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Posted (edited)
26 minutes ago, Marcopolo said:

 

Is it bad that I want to have cool stories like this....with good outcomes of course?

 

Ron

Not at all. But perhaps its your unsatiated hunger for adventure that brings you to that - its does for many of us here. Obviously Mike (201er) and Kelly (thinwing) are and I am sure several others like Jose. But I wish there were more; especially with a travelling bird like a capable Mooney. One thing that appears we all share though is a wife or girlfriend that loves to fly with us which is pretty important to be able to take multi-week flying safari's together. 

Edited by kortopates
  • Like 1
Posted

The next day, Sunday November 20, 2016, we continued the Cuba flying adventure. Enroute to Havana, we made a stop in Nueva Gerona on the island of Isla de Juventud.

From Trinidad, it was just a 1.3 hour pretty straight forward flight over water. We crossed Cayo Largo and several archipelago. About 20 minutes out from Nueva Gerona, Havana Center informs me that they can't reach Nueva Gerona Tower and asked me to try them on the radio. No luck. Tower was unresponsive. I was in the clear so I asked if I could do a visual approach into the airport uncontrolled but Center told me to continue on my clearance. As I approached the IAF, Center instructed me to enter the published hold and expect to hold for at least 20 minutes.

I stated that I was unable due to fuel. In truth, I had enough reserve to hold a while and make it to Havana. What I did not have extra fuel for was to circle, make it to Havana, and then to Key West. I had just enough fuel reserve to land in Nueva Gerona, continue to Havana, and then comfortably make it to Key West without refueling once in Cuba. I was told that there would be avgas in Havana but I did not want to have to take any chances and rely strictly on this. So I said that I was unable to hold for 20 minutes. I was ready to divert to our next destination, Havana, but my dad was incessant that we had to make the stop in Nueva Gerona. Center got back to me and said that if I have the airport in sight, I can cancel and go in on my own but that he would not be able to clear my IFR into it. This is what I requested several times to do but I guess because of the language barrier was not clear. If this were the US, I would not have hesitated to cancel and continue VFR. But this is Cuba... I was not going to chance showing up at an airport against any sort of rules I might not be aware of and get detained and have my plane confiscated.

Before switching to Tower (now CTAF and self-announce), Havana Center told me that the runway distance was reduced. Sure enough, almost half of the runway was marked off as threshold so I landed long. We pulled up to the deserted terminal, I picked the parking of my choosing and shut down. A minute later, a flood of bewildered airport employees came out onto the ramp. I think they could not have been in greater surprise if a UFO just landed there. The idea that an airplane could just show up when the tower was closed was beyond the scope of their imagination. Every sort of airport worker was there: baggage handlers, security, ticket agents, you name it. All that wasn't present was ATC. Nobody spoke a word of English so we were not able to clearly communicate what was going on so we began securing the airplane. As we were about ready to leave, the tower controller finally arrived.

He was extremely apologetic and confessed to having abandoned his post for a "3 hour lunch." There were no scheduled flights and the concept of an unscheduled flight is non-existent. But, as bureaucratic as Cuba is, the control towers are to be manned all day. He was a bit nervous because he was supposed to be on duty, so the rest of our procedures at that airport went very smoothly.

We needed a taxi to go several miles to town but had to make do with a horse carriage. This is no tourist gimmick, horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the primary means of transportation on this impoverished and remote island. We could count maybe 10 cars we had seen on the island.

The main attraction of Nueva Gerona is Presidio Modelo, the Model Prison, in which Fidel Castro was imprisoned for several years during the rebellion. It is called the Model Prison because it was modeled as an exact replica of the the Stateville Penitentiary in Illinois. It is a unique design in which the prison cells line a circular perimeter around a central guard tower. The late Fidel Castro and Raul were some of the most notable prisoners held there.

 

  • Like 4
Posted
1 hour ago, 201er said:

The next day, Sunday November 20, 2016, we continued the Cuba flying adventure. Enroute to Havana, we made a stop in Nueva Gerona on the island of Isla de Juventud.

