Back tonight from stunningly nice family trip to Belize. More later, but several aviation-related observations:
1. If you have to fly commercial, those Embraer 145s are nice- load and unload qickly, and I did not have to go to DFW; changed planes at IAH and saved over $400.00 compared w/ AA's confiscatory non-stop fare (the "you're in DFW, you owe us" fare);
2. The Cessna Caravan is the national bird of Belize; both airlines (Tropic Air and Maya Island Air) run 'em all over the place.
I snagged the copilots seat for the flight from Belize City to Dangriga, that pilot was very cool and boy howdy, did he know his airplane! Went from climb to level cruise with a flip of the trim wheel, nailed his altitude (no autopilot installed), then landed at the pretty poor strip at Dangriga (they claim 2,000', but it's a tight 2,000).
Flight back today, another private pilot snagged the right seat, but I was one row back, in a Caravan with 46 hours on the Hobbs. Smelled new, looked new, nicest Caravan I've seen, included leather seats.
The only field with any IAPs in country is Belize City (which has non-precision approaches and VOR, but no ILS and no radar). Whem WX is bad, they just fly under it, pilo told me that they sometimes will complete a run at 100' AGL; only worry: cruise ships!
Today, after check in, went looking for someone to ask about charts and stuff for a future visit; finally directed me to flight info desk, nice guy there showed me what they have, which is a NACO Caribbean chart. Gave me a number to call for more information, direct line to the tower.
Nice people in Belize, not kissy-uppy to the tourist nice, just nice. I recommend it as a destination.
After a night's sleep, I'll see if any digital pics are worth showing. Ciao!
1. If you have to fly commercial, those Embraer 145s are nice- load and unload qickly, and I did not have to go to DFW; changed planes at IAH and saved over $400.00 compared w/ AA's confiscatory non-stop fare (the "you're in DFW, you owe us" fare);
2. The Cessna Caravan is the national bird of Belize; both airlines (Tropic Air and Maya Island Air) run 'em all over the place.
I snagged the copilots seat for the flight from Belize City to Dangriga, that pilot was very cool and boy howdy, did he know his airplane! Went from climb to level cruise with a flip of the trim wheel, nailed his altitude (no autopilot installed), then landed at the pretty poor strip at Dangriga (they claim 2,000', but it's a tight 2,000).
Flight back today, another private pilot snagged the right seat, but I was one row back, in a Caravan with 46 hours on the Hobbs. Smelled new, looked new, nicest Caravan I've seen, included leather seats.
The only field with any IAPs in country is Belize City (which has non-precision approaches and VOR, but no ILS and no radar). Whem WX is bad, they just fly under it, pilo told me that they sometimes will complete a run at 100' AGL; only worry: cruise ships!
Today, after check in, went looking for someone to ask about charts and stuff for a future visit; finally directed me to flight info desk, nice guy there showed me what they have, which is a NACO Caribbean chart. Gave me a number to call for more information, direct line to the tower.
Nice people in Belize, not kissy-uppy to the tourist nice, just nice. I recommend it as a destination.
After a night's sleep, I'll see if any digital pics are worth showing. Ciao!
:wink2:
