Bahamas in a Bonanza - our first flight over open water

[@M1903a4]

My first flight over open water was also to the Bahamas. Things were a bit different in 1972. No GPS, just maps an E6B and steam gauges. Flying from IAD we had to stop and clear customs in PBI both leaving and entering the US. It was a great trip, actually our long delayed honeymoon, and created a bit of a funny family story. I was flying my favorite Mooney, an M20c N2951L. When we cleared the coast and got over open water my normally cheerful and chatty bride was wearing her life vest and staring straight ahead, clutching the raft tightly on her lap. I chose not to poke the bear. A week later, we are once again over open water heading back to clear customs and immigration at PBI. Now the raft is on the back seat and she isn't wearing the vest as she cheerfully talks about our great vacation. I had to ask. So honey, what's changed? Here we are, over the ocean and last week your were obviously not happy over the water. Her reply: The United States is pretty big, I'm sure you can find it!

[@GregHopp]

LOL, good one!

[@jimroemer8085]

Martin - this video was absolutely first-rate. All of the pop-outs done in editing along with the text captioning -- really helps me to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it. Thanks so much for sharing this great work. btw, your wife is delightful.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Jim - glad you enjoyed coming along on this flight! - Martin

[@stevecastro22]

You are right Becky, Martin is the best pilot ever, and I applaud him for always being safety-conscious and knowledgeable. Also, if you allow it, Martin could get you a plane that will land itself and has A/C. Enjoy your trip and stay in the Bahamas.

[@martinpauly]

It's just money, right? 🤣 - Martin

[@KingKo0]

Make sure you zip his pants after you’re done 😂😂

[@nonDescriptAviation]

@23:09 - she is totally on point with that assessment...

[@martinpauly]

I'll try to keep them coming... 🤣 - Martin

[@marcgerlach6858]

Wieder ein sehr schönes Video, Martin. Wie schön, dass Du Dich nach so vielen Flugstunden und Erlebnissen noch an unseren Flug nach Korsika erinnerst :-) Das war damals mein Auftakt zu dann vielen grenzüberschreitenden Flügen hier in Europa, die bis heute meist ans Mittelmeer gehen. Das ist ja von Ulm aus nicht ganz so weit. Komischerweise fühle ich mich im Gegensatz zu Dir aber immer recht wohl über See. Dafür ist es bei mir in den Bergen manchmal anders... In Bimini war ich aber auch schon. Ich glaube 1994, auf dem Rückflug unseres Bahamas-Trips von Stella Maris. Wir wollten dort nochmal tanken und dann weiter nach Fort Lauderdale. Leider gab's keinen Sprit, daher ging es dann am nächsten Tag aufgrund des knappen Tanks nur nach Tamiami (Miami), was der kürzeste Weg zum Festland war. Tolle Farben und Eindrücke, so wie Du Sie uns jetzt im Video gezeigt hast. Liebe Grüße auch an Becky, Marc

[@kushagramittal4275]

Martin is just an excellent pilot. I wish I lived close to him to have him as my instructor. I love seeing his family in the videos because they bring out the human in perfect mechanical Martin. Great content, really educational.

[@martinpauly]

Glad to hear there is a human in me after all! 🤣 - Martin

[@dandustoff1]

Great video, Martin! Thanks for sharing your experiences with the internet 😊

[@martinpauly]

Happy to do it. I like sharing what I've learned over many years of flying. - Martin

[@seanlawson943]

“I have smiled for your other 15 pictures.” I just keep smiling after the first couple. I know more are coming. lol 😂 😂 😂

[@martinpauly]

I'll get there, someday, maybe... 😎 - Martin

[@nonDescriptAviation]

LOL, totally relatable reaction - but then i'm almost immediately sorry for such a comment towards the wifey 🤐

[@josephsener420]

Beautiful scenery and great flight.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you, Joe - happy to hear you enjoyed this one. - Martin

[@larro473]

I live in florida, and flying to the bahamas is a regular thing for me. Life jacket and I'm good to go.

[@martinpauly]

I'm sure we'd do it more often if we lived in Florida. I'd probably buy a life raft, though. - Martin

[@RusscanFLY]

This video was awesome! I love seeing all of the inner cockpit stuff, especially your work with the auto pilot. I can’t wait for my wife and I to do flights like this one. Very nicely done! Fly well, brother!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it, and I hope your flights to the islands will be fun when the time comes!

