When flying to the Bahamas...
- File an International Flight Plan
(http://www.faa.gov/ats/afss/miaaifss/)
- Must have Coast-Guard approved life jackets for each person
on board
- Activate your flight plan before leaving (in Florida go to
122.2, 122.4 or 126.7 (Miami Radio) and 122.5 out of Ft. Pierce area.)
- Your first landing in The Bahamas must be at an official
designated airport of entry in order to clear Bahamas Customs and
Immigration.
- Prior to landing, close your flight plan on 124.2 or 128.0
(Nassau Radio).
- ...If unable to close in the air, call (800) WX-BRIEF or
(242) 377-7116. InExuma, 118.0 (Exuma Tower)
- Prepare Gen Decs or Cruising Permit, and Immigration cards
in advance if possible.
- Be cooperative with Customs & Immigration, they’ll be happy
to help.
- You can cruise the entire Bahamas with a C7A cruising form
for private pilots, but your last point of departure from The Bahamas must
be an airport of entry. They will give you clearance to leave the country.
Returning to the U.S.
- You must depart from an airport of entry. Pilot must fill
out one (1) copy of the Bahamas Customs C7 form for the private pilots and
turn in the Bahamas Immigration card copy.
- File an International Flight Plan (800) WX-BRIEF, You must
put advise U.S. Customs (ADCUS) in the remark section of your flight plan.
- You must call U.S Customs and make an arrival appointment
- Activate flight plan with Nassau Radio on 124.2, 128.0 or
Freeport Radio.
- ...If unable, activate with Miami Radio 126.7 or 122.4.
From Bimini, 122.1
- ...Miami Remote no voice, and listen on VOR 116.7. Higher
altitudes get better reception.
- Must receive a discrete transponder code from FSS 126.7
Miami Radio 15 minutes
- ...before penetrating the ADIZ. Flight Service is
responsible, not Approach Control!
- For flight following, contact Nassau on 121.0 or Miami on
125.7.
- Close your flight plan in the air on 122.2, 122.4, or
126.7. If not able,.close at Customs office with (800) WX-BRIEF.
- Land at an Airport of Entry such as MIA, FLL, FXE, PBI or
FPR. Take all your baggage and go directly to Customs.
Private pilots visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas should expect the
following:
- No overtime customs fee for private aircraft visiting The
Islands Of The Bahamas where the pilot declares that he/she does not receive
any remuneration and the flight is for recreational purpose
- No transire (C38) is needed for private pilots cruising
through The Islands Of The Bahamas for pleasure (a copy of the C7A will
suffice)
- No tie-down fee -- except in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
- A flight plan must be filed -- activate prior to entering
The Islands Of The Bahamas and close after landing
- All passengers six years and over leaving The Bahamas pay a
government Departure Tax of fifteen dollars ($15) except for Freeport, Grand
Bahama Island (private airport), where an additional $3 airport security fee
is applicable.
Source:
Florida Pilot Association
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