201er's Caribbean Adventure #3: Cuba

[Mooneymite]

4 hours ago, carusoam said:

....A good OH every few decades might be recommended...

Alternator shop told me it had a hard time believing there were soo many airboats sporting failed alternators/generators.

I told him I didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

He probably believes in hangar elves.   

[flyboy0681]

Just now, Mooneymite said:

Alternator shop told me it had a hard time believing there were soo many airboats sporting failed alternators/generators.

 

Maybe exposure directly to the elements?

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, flyboy0681 said:

Maybe exposure directly to the elements?

Note the hangar elves reference. Kinda like the aviation department of Harbor Freight.  

[Andy95W]

35 minutes ago, flyboy0681 said:

Maybe exposure directly to the elements?

Alligator urine must be hell on alternators. 

[Guest]

6 hours ago, JoshMan said:

Out of curiosity.  When is it recommended to get a new alternator?

If you have the original Prestolite alternator a good rule of thumb is to check/ replace the brushes every 500 hours.

Clarence

[yvesg]

7 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

Hey, I for one, have a lot of respect for Mike making the trip. He will join a very small and select group of us MooneySpace members who have actually been to Cuba and therefore can speak intelligently about it.  Unlike the rest of you.

While I've been there, I didn't get the chance to fly the Mooney. I'll do that on the next trip. I found the Cuban people, including government officials, to be some of the friendliest people anywhere in the Latin world. There are plenty of cell phones there, you just can't connect your US phone. Internet access is available as well without any government interference. It's just very expensive and therefore not widely deployed. Both of these are the result of the US embargo, not local government restrictions. We had a great time there. We stayed in a local's rented apartment reserved through Airbnb. And one of the best meals we had was when the grandmother came over and cooked dinner for us in the apartment.

For those of you not afraid of travel that requires a passport, I'd highly recommend it. 

I agree with Paul that Cubans are very nice people. I went with the airlines about a dozen times. The places I stayed at are:

Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Varadero, Holguin. We did visit several cities with organized tours. I would be game to go with a group of Mooney friends if the landing fees get to somewhat less what they are now. I am wondering if they would allow landing in formation?

What brings us back year after year is the quality of the beaches: white sand, not burning feet. The cost is reasonable.

But I want to warn fussy people about food: Don't expect the same variety and quality as home. This is the main reason why some people don't go to Cuba on vacations. 

Yves

[Hector]

He doesn't need a cell signal, just an internet connection, communist countries aren't big on freedom of communication.

Communist countries aren't big on freedom ..period.


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[Jerry 5TJ]

I just today came home from a week in Cuba, my first time there.  Very interesting, very friendly, great place to visit in November.  Spent 4 nights in Havana and 3 in Cienfuegos.  "People to people" visa restrictions mean you need to stick with the itinerary to meet USA requirements.  You Canadians & Europeans have no such restraints.  

Internet was available, not cheap at 2 CUC ~ US$2 per hour.  Cellular service spotty outside cities but direct dial to USA not an issue.  Lots of private restaurants " Paladares" with good food, inexpensive in US terms.  

Next time I'd love to fly in myself, spend more time, stay in a couple of B&B aka Casas Particulares which are cropping up all over.  We may have to tanker in 100LL but that's no hardship given the short return flight to the first airport of entry.

This time next year, anyone?

 

[Bob_Belville]

Sure wish Mike would check in or post on his share page.

[Marauder]

3 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

Sure wish Mike would check in or post on his share page.

Hard to get a message out when you are a Gringo in cell ocho and don't have wireless service.  He probably is running around looking at all the parrots.

[Danb]

Jerry we'll go with you, they have plenty of Jet A

[201er]

First chance at internet here in Havana. Covered many miles so far. Went from Pampano Beach to Santiago de Cuba. Next day to Trinidad (Cuba). Today went from Trinidad to Nueva Gerona and then on to Havana. Tomorrow all day in Havana and to Key West on Tuesday. Full circle around Cuba. Details later.

[201er]

Sorry, didn't know the spot wasn't working. I turned it on for every flight. It's my brother's. Maybe he gave me the wrong link or didn't pay the bill.

Ok, here's the poor mans tracker:

[carusoam]

Way to go Mikey.  You forgot how many travelers are with you this trip..? 

Send a photo!

Best regards,

-a-

[201er]

This is at the airport in Trinidad, Cuba this morning.

 

This is from the prior day in Santiago De Cuba departing to Trinidad. They made us have boarding passes to go on my own plane (and one of few airplanes at that airport all day). They just didn't now how to let someone through the terminal without one so they jotted some out by hand. They even put my flight up on the departures board screen, you can see if you zoom in.

[carusoam]

Hola, Usted es El Primero!

Gracias,

-a-

[thinwing]

Hey congrats ..you are now Parotto Airlines

[bradp]

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[Piloto]

Mike, take a lot pictures when in Havana, will love to see them. See if you can come by the Copacabana. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

José

[Browncbr1]

12 hours ago, 201er said:

They even put my flight up on the departures board screen, you can see if you zoom in.

  Now that has to take the cake for bureaucratic handling!   Amazing!   Did they ask to see it and pull the stub off when you stepped up on your wing walk?

[mike_elliott]

Perhaps we can entice Mike to give a presentation on his "travels" at the Mooney Summit V next Sept 29th to Oct 1st. Everyone would love to hear of his fascinating adventure! Seth, what are your thoughts, your going to be running the show!

[gsxrpilot]

3 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

*******...did you get charged several hundred dollars landing fees at each stop? 

Bob, the call sign has been rescinded as in poor taste, which it truly is. 

[Bob_Belville]

51 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said:

Bob, the call sign has been rescinded as in poor taste, which it truly is. 

Thanks, I should have remembered that. Sorry Mike. 

[201er]

17 hours ago, Hyett6420 said:

Well done you.  Great flight that you will remember forever.   I am amazed at the amount of time you spent in the air on the first leg you must explain your way of doing that. Is how you don't tire etc.  

Please take lots of pictures I have heard it is idyllic and we will go next year ourselves but by airbus airways.  

Fly safe.  

Andrew

That was just six and a half hours. Other than the alternator failure, it was really uneventful.

[thinwing]

14 hours ago, Piloto said:

Mike, take a lot pictures when in Havana, will love to see them. See if you can come by the Copacabana. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

José

And meet lola!