[@bentonbee1]

Fellow Iowan here and I always enjoy seeing your wife flying with you. I am s sport pilot so I learn about all the electronics and flying in controlled airspace in your videos. Thank you

[@martinpauly]

Glad you are enjoying these flights! - Martin

[@moleisrich1]

My first flight to the Bahamas- KMLB to marsh harbor. C172 in 1990. Best damn trip ever!😊

[@timocz5856]

Great video. Learned so much. Great editing and filming. Thank you for taking us on your journey. Greetings from Germany.

[@martinpauly]

Freut mich, dass es Dir gefallen hat! - Martin

[@daniels2761]

Great video. ORL Center has a great radio voice

[@davidcole333]

I am a private pilot who has a huge phobia of flying over water beyond gliding distance. It's a personal minimum for me and I'm glad to keep it that way! Even when I take a long-haul flight to Europe or Asia, I always look for a way to go on an airliner with 4 engines. Call me crazy, but water is not my thing! I enjoyed the heck out of this video, glad you got to see some sights and put the beautiful Bonanza of yours to work.

[@martinpauly]

Nothing one can do against a phobia; though I would submit that some of the terrain we fly over (mountains, densely populated urban areas) may very well be more dangerous in case of an engine out than the Atlantic Ocean was on this perfectly calm day. Regards, Martin

[@CyrilDeretz]

Well done to both of you. Also to your wife for following you! My first flight over water was over the English Channel but I also flew from Germany to Corsica Martin! This was quite an experience as we had some bad turbulences just over St Tropez. We had vests and raft as we thought with life vests only, you can be a bit too far from the coast.

[@Shaneepe1]

Great flight! Thanks for taking us along. As a recent empty nester, I really loved Becky’s “you’ve earned it attitude” you don’t get to where you guys are without discipline and hard work. So go ahead and splurge on that A/C ;)

[@aragonben4019]

Hi Martin, Thanks for all these great videos! Really the absolute best channel in this segment. Extremely likeable and so infinitely instructive. I'm currently on my way to acquiring my instrument rating and am inhaling every one of these "lessons" Please keep up the good work and many wonderful moments with the Bonanza! Best regards from Bavaria

[@martinpauly]

Thank you for the kind words, and good luck for your instrument training! Viele Grüsse zurück nach Bayern; hoffentlich bist Du von den Überschwemmungen nicht zu sehr betroffen. - Martin

[@aragonben4019]

Dankeschön Martin! Ist ein spannender, intensiver und manchmal anstrengender Weg. Bei dem vielen Regen hier in BY hat man zumindest mehr Zeit zum lernen. Deine wunderbaren Videos motivieren mich immer sehr und halten mich am Ball. Alles Gute und weiterhin so schöne (Aus)-Flüge auf die wir uns freuen können. Cheers Ben

[@emmanuelalmonte2307]

Nice landing and the view is very nice 👌

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed this flight, Emmanuel! - Martin

[@prestonmiller9552]

Great flight Martin & Becky. Flight planning is a must for such a flight. You hit a home run with this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Preston. - Martin

[@kenstevenson4133]

Very nice flight. I’m sure the view above the islands is spectacular. Has to be seen in person. Good narration and smithy landing. Thanks for sharing.

[@darryldarling4880]

Thank you for having us along for the flight. Looking forward to the next adventure. ❤

[@martinanidjar]

Thanks for the candor, it does help when planning a trip! Thanks for all the details.

[@mikev9471]

Great video. This is a trip I will fly with my Cherokee from Chicago in the next year or so. I really enjoyed the part of the video when your wife told you to smile for a picture. Your response is exactly what I have said to my wife recently before a flight! You have a great copilot!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Mike. Yes, I have the best copilot I can think of! 👍 - Martin

[@billkinzler3773]

A/C keeps plane as comfortable as your car in the summer. You arrive no sweat or sticky. Long flights FL to WI in Cirrus in A/C is a must. Nice video!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks - no question, we'll love the AC! - Martin

[@joeschmoe1301]

Martin's landings are excellent!! 👌

[@Vejitasei]

Ty for another great post. I am planning my first trip to the Bahamas in my A36 this summer. Have never flown internationally before, but believe I have all the documents & forms ready. Rumor is that fees are going up quite a bit...

