Cayman Islands

There was a short announcement at the December SAAPA meeting about flying from south Florida to the Caymans. For those of you who might be so inclined, here are some tips and references: It is IFR only, and the flight across Cuba is by permit only. Round trip permits are forty dollars from Jim Parker, of www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com, or you can join his association for that price, get the first permit free, and enjoy gas price updates and other valuable info throughout the year. Jim is hosting a round trip tour from Key West in mid-January for $350 in which he supplies charts, flight plans, customs and immigration documents, hotel discounts, overflight permits, and guide service.
Other sources for permits and/or guided tours include: www.airjourney.com/ www.cayman-caravan.com/ www.globalflightservices.com/ or www.baseops.com/ Last minute travel is more expensive, so get your overflight permit early.
Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is beautiful, but costly. Make sure that you know the exchange rate for Cayman dollars versus U. S. dollars, and which one your hotel reservation is quoted in. 1 C.I. = 1.25 U.S. Don't miss the town of Hell at the end of the island, which has above-ground rock (coral?) that resembles brimstone. Take your passport and get it stamped to prove that you have been to hell and back.
The "Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot's Guide" is another valuable resource. Ask to borrow mine, or pick up the out of date edition that is on the bookshelf at SAAPA Central.
Most importantly though, resolve to turn off the TV and travel somewhere in 2010.
Gotta go, the turkey is done.