Using a professional service to oversee your operation out of the US, especially your first time, may be a prudent investment. Yes… using outside services will cost money. However the fees certainly outweigh potential delays, foreign country legal enforcement and fines as well as embarrassments. Professional services have a checklist of required items from APIS to hotel arrangements as it pertains to your journey. It takes the guess work out of your operational equation.

I flew a corporate aircraft around the world… and that was my job, and my job only… flying the jet. When preparing for a trip, I picked up the phone dialed a number and told my rep where and when I was flying to… and the rest was done. I used Global Services, and Worldwide Services. The vendor arranged legal requirements, overfly and landing permits, flight plans, catering, ground handling, as well as hotels were taken care of and any special needs.

Never had a problem… even with international diverts with 24/7 support services with the use of a fax machine with sat com.

The cost of using a vendor may be cheaper than paying fines for forgetting any required items. Some countries will go as far as to confiscate your aircraft too.

When in Jamaica have a Red Stripe or two for me.