll keep you out of trouble. You'll need to over-fly the Island and then drop down into a dog leg base to final to clear the hills. Go to youtube and type in "Falcon 20 approach Tortola". A few good people video-taped their approach into TUPJ for our viewing pleasure.
JJet44

 

[NCherches]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzSkfLJswxI - To save folks some time

Reminds me why I like single pilot... lol. The approach looks fairly easy really - that terrain doesn't seem to be much to worry about right? Also whats that 'cricket chirp' thing you hear a few times?

 

[JJET44]

Yeah, it's easy once you look at it. The only thing to worry about is once you have the field in sight ATC will canx your IFR. If you have someone behind you coming in like American Eagle or Cape Air who normally fly in there, they will fly just over the hill (about 800') at 1000 agl and drop in on a left base while you're doing the approach.

 

[patq1]

I've been in there a couple of times now. Each time we were there for a week.

The runway is 4642 feet long. The island is hilly. There is a 900 foot hill near the airport and the high point on the island is about 1200 feet high. Last time we were there they asked us if we had been there before. I said yes and they cleared us to land with a left base. I declined, flew over the airport, descended over the water and landed. Not a big deal. We arranged handling through Universal and the lady that handled Customs was terrific. I will look for the name of the handler tomorrow.

We stayed at Lambert Beach a couple of years ago and I like it. It was nice and they have a great beach, a decent bar and a good restaurant. If you do not have a rental car you probably won't be happy there because it is a drive to get any where.

Last year we stayed at Fort Recovery on the west end. Again a nice hotel but you need a car. They have a little beach and a pool, internet, air conditioning etc. The owners are very nice.

Pussers has three locations on the island; one in Road Town, one between the airport and town, and one in Soper's Hole on the west end. I like the last 2 best. We took a Catamaran snorkeling trip to Jost Van Dyke. It was great.

There are plenty of good restaurants in Tortola and the people are very nice. I would go back there for vacation any time.

 

[patq1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzSkfLJswxI - To save folks some time

Reminds me why I like single pilot... lol. The approach looks fairly easy really - that terrain doesn't seem to be much to worry about right? Also whats that 'cricket chirp' thing you hear a few times?

I believe that is the trim indicator.

 

[con-pilot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzSkfLJswxI - To save folks some time

Reminds me why I like single pilot... lol. The approach looks fairly easy really - that terrain doesn't seem to be much to worry about right? Also whats that 'cricket chirp' thing you hear a few times?

Elevator trim.

 

[NCherches]

... That makes sense... the ol' Beech 99 made that clacker noise - thx

 

[VGerect]

Moses at Platinum Port will help you out as your handler, 305.320.9808
Don't Stay at the Lambert, it sucks. Stay downtown at Long Bay.
The place we hung out at for drinks was Pusers on Waterfront Dr in Roadtown.
JJet44

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to have Moses handle us down there.
Looking forward to some rum at Pussers