BABPA STORIES
OF FLYING
THE CARRIBEAN TRIP
January 2004
Part 1-Crossing the Gulf of Mexico
We planned and discussed the trip months prior to departing. There were E-mail and banter for months. Anthony Hall spearheaded the planning efforts. Prospective participators complained that lay-over times were to short. One to two day stays at the different locations were thought be to short. When all the debate was over the itinerary stayed the same. The trip officially began after the Black Pilots of America Board meeting in New Orleans. The meeting was scheduled for January 16th and 17th. The official itinerary was as follows:
Key West, FL Jan 18
Grand Cayman Jan 19
Montego Bay, Jamaica Jan 20
Provo, Turks and Caicos Jan 21-22
Eleuthra, Bahamas Jan 23
Gulfport Jan 24
Everyone go home Jan 25
Planning the trip
Prior to the trip there were a lot of things to take care. I flew over to Reid Hillview pilot shop for my pilot supplies. I am like a kid in a candy store at the Pilot Shop. It’s like going to the grocery store and buying junk food that you don’t need. So I usually have to restrain myself. I purchased all of the required sectionals, maps and of course the all knowing "Guide to the Caribbean, 2004".
A
thunderstorm while crossing the Golf of Mexico
The first official leg of our Caribbean trip was from New Orleans to Key West,
Florida. The plan was to fly direct to Key West if we can or take the G routes
across to Gulf. The night before our departure we sat around and reviewed
our route and Cuban over flight rules. I had obtained a Cuba over flight permit
prior to leaving California several days prior. I couldn’t sleep, the
night before were to embark on our adventure . I don’t know if it was
because of excitement or because trepidation. Probably a little of both. I
finally drifted off to sleep around 1:30 AM.
We
woke up the next morning with this incredible energy and excitement. The BPA
meeting was over, but everyone knew that there was a group of brave souls
flying on to the Caribbean. There were four planes embarking on this incredible
once in a life time flight. A Mooney, Cessna 210, Beech Baron and my Cessna
310, N1000Q. We knew there was a line of thunderstorms out there. The lines
were moving in an easterly direction. The plan was to get through well before
they reach the Gulf. The Mooney driver chickened –out at the last minute
and decided to fly around the horn and the Florida Pan Handle; the long way
around. We got our weather briefing together at the airport.
The flight required IFR filling. The weather briefing indicated that we would
be encountering bad weather. The routing would take us around the really bad
stuff. We filed to follow the G routes, with a plan to amend to a direct to
Key West, FL. G routes are Victor airways over the Gulf of Mexico. The G routes
tend to hug the coast and Florida Panhandle. Our direct route to Key West
would take us some 300 miles from the coast. I thought to myself, that’s
scary as I slipped on my bright yellow life jacket. Wejay, who’s flying
the Mooney, decided he would fly on shore. Partly because he had to pick his
son up somewhere in Florida, and partly because of fear.
We loaded up all four airplanes, did our final checks. Anthony, in his Beech Baron, cranked his bird up first, the C 210 next, then my C 310, then the Mooney. We all slowly taxied to the departure end of the runway. On the radio, I heard the Baron getting his IFR clearance. I listened carefully. I knew my IFR clearance would probably be the same. As I listened to his clearance I said Dam that’s pretty complicated. They had him changing to different G airways while in route. “1000Q, Lakefront, we have your clearance, ready to copy?” “1000Q, please standby”. I took a deep breath, and said to myself, hear we go!” “Lakefront, 1000Q ready to copy.” The tower rattled off the clearance. The pilot and copilot (Cash) copied the clearance. We got our final IFR clearance and we were ready to go.
We
took off and turned toward the ocean. We climbed to our assigned altitude.
Almost immediately we were given an amendment to clearance. The Baron took
off about five minutes before us. The trip would be a little more than 3 hours.
I quickly wrote my amended clearance and immediately looked at my map. “Damm
these G routes look like spider webs”. I looked at my trusty Garmin
XL. This baby has gotten me through some difficult times. “Baby don’t
fail me now". I made a turn to the south east as instructed. One and
a half hours into the flight the sky grew darker and darker. My storm scope
lit up light a Christmas tree. 
There was electrical activity; translation convective activity, to the southwest.
ATC warned us of the the thunder storm. “00Q there is a squall line
at your 2-3 o’clock, will vector you around it. “1000Q roger that”
We went IMC. Crack, lightning struck to the right of the plane. The plane
bounced as we entered severe turbulence. I turned off the auto pilot in order
to hand fly the plane. Cash yelled don’t fight it. The plane went up
and down in 500 feet increments. “Miami, this 1000Q, can’t hold
my altitude. I need a block altitude”. 1000Q take 7000 to 8000 feet.
Then all of a sudden, marble sized hail hit so hard, it thought the windshield
was going to shatter. The wings were flapping like the wings of a large bird.
At that moment I asked Cash will they hold? “If you maintain control
of the plane and stay within VNO”. Just then ATC gave another vector.
I yelled, when will we get though this! I called ATC for the 3 or 4th time
and asked, “how much longer!” He came back with “2 more
miles”. For some reason I tightened my life vest. The plane made a hard
bank to the left. I thought to my self, if this gets any worse, I will loose
control of the plane. ATC’s voice came over the radio and said “you
should be though”. I was just about to yell “no were not!”
All of a sudden, sun beamed though the clouds and the flight became smooth.
It was calm and surreal. “Is this heaven?" No, just the other side
of the squall line! ATC gave us direct to Key West Florida. I check to see
if there were any obvious signs of pot marks on the wings from the marble
sized hail. No couldn't see any. Key West dead ahead. What a beautiful sight.
To be continued…..
By Darrell Edwards