[@martinpauly]

Yes, those fees - hopefully they will reconsider those. Either way, I wish you a fun flight and a nice time in the Bahamas! - Martin

[@Gionix]

Nice video, I really enjoy a lot the way you fly your Bonanza.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you - glad you liked the video! - Martin

[@peternicolaides6256]

I highly recommend Cat Island as I spent quite a bit of time living on a boat off the coast at Fernandez Bay & Cutlass Bay, way back in the late 60's early 70's.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks for the suggestion! - Martin

[@ronaldperez6010]

Thanks for a great video. I really appreciate your thoughts of the final destination!

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Martin

[@frankgallagher5786]

shit hole. over developed. too expensive. no nature. money has ruined it. Americans.

[@christophvz]

Beautiful video! Can’t wait to take my plane there. Thanks for sharing.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Christoph. It was a wonderful experience to fly over those waters! - Martin

[@mishmish1968]

Great video, always enjoying the flights with family ,wishing you safe flights ,regards. 🌹

[@cyrouskhavari969]

Thank you.for sharing. Great video. Very well done, as always. 😊

[@martinpauly]

Glad you liked it! - Martin

[@jbarrer2196]

brings back memories of my trip in my Mooney, many, many years ago. we stayed a few days at a small private island (with no tower or phone) then decided to visit Freeport on the way home. The process involved departing and calling in for a clearence. However, the weather was not that good so the frequency was jammed and impossible to break in to get a clearence. Before we could get a clearence we could see Grand Bahama island and were at 2500 feet VMC. I had remembered from an AOPA article I had read that there was something called a contact approach, but had never done one. I called Freeport tower and said i was 5 miles north, requesting a contact approach. No problem mon, cleared to land on 24. what a delightful trip.

[@martinpauly]

Glad this worked out. These days, it seems few controllers know what a contact approach is anymore - they probably get used very, very rarely. - Martin

[@williamtrusler1508]

We did the Bahamas trip in our F33 a couple years ago. I had never done any open water flying and was quite apprehensive about the adventure. All went pretty much as planned though, and we had a pretty good experience.

[@martinpauly]

99.99 percent of the time it's a great experience! 😁 - Martin

[@christopherpeters5916]

Happy landings, Martin 😂

[@martinpauly]

Thank you! - Martin

[@DirkLarien]

beautiful thank you for the video. Those comms are very helpful.

[@technomentis]

Thank you for sharing. Excellent.

[@GeezerGeekPilot]

Martin, as always a very nice video and competent piloting! A minor question: on a couple instances, under IFR, you were instructed to climb (e.g. 15:14), then of course set ALTS and a VS of 200 fpm. In another case (24:10 coming into Bimini) you were instructed to descend to 3000', again set ALTS and then a VS of -300. It's my understanding that under IFR if we are unable (or choose not) to deliver at least 500 fpm, then we need to advise ATC. Am I missing something? Thanks for another delightful video! Wayne (DA40 KSBA)

[@ArlenStauffer]

Hey, Martin! Nicely done! When we lived in New Smyrna Beach, we flew to The Bahamas quite often; our favorite destinations were Spanish Wells, Marsh Harbour, and Treasure Cay. Always enjoyable and relaxing. I agree with the comment about taking some of your own food along, although one time Customs did confiscate our (bagged) lettuce. Glad you enjoyed it; now plan some stays at some other Bahamas spots, make sure to rent bikes or a golf cart, and rent a boat….or better yet hire a guide with their boat to show you around and experience all the islands have to offer.

[@LimeyTX]

Back in Europe I took a Cherokee 180 from England to Mykonos. I went from Nice to Roma, Urbe via Elba. Long flight over water that I wouldn’t do today! I also took my one and only trip to the Bahamas to Treasure Cay from KMLB. I went IFR in IMC at 11000. Funny that normally when you take a single engined airplane over water you always imagine the engine is running rough, but, strangely, at 11000 in IMC when you can’t see the water it didn’t matter so much.

