Bahamas Flying Ambassadors
BS – Have you heard of the Bahamas Flying Ambassadors? The Bahamas Flying Ambassadors is a program by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and includes pilots with extensive experience flying to, from, and around the Bahamas, including the outlying islands. These pilots help new pilots learn the ropes by providing information and introducing the pilots to the thrill of navigating and landing on the islands. Currently, there are 15 Bahamas Flying Ambassadors.
What Do Bahamas Flying Ambassadors Do?
Bahamas flying ambassadors have the information pilots need to fly safely and legally to, from, and around the islands. They take the time to show new pilots how to navigate the islands, fill out flight plans, and share information about the area’s Bahamas and general aviation community. They can also explain the more technical aspects of flying to the Bahamas, like how to fly through international airspace, who to call, where to land, and how to get through customs. The Bahamas Flying Ambassadors also participate in Bahamas fly-ins. In December 2022, there was a 5-day fly-in at Marsh Harbor. In October of 2023, they held a Halloween fly-in at Marsh Harbor. The goal of these fly-ins is to show how easy it is to fly into the Bahamas and enjoy everything the islands have to offer.
Why Is the Bahamas Flying Ambassador Program Important?
Many pilots want to fly their planes to the Bahamas, but certain concerns often stop them. This can range from being worried about flying into and through international airspace, flying for prolonged periods of time over water, landing in the Bahamas, and getting through customs. Some pilots may even be concerned about crossing the Jet Stream. The pilots that are part of the ambassador program can explain these common issues and how to deal with them effectively.
For Example, did you know that pilots who wish to fly from the US to the Bahamas should enroll and log into the Electronic Advance Passenger Information System ( eAPIS) of the US Department of Homeland Security? If you plan to cross the US border frequently or not frequently, purchasing a decal and transponder from the Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System is also advised. That system is available for private vessels, commercial vehicles, and private aircraft. It’s a sticker with an RFID chip, and paying for the decal takes care of the fees for crossing into the US for the entire year.
You must file a flight plan once you’re ready to depart the US. That flight plan can be DVFR or IFR. There are currently 20 airports in the Bahamas that you can land at as your point of entry, and you’ll want to choose one of those airports as your destination.
Next, you should log into the eAPIS system and file a Notice of Departure and traveler manifest. Your Bahamas Flying Ambassador would also recommend that you file a Notice of Arrival and traveler manifest. This is because while the Bahamas has Internet, it’s not always reliable.
After you land at the airport in the Bahamas, you’ll need to go through customs and fill out a C7 form, which is an Aircraft General Declaration Inward Form. It’s important to note that the C7 form is if you plan to stay on a single island. If you plan to cruise around the Bahamas and visit multiple islands, you’ll need to fill out a C7A form.
If this sounds confusing, you’re not alone. It’s part of why many pilots hesitate to fly outside their country’s airspace. Thankfully, with the help of a Bahamas Flying Ambassador, you can become familiar with all the intricacies of flying to, from, and around the islands of the Bahamas. They can even give you tips and tricks for navigating over water and staying safe in your travels.
How to Become a Bahamas Flying Ambassador
If you’ve flown many trips to and from the Bahamas and are interested in becoming a Bahamas Flying Ambassador, the first step is to fill out the form at Bahamas.com. The form asks for the pilot’s name, address, country, email address, and phone number. Lastly, you’ll need to indicate that you’re interested in the pilot program. The Bahamas Ambassador Program also accepts boaters and divers. Once you submit the form, someone should contact you over the next few days to discuss the next steps in the process.
The Bahamas Flying Ambassador Program is great for pilots who have experience flying in the Bahamas and want to share their knowledge and for pilots who wish to fly their own aircraft into the Bahamas. No matter which side of the program you’re on, you’re sure to find plenty of locations to fly to in the Bahamas and plenty of adventure.