Great Crossing To Cuba Flight Designed To Get Cuban Kids Interested In Aviation

By Kathryn B. Creedy

Cuba is on everyone’s mind these days as US airlines fall all over themselves to be the first to fly directly to the island. It looks as if JetBlue will lead the pack but general aviation aircraft owners and pilots have a unique opportunity to forge their own path with a commemorative fly in, organized by International Air Rally (IAR) for October 8-12, 2016. A formation of 50 aircraft will head from Key West to Havana, one of the first such flights between the two countries now that the historic 50-year freeze has thawed.

“Aviation was huge in Cuba before the revolution,” said Catherine Tobenas (pictured, left), who heads up IAR. “They even had an annual Aviator’s Day with planes in the streets and at Malecon and they used to land on the beaches. We are trying to bring that back and promote aviation in Cuba and get into the schools to help students get involved in aviation. We want to help the people learn about their own aviation history. This is an opportunity for a lot of aircraft such as light sport aircraft who would otherwise never make it to Cuba since it does not normally allow VFR.”

The general aviation adventure will not only commemorate historic flights but will be the first of what is expected to be annual event. The Great Crossing to Cuba, a Key West-to-Havana flight will include an air show along the historic Malecon waterfront district in the Cuban capital.

The flight will include 50 aircraft, 25 of which will go IFR. The other 25, as long as they have a Mode C transponder and a two-way radio, will go VFR but organizers are still waiting for the final approvals from Cuban authorities.  IFR is already authorized.

The requirement is especially critical for Cuban Paraglider Pilot Luis Garcia who will be commemorating the first flight between Key West and Cuba, when Domingo Rosillo took off from Key West in his Morane Saulnier on May 17, 1913. The plan is for Garcia to land in Malecon. The flight will also recognize the first Cuban airline service between the two points, which occurred October 8, 1929 when a Cubana Airlines Ford Tri-Motor took to the air.

VFR authority is also needed for the four historic aircraft that will accompany the formation. They include a Ford Tri-Motor, a Curtiss Martin and two Sikorskys, an S38 and an S39. In addition, the group is planning to have aircraft and other displays at Parque Lenin and Varadero airport near the aero club to give Cubans access to the aircraft they can’t otherwise have at Havana’s commercial José Martí International Airport, where most of the planes will be.

AOPA, with IAR as a member, has been paving the way for general aviation flights to Cuba. IAR is working with Ernesto Adlum, president of the Cuba aero club – Grupo de Aviacion Cuba as well as ICAO. Cuban authorities have approved the technical aspects of the flight but they are awaiting final approvals from the Ministry of Transport. 

The cost for the four-day, five-night trip is $1,895 for those who opt to stay at the Melia hotel. However, if flyers opt for Airbnb accommodations the cost is half that.

Organizers are hoping to have Microsoft Flight Simulator programs donated and are taking as many as they can get so they can be placed in as many schools as possible.

(Image by the author. Catherine Tobenas and her daughter Michaelle in their booth at AirVenture)

FMI: www.airrally.com