Flying to Jamaica
 

Began flying C560xl recently for part 91 operation. Owner wants to start flying to Jamaica next year. I haven't flown outside 48 states---looking for tips and pointers from those of you who have . Want to make sure I get all my ducks in a row and don't get caught by any snafu's. Any info will help--thanks!

Cuban Overflight
 

For starters do not fall for the trap of paying hundreds of dollars to Universal or any of the flight planning companies to get you a cuban overflight permit.

try www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com they will get you all you need

CUBAN OVERFLIGHT PERMITS

Grand Cayman's FBO
http://www.caribbeanflyingadventures...d%20Cayman.gif

Flying over Cuba is easy and interesting - an exciting experience! But IFR only
1) Complete and Submit Request Form - (Click here) at least two working days prior to departure (not counting Sundays)
2) Private Recreational Flights - Click here to purchase permit (free for members)
3) Business and Commercial Flights - Click here to purchase permit
4) Cayman Operating (landing) Permits for part 135 - Click here to purchase permit
The U.S. Treasury Department recently issued a decision prohibiting U.S. citizens from contacting Cuba directly to obtain overflight authority. A number of companies are licensed to obtain permits for you - for a fee ranging from $160 to $2,000.
Private Recreational Flights are not assessed overflight fees; these are defined by the Cubans as owner-operated aircraft flying to the Caymans, Jamaica, etc for family holidays; flights that are flown by owners but for business purposes (one day trips) or Charters or Corporate aircraft are charged "navigation fees" and "transaction fees" that must be paid by wire transfer to a Cuban account in a Panamanian bank. In addition, for flights operating above 24,000 feet, there may be a "navigation" fee assessed by Jamaican flight service IF you are in radio contact with Montego Bay FSS.
Caribbean Flying Adventures is authorized by the U.S. Treasury to work directly with Cuba's Civil Air Authority. We will obtain your one way or roundtrip, Cuban Overflight Permit free of charge for subscribers - one per year. Additional permits or amendments to existing permits are $40. Havana will not process requests received less than 48 hours prior to departure and they require at least one hour's notification prior to your arrival at the boundary (which simply means you should file your IFR flight plan at least 90 minutes prior to departure to be on the safe side.

Kingston is very dangerous--do not plan on leaving your hotel at night.

Stupid question but since you haven't flown outside the lower 48 do you have an eAPIS account for US customs? This is now a requirement for Part 91 (since April) on departure and arrival.

Just to make things more difficult, 10 Caribbean countries joined forces and now require their own online version of APIS. Check these links for more info.

Caricom > HOME

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) APIS | NBAA - National Business Aviation Association

Otherwise get your overflights, put the permit # in you flight plan and you're off.


Where will you be leaving from and where will you be clearing customs?

PW305 thanks for the info. I know about APIS but didn't realize some of the islands were coming up with their own version. We will be flying from Illinois and will be making a stop in Florida to pick up some people as well. Our first trip there won't be until late spring 2010---just trying to get things in place. Thanks for the help.

A few pointers. Universal weather is a good place to start. They can get you the eAPIS, file your flightplan, get you the cuban overflight, custom forms and immigration forms, enroute charge reports, arrange discount fuel from the local fuel vendors and help you with the ground handling at both KIN and MBJ. Highly recommend you use them at least a couple of times before you try doing it on your own. Ask them about the overflight waiver so you don't have to stop in florida on the way back from Jamaica, they should be able to help you out with that. One good thing about UV is that you can make all the payments directly to them.

Both KIN & MBJ have reasonable landing and parking fees. Fuel is cheap about $2.80 per gal. They'll charge you for ATC services rendered in the terminal area, passenger fees, passenger security fees and navigation fees. When you get there, take a bunch of immigration and customs forms back with you so you won't need to get them from UV the next time you're heading that way. If you need to refuel, take fuel immediately after landing so you won't have to wait for the fuel truck on your way out, the fuel guys will fuel the big guys before they head your way.

Did i mention use UVair... Oh you could use Jepp too. Make sure you got locks for your plane if you're sending the night.

Lastly try the jerk pork, curry goat, fried & steamed fish and anything else Jamaican you can find.

Enjoy your trip. If you need anything else just let me know.

Also be sure to go on CBP.gov and apply for a sticker to put on the aircraft if you are going to make multiple entry / exits to and from the USA.
An alternative to Universal is a company called Global Trip Support out of Las Vegas. It was started and owned by Rick Wolfer who has years of experience in supporting corporate ops. I know corporate flight departments that have used them and said they were great, cheaper than Universal and got personalized attention.

The vendors will certainly make your life easier but you'll pay for it. It's really a straightforward trip and unless you're pressed for time or don't want to be bothered, I'd do it yourself and save the flight department some $.

Then again we do this stuff frequently so we're used to the paperwork.

Good luck

We use Global and they are great!! They are considerably cheaper then Universal and do as good of a job. The Caribbean should be pretty easy just be carefull with the Cuban overflight and don't fall prey to greedy "service providers" on the ground in Jamaica, they all have there hand out and expect you to fill it with something green. Rely on your handler "Universal, Arinc direct, or Global" to get things accomplished.

As PW305 said it's pretty straight forward. I'm not quite sure about the operations at Montego Bay but if you'd like you can have a look at the FBO's website here for contact info. Welcome to the IAM Jet Centre: Montego Bay, Jamaica
I work at the General Aviation Centre in KIN and its a breeze once you have everything put together. AJAS and Jamaica Dispatch Services are our two main handlers and will provide fuel, ground carts etc and even look about your Immigration and Customs forms for you so long as they're given a decent heads up. I suppose if you should use the service providers listed by the other posters above it should be even more painless. Arriving in KIN you can expect to park at Gate 11 and if you're staying over 5hours there will be parking fees assessed based upon your aircrafts MTOW. If you're staying over-night or more than 5-6hrs you'll be repositioned to the military ramp to free up the space by Gate 11 and 12.
As for the cities Montego Bay is the tourist mecca of Jamaica and Kingston the largest city/capital & the business hub. In Kingston our two authorised very repuable taxi services are JUTA and JCAL. Hope that helps!

Great information!..... But to ''Hypoxic'' Kingston, JA is not as dangerous as you may think, it is over way hyped! You can leave your hotel at night. Jamaicans are really friendly and love welcoming tourist. Tip is dont be a snob or a jerk and everything will be fine. Use all your manners and dont try to fight or prove your better than anybody due to job status and all, because it makes it feel like your disrespecting and will be put into line real fast! I am a Canadian-Jamaican, My parents both live in Kingston and Ocho Rios and everybody is friendly! They love tourist because they help the countries economy.... sorry for the long winded post and have fun flying the island of fun, you will love it!!



Junior