Bahamas

[hharney]

The Riverview Airport pilots are making the Bahamas the Flying Adventure for 2016. Dates are March 6 - 11 and more details to come. As always the SOAPA family is always welcome to join this great adventure.

What is the favorite destination in the Bahamas for pilots? We are trying to find the right place for 4 nights ($300 fuel credit) or 2 locations for 2 nights each ($150 fuel credit x2)

We have had some newbies have some concern about going down to Stella Maris because of the distance. Can be intimidating for some with 1 engine. Thinking about something close to make it easy for all. Maybe Great Abaco and do some day trips or those that want to go to Long Island for 2 of the 4 nights could and other could stay back.

Just some thoughts, who wants to go??????? What's your favorite destination?

[frfly172]

Stella Maris and Long Island are always good stops. Have done both .

[SteveG]

My wife and I have found the island of Eleuthera to be the nicest all-around destination of the Bahamian islands. It's not a commercial resort island with hotels, gambling and shopping but on the other end of the scale it's not the most remote, sparsely populated either. Rather a compromise with three good, paved, airport-of-entry airports and locally owned service providers. It has more miles of beach than probably any other of the islands both on the Atlantic and Caribbean sides and all are spectacular. So for beach combing, sun bathing, bone fishing, sight seeing and star gazing it's hard to beat with spelunking thrown in for good measure. If one is looking for the arrive and never move resort experience Coco-di-Mama is on a very nice beach on the Caribbean side and literally next door to Governor's Harbour airport. We prefer to rent a house and car, bring most of our food and travel around to different beaches and sand flats each day. I could go on and on but .... If Riverview wants the resort route (with the fuel incentive which is, of course, built into the rate) I'd probably pass but if they considered renting one or more houses that sleep four, six or even eight and spending the week I could be interested. This is the far more economical option and to my thinking the more enjoyable.

[hharney]

Originally Posted by SteveG

If Riverview wants the resort route (with the fuel incentive which is, of course, built into the rate) I'd probably pass but if they considered renting one or more houses that sleep four, six or even eight and spending the week I could be interested. This is the far more economical option and to my thinking the more enjoyable.

Steve, thanks for your input. Makes a lot of sense for a group that is set on their plans and can all work together. With the season we are going we have to be able to secure accommodations for everyone and then present the plan to the group from Riverview and friends (SOAPA). A resort type property is about the only way to do this. As we need to have a block of rooms to offer to the perspective travelers with costs already available. Your idea is a great idea for a more closely workable party that all can agree together on the itinerary. Hope that makes sense and I am by no means discounting your idea. Hoping to get some SOAPA folks interested in joining us. Details coming real soon

[hharney]

Let me know if anyone has any questions about the trip

On-line registration will open soon

It is important that you contact me before November 23rd if you want to secure rooms

[SteveG]

[ offer to the perspective travelers ]

Well, as usual, I'm the prospective traveler with the contrarian perspective on when, where and how.

[Cloud9sa]

We are interested. Tracy and Lisa

[Ernie Martin]

The FIRST Skymaster Fly-in was in 2002 in Treasure Cay, Abacos, Bahamas. That is always a good destination.

In 2005 the Fly-in was in Key West but there was a side-trip to Great Harbour Cay in the Bahama's Berry Islands.

The latter is closer to Florida (140 nm), great beaches, not as well known, therefore less choice in restaurants, etc. However, I have had a house there and have been going for the last 15 years, so that's an advantage if we do it there.

For more on the island, see www.consultresearch.com/GHC2.htm

Ernie Martin

[hharney]

Ernie and others

You forgot to mention the 2007 SOAPA Fly-in, it was held at Port Lucaya Resort, Freeport, Bahamas. What a great time we had there. I did not make your out island excursion to Great Harbour but wished I had.

The agenda for 2016 is pretty much set and more info is coming very soon. Online registration should be open this week and for more info other than this message board keep checking www.riverviewairport.com

Hoping more Skymaster will join us.

[hharney]

Registration is open, go online and check out all the information

To register go to http://www.riverviewairport.com/Rive...Adventure.html

After you register call Tammy at 616-901-3637 to secure your rooms

[hharney]

We are at the final stages of planning the trip to the Bahamas so if you are interested there is still rooms available. I would say about another week or so and then we will have to release the block.

We have 3 Skymasters committed right now along with 7 other types of aircraft. About 25 people registered so it should be a great trip.

www.riverviewairport.com and click at the top on Bahamas

All the info is there for you to review. Pre-flight meeting is scheduled for January 28th.

Thanks

[n86121]

I'm thinking this might be fun, and circumstances MY allow me to run away for a few days.

Is this option still open to 'last minute?

D

[hharney]

David

You really should join us. I am surprised that the SOAPA group is not interested in doing any flying together anymore. Must be that fuel is too expensive, medicals are not current and the damn economy is still holding us back. (Or everyone just has too many irons in the fire)

If you want to join us it is best to book your room now (if there are still rooms available) and cancel later. Give me a call so we can put you on the list.

616-401-3637

[hharney]

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1816419&type=3

[hharney]

The trip from last year to the Bahamas, click link below for full review of the adventure.

There is still time to register for the Canadian Adventure this year. August 20 - 24, 2017 Halifax, Nova Scotia www.riverviewairport.com



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFyB4FLo8dg