BonaireTalk Discussion Group
Getting around Bonaire: Flight School/Aircraft Rental at Bonaire
Bonaire Talk: Getting around Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999 - 2006: Archives - 2002-09-11 to 2004-06-30: Flight School/Aircraft Rental at Bonaire
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pieter Smit (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, May 9, 2003 - 6:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm planning a trip down to Bonaire for the first two weeks of August. I'm a private pilot, so now I'm looking to find a place to rent a single-engine plane, to do some island hopping. Are there any local flight schools or aircraft rental places? Also, does anyone have some good tips for places to visit by air?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Epley (BonaireTalker - Post #50) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 4:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When I was there in Aug 2000, I inquired at the airport and there was a guy with a 172 that basically shuttled people who were bumped from ALM (he ran a brisk business, I understand). I had heard that he may have become DiviDivi or one of the other local charter services. You may want to inquire with Divi at DiviDivi.

I'll be on the island Aug 6-13 this year so if you have any luck arranging a rental, please post it here!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pieter Smit (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 5:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'll be on the island at the same time, Aug 6-19. I think it'll be fun to do some Caribbean island-hopping, although I'm a little hesitant flying single-engine over the ocean, so maybe there are some people out there who have some experience?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 1:19 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pieter,

I'm a CFI, so let me give you my take on what you want to do.....

Not near as easy as flying in the US. In June of 2000, several of us flew our planes from North Illinois to Grand Cayman (no we were not part of the Cayman Caravan - did it on our own!).

I have to agree, island hoping is great fun. It is spectacular to see the islands from the front seat of a single engine aircraft! I will never forget it.

But....... you need to file an international flight plan, and depending on the local regulations, you may have to be IFR rated to do so.

Also, life rafts and life jackets are usually required (not to mention a good idea). I doubt you will find many life jackets and/or life rafts for rent on Bonaire.

You should also think about survival kits, spare water, portable GPS/Comm, etc in case of a water ditching. A lot of logistics for what you want to do.

Not to mention the fees....... every flight plan will cost you (on the order of 30-40 bucks each way), every landing will cost you (airport specific), plus the controllers aren't use to small aircraft out joy riding.

Not to burst you bubble, but it probably just isn't worth the hassle and expense.

My suggestion is to go to Key West, rent an airplane and island hop the Keys. We did this on our trip to Grand Cayman. We did a stop over at Key West and flew around the Keys a bit. Absolutely spectacular - and you have all the convenievnces of the US air traffic system.

Plus one other thing...... the island are closer together, so you are over open water for less time. Let me tell you, as soon as you get over open water, that Lycoming out front starts making all kinds of noises you never noticed before. It keeps you on edge the whole time.

Go to Key West, rent a plane, and have a blast. They have everything you need including instructors who can give you the checkout ride you need. How many instructors do you think there are on Bonaire??

-dave.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pieter Smit (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 8:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dave,

thanx for your sharing your experiences with me. Last year I flew from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas in a C172, which is probably one of the best flying experiences I've ever had. (And the engine does start making weird sounds as soon as you hit open water...;) I'm going to visit friends at Bonaire, and I was just wondering if I could repeat that some wonderful experience.
I wasn't planning on doing a major trip, maybe just a daytrip to Aruba & Curacao, or maybe just a local flight at Bonaire. However, as you point out, there are not that many CFI's at Bonaire, nor planes to rent. Maybe I have a better chance at Curacao?

What airport did you fly from to Grand Cayman? (I'm based at Palwaukee, Chicago) Thanx for the tip on Key West, maybe I'll go there next year...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Sunday, June 1, 2003 - 12:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pieter,

I fly out of Illinois Valley Regional in Peru Illinois.

I have no idea about Curacao...... but remember, when you flew from Florida to the Bahamas, you were basically flying in U.S. air space under control of American controlers (for the most part). Not so in the Netherland Antillies. General Aviation is very differant outside the U.S.

Again, sorry to put a damper on your plans, but I really think you are biting off a lot. Stick with the Key West trip. You can have a wonderful day island hoping the Keys. Just watch out for the giant weather baloon they got down there!!!

Have fun,

-dave.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Orlovsky - Mark from Milwaukee (BonaireTalker - Post #59) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 12:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Boy this was a great thread. I posted a sort of redundant topic. Thanks to James Epley, I was pointed in the right direction.

Once I get my certificate I think I will try the Florida Keys. BTW, I'm based out of Waukesha County, in Waukesha, WI.

Mark

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gordon Brown (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #85) on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 1:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Pieter,

I flew down to Caracas and rented there. They have all the survival gear there you'll need, just like the Florida guys do. It's only 130 nmi or so to Bonaire and once you've cleared there, you are good for the whole "Kingdom". We called it the Amstel Passport ;-).

The N. Venezuela coast is a nice flight as well.