[@martinpauly]

Hi Martin - that must have been a great flight; I often wish I had had my Bonanza back when I lived in Germany because it could cover Europe so easily. Agree with your observation about IMC over water. I've experienced the same over difficult terrain. What we can't see doesn't bother us too much! 😁 - Martin

[@jrod_pilot_miami]

Excellent video as always! Love that you show your wife in your videos as well. Couple that flies together stays together? I'm sure that's written somewhere. I've been considering KTMB to MYBS for a bit now but have been hesitant to fly over open water in a single-engine plane. You do anything to prepare mentally?

[@harvatine]

Great video and that trip is on my to-do list. Did the pilot inadvertently miss a checklist item for the shoulder belt?

[@martinpauly]

I have to say, it sure looks like that from the video. I do not remember for sure what I did with it during this flight. - Martin

[@jeffg7009]

Reason for the routing is to go around PBI approach airspace. At or above 13000 would get you more direct and above PBI airspace but I’m not sure if that works for MIA center with FLL and MIA arrivals descending in.

[@martinpauly]

Thank you - that helps understand what happened here. - Martin

[@azcharlie2009]

Thank you for the nice flight, Martin! When we were in Georgia we had a 42 foot boat on the intercoastal . We were always going to go to the Bahamas, but never did. I'd much rather fly there anyway! Good to see you again, and hope to see you and Becky at Oshkosh this summer. Rick in Tucson.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Rick. How long of a boat trip would that have been from Georgia? - Martin

[@azcharlie2009]

@@martinpauly I'm not really sure. Probably three or four days. When we bought the boat, we brought it up from St. Lucie on the Intercoastal Waterway and it took three days. One night in a marina, and one night in a bay anchored out. It was slow going. In the marina where we kept the boat in Darian, GA, there were several folks who had gone to the Bahamas as a group. If the weather's good, you can go faster outside in open water. Just be prepared to empty your wallet when you fuel up! The boat we had would do 30 knots up on plane. It had Cummins diesel engines - 450 HP each. But, you can't go fast on the Intercoastal. Our original plan was to bring the boat back up the Tom Bigby and the Mississippi to the Quad Cities. We had lots of big ideas back then. I miss that boat. It was really something!

[@martinpauly]

@@azcharlie2009 That's certainly a different (probably more relaxed) pace. I've often heard that boat ownership can make flying look pretty affordable, so I'm not surprised about your comment about "empty your wallet". - Martin

[@davidrumolo422]

Thanks for another great video!

[@martinpauly]

My pleasure, David! - Martin

[@shinc4054]

Thanks for filming

[@Craneman4100w]

Nice flight

[@martinpauly]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Martin

[@HoundDogMech]

Went to the Bahamas Crossed Lake Michigan Many many times, Even Lake Superior. Mostly to thunder bay for Customes ounce in a 182 from Long Loc to Milwaukee 1 hour over Lake Superior. How I justfy it "I ain't gona BURN".

[@martinpauly]

I treat the Great Lakes differently. You are right, we won't burn - but hypothermia isn't high on my to-do list, either. So my personal choice is to fly around the cold water lakes. Regards, Martin

[@DAVIDREYNOLDS-sl5vv]

Next trip, try out Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros. Older, family-owned (owner is pilot and gives discount to pilots) resort that caters to diving and fishing and has fabulous food (all inclusive). Simply it's the "old Bahamas" experience that can't be beat!

[@fabio_flying]

Martin is a great pilot and always producing great videos. And Becky is right - A/C is required 😁

[@stephenwalker3072]

Nice video as always. But we Brits flying out of the UK back and forth to Europe are very used to flying over water - in my case over the Channel which is often grey, usually choppy but at least doesn't contain sharks! I've flown that Corsica route you mention too, in my case from beautiful Avignon in the south of France in our C182, and that was a stunner - plus what an island Corsica is too! But now you've inspired me to try the Bahamas in a rental plane from Florida one day (although maybe not Bimini which seems to get a B score at best from you and seems to be drowning in plastic bottles...)