 

Great adventure. One day I wish to have half the cajones as you. Until then, I'll have to fly vicariously through your videos.

  • Like 1
Posted
3 hours ago, 201er said:

The next day, Sunday November 20, 2016, we continued the Cuba flying adventure. Enroute to Havana, we made a stop in Nueva Gerona on the island of Isla de Juventud.

From Trinidad, it was just a 1.3 hour pretty straight forward flight over water. We crossed Cayo Largo and several archipelago. About 20 minutes out from Nueva Gerona, Havana Center informs me that they can't reach Nueva Gerona Tower and asked me to try them on the radio. No luck. Tower was unresponsive. I was in the clear so I asked if I could do a visual approach into the airport uncontrolled but Center told me to continue on my clearance. As I approached the IAF, Center instructed me to enter the published hold and expect to hold for at least 20 minutes.

I stated that I was unable due to fuel. In truth, I had enough reserve to hold a while and make it to Havana. What I did not have extra fuel for was to circle, make it to Havana, and then to Key West. I had just enough fuel reserve to land in Nueva Gerona, continue to Havana, and then comfortably make it to Key West without refueling once in Cuba. I was told that there would be avgas in Havana but I did not want to have to take any chances and rely strictly on this. So I said that I was unable to hold for 20 minutes. I was ready to divert to our next destination, Havana, but my dad was incessant that we had to make the stop in Nueva Gerona. Center got back to me and said that if I have the airport in sight, I can cancel and go in on my own but that he would not be able to clear my IFR into it. This is what I requested several times to do but I guess because of the language barrier was not clear. If this were the US, I would not have hesitated to cancel and continue VFR. But this is Cuba... I was not going to chance showing up at an airport against any sort of rules I might not be aware of and get detained and have my plane confiscated.

Before switching to Tower (now CTAF and self-announce), Havana Center told me that the runway distance was reduced. Sure enough, almost half of the runway was marked off as threshold so I landed long. We pulled up to the deserted terminal, I picked the parking of my choosing and shut down. A minute later, a flood of bewildered airport employees came out onto the ramp. I think they could not have been in greater surprise if a UFO just landed there. The idea that an airplane could just show up when the tower was closed was beyond the scope of their imagination. Every sort of airport worker was there: baggage handlers, security, ticket agents, you name it. All that wasn't present was ATC. Nobody spoke a word of English so we were not able to clearly communicate what was going on so we began securing the airplane. As we were about ready to leave, the tower controller finally arrived.

He was extremely apologetic and confessed to having abandoned his post for a "3 hour lunch." There were no scheduled flights and the concept of an unscheduled flight is non-existent. But, as bureaucratic as Cuba is, the control towers are to be manned all day. He was a bit nervous because he was supposed to be on duty, so the rest of our procedures at that airport went very smoothly.

We needed a taxi to go several miles to town but had to make do with a horse carriage. This is no tourist gimmick, horse drawn carriages and bicycles are the primary means of transportation on this impoverished and remote island. We could count maybe 10 cars we had seen on the island.

The main attraction of Nueva Gerona is Presidio Modelo, the Model Prison, in which Fidel Castro was imprisoned for several years during the rebellion. It is called the Model Prison because it was modeled as an exact replica of the the Stateville Penitentiary in Illinois. It is a unique design in which the prison cells line a circular perimeter around a central guard tower. The late Fidel Castro and Raul were some of the most notable prisoners held there.

 

Love this video. It is TV quality for a documentary. Gives you a true insight about living in Cuba. Well done.

I am curious what is the white gadget on the top right side of the glareshield of your Mooney. Looks like some sort of antenna.

José

 

Posted
18 minutes ago, Piloto said:

Love this video. It is TV quality for a documentary. Gives you a true insight about living in Cuba. Well done.

I am curious what is the white gadget on the top right side of the glareshield of your Mooney. Looks like some sort of antenna.

