Hi all
I have been asked to ferry a C172 from Eastern Canada to Puerto Rico , I have been looking over routing and would like to transit through Cuba if possible.
If anyone has any thoughts on that routing, good or bad, on permits, refuelling, handling, etc it would be very much appreciated.
Cuba
Moderators: Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, I WAS Birddog
Re: Cuba
FUN!Dasher310 wrote:Hi all
I have been asked to ferry a C172 from Eastern Canada to Puerto Rico , I have been looking over routing and would like to transit through Cuba if possible.
If anyone has any thoughts on that routing, good or bad, on permits, refuelling, handling, etc it would be very much appreciated.
You will need a Cuba overflight permit. There are professional companies that can help:
I used to use these guys when I did charter work.
https://www.coltinternational.com
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Gilles Hudicourt
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2233
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:51 am
- Location: YUL
Re: Cuba
I have not checked recently, but I think you will discover that Cuban airport and Nav fees are exorbitant.
Re: Cuba
You have to contact office of tourism of Cuba, there is one in Montreal, they will provide you with all of the phone numbers and informations you need by email. Normally they communicate with aviation and border authorities of Cuba for you, in order for you to get all of the permits to do the travelling.
Bureau de Tourisme de Cuba
2075 rue University. Bureau 460
Montréal. Québec. H3A 2L1
( 514-875-8004 poste 224
7: 514-875-8006
*: dany@gocuba.ca
www.gocuba.ca www.cubatravel.cu
www.autenticacuba.com
Bureau de Tourisme de Cuba
2075 rue University. Bureau 460
Montréal. Québec. H3A 2L1
( 514-875-8004 poste 224
7: 514-875-8006
*: dany@gocuba.ca
www.gocuba.ca www.cubatravel.cu
www.autenticacuba.com
Re: Cuba
Whenever I've ferried aircraft (albeit, larger ones than a C172!) in that area, I've always made a point to skip Cuba and use the Bahamas as a "last" fuel stop before heading further south/SE/SW. However if you do want to stop in Cuba use a handling company as suggested above for your overflight permits AND your handling on the ground.
It's possible to do it on your own, but it depends on priorities - if you're in a time crunch, pay the $ for handling and get it done for you and you'll have really smooth, easy tech stops. If you have lots of time and want to save a bit of cash (you may end up still paying the same or more during longer tech stops while you figure all the details out as you go
) and are prepared to endure a bunch of adventures/headaches you can go it on your own. A handling company can also be useful for fuel payment help, particularly in places where your credit card may not work but do realize that this will inflate your fuel costs as the company takes a % - so save it for places like Cuba Regardless of what you do, ensure you bring a bunch of US cash, including small bills! **Also - I do recall rules that if you do want to LAND in Cuba, you can't do it direct from the USA, so you'd have to use Nassau or something similar.
I highly recommend Alan at Flight Plan Solutions for this (smaller US-based company, but I've used him probably a dozen times, he's fantastic and can help you out with Caribbean EAPIS, etc. as well. He's very fair, and understands if you only want to use him for a particular leg of your trip (i.e. the Cuba one, be it overflying or whatever.) He's at http://www.flightplansolutions.com )
There are websites out there regarding general aviation flying in the Caribbean, particularly about VFR flying (the rules can be VERY different, particularly regarding night flying and specific air routes) but I can't find them at the moment - I suspect if you do some serious googling you'll come up with some good stuff regarding those rules plus General Declarations and other paperwork..
Also see if you can get your hands on subscriptions to ForeFlight (you may be able to do a trial) for the US stuff, and then JeppFD for the Carib part (unless in the last year or so since I've used ForeFlight they've expanded into the Caribbean??) - makes flight planning way easier (watch out for those military areas, and don't count on being able to go DCT off airway) and great for weather checks, plus Jepp will give you access to each country's AIM and rules of entry.
Good luck, and have fun!
Edited to add: found one of my links - it's a relatively recent COPA page with some good Bahamas and USA info and more links -- http://www.copa70.com/CrossBorderFlying.pdf
It's possible to do it on your own, but it depends on priorities - if you're in a time crunch, pay the $ for handling and get it done for you and you'll have really smooth, easy tech stops. If you have lots of time and want to save a bit of cash (you may end up still paying the same or more during longer tech stops while you figure all the details out as you go
) and are prepared to endure a bunch of adventures/headaches you can go it on your own. A handling company can also be useful for fuel payment help, particularly in places where your credit card may not work but do realize that this will inflate your fuel costs as the company takes a % - so save it for places like Cuba Regardless of what you do, ensure you bring a bunch of US cash, including small bills! **Also - I do recall rules that if you do want to LAND in Cuba, you can't do it direct from the USA, so you'd have to use Nassau or something similar. I highly recommend Alan at Flight Plan Solutions for this (smaller US-based company, but I've used him probably a dozen times, he's fantastic and can help you out with Caribbean EAPIS, etc. as well. He's very fair, and understands if you only want to use him for a particular leg of your trip (i.e. the Cuba one, be it overflying or whatever.) He's at http://www.flightplansolutions.com )
There are websites out there regarding general aviation flying in the Caribbean, particularly about VFR flying (the rules can be VERY different, particularly regarding night flying and specific air routes) but I can't find them at the moment - I suspect if you do some serious googling you'll come up with some good stuff regarding those rules plus General Declarations and other paperwork..
Also see if you can get your hands on subscriptions to ForeFlight (you may be able to do a trial) for the US stuff, and then JeppFD for the Carib part (unless in the last year or so since I've used ForeFlight they've expanded into the Caribbean??) - makes flight planning way easier (watch out for those military areas, and don't count on being able to go DCT off airway) and great for weather checks, plus Jepp will give you access to each country's AIM and rules of entry.
Good luck, and have fun!
Edited to add: found one of my links - it's a relatively recent COPA page with some good Bahamas and USA info and more links -- http://www.copa70.com/CrossBorderFlying.pdf
-
Gilles Hudicourt
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2233
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:51 am
- Location: YUL
Re: Cuba
Thanks very much for the great responses, I had planned on using a handling agency anyway,( have used Colt for trips out of Euro Asia and Africa ) and your info has really confirmed that I need one for this trip also, like the idea of using Flight Plan Solutions.
Re: Cuba
Hi Dasher,
Not sure if you plan on operating VFR or IFR over Cuba but Cuba does have some restrictions on VFR flights and minimum altitudes through their airspace.
The e-mail Gilles gave out is still a valid one for contacting Aerocivil directly.
Assistance arranging handling (especially payment) is recommended. Permits (especially overflight only) are easy to arrange directly with Aerocivil.
PM me if you require more information.
amraam
Not sure if you plan on operating VFR or IFR over Cuba but Cuba does have some restrictions on VFR flights and minimum altitudes through their airspace.
The e-mail Gilles gave out is still a valid one for contacting Aerocivil directly.
Assistance arranging handling (especially payment) is recommended. Permits (especially overflight only) are easy to arrange directly with Aerocivil.
PM me if you require more information.
amraam