[@martinpauly]

I have fond memories of that flight to Corsica. Out of curiosity, when you cross the Channel, are there typically many boats on the water? That was comforting to see on our Bahamas flight. Regards, Martin

[@stephenwalker3072]

​@@martinpauly The Channel is actually one of the busiest waterways in the world so yes - lots of boats. Shortest crossing is 20nm Dover to Calais but if you're heading south to Normandy/Brittany (or on to Spain) it's more like 60-80nm depending on where you reach the French coast. I tend to fly IFR nowadays so around FL100 (transition level typically starts at 3000 ft here) or sometimes higher using the wonderful O2D2 portable oxygen system. But I'm always keeping a beady eye open for boats and I do brief myself and my pax very very carefully, even practising a quick exit procedure and in the right sequence on the ground before departure so we all know what to do if the fan ever stopped!

[@EuroAviators]

Das war wieder ein sehr schönes Video Martin! 💯 Ich musste dabei ein wenig an meine Flüge nach Kroatien (oder auf der Malediven, dort aber leider nur als Pax) denken, besonders mit den schönen Wasserfarben. Die Bahamas stehen noch auf meiner Liste. 🙂 Ausserhalb Gleitdistanz vom Land war es mir nach Kroatien jederzeit wohl, aber nach Norwegen hab ich auch schonmal gedacht: Das wird ein sehr kalten Badespass. 🥶

[@martinpauly]

Hallo Frans! Genau, die Wassertemperatur ist wichtig. Während ich z.B. den Lake Michigan wegen des kalten Wassers nicht in meiner Bonanza überquere, hatte ich da auf dem Weg auf die Bahamas keine Sorgen. Herzliche Grüsse aus Iowa in die schöne Schweiz! - Martin

[@christophergagliano2051]

Very cool my friend, you texted right by the hanger I used to rent when I worked for Northrop Grumman. Also it looked like you parked at what use to be Atlantic Jet, maybe it still is Atlantic Jet? Lots of History in that area That's where Liberty Aerospace was located also Blackwater Aviation and I also worked for them under contract as an engineer for their special ops aircraft.

[@martinpauly]

Glad this video brought back memories for you, Christopher. We parked at MFT (Melbourne Flight Training); I do not know what was in the building before them. - Martin

[@christophergagliano2051]

@@martinpauly thanks Martin. I got to fly my dad's Bonanza a couple times back in the late '70s before I got my pilot's license. The V-tail Bonanza was good but I hope the patent for the inverted V-Tail. When you have a chance Google "vortex LSA and my name Chris Gagliano" and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what we've come up with..👍

[@BlessedtoFly]

Nice vid Martin. Hope to go island hopping someday in our Baron but haven’t gotten my wife flying yet. She is still scared of smaller GA planes. I think you are quite luck to have Becky flying with you.

[@dandrewmd11]

Can you post the site for the couple that you mentioned for their videos of flying to the Bahamas? Thanks

[@martinpauly]

Dan: sure thing, there is a link to Eric's and Val's Bimini flight video in the description of my video on KZbin.

[@mikeshort3838]

Nice! We just got back from the Exumas last weekend. We fly our 182 down to the Bahamas from Michigan every year. It’s always an amazing experience no matter how many times we go. I highly recommend going to the Exumas! It’s by far the best and most beautiful part of the Bahamas. You can go straight to Great Exuma and pass through customs then bounce around the chain of islands as you like. I always depart IFR, then once outside of Nassau airspace I cancel with Miami and continue on VFR. One quick tip, The food in the Bahamas is not great! I highly suggest you bring food with you. Pack a cooler with as much food as you can. You really don’t go to the Bahamas for the food. I also recommend staying in an airbnb with a decent kitchen and an outdoor grill. The only downside to the Bahamas is the lack of decent food.

[@martinpauly]

Those are great suggestions - thank you! Can you bring any kind of food into the country? - Martin

[@mikeshort3838]

@@martinpauly Yes you can. I don’t know of any limits. I usually bring frozen meats (chicken, pork beef etc) I believe they can charge you a tax but they never have. Honestly most times they don’t even look. The people who work customs in the Bahamas have always been very nice and helpful.

[@martinpauly]

@@mikeshort3838 Thanks, Mike - that's great to know for our next trip to the Bahamas! - Martin

[@josbren8943]

Yes we do need the videos! And it’s not our $$$ so thank you for the A/C!