José

 

Thanks. That's just a Sagetech Clarity ADSB/GPS. The white thing on top is a sunshield they had to come up with after they started overheating from sun exposure. The Clarity works very well with Wing X. It was the first dual band ADSB solution and AHRS. I was holding out on getting Ipad ADSB until this one came out with everything in one. Since then, all new ADSB devices are all in one I think.

Posted
9 minutes ago, 201er said:

Thanks. That's just a Sagetech Clarity ADSB/GPS. The white thing on top is a sunshield they had to come up with after they started overheating from sun exposure. The Clarity works very well with Wing X. It was the first dual band ADSB solution and AHRS. I was holding out on getting Ipad ADSB until this one came out with everything in one. Since then, all new ADSB devices are all in one I think.

How well did the Sagetech work over Cuba for traffic and weather? I found that outside the US the best option for WX is a smart phone. For traffic the ATD-300 works very well.

José

Posted
Just now, Piloto said:

How well did the Sagetech work over Cuba for traffic and weather? I found that outside the US the best option for WX is a smart phone. For traffic the ATD-300 works very well.

José

You're gonna hate to hear it, but I pulled the ATD-300 cause it doesn't really work anywhere. It only calls traffic after you have a windshield full of airplane. ADSB traffic in NYC area is virtually unrestricted now that so many have out.
 

20 miles off the Florida coast, kiss ADSB weather goodbye. I kept it on cause I used it for GPS position. My WingX maps had a Cuba sectional but not the locations in the database so I just created waypoints over the places I could see on the map. I also had foreflight for instrument charts and that one did have the Cuban waypoints. But I hate foreflight cause it sucks so I used WingX whenever practical.

Forget about the smartphone too cause there is virtually no service in Cuba either. Wifi is extremely limited. You can't even get Wifi at the hotels or international airports. The only weather you get is what you see with your eyes or a dot matrix print out you have to wait an hour for them to compile at the flight plan office.

Posted
4 minutes ago, 201er said:

You're gonna hate to hear it, but I pulled the ATD-300 cause it doesn't really work anywhere. It only calls traffic after you have a windshield full of airplane. ADSB traffic in NYC area is virtually unrestricted now that so many have out.
 

20 miles off the Florida coast, kiss ADSB weather goodbye. I kept it on cause I used it for GPS position. My WingX maps had a Cuba sectional but not the locations in the database so I just created waypoints over the places I could see on the map. I also had foreflight for instrument charts and that one did have the Cuban waypoints. But I hate foreflight cause it sucks so I used WingX whenever practical.

Forget about the smartphone too cause there is virtually no service in Cuba either. Wifi is extremely limited. You can't even get Wifi at the hotels or international airports. The only weather you get is what you see with your eyes or a dot matrix print out you have to wait an hour for them to compile at the flight plan office.

Well a lot of pilots in Europe and South America are very happy with the ATD-300. Mine works very well in the air and on the ground. For weather it helps to have a multimode international smart phone.

José

Posted
3 minutes ago, Piloto said:

Next time try this:

http://www.cubalinda.com/English/MoreforYou/CellPhones.asp

Very popular with the Cubans in Miami.

José

Sure, I bet Cuba specific service will work. But what I'm saying is that calling plans that work worldwide, end at communist Cuba. Our friend, the guy sitting in the back has an expensive world-wide plan that works everywhere and is "supposed" to work in Cuba. Better luck in Africa than communist Cuba... Just saying.

Posted
1 hour ago, 201er said:

You're gonna hate to hear it, but I pulled the ATD-300 cause it doesn't really work anywhere. It only calls traffic after you have a windshield full of airplane. ADSB traffic in NYC area is virtually unrestricted now that so many have out.
 

20 miles off the Florida coast, kiss ADSB weather goodbye. I kept it on cause I used it for GPS position. My WingX maps had a Cuba sectional but not the locations in the database so I just created waypoints over the places I could see on the map. I also had foreflight for instrument charts and that one did have the Cuban waypoints. But I hate foreflight cause it sucks so I used WingX whenever practical.

