When is peak season?<\/h4>\n
That would be now: Late November to mid April.<\/p>\n
It is peak for two reasons:<\/strong><\/p>\n All this means a lot more GA traffic<\/strong> which means busy airspace, delays, and parking problems if you haven\u2019t pre-planned.<\/p>\n Read this very helpful post from the folk at Universal Weather.<\/a> We could re-write it all out for you here but seems pointless when they\u2019ve done such a good job. And all that permit parking slot stuff is dull.<\/p>\n So, on to more interesting stuff.<\/strong><\/p>\n We thought we might take a look at the airports themselves instead, because there are challenges that will really shiver yer timbers<\/em> if you don\u2019t know about them.<\/p>\n While looking up information, we also discovered this old pirate map in an ancient bottle of rum \ud83d\ude42 \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f<\/p>\n Click for PDF.<\/p><\/div>\n Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>0700-2100L, O\/T O\/R PNR available for non-scheduled flights Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>0700-2300L, US preclearance airport Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>M-F 1230-2030Z, O\/T PPR Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>H24 Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>H24R US Pre-Clearance Airport Hours: <\/strong>Ops 0700-2100L, O\/T O\/R; Admin M-F 0830-1700L Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>H24R Hours: <\/strong>M-F 1230-2030Z, O\/T PPR House:\u00a0<\/strong>1200-2000z Hours:\u00a0<\/strong>H24R Hours: <\/strong>H24 Hours: <\/strong>H24 Hours:<\/strong>H24 Opsgroup wise:\u00a0<\/strong>we have a library of Airport Lowdowns<\/strong> that you might find useful. If you’re a member you can also head to\u00a0Airport Spy\u00a0<\/strong>and read a whole load of reviews from other members sharing what they experienced.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n A handy review for you.<\/p><\/div>\n AOPA<\/strong> make some very handy slot guides which you can find here.<\/a><\/p>\n They include useful stuff like info on airports, stuff to do while you’re there, and photos of pineapples.<\/p>\n A handy guide for all your travelling there questions.<\/p><\/div>\n The<\/strong> Caricom e-APIS<\/strong> site is here<\/a>. You’ll need this for advance information sending about passengers.<\/p>\n\n
What to pre-plan?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Caribbean-Map-V5-1024x700.jpg\")
<\/a>The Airports<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/KRAKEN-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TNCM\/Princess Juliana, St. Maarten,\u00a0Netherlands Antilles<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach info:\u00a0<\/strong>10\/28 7546\u2019\/2300m RNAV\/Visual RFF9
\nTimber shivering stuff:\u00a0<\/strong>You\u2019re going to need a special qualification to head in here. It has some unusual procedures because of the big old mountains near it. There is Class C airspace right above it and it all gets super congested there.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/TREASURE-CHEST-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TIST\/ Cyril E King, St. Thomas,\u00a0Virgin Islands<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach info: <\/strong>10\/28 7000\u2019\/2134m ILS 10 RFF7
\nContact Info:\u00a0<\/strong>Airport +1 340-774-5
\nAhoy matey! What else can yer tell me?:\u00a0<\/strong>Another one needing special qualification due hills. They also have noise sensitive areas, class c airspace and all the congestion that comes with it, and turbulence and wind shear to deal with.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/GALLEON-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TUPJ\/Terrance B Lettsome (Roadtown), Tortola, Virgin Islands<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info: <\/strong>07\/25 is only 4646\u2019\/1416m with an RNAV to 25 RFF5
\nContact Info:\u00a0<\/strong>Airport +1 284-394-8000\/\u00a0FBO: IAM jet centre +1 284-495-0303 eisops@iamjetcentre.com
\nYarr! Argh! stuff:\u00a0<\/strong>Smaller airport.\u00a0It is hilly around the airport, and the short runway ends in water\u2026 There are also no VFR ops by night.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/BLACKBEARD-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TBPB\/Grantley Adams, Bridgetown,\u00a0Barbados <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>09\/27 11017\u2019\/3358m ILS 09\/RNAV RFF 9
\nContact Info: <\/strong>Airport +1 246-536-1302\/\u00a0<\/strong>FBO: IAM jet centre 1 246-428-1704 aviation@iamjetcentre.com
\nAvast, ye scurvy threats:\u00a0<\/strong>This big one can handle big aircraft, although there are some ground restrictions for the medium and heavy folk. There are NABT procedures too. Nice one for tech stopping and maintenance action.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/SKULL-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MYNN\/Lyndon Pindling, Nassau, Bahamas<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Aroach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>14\/32 10925\u2019\/3330m ILS 14\/RNAV RFF8 and\u00a010\/28 8302\u2019\/2530m RNAV\/VOR
\nContact Info: <\/strong>Airport +1 242-702-1010 feedback@nas.bs \/ FBO: Jet Aviation jnas@jetaviationnassau.com +1 242 377 3355 \/\u00a0Odyssey Bahamas info.mynn@odysseyaviation.com +1 242 702 0200