[@martinpauly]

We'll just have to keep making videos then! 😁 - Martin

[@jameswebb2856]

Great video.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, James. - Martin

[@EtiRats]

Hi Martin and Becky, nice video thanks. As a fellow Aspen user, can you advise why you get the yellow TFC DEGRADED message at 7:57 initially on your traffic display? It seemed to disappear after you got airborne. Here in the U.K. my Aspen screens coupled to the GTX345 transponder (ADSB In / Out) through GTN650, display TFC DEGRADED permanently. My installation engineers advise it’s due to the UAT signal not being available for the transponder over here, unlike in the States. The GTX gives the TFC DEGRADED caution accordingly, and Garmin advise it cannot be suppressed - bit annoying to be looking at a permanently displayed caution. Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@martinpauly]

My understanding is the Aspen is looking not so much for UAT but for a TIS-B traffic feed from an ADS-B ground station (which could be on 1090Mhz). In the US, the message usually goes away shortly after take-off, once an ADS-B ground station is received. Outside the US, the ground stations are different or do not even exist, so the message sticks around, which makes it useless. I'll make a note to mention this to Aspen in Oshkosh when I'm at their booth. Maybe this could become a configurable item. - Martin

[@EtiRats]

Thanks Martin. Yes agreed it’s pretty pointless to be looking at a permanently displayed yellow caution on my screens (and everybody else’s screens with the same set up this side of the Atlantic). My installers spoke to Garmin about it and I believe the feedback was it was required to display the warning as part of the equipment certification, and they weren’t in a hurry to suppress it…. which seems a little strange, as due to ADSB set up in Europe / U.K. there is no UAT nor TIS B signal available. As such the Aspen screens are just repeating the message generated by the GTX345 Transponder, as indeed is my Garmin GTN650 when selected to Traffic. Any help or headway you can make when you see Aspen next much appreciated!

[@martinpauly]

@@EtiRats I'll relay the message - no promises for how they respond, of course. - Martin

[@williamkennedy2069]

Yaaay, you're getting AC this year!!! What is that black box sitting on the dashboard?

[@martinpauly]

Hi William, that little box is a Garmin GDL52. It gives me ADS-B traffic, and weather from both SiriusXM and FIS-B. Also provides radio (music/news) on long flights. - Martin

[@williamkennedy2069]

@@martinpauly I like how the BOSS decided you're getting AC this year, yaay

[@martinpauly]

@@williamkennedy2069 That's why she's the BOSS! 😎

[@williamkennedy2069]

​@@martinpaulyI am surprised that this was not included in some of the components on your new panel, built-in

[@martinpauly]

@@williamkennedy2069 If it was panel-mount, the SXM subscription would be tied to the aircraft. With the portable device, I can take it with me when I fly other airplanes, for example when I do flight instruction. - Martin

[@Maximka1100]

Thanks !!!

[@martinpauly]

You're welcome! - Martin

[@blmdphd]

Recommend IAS for autopilot climbs. Safer than VS mode. VS better for descents.

[@martinpauly]

My initial climb is always in IAS, as was the case in this video. For a short step climb later, I can't see any issue with VS. - Martin

[@thecode3fc]

"Could you turn up the heat please?" 😂 (Martin puts his hand out the window to redirect the heat! Then looks to Becky to see her reaction.) 😂

[@martinpauly]

See how much fun we are having! All of this will end once we have AC! 🤣 - Martin

[@thecode3fc]

You'll have to do an installation and specs video on the a/c install. ah... plz. 🙃

[@martinpauly]

@@thecode3fc Twist my arm...

[@christopherpeters5916]

Thanks for another ride. N711ja

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Martin from Sydney Australia. Even with scattered clouds don't cancel ILS to VFR (50 miles out) the just in case rule? I wondered why you didn't carry plastic wheel chocks, rocks to anchor too if windy? 🌏🇦🇺

[@martinpauly]

Hi John. Miami Center controls the airspace over Bimini, and their radar has limitations that far off shore. IFR airspace is limited to 3,000 feet and above, and Bimini does not have instrument approaches. So there is no choice but to cancel IFR at some point. As far as chocks go, I always have one lightweight wooden set in the plane, and looked for a way to secure the other two wheels as well. Pretty much anywhere I go the FBO has chocks or even tie-down ropes. Bimini was a lot more "basic" then your typical airport in the US. Regards, Martin

[@martinrenschler4046]

Love this video, well done, see at OSH!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Martin!