If you arrive in Venezuela via your own transportation, as I did, you will need a visa. If you arrive via airline, you can get a tourist card from them. I would suggest the visa if you have time, since you will be flying back into country on your own. Just a bit easier. Check out: http://traveldocs.com

While some of the Caribbean airports won't let us land a Learjet at night unless we've had a payola check ride with their local examiner, if you fly VFR day only in good weather, you don't have to worry too much about the prior permission landing technicalities. Just file as you normally would. If you have concerns, the airport personnel are more than happy to help you file. Many of the airports require you file in person anyway. If you are really puckered about filing you can always drop a few bucks and let someone else do it for ya. We always contact these guys when we go to Cuba, Russia, the Middle East, etc. http://www.uvflightplanner.com/ but there are others.

Remember: ICAO rules require all ATC's to be able to speak English. My experience (3000hrs +) is that international controllers are tickled to have an opportunity to try out their language skills. They are a bit tough to understand at times, but I've been places in the US where the same problem exists, haven't you?

It is most important to make sure you are properly insured. Probably the biggest difference down there is the common use of "Roman" law. In other words, if you have an incident, you are considered guilty until proven otherwise.

All that being said, I must say that after flying on every continent on the planet many times, I've never been more hassled by ATC than I have in the US, and I've never been reamed and disrespected anywhere more than I have by US Customs when returning home.....go figure.

Enjoy the adventure.

Gordy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Goodwin (BonaireTalker - Post #26) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 12:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pieter,

A Learjet just might be differant than a Cessna 172.........

Good luck if you use Gordon's advice.

Another example of 'America is a bad place' and we must all hate it....

Again, I highly recommend that you reconsider your thoughts. Gordon's 3000+ hours experience gives him advantages that you don't have with your limited flight time.

Stick to the Florida Keys (and US ATC), and gain some experience. Regardless of rumors, US air traffic control really is the best. Why else does the rest of the world want to train and practice in America. Also, why is the international aviation language English??

Then after some time, consider flyng to the Bahamas or the Caymen Islands.

Don't bite off too much too soon.......

-dave.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gordon Brown (BonaireTalker - Post #86) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 3:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sorry,

I assumed Pieter was a pilot, not one of your students Dave, since he indicated he's already been to the Bahamas. I made the possible mistake of treating him like a peer rather than an inferior.

Hope I didn't step into anything I've forgotten 20 years after my last student. Most of all I would never question the advice of a CFI. Your input seems quite responsible and fatherly. My input was just in case he loves the adventure of flying enough that he would go anyway. Kinda like telling your kids about birth control ;-)

I can't bring myself to respond to the derogatory comments.

Hate the US.... Never. Stating the facts and my personal experience to those less experienced.....my obligation

Gordy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pieter Smit (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 6:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I didn't know my simple post would spark such a discussion...;)

I'm not one of Dave's students; I'm an instrument rated private pilot, currently working on my commercial multi engine, which I hope to finish before my trip to Bonaire. I don't have such a great flying experience as Gordy and obviously don't fly a Lear, but I did go on a trip to the Bahamas and did a little bit of flying in Europe as well.
I just wanted to inquire about the possibilities of renting a plane at Bonaire to take some friends on a local flight to Aruba and Curacao, but it seems there is not much chance at Bonaire itself. ATC over there should speak English, if not they'll speak Dutch (I'm fluent in Dutch....:D)
Thanks for the advice on Venezuela, but it is pretty hard to get from Bonaire to Caracas.
You do have to explain "Amstel-passport" to me....??
To answer the question why everybody trains in the US: because it's CHEAPER! No landing fees, low taxes on fuel, cheaper aircraft rental. Add up the good weather year-round in Florida and Arizona and you've got a pretty efficient place to train pilots. ATC is not much of a factor.
Anyways, thanks for all the help...I think I'll limit my activities at Bonaire to scuba diving and windsurfing,

Pieter

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Moen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Friday, April 9, 2004 - 2:20 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pieter; did you manage to fly in Bonaire in August 2003 ?
If not I may have a name for you.
Regards
Erik

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pieter Smit (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, April 9, 2004 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nope....But I will go back to the island, so all the help I can get is appreciated

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Moen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 3:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

There's a fellow by the name of Richard Burgers who works at the airport. He's a CFI and has a Cessna 172, operating out of the old terminal which is now the GA platform

I'll have to dig into my albums to find the phone number. Bear with me.

Any idea when you're going back ?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Ross (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 8:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Maybe someone on this group can help since there was some mention of renting aircraft in Caracas, Vzl. I am flying there commercially in Sept for a wedding and am hoping to find a place I can rent an aircraft - like a 172, 182 or similar.

I have a commercial/instrument with over 4,000 hrs. I'd like to sightsee around Vzl and perhaps fly out to Bonaire and other islands.

Any input from anyone would be GREATLY appreciated.

Bruce Ross
bruce@expressair.com

 


Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites


Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration