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4th Annual Florida to Puerto Rico Trip

GalinHdz

Well Known Member
We are doing the initial planning for the 4th Annual Florida to Puerto Rico trip. We are tentatively scheduled to depart South Florida (KTMB) on Friday 12/13/2013 and returning on 12/22/2013. The actual dates will be finalized during November. As of today there are 5 airplanes/crews signed up for the trip. 1 Experimental, 1 LSA, 1 Beech Sierra, 1 Beech Bonanza and a Grumman Traveler but we expect more to join in. Others that have completed the trip flew a Beech Sierra and a Mooney M20J.

The flight down and back is a BLAST and we make side trips (for those interested) to other islands in the Caribbean. This year we hope to fly to St. Eustatius (TNCE) for a day.

We are NOT a commercial operation, just a group of pilots that love to take interesting vacations. My wife and I made two of the trips from Houston Texas, but this year we are already in Florida. If you are interested in doing something like this but want to go with others that have done it before, PM me and I will provide details. You can read about the 2010 and 2011 trips at our web page since my wife wrote about those two trips.

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Wow, I would LOVE to join you but I used all my vacation on my 1-month Caribbean Islands trip!

If you've been thinking about flying to the islands, it's always FUN and EASIER to do when flying with somebody who has done it before... GO FOR IT! Rosie
 
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If you've been thinking about flying to the islands, it's always FUN and EASIER to do when flying with somebody who has done it before... GO FOR IT! Rosie

We (Wife & I) have flown to PR three times already as part of this group and it is a BLAST. The last time we flew to Puerto Rico we started the trip from Houston TX (9X1). Others have done the trip from as far as Seattle, Washington. We have also flown our experimental airplane through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

We meet in South Florida (KTMB) the day before we depart to flight plan, coordinate and make sure everything is in order. We make plans to arrive in PR at the same time so everyone files their flight plan and launches with this in mind. Some of us (me included) fly IFR direct while others go VFR and make several stops along the way. It all depends your airplane's capabilities. I take my experimental airplane down so I can help with any fears. Believe me it is a non issue.

During the time we are in PR we always make at least one side trip to another island for those that want to go. Side trips have included the Dominican Republic, St. Martin and the island of Nevis. This year we are planning a side trip to St. Eustatius, VI (TNCE). We also coordinate with the PR General Aviation Association and have at least one fly in while there. The flying weather between Florida and PR during December is normally INCREDIBLE.

If anyone is interested in joining us PM me and I will provide more details.
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We are now up to 5 airplanes/crews since a Beech Bonanza will also join us in this years trip. The more the merrier.
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as soon as the wife retires...

we hope you are still going, because we will join you! would like to do the PR trip for sure, and if you return to panama we'd love to join you there too. if that happens, we can even offer our crowd some sleeping quarters in the interior of panama.
 
we hope you are still going, because we will join you! would like to do the PR trip for sure, and if you return to panama we'd love to join you there too. if that happens, we can even offer our crowd some sleeping quarters in the interior of panama.

Oh, unless something super unexpected happens, we are going.
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Planning update

As of today (24 Oct 2013) there are 5 airplanes/crews planning to make the trip. The departure date is set for December 14, 2013 and returning on Monday, December 23rd.

Several optional activities are planned. The Puerto Rico Sport Aviation Association will have their annual Christmas party during our visit and we are invited. We are also coordinating for a St. Eustatius island tour and lunch and have contacted the FBO (Tearr Aviation) to help out. Other optional activities being planned include a Casino night, beach party, a visit to Old San Juan and a private tour of the Ramey AFB Historical Society museum. But these dates and activities are contingent on weather and individual requirements.

There is still PLENTY of time to join us in this trip before hotels and rental cars become expensive and hard to find. There is no cost for joining us. PM me for details.

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Trip update:

We are up to six airplanes now (two experimentals) and starting to set semi-final dates. The departure date will be on December 13th to take advantage of US Customs being open until 9:00pm on weekdays at TJBQ. Otherwise on December 14th we would have to clear Customs in TJIG then fly back to TJBQ.

Those that are planning on going start making your hotel and rental car reservations now. December 15th starts the "tourist" season in Puerto Rico so hotels and car rentals get booked solid. If you want recommendations, call or PM me. There is still plenty of time to join us.

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Want to rent rv6a or 7a

Can't make the trip but I am looking for someone that would be interested in renting their 6 or 7 for a week to 10 days in southern fl area or Orlando. I go over to Eleuthera 2 or 3 weeks a year usually in May and October. Flying my rv from Reno isn't worth it. I have done it. Spent a month in dr all the way to Guadalupe. Email me if you are interested. Over600 hrs in rvs no accident history
Chuck Harder
N101 pr
Medpack@ yahoo.com
 
I spent a week in Rincon for a surfing trip. The blue dome (An old nuclear power plant) is a surfing spot called "Domes". The wave broke very well just past that small jetty that you see there. Thanks for posting!!

~J~
 
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