[@tenns]

Where did you go to in corsica ? Figari, Ajaccio ? or up north ? Crazy wind haha! My dream is to get one of those icon A5 and directly land in front of the house in the bay, and do bay hopping. I dont know if it's allowed, because there is a nature reserve on the other side of the bay, but for a few years there have been 100M+ yachts mooring in the bay because they overflow the town's marina on the other side of the island from us, and their helos are loud af, super annoying!! It used to be super calm, very relaxing, only diverted planes from wind use to pass over, and now there are helos and so many people...

[@martinpauly]

I'm pretty sure we went to Bastia and Ajaccio. That was in the 1990s... long time ago. - Martin

[@tenns]

@@martinpauly you were there at the right time, not the most rural, yet not yet the most touristy!!

[@mrsaskriders]

We all want both your comfort and your videos. Air conditioning will be nice.

[@martinpauly]

I think it'll happen this year. In the meantime, you can watch our videos from your air conditioned home. 😁 - Martin

[@thangkhungdauduong]

Hey Martin, what headset are you using? Thanks!

[@martinpauly]

It's called Axis. Here is more information: martin.aero/wordpress/?page_id=321#faq-headset - Martin

[@earundel1327]

Next trip, Treasure Cay (TCB/MYAT). And, you are going to have to get your Overflight Permit so you can land right in MLB on your way back!

[@martinpauly]

Thanks - both are good suggestions. If Melbourne becomes more frequent or even permanent for us, I'll definitively look into the overflight permit. - Martin

[@cyrouskhavari969]

I found, ground instruction to be very confusing. Question, is there a lot of red tape, and paper work involved, flying to Bahamas?

[@martinpauly]

Not much at all. There are a few forms the Bahamas require for immigrations and customs. If you do a Google search on the topic, you can find those forms online. The whole process was really pretty straightforward. - Martin

[@jeffskow6443]

A.C. is a must

[@momovuyisich8945]

Why not fly VFR and get FF, so you can choose the route?

[@martinpauly]

Agreed, that would be a good option on right right kind of day. - Martin

[@stlflyguy]

How do you like the GDL51?

[@martinpauly]

It's a GDL52, and I like it a lot. I have an SXM weather subscription, and also radio so we can listen to music or news on a long flight. Best of all, I can take the unit with me when I instruct in other airplanes and have great weather and traffic information on my iPad. Regards, Martin

[@terrypedersen7]

Now that you have made the crossing you will be hooked. No place like the Bahamas Outer Islands in my opinion. My wife and I have made the trip from Northern Ontario several times in a 182 on straight wheels/amphibs and in an Aztec. With the re-routing to all roads lead to “JAKEL” you were pretty much through the longest section away from land. Island hopping from there is a breeze generally within reasonable distance from land. Two trips ago we were intending on flying relatively close to the coast to the Fort Pierce area then join the BR 62V to Freeport then onward. It was so busy that morning the controller almost threw his hands in the air and made a general broadcast that there were a lot of VFR traffic in the area that he was not talking to. After that he told us that we could turn and head out to JAKEL anytime we felt comfortable to get away from the mess. We were still well up the coast at that point but were in the Aztec so we headed off towards Freeport. It gets so busy at times they prefer to push you out further from the coast. Next trip carry on to the Exuma, Cat Island or Long Island. You will love them. This spring we ventured further and left Canada for the Bahamas, Turk and Caicos, SAN Juan, St Thomas back to Turks, Bahamas then made our way home. Unreal experience. Have a wonderful time.

[@mikeshort3838]

They almost always give me JAKEL on the way out and then SURFN on the way back. We go every year in our 182 from Michigan

[@terrypedersen7]

SURFN, ANGEE, KFPR. I have always had a positive experience at KFPR, however, of late it seems some have not. I always call early afternoon the day before and ensure I’m on time as much as possible.

[@mikeshort3838]

@@terrypedersen7 I heard some people were having trouble at FPR. So this year I stopped by customs on the way out to get some face time with them to make sure I was not missing anything. I had already filled my EAPIS departing and returning so I just wanted to make sure I had everything ready. Turns out you can get your landing clearance right there! I was cleared to land in person right there before I even left! No need to call or anything! If you know when you’ll be coming back and have already filed they will clear you right away. That’s how I’ll be doing it from now on.