\nYo ho ho:\u00a0<\/strong>One of the biggers. Not without its challenges though. There are prohibited and danger areas near the airport to look out for. These mean some special IFR departure procedures if heading W, SW or NW (basically anyway involving some westwardly way). Lots of traffic below 10,000\u2019 here too<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ANCHOR-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MWCR\/Owen Roberts, Georgetown, \u00a0Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info: <\/strong>08\/26 7867\u2019\/2398m RNAV RFF7
\nContact Info: <\/strong>Airport +1 345-943-7070 ciaa@caymanairports.com \/ FBO: Island air +1 345-949-5252 2 0200
\nHere be treasure, matey:\u00a0<\/strong>They don\u2019t have radar here, but they do have noise sensitive areas so navigate carefully.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/PLANE-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TAPA\/VC Bird, St.John’s, Antigua<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info: <\/strong>07\/25 9967\u2019\/3038m RNAV (GNSS) RFF8
\nContact Info: <\/strong>Airport +1 268-484-2300 info@abairportauthority.com \/ FBO: Signature +1 268-462-2522 ANU@signatureflight.com
\nMay yer compass be true:<\/strong>This has some skinny little taxiways that anything over 65000lbs, or with wings over 100\u2019 (30m) isn\u2019t allowed to use (and they can only use by day). This means backtracking aircraft on the runway which means you\u2019ll probably have to hold on arrival for spacing.\u00a0It is quite a popular tech stop airport though.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/MERMAID-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MBPV\/Providenciales,\u00a0Turks and Caicos<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>10\/28 9199\u2019\/2804m RNP\/VOR RFF 7
\nContact Info: <\/strong>Airport +1 649-946-2137
\nWall the\u00a0plank: <\/strong>A bigger airport, this also has a lot go GA traffic and also some parasailing hazards to add to the fun.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/COMPASS-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TQPF\/Clayton J Lloyd (Wallblake), The Valley, Anguilla<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>11\/29 5459\u2019\/1664m RNP RFF5
\nContact Info:<\/strong> Airport +1264-497-2384\/ FBO: Lloyd Aviation +1 264-498-4141 info@lloyd-aviation.com
\nScallywags:\u00a0<\/strong>Another little one that only allows IFR by night. There are a lot of poles, antenna and also birds around the airport. So keep a good look out (probably why its IFR only at night).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ROWBOAT-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MKJS\/Sangster, Montega Bay, Jamaica<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>07\/25 8735\u2019\/2662m ILS 07\/RNAV 25 RFF 9
\nContact Info:\u00a0<\/strong>Airport +1 876-952-3124 Slots slotrequest@mbjairport.com\/\u00a0FBO: IAM jet centre +1 876-979-3855 mbj@iamjetcentre.com
\nBatten down them hatches:\u00a0<\/strong>A good tech stop spot, but look out for the mountains and the high minimas and the noise sensitive bits. Also look out for the many small airports (and traffic heading into them) which fill the airspace. They have some specific NABT procedures to look into, and it can get windsheary.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/PARROT-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MDSD\/Las Americas, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>17\/35 11004\u2019\/3354m ILS 17\/RNAV RFF9
\nContact Info:<\/strong> Airport +1 809-947-2225 operador@aerodom.com\/ FBO: Servair +1 809 549 1404 fbo@servair.com.do
\nOther stuff: <\/strong>Don\u2019t confuse San Isidro AB for MDSD. And don\u2019t head in unless you have the qualification – it\u2019s one of those because of the airbase and prohibited areas nearby.\u00a0Terrain nearby is also a bit of a concern, as is FOD on the runway (not sure why, but enough to permanently mention it apparently). There are also minimum ceiling restrictions of approaches so worth familiarising yourself with the charts before heading in.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/SEAMONSTER-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
MDLR\/La Romana Casa de Campo intl, Dominican Republic<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>11\/29 9678\u2019\/2950m RNAV(GNSS) RFF8
\nContact Info:<\/strong> Airport +1 809-813-9000 info@lrm.com.do\/ FBO: Swissport Dominicana +1 809 813 9123 lrmexecutive@swissport.com.do \/ Universal Aviation +1 809 813 9070
\nHoist the mainsail: <\/strong>This place requires a 180 turn and backtrack on both ends of the runway and has limited taxiway and apron space. There is a nearby restricted area and noise sensitive bits.
\nATC often seek in Spanish for local traffic so watch out.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/PALM-TREE-icon-150x150.jpg\"){kind=icon}
TJSJ\/San Juan Luis Munoz Marin, Puerto Rico<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nRunway\/Approach Info:\u00a0<\/strong>08\/26 10400\u2019\/3170m ILS 08 \/ RNAV RFF8 and\u00a010\/29 8016\u2019\/2443m ILS 10 \/ RNAV
\nContact Info:<\/strong> \u00a0Airport +1 787-253-2329 info@aerostarairports.com\/ FBO: Airport Aviation Services +1 787 791 8500\/
\nJet Aviation San Juan +1 787 791 7005 hector.vasquez@jetaviation.com
\nPazo\u2019s fuel services +1 787-791-7005 fboservices@pazosfbopr.com
\nDown to\u00a0Davy Jones’ locker with ye: <\/strong>A good tech stop option. It does have some mountains nearby, and it is in primary Class C airspace.
\nAlso don\u2019t get confused by TJIG\/Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci nearby<\/p>\nWhere else can I get info?<\/h4>\n
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