Would you fly a Cessna C-152 to the Caribbean from Florida? Why or why not?

Question

I'm looking at Puerto Rico, even the U.S.V.I. I can do it in a twin, but I think flying a single all the way from NYC, would be an interesting challenge.

Several years ago, on a trip from KJFK to TJSJ, I got some helpful advice from the 747-200 Captain who flew me to P.R. Some of the advice I got from you kind folks, I got from this experienced aviator.

If I can't find a fit 152, I'll do it in a close to new, if not new, Skyhawk. I want a good old fashioned, low and slow, no glass cockpit allowed, flight. To tell you the truth... I would really enjoy hopping the islands in an open cockpit bi-plane, sitting behind a radial.

Answer 1

I've flown single engine planes all over the Caribbean without incident, I am only for this if you own the aircraft and know its maintenance history. Fly island to island, along active shipping routes, stay in radio contact and know your exact position (GPS). There is a listed pilot to pilot frequency that is handy in case you encounter problems with communication out of Miami.

Be informed, there are several publications outlining the requirements for island flying. Try Sporty's Pilot Shop for information about these.

Take what ever precautions you can given the size and weight carrying capability of your aircraft [raft, handheld radio, flares, life-vest etc.] If you know of another adventurer that is contemplating this trip in his or her own plane, consider a formation flight to keep an eye on each other.

You may also find othe inter-island single engine pilots along your way that would be interested in scheduling flights together from island to island.

Stop at Harbour Island of the north end of Eluthra and have a great time!

Don't let the hand wringers talk you out of a great adventure, they don't feel safe flying around the pattern and probably have never ventured far from home anyway.

Look at Max Conrad, he flew Piper Comanche's around the world over every ocean on the globe!

check out http://flightaware.com search flights by various airport codes in the Bahamas and you will find single engine activity daily. Many by commercial operators whom do this all the time.

airport codes: http://www.bahamas.com/assets/content/pdf/Airportinformation.pdf?sectionid=26048&level=3

Answer 2

It could be done. A Cessna 152 has a safe fuel range of around 300 miles, and there are several Caribbean islands you can fly to that are within that range.

As one of the other answers mentioned... By the time you load in your raft and life jackets and all the other stuff you'll need to make this flight legal, you won't have much space left over for luggage.

Answer 3

I would if I a.) didn't have another airplane available and b.) didn't want to take much stuff with me.

Grand Bahama Island and Bimini are only about 100 miles off the coast of Florida so range wouldn't be a problem.

Weather can be tricky so I'd want to top off the tanks before I go. Then I'd want to take survival equipment...a life raft, life jackets, water, radio, flares, first aid kit, etc.

After all this, I'd have little (if any) room and weight allowance left over for my baggage.

A light twin such as a Beechcraft Baron or the like would be a better choice for me.

Answer 4

No ... definitely not ... waaayyyy too much water!! And not enough engines.

However, I flew a brand new one (a Cessna 152 II - N5170B) from the Cessna factory in Pawnee which is in Wichita, KANSAS to Burnside Aviation, Opa Locka Airport, in Florida. Between 22nd and 24th August 1979.

We did a short hop from Pawnee to Strother (to complete the paper work) and then had to make an unplanned stop in toTulsa ( I had a complete radio failure); then to Fort Smith, Monroe, Bates (Mobile), Tallahassee, Lakeland and then Opa Locka. A total of 17.9 hours flying time.

I would never forget that trip. Now I fly a B737-800 NG out and into the Caribbean (KJFK, KIAD, KMIA, CYYZ, Suriname, Guyana, Barbados,Antigua, Jamaica).

"LIFE ... is a place to spend time in between flights!"

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I would definately do it. It sounds like an interesting trip. However, if it's possible (I'm not sure where you want to go and I'm not too familiar with the distances involved) I would pick a route from where I will always have land within gliding range, just in case of an engine malfunction. If that wouldn't be possible, I would not take any passengers along, unless I could be sure that they would be perfectly aware of the risk that is involved in single engine operations over water

Answer 7

I wouldn't feel too comfortable to take a 152 over that much water, but I might do it if there were no other alternatives. And if I were to do it, I'd make sure that I bought water survival gear, a handheld radio, and a handheld GPS in case anything went wrong. Rather be safe than sorry, they always say...

Answer 8

Considering making the flight from New York to Florida to Bahamas to grand Turk then Puerto Rico

Answer 9

I would for fun, but now i've flown multi engined planes for such a long time, single engine over water seems a scary prospect. if i was feeling adventurous i might.

Answer 10

You don't specify where, but to me, range is the largest factor. you need twice the range you think you need if you are a low time pilot.