AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012 - 55

tinuous radio contact with air traffic controllers in Miami and Nassau, on ATC radar screens, and often within gliding distance of land. After Bimini, the Caravan crosses the islands of Andros, New Providence, the Exumas, Eleuthera, and Cat. All the islands have airports, and some of them have multiple airports. The exotic islands are known for world-class beaches, fishing, scuba diving, sailing, and other ocean sports. They’re within easy reach of most single-engine, piston GA aircraft—although many of the airplanes based here are twins, with Piper Aztecs and Navajos and Beech Barons the most plentiful. The islands have largely recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Irene, a Category 3 storm that tore across the lowlying chain on August 25, 2011 (see “Rally GA: Flight for Survival,” November 2011 AOPA Pilot). Rolle said tourism dollars are especially welcome because they accelerate reconstruction. Rolle credits flying with giving him a new appreciation for his own country. “I was born in Nassau and grew up in

Nassau and didn’t really travel to the other islands,” said Rolle, who retains a lanky, athletic build long after his track career peaked at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. “It wasn’t until I started flying that I visited all the islands. It’s made me love my own country and the Bahamian people so much more. I didn’t expect that could happen as a result of learning to fly.” Rolle attends U.S. aviation events such as AOPA Summit and EAA AirVenture each year, and he brings a contingent of Bahamian officials who work in areas such as customs and law enforcement. By showing them the size and variety of the GA industry, he convinces influential Bahamians that aviation must remain central to their tourism strategy—and that they should make it as easy as possible for U.S. pilots and their guests to visit. The paperwork involved in flying between the United States and the Bahamas is less burdensome for U.S. pilots than most international destinations. Pilots and passengers fill out one form to enter and exit the Bahamas. They and

BAHAMAS TIPS
Bring cash for fuel purchases since some Bahamian FBOs don’t accept credit cards, and cash discounts are often available. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. (Fuel prices at Stella Maris on January 27, 2012: $6.95 avgas; $6.25 Jet-A) Bring a marine radio for detailed weather and wind reports in areas where aviation weather may be inaccessible.

Flying information
AOPA information about the Bahamas www.aopa.org/members/pic/intl/ bahamas/index.html AOPA Air Safety Institute eAPIS course “Understanding eAPIS” http://flash.aopa.org/asf/eAPIS Other Bahamian resources flytheislands.com bahamasaviator.com bahamashabitat.org

Florida Gateway FBOs
Banyan Aviation at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) Jet Center Fort Pierce (FPR) Miami Executive Aviation (OPF) Galaxy Aviation of Palm Beach (PBI) Galaxy Aviation of Stuart (SUA) SheltAir Aviation (FLL) Showalter Flying Service (ORL) Stuart Jet Center (SUA)

Guided tours

Air Journey: airjourney.com Baja Bush Pilots: bajabushpilots.com Caribbean Sky Tours: caribbeanskytours.com

Places we visited
Stella Maris Resort: stellamarisresort.com Cape Santa Maria Resort: capesantamaria.com Staniel Cay Yacht Club: stanielcay.com Fernandez Bay Village: fernandezbayvillage.com Crooked Island Lodge, Pittstown Point: pittstownpoint.com

AOPA PILOT • 55 • MARCH 2012

http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/intl/bahamas/index.html http://flash.aopa.org/asf/eAPIS http://www.flytheislands.com http://www.bahamasaviator.com http://www.bahamashabitat.org http://www.airjourney.com http://www.bajabushpilots.com http://www.caribbeanskytours.com http://www.stellamarisresort.com http://www.capesantamaria.com http://www.stanielcay.com http://www.fernandezbayvillage.com http://www.pittstownpoint.com

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012