Florida-Bahamas Rentals

[canav08]

Any experiences? Suggestions?

Looking for someplace to rent a reliable A/C for 3 or 4 nights from FL to the Bahamas and back. Ideally on the East Coast of FL but Id be willing to go wherever for the right situation. I have a call into Xena out of Sebastian, small operation, we'll see if I hear back. What has been others experiences RE checkout requirements, etc? The flight school Im checked out with down there does not do Bahamas rentals. I fly 172, Cherokee/Warrior, Arrow, 182, SR-20/22 (but not looking to pay Cirrus $$$).

Ive also heard of the oddball advertisements on barnstormers and the like of private owners being willing to rent planes to people just to keep em flying. Is that a common situation around FL? I'm from Massachusetts.

Looking to go around August which i know is 1) Maybe a tight timeline for securing a rental airplane going to the Bahamas 2) Potentially flirting with hurricane season but we'll play it by ear.

Thanks for any suggestions/experiences!

 

[Kritchlow]

Any experiences? Suggestions?

Looking for someplace to rent a reliable A/C for 3 or 4 nights from FL to the Bahamas and back. Ideally on the East Coast of FL but Id be willing to go wherever for the right situation. I have a call into Xena out of Sebastian, small operation, we'll see if I hear back. What has been others experiences RE checkout requirements, etc? The flight school Im checked out with down there does not do Bahamas rentals. I fly 172, Cherokee/Warrior, Arrow, 182, SR-20/22 (but not looking to pay Cirrus $$$).

Ive also heard of the oddball advertisements on barnstormers and the like of private owners being willing to rent planes to people just to keep em flying. Is that a common situation around FL? I'm from Massachusetts.

Looking to go around August which i know is 1) Maybe a tight timeline for securing a rental airplane going to the Bahamas 2) Potentially flirting with hurricane season but we'll play it by ear.

Thanks for any suggestions/experiences!

Why? I would imagine by the time you paid for a checkout, and overwater survival equipment, and minimum time in the airplane, you would be better off commercial.

 

[canav08]

Why? I would imagine by the time you paid for a checkout, and overwater survival equipment, and minimum time in the airplane, you would be better off commercial.

Haha, such is the case with most any GA endeavor.

I don't know how much you have read about flying GA around the Bahamas but that is exactly the point of the trip: to experience the "out islands" and the many smaller fields/islands in a relatively short trip. I know I could airline it to Nassau and hop a bunch of commercial flights or boats but thats not the idea. Not really interested in hanging out with the tourists in the crowded places or waiting in lines for commercial flights. I'm not ready to grab a plane in MA and fly it all the way there and back but financially, FL is enough of a compromise for me.

I have life jackets, a good waterproof GPS, a PLB and a handheld maritime VHF. I probably wont bother with the raft. Renting is never cheap but FL rentals are a bargain compared to where I live. Split 3 ways its expensive but not gonna break the bank. I'm familiar with procedures, I did the trip between Freeport and FXE twice with a friend who has since sold his airplane.

 

[Kritchlow]

Haha, such is the case with most any GA endeavor.

I don't know how much you have read about flying GA around the Bahamas but that is exactly the point of the trip: to experience the "out islands" and the many smaller fields/islands in a relatively short trip. I know I could airline it to Nassau and hop a bunch of commercial flights or boats but thats not the idea. Not really interested in hanging out with the tourists in the crowded places or waiting in lines for commercial flights. I'm not ready to grab a plane in MA and fly it all the way there and back but financially, FL is enough of a compromise for me.

I have life jackets, a good waterproof GPS, a PLB and a handheld maritime VHF. I probably wont bother with the raft. Renting is never cheap but FL rentals are a bargain compared to where I live. Split 3 ways its expensive but not gonna break the bank. I'm familiar with procedures, I did the trip between Freeport and FXE twice with a friend who has since sold his airplane.

Okay. Good luck to you.

 

[RDUPilot]

Any experiences? Suggestions?

Looking for someplace to rent a reliable A/C for 3 or 4 nights from FL to the Bahamas and back. Ideally on the East Coast of FL but Id be willing to go wherever for the right situation. I have a call into Xena out of Sebastian, small operation, we'll see if I hear back. What has been others experiences RE checkout requirements, etc? The flight school Im checked out with down there does not do Bahamas rentals. I fly 172, Cherokee/Warrior, Arrow, 182, SR-20/22 (but not looking to pay Cirrus $$$).

Ive also heard of the oddball advertisements on barnstormers and the like of private owners being willing to rent planes to people just to keep em flying. Is that a common situation around FL? I'm from Massachusetts.

Looking to go around August which i know is 1) Maybe a tight timeline for securing a rental airplane going to the Bahamas 2) Potentially flirting with hurricane season but we'll play it by ear.

Thanks for any suggestions/experiences!

What did you end up doing?? I am planning such a trip for the wife and i.

 

[canav08]

Dont know if you already went and sorry for late reply, dont check this site as much as I should.

Rented from a small outfit Xena Aviation in Sebastian, FL X26. They have a Warrior and are very easy to work with and nice people. Price extremely reasonable I think $100ish/hr DRY but still a good deal if you ask me. Went to Freeport, Eleutheria, Staniel Cay and Marsh Harbour.

Really, really cool trip beautiful water, especially in the Exuma Chain. The Staniel Cay area is super cool, rent a small boat, check out the yahct club, etc, etc. Locals are friendly in the less touristy "out islands" but also definitely some poor areas. Filed IFR in and out of the Bahamas, customs in both countries was very easy and straight forward, the Bahamas have their own little local quirks w customs but all in all friendly and easy to deal with.

 

[Paulie]

Dont know if you already went and sorry for late reply, dont check this site as much as I should.

Rented from a small outfit Xena Aviation in Sebastian, FL X26. They have a Warrior and are very easy to work with and nice people. Price extremely reasonable I think $100ish/hr DRY but still a good deal if you ask me. Went to Freeport, Eleutheria, Staniel Cay and Marsh Harbour.

Really, really cool trip beautiful water, especially in the Exuma Chain. The Staniel Cay area is super cool, rent a small boat, check out the yahct club, etc, etc. Locals are friendly in the less touristy "out islands" but also definitely some poor areas. Filed IFR in and out of the Bahamas, customs in both countries was very easy and straight forward, the Bahamas have their own little local quirks w customs but all in all friendly and easy to deal with.

Yes filing IFR makes the Bahamas much easier!