Air Force One Lands In Cuba: Next Up, Bonanzas and Cherokees.
How you can take advantage of Cuban airspace opening up
The photograph you might have seen of the 747 flying as Air Force One carrying President Obama approaching to land in Havana was spectacular, a true piece of on-the-spot photojournalism that captured a moment in time perfectly without having a single word of explanation. The thing that made the photograph so striking, as those of you who saw it understand, was everything in the shot that wasn't the airplane.
This included some poor residents of Havana looking skyward at the arriving jumbo jet with a number of very vintage American automobiles rusting in the background. The island country has a long way to go in a number of areas, and no one would argue they don't. Except perhaps their leaders. But that's a whole other conversation.
Undeniably, the relationship is changing. As the United States begins the slow process of normalizing relations with Cuba, a process that, as I said, isn't without controversy, one of the first cultural exchanges that will take place is the opening up of civil airspace. "Exchange" is probably the wrong way to phrase it; unless Cubanos start flying '52 Chevys to the mainland, the aviation visits will be a one-way venture.
Businesses will surely take advantage of the flight opportunity to establish a presence in Cuba, which presents countless lucrative tourism development opportunities. But private fliers like you and me will no doubt begin to take advantage of the opening of the airspace (to some degree, anyway) to go to Cuba to spend some time as tourists.
The trip across the Florida Straits is an easy one, even by small single-engine piston standards, and the procedures have already been established. Just don't think it will be like flying into your local uncontrolled field, or even the local towered airport. There are hoops through which you and your dollars will be required to leap.
Luckily, in the spirit of American entrepreneurship, there's already at least one company ready to help. Caribbean Flying Adventures, which has been doing this kind of thing for years, now has service to help you make your Cuba trip. The company's Cuba Flight Planning packages range from bare-bones planning and ATC and landing fee charge plans, starting at $275, to full concierge packages that take care of all the arrangements for you, including ground transportation and hotel and dining reservations (you pick up the costs of the accommodations) for $625.
Look for a full story on Plane & Pilot's flight into Cuba in a coming issue!
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