Turks and Caicos

[SkepticalJohn]

Turks and Caicos.
Anyone flown their Mooney there? Pointers for filing/flying into, places to stay/visit/avoid, gotchas, pointers for filing and return to the states? Also, we're looking to make this trip and staying all of next week.
Before it's mentioned... yes the Bahamas are closer, we've been there a bunch(pre-covid), its beautiful, easy and we love it there. We don't like the face mask requirement and are speaking with our wallet while looking to literally expand our horizons.
Thank you,
John

[FoxMike]

I have always stayed out of the T&C.  I admit it looks  beautiful from 10K gazing down on it.  I have researched it several times and have concluded the cost to fly a piston airplane there is far too high to make it practical.  I have been to the Dominican Republic on several occasions and found it to be a better value.  I met a guy who owned a motel in the T&C and could not stand the business climate so he moved to St. Thomas.  You might contact the Caribbean Flying Adventures (they show up at OSH) and get some recent information.  

[neilpilot]

I've landed at both Provo & Grand Turk, but it was many years ago so any info I can offer is likely outdated. 

On my first flight back in 1992, I filed IFR to Grand Turk.  When advised enroute by Miami Center that fuel wasn't available at MBGT, I changed destination and landed Provo.  While roiling off the active at Provo I was chased down by a USCG Falcon that then proceed to search my M20E for drugs. I suspect this occurred because I changed destinations. 

After refueling at Provo I proceeded to MBGT.  After landing the fuel truck drove up and offered fuel.  I suspect the fuel vendor at Provo had a friend in Miami Center!

[buddy]

I’m not sure this is going to help because the last time I flew to Provo was about 7 yrs ago when I had my M20J. I stopped in KFPR and topped off (you can never have enough few when going down there) filed an IFR flight plan, the BR routes, Freeport, Nassau direct. Miami had different ideas because after Nassau they amended my clearance BR 55V, way to far out so I just canceled and went VFR direct. I filed 11K and you talk to Miami most of the way, I think you lose them for the last 100 mi before you contact Provo approach. Approaching Provo they had me hold…single runway and no parallel taxiway, everybody including the airlines has to back taxi…one reason to make sure you have plenty of fuel. The FBO was great and we stayed at an all inclusive resort next to Beaches, the resort was great but got bought out by Beaches a few years ago. Beaches is a family resort (kids) so we probably won’t be back. There was a small casino not to far away but I don’t think I’d want to walk there at night.
The flight was good because you pretty much fly down a string of islands from Nassau to Provo. On the way back we took the same route and cleared customs at KFPR.

[FoxMike]

I just read a thread on BT that was asking about FBOs and customs at Provo.  Only information provided by others was they had good treatment from Provo Air Center and Blue Heron.  No pricing was indicated but discussion was among jet owners.  Foreflight says Provo Air is 1 649 3394101 and Blue 1 649 941 8000.  If you check it out please report back.

I just checked both FBOs have websites. Provo Air has lots of information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[M20F]

If you are going to interesting places in the Caribbean also recommend Caribbean Flying Adventures.  A lot of good info/assistance cheap that helped me with my Jamaica/Caymans trip.  Also very reasonably priced. 

They also can do Cuba overflight though based on your desires destination probably not needed.