Requirements For Approval
The Islands Of The Bahamas will accept the certification of a US/Canada sport flying pilot. The only exception is a pilot MUST HAVE A Drivers License or a Third-Class Medical.
US Sport Pilots
US Sport Pilots requesting to operate in The Islands Of The Bahamas under the US Sport Pilot rules (US FAR 61, Subpart J) must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a current and valid US driver's license or a minimum of a third-class medical certificate (US FAR 61.303 and 61.315(c)(17); and
- A logbook endorsement certifying the pilot is proficient in accordance with the requirements listed in US FAR 61.325 (a), (b), and (c); and
- A logbook endorsement certifying the pilot is authorized to perform cross country flight (US FAR 61.93); and
- Operate within the requirements of the Sport Pilot privileges and limitations listed in US FAR 61.315.
In addition, Canadian or US sport flying pilots must meet these requirements:
- Operators of light sport aircraft must comply with all the requirements of their registry before attempting flight to The Bahamas.
- All required a/c documents must be on the aircraft when flying in The Bahamas.
- Pilot must fly with both medical and license on person.
The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:
- Maximum gross takeoff weight—1,320 lbs, or 1,430 lbs for seaplanes
- Maximum stall speed—51 mph (45 knots) CAS
- Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)—138 mph (120 knots) CAS
- Single or two-seat aircraft only
- Single, reciprocating engine (if powered), including rotary or diesel engines
- Fixed or ground-adjustable propeller
- Unpressurized cabin
- Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
- Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
- Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.
- Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultra light but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultra light vehicle. These aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.
- Will have FAA registration—N-number.
- Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control ("Trike" Land/Sea), Glider, and Powered Parachute.
- US or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.
- Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light-sport aircraft category. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
- May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.
The Sport Pilot Rule
A sport pilot may exercise flight privileges in one or more of the following aircraft categories:
- Airplane (single-engine only)
- Glider
- Lighter-than-air (airship or balloon)
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
- Powered Parachute
- Weight-Shift control aircraft (e.g. Trikes)
- Creates a new student sport pilot certificate
- Creates a new sport pilot flight instructor certificate
- Requires FAA knowledge (written) and practical (flight) test
- Credits ultra light training and experience toward a sport pilot certificate providing the ultra light pilot transitions to a sport pilot certificate by 31 January 2007
- Credits sport pilot flight time toward more advanced pilot ratings
- Requires either a 3rd class FAA medical certificate or TC 3rd class medical certificate
- Does not allow carrying passengers for compensation or hire
- Does not allow flights in furtherance of business
- Allows sharing (“pro-rata”) operating expenses with another pilot
- Allows daytime flight only
- Allow sport pilots to fly vintage and production aircraft (standard airworthiness certificate) that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft
Sport Pilot Flight Instructors
The new sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule:
- Creates new sport pilot flight instructor certificate
- Allows conversion to sport pilot instructor status for ultra light instructors (provided the instructor makes the transition by 31 January 2008)
- Allows current CFIs to train sport pilots
Bahamas Civil Aviation (AIC/AIP)
Exemption From Mandatory 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter
Under the provisions of the Bahamas Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations, 2001; Section 2, The Director of Civil Aviation may by means of Aviation Information Circulars (AIC) and Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) issue and revise instructions, directions, rules and procedures or prescribe requirements to give effect to the provisions of the Chicago Convention and the Annexes thereto and the Standards and Recommended Practices of ICAO as well as the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act and of these Regulations, related to the navigation of aircraft flying in or over The Bahamas or of aircraft registered in The Bahamas.
Nassau, The Bahamas - November 29, 2012 - Bahamas Civil Aviation announces that effective February 1, 2013, the installation of 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) will not be mandatory for all general aviation aircraft flying to and within The Islands Of The Bahamas. This exemption, made under the provision of The Civil Aviation (Air Navigation) Regulations 2001, section 2 and the Bahamas Safety Air Regulations 2001, applies to all Bahamas Commercial (AOCs) Operators, general aviation aircraft flying in or over The Bahamas, balloons, gliders and lighter than air.
This rule, however, does not cancel the requirements under:
1. The Bahamas Air Safety Regulations (BASRs) Schedule 7, Subpart C, Communication and Navigation Equipment (b) (3) or
2. BASR 7.290 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) (a), (b), (c) and (d) 1, 2 and 3.
The Bahamas Civil Aviation with respect to all Bahamas Registered AOC Aircraft (C6), will review this policy in twenty four (24) months to determine any additional extended periods of this policy.
Capt. Patrick Rolle
Director of Civil Aviation