I'm planning a Bahamas trip with some friends in a Twin Comanche...(not until March though)
Any suggestions on which islands to visit/fly to? Pitfalls to avoid?
Thanks!
-A.S.
Are you planning on staying the night? Diving? Snorkeling? Gambling and nightlife?
Personally, I hate Freeport and Nassau. They are dirty, gross cities. But if you want to do the gambling thing while the wife/girlfriend shops, those are the places to go (and of the two, Nassau would better).
I like the quiet side of the Bahamas, so for all around enjoyment of "island life", it's hard to beat North Eleuthera (MYEH). Nice place, good food (conch salad, yum!), and there are supposedly some nice hotels around there.
If you just want something close to south FL, I'd recommend Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour. Marsh is closer to the touristy stuff (and hotels), so you might want to consider that.
Things to watch out for... Well if you haven't flown out that way, then go to AOPA's website and do a search for Bahamas. They do a nice job of presenting everything you need (eAPIS, customs decal, pilot requirements, documents required, etc.).
Flying in the Bahamas is very straightforward, just make sure you read up on the requirements. Your first point of entry will need to be at an Airport of Entry (AOE) with a customs station. Once you clear customs, you can fly all over the islands with a cruise permit. Just tell Bahamian customs of your intentions, and they'll set you up with the paperwork. When you're ready to come back, you'll have to clear outbound at an AOE again IF you've been flying around airports with no customs stations.
The flight rules are all pretty much the same, except no VFR at night. Weather info can be difficult to get outside of Freeport and Nassau, so a lot of the time you'll be looking at the waves to determine what the wind direction is for landing. CTAF for every non-towered airport there is 122.8, so it can get a little crazy sometimes trying to get a word in. So as you approach an airport, keep a sharp eye out for hazards in the air and ground. I've seen some crazy stuff before (like trucks, people, animals, running around the runway just before landing/takeoff), so always be looking outside and be prepared.
When you're coming back to the US, I personally think it's much easier to just file and fly back IFR. You can file a flight plan with fltplan.com, and pick up your IFR clearance from Miami center. Whether you're VFR or IFR, you will have to be on a flight plan and receive a squawk code before crossing the ADIZ. You also need to notify US customs at your arrival airport with your ETA at least one hour before your arrival, in addition to filing eAPIS. Don't forget you can call US customs up to 24 hrs before your arrival, so calling the night before with your ETA is a good way to avoid hassles with phones and that sort of thing right before you leave. Don't forget to get the customs inspectors initials, as this will solve a lot of problems for you if you run into any problems when you arrive back into the US. If your ETA changes, just call the customs station with your new ETA. There is no need file file a new eAPIS unless you're adding additional pax to your itinerary.
I've cleared customs at MIA, FLL, FXE, PBI, and FPR (I think). They're all pretty straightforward. When you arrive, you will need to get out of your airplane with your pax, and bring your bags into the customs station. They have the forms for you to fill out inside if you are unable to get them ahead of time. The customs inspectors will probably want to inspect your airplane, so be prepared to open any storage lockers/baggage space for them.
I really miss all the charter flying I did out there, it was a blast! Have fun, and if you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
