STORY #1
Richard Headrick Flies in from the US
Ramon’s Village owner makes first recognized international flight into Ambergris Caye

WOW..............Who all remembers how I was crucified by some of the locals and local wannabes on this board when I broached this very topic about 2 years ago??????????

Comments like "never gonna happen", "no fuel storage", "no where to park", "we don't want jets comming to San Pedro", "why don't you just stick to being a doctor", "we don't need people like you here" all come to mind.

Well..........there you go :-)

Isn't being right fun?

Good for you. If people can afford to pay the extra fees customs and immg fees to come directly to SP, why not? No jets will arrive on this length runway, and the single and twins that do come make no more noise than the Tropic and Maya flights that we all need to come and go. God bless them.

Seems like many on these boards just like to complain. Must be sad to live like that. Glad you and I are not them.

PM me so we can met someday. We are coming back to see our new home at Sapphire Beach next month. Really makes me want to come and just stay, but I have to work to pay the bills.

Originally posted 5/2/08

This topic is to facilitate discussion about how San Pedro's airstrip can get gov approval to receive direct international flights.

NOT AIRLINERS.

I'm talking about planes in the size range that cuurently arrive daily being able to fly direct to the island and clear customs there instead of having to fly to BZE then to the island.

Example: Cancun direct San Pedro.

I'm looking for input as to how to go about accomplishing this goal not critique of this idea.

Thanks
Thomas Blackledge
tommy@tecinfo.com
601-849-1918 601-849-1918 US


Edited by Belize-N-Us (05/02/08 10:57 AM)
_________________________
Future full time Belizeans
Tommy & Sonia Blackledge
Magee, MS 601-849-1918 601-849-1918

1. It is unlikely that there will ever be direct international flights to or from San Pedro except from very close destinations. The primary reason is the length of the runway. Cancun is 200 nautical miles from San Pedro, a relatively long distance that would require a specialized high speed commuter airliner. Since such an aircraft would necessarily be a twin engine, commercial twin engine aircraft are required to reach flying speed and lose an engine and either get airborne or come to a complete stop in a certain distance. This is called the "balance field length". San Pedro is 3000 ft long which is more than enough for anything from a twin otter (which is a short landing and take off aircraft) or any of the aircraft that take off here, but would be way too short for any of the afore mentioned high speed commercial twins. The existing ramp space is also limiting . And finally, it makes more sense for a small government to concentrate all its international flights through one airport for commercial and security reasons.

2. The category 1 or category 2 (compliant or non-compliant) ratings are issued by the American FAA and rate the countries ability to provide oversight. They do not rate the airlines nor do they care about flights that do not touch the United States. Any of the Belizean airlines could fly to Mexico by simply negotiating this right with the Mexicans.

3. Jet fuel storage is not an issue. It is essentially the same as diesel which is stored and dispensed in San Pedro with no problem. Once again space would be an issue with the airstrip.

4. The local airlines depart to the SW because in the event of an engine failure there are better emergency landing sites. It also lessens the noise pollution over the center of town.

5. Finally, Tropic and Maya's permission to fly into Guatemala was suspended by their former director of civil aviation for political and personal reasons. Tropic Air was recently approached by the new director to begin flights again. Once again, Belize's American non compliant oversite rating had nothing to do with the suspension of this service.

John E Greif III
President
Tropic Air

Ernie B
Im sure you have the concerns of the Belizean people in your heart.

NOT !


Edited by immissing (05/17/08 09:59 AM)
_________________________

I know a man who is close to soemone who may be of help to you. If you would like to PM me, I will give you the person to contact.

What you propose is the next step to making for more vistors.

Make it easy and they will come.

]
Ernie B
BNUs. I am a retired business Sr Ex of a billion dollar company. I lived there for 2 years and departed in '02 as it was getting too crowded for me then. What I do with my time is none of your damn business either. I still love SP and visit 3-4 times a year. If I choose to sit on my ass, drink beer and bitch, you better belive I will. For you "GOD LIKE" people, do and say what you wish and expect a few comments in return. Have a good life.
_________________________

pamkillen
Why would one want International flights to San Pedro? That is just nutty. It would be fine for me to fly from Belize City to Cancun. I would end up doing all my shopping that way and the Belize economy could suffer but I don't buy that much. Sam's Club is a big draw.

Ernie B
Direct commercial flights to AC IS stupid, unless you like the noise of loud, whining jet engines. I hope I never see it. Not sure the runways will support larger jets as they are were built for small singles.
_________________________

The board has changed over the past couple of years and toned down a lot.

Its great to say I told you so

HEY Eeeeeeerrrrrrrnieeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where are you Ernie?

I've got your big plate of crow all fixed up for you!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, I left out Ernie's quote where he implied that I thought I was "God like" because I had an idea about San Pedro's airport.

Sweet!

There is also a difference between commercial flights and personal planes arriving internationally. I think most people may feel that commercial international flights may not happen.

I do not know it to be true, but have been told there is an airstrip used many years back about 12 miles north, near a shrimp farm. If the GOB ownes the land, maybe you could talk to them about opening it. While the idea is good, no doubt money will be the problem.

If it is 12 or more miles to SP, one will still have to use another form of transportation to come to town. The real benefit would be to all the resorts which have and are being built north of the new bridge.

That airstrip is located at Basil Jones and over the years it been implied if ever jets were to arrive on AC it would be there since the island is 4 miles across up there and it is also the best area to start a new town if it ever comes to fruition

That's my feeling. Unless someone with one of the new VLJs (very light jets) would come, SP can't have jet airliners, or Tropic or Maya would be doing it.

However, if one has the financial ability to fly their King Air, 402, or something similar, and they can pay the Customs and Immigration people to clear them on SP, why not?

I am sure there are those would would prefer to fly to SP with Tropic or Maya in a Cavavan rather than take two flights to save time and, maybe a few dollars too. Just a thought!

Seems like with growth all these things come to pass.

The question is the "cost" to give up the "charm" for a faster way to get here. Maybe taking a little longer is part of the adventure. I know it was that way for us the first time.

Thanks for letting me know about the Basil Jones area. That would make for a good airport it would seem.

Is Tommy have a conversation with his right shoulder(or left?)

Wow, a post that starts out about the airport turns into a personal blast towards ErnieB. The entire first page sounds like someone is talking back to the voices in his head.

I was wondering how I got in to the conversation when I haven't said anything

Given E's current latitude, I bet he could care less about any of this!

Hey Laurie,
Tell Ernie I said Hi when you see him, and he missed the snow yesterday.
Cindy O.