Forget about the smartphone too cause there is virtually no service in Cuba either. Wifi is extremely limited. You can't even get Wifi at the hotels or international airports. The only weather you get is what you see with your eyes or a dot matrix print out you have to wait an hour for them to compile at the flight plan office.

It appears you got good traffic correlation between ATC and the ATD-300 voice call outs over the Hudson River

 

Posted
7 minutes ago, Piloto said:

It appears you got good traffic correlation between ATC and the ATD-300 voice call outs over the Hudson River

That day the ATD300 was going nuts. It went into overload because it was picking up too much squawk!

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
15 minutes ago, 201er said:

That day the ATD300 was going nuts. It went into overload because it was picking up too much squawk!

You can limit the traffic call outs by setting the left switch to NEAR (1nm +500ft) "Traffic Nearby" will only be annunciated.

When set to FAR (3nm +1000ft) "Traffic" is annunciated also. It appears you had it set to FAR. 

José

Edited by Piloto
Posted

Mike has brought some video that I don't think I am going to see anywhere else...

Have Mooney, will travel... :)

How does one so casually walk around Mogadishu without bumping into trouble?  Language barrier, automatic weapons, and people living in refugee camps.  Did you have a guide or two?

Great work, Mike!

Best regards,

-a-

Posted
1 minute ago, carusoam said:

How does one so casually walk around Mogadishu without bumping into trouble?  Language barrier, automatic weapons, and people living in refugee camps.  Did you have a guide or two?

Truckload of soldiers

  • Like 1
Posted

Nice video Mike.

XM NEXRAD weather does cover Cuba, but of course no METARs or TAFs, but coverage does not extend much west of Cuba (say going to Cozumel).

In the cities we visited, we were able to get internet at all nice hotels (whether we were staying there or not) and public squares using internet cards which you buy for each hour. The bigger hassle for us was getting the cards. Internet WiFi was pretty available in the towns we visited. But some areas we went too, such as the Bay of pigs, either didn't have it or I didn't find it.

I also had no phone access. I would have had to purchase a SIM card which I am not sure would even be possible for a tourist but it didn't seem worthwhile for just a week. Of the 3 airports I used, only two had weather services, but I asked and was granted access to see the current nexrad. But there was real weather too so they were understanding and accommodating.

Yeah, the horse carriages were a hoot as were the 50's cars.

Mike mentioned earlier that the food wasn't anything to get excited about. That's very true because they don't have access to spices and herbs. pretty much just what they grow locally so it makes for very bland meals. Food is rationed to the locals as well. I forget exactly, but locals don't get enough eggs per week to even eat one every day. If they earn extra money, such as through tourist, then they can buy more. But Cuba excels in providing live entertainment in just about every restaurant. A live band is the norm in restaurants every night and the walls are covered with local art. Of course all these businesses are operated by the government except for very few private ones run out of their kitchens - but their food is just as bland presumably from the same scarcity of spices. Luckily the Cuban liquor and entertainment tended to make up for the bland food.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, Piloto said:

It appears you got good traffic correlation between ATC and the ATD-300 voice call outs over the Hudson River

 

The only thing that I got out of this is that the roadway on the Verrazano Bridge is awful. But then again, what would one expect for a $16.00 toll?

Edited by flyboy0681
Posted
2 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

The only thing that I got out of this is that the roadway on the Verrazano Bridge is awful. But then again, what would one expect for a $16.00 toll?

At least this version of the bridge isn't supposed to self-destruct in a moderate breeze!  :D

Posted
1 minute ago, Hank said:

At least this version of the bridge isn't supposed to self-destruct in a moderate breeze!  :D

I think you are confusing The Verrazano Narrows bridge with the Tacoma Narrows bridge.

 

  • Like 1
Posted

Yep, that's the one! Haven't seen that since my high school physics class, and in the decades since then I've been to too many places, none of them Tacoma or the Verrazano end of NYC.

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