[@terrypedersen7]

@@mikeshort3838that is good to know. If we depart from there next time and it’s quiet I will try that.

[@martinpauly]

Thanks, Terry. We look forward to being back, and hope to try some of those places. - Martin

[@GaryMCurran]

So, Martin. If Becky wants Autoland, are you going to upgrade to the M600/SLS? 😁😂😛😋 You'll also get A/C!

[@martinpauly]

Sold! All that's missing is a winning Powerball ticket! 😁 - Martin

[@GaryMCurran]

@@martinpauly you and me both! Still, 70TB is well beyond my reach right now, so it's all relative. I'm sure you're happy with what you have. 🥰

[@1shARyn3]

AND 12" high registration number on each side of the plane ...

[@martinpauly]

Yes - those have been on the plane since before I got it.

[@MaShcode]

Checkout Abaco next time!

[@martinpauly]

We'll put that on the list of ideas - thanks! What is it you think we'll like about Abaco? - Martin

[@tow.JanWinnicki]

"Three-and-a-half minutes later." LOL. Only zee German would point this out! Serwus!

[@martinpauly]

Oh, but three-and-a-half-minutes is an eternity when sitting on the ramp on a hot day! 😂 - Martin

[@StrikerSG]

Hi, I couldn't analyze this flight in FlySto, it asked for permission.

[@martinpauly]

Sorry about that - please try again; I think I found and corrected the problem.

[@SMcda]

Fun video, one suggestion would be to get in the habit of hand flying all the way up to cruise ALT, hand fly from cruise to landing. If not, one can get to dependent on the auto pilot and get rusty hand flying. thx for the video

[@leeoldershaw956]

24:08 Why did you accept that overwater routing? The way you fly to Bimini in a single engine aircraft is from FLL direct. Also, when given an altitude choice, go higher up to 9k over water. ( I have flown to The Bahamas since 1961 in Cessna 170A, Mooney M20C, Twin Commanche, DC 9, Lockheed Electra L188 and L1011.)

[@joshuashackelford6696]

His route didn’t take him much farther from land than FLL direct would and kept him out of very busy airspace. Nothing wrong with doing it this way.

[@leeoldershaw956]

@joshuashackelford6696 He was out of gliding distance to land much longer. FLL to Bimini you can be only out of gliding distance 10 minutes if you climb to 7 - 9k ft.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

91119 (c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

[@martinpauly]

Yes... and the reason this came to mind while watching the video is .... ? - Martin

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

@@martinpauly Lindy, colorful water, favorable wind, ground effect, personal experience, hydrofoils, water ski's, Marlin, rock and roll, und Kurios Mamas Roulade und Rotkohl Herr Martin

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

@@martinpauly warsteiner was the furthest from my mind and paulaner was trending Oder vielleicht war es bayerischer Triple Stout Hog Snort von Oma

[@martinpauly]

@@anthonyrstrawbridge Got it - next time I'll try to get a low-and-slow ride in a float plane!

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

@@martinpauly maybe ake a trip up to Bellingham or Victoria BC and hit the Islands.

[@michaelpilot1000]

Rubber boat - life jackets... No mention of Satellite Phone, Water, Food, First Aid and Shark Repellant..

[@larryvet53]

WOW, Martin and Becky. Amazing piloting and copiloting. Amazing video, do you give lessons? :) We are sitting in Treasure Cay. at this moment. We would like to make this a pilot destination. We have 2 villas 2 minute walk from the ocean and amazing Treasure Cay Beach. The airport MYAT is 3 miles from us. MYAM is 25 minutes from us. We are 1 mile from the Green Turtle Cay Ferry. We would love to have you as our guest. I have a lot of video but I am certainly not as talented as you producing. We have a great relationship with our local contacts and hope to offer local activities. A great source for Abaco is Nick Olinde youtube Thank you again

[@martinpauly]

Hi Larry, thanks for those suggestions. There's a growing list, so we'll have to come back to the Bahamas often. - Martin

[@Journeyman1642]

Is that your wife? 😊

[@martinpauly]

Yes - sorry, she's taken! 😎 - Martin

[@jimrascal9415]

A/C, then you will have a real airplane

[@christopherpeters5916]

Just fly higher, eh?

[@IOSALive]

Martin Pauly, I really like your videos! Let's be friends!