Flying over Cuba
#1
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Flying over Cuba
I'm a student at an aerospace university and I have an argument to settle with one of my aerospace professors. We were discussing IATA, ICAO, etc and he mentioned how it is not legal for part 121 US carriers to overfly Cuba on their way to Jamaica. I openly disagreed with him, as I have been to Jamaica and as I recall I flew there on a Northwest A320 out of MEM. Was I actually flying KLM? I went to flightaware.com and tracked flights between MEM and Montego Bay and the tracking coverage drops off about 100 miles north of Cuba, but it appears that it would be unbelievably inefficient to fly around Cuba. I remember seeing other major US airlines in Montego Bay while I was there. Anyways, did we fly over Cuba legally there and back? Is my professor wrong when he says, "it's not legal for US airlines to fly over Cuba." Thanks
#2
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Also, I've heard that Cubana is allowed to fly to Canadian destinations through U.S. airspace. What about Canadian carriers flying to/from Havana? Anyone know what those rules are?
#3
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Hay carumba!!!
Your professor needs to go back to school himself about US carriers flying over Cuba. All one needs is an over-flight permit approved by the Cuban government along with payment in US green backs in return for the over-flight permit, and voila, enjoy the view of Havana from 35,000 feet.
#6
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Yes, they are. I hear Cubana occasionally on center frequencies along the east coast.
Back in the late 70s I used to fly DC-3s to Havana and Veradero out of PIE. Yes, we were flying a US registered plane on a 135 certificate. Back then, if you spoke Spanish to Havana Center you could even get off airway direct routings. It has been many years, but there were two International Corridors open, the one I used most often went from Varedero to Giron, and then on to either Grand Cayman or Montego Bay. BTW, Giron is where the Bay of Pigs is on the south coast.
Havana was funky with one long runway (15,000') with a railway crossing it at mid field. When you pulled up to the gate, you were escorted to Cubana operations to enter/exit as crew and pay your fees. It was really funny to see the Cubana Captains checking in for their trips and getting issued Gen-u-ine Jeppesen charts in brown leather binders! True to the Russian way, there was a Doctor in ops to give quickie pre flight physicals. The cigars were cheap, the coffee was in little cup and quite strong and the rum was rot-gut.
Back in the late 70s I used to fly DC-3s to Havana and Veradero out of PIE. Yes, we were flying a US registered plane on a 135 certificate. Back then, if you spoke Spanish to Havana Center you could even get off airway direct routings. It has been many years, but there were two International Corridors open, the one I used most often went from Varedero to Giron, and then on to either Grand Cayman or Montego Bay. BTW, Giron is where the Bay of Pigs is on the south coast.
Havana was funky with one long runway (15,000') with a railway crossing it at mid field. When you pulled up to the gate, you were escorted to Cubana operations to enter/exit as crew and pay your fees. It was really funny to see the Cubana Captains checking in for their trips and getting issued Gen-u-ine Jeppesen charts in brown leather binders! True to the Russian way, there was a Doctor in ops to give quickie pre flight physicals. The cigars were cheap, the coffee was in little cup and quite strong and the rum was rot-gut.
#7
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Your professor needs to go back to school himself about US carriers flying over Cuba. All one needs is an over-flight permit approved by the Cuban government along with payment in US green backs in return for the over-flight permit, and voila, enjoy the view of Havana from 35,000 feet.
You pay them money and set prior flight over there airspace and is it is not a problem. The set up process can take a some time sometimes but most of the time it is not a hassel for your Dispatcher. The permit can also be requested through Jeppensen services for a small fee. For the most part there is always an exception to every rule if the airline is willing to PAY THE MAN. Countless time Airliners will land an aircraft that is bigger than what what the runway limits are in the AFD but after you set prior arrangment with the airpport authorities (pay the man) they have no problem with you landing a larger aircraft on the runways past its AFD axle limits.
Remeber Basic Aerodynamics= $$$$$$$
#9
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Air Canada as many many flights to Cuba, I think they have like 5 or 6 destinations in Cuba. Air Canada basicly has a monopoly over the North America-Cuba market I do believe AC gets charged for over flights of cuba when flying to other destinations though
#10
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I've been told by several CAL pilots and it was "confirmed" by one of them that they have a few flights a day from MIA to Havana. It's some sort of gov't contract for Cubans that live here but still have family there. To travel, you need to have good reason - i.e. dying parent. Maybe a CAL guy has more info?
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