Avionics News November 2016 - 50

HAVANA DAYDREAMIN'
Continued from page 49

for a student pilot, trying to understand their words was especially difficult for me."
HOLA HAVANA
Captain Claret's navigation through both the Cuban controllers and airspace was spot on, and soon the duo was safely on
the tarmac at Havana's José Martí International Airport.
"When we landed, we were marshaled to Terminal 2, the
GA terminal, which was next to the approach end of runway
6," Claret said. "The only thing that was unusual was there
was an armed guard standing on a platform just off the end of
the runway. That caught us by surprise.
"As we were getting out of the airplane, we were greeted by
staff that had all of our paperwork. We were asked a few questions about how long we would be there? They also asked me
to fill out our flight plan for our return home. We filled out a
health form for a doctor, paid for a visa, and then went inside
to go through customs and have our luggage checked.
"While we were the only people there, it seemed to take a
long time to get it all done. I speak Spanish, and it was helpful
to understand what might have been confusing if I had not.
I'm sure they spoke some level of English, but I wanted to
practice my Spanish."
Homoky added that checking through customs was one of
the highlights of the trip. How often can you say that?
"Getting that Cuba stamp on my passport was really cool,"
Homoky said. "In fact, when the officer gave me the stamp,
I broke into my happy dance. She gave me a big smile along
with the stamp and a memory that will last a lifetime."
While the intrepid pair was waiting for a taxi - the prearranged taxi was a no-show - they began talking to a Cuban
gentleman who had learned to fly helicopters in Russia some
30 years ago.
"He talked about their charts and navigation and the challenges of flying a helicopter in Cuba," Claret said. "We
showed him the Garmin app on our phones and how it could
go from VFR to IFR charts and approach plates. He was in
awe about the advancements, and that it was all on my phone
and not in those big black chart cases. To be able to share a
love of aviation with a stranger from another country - and
a country that doesn't have any general aviation at all - was
very special."
As for touring Cuba's capital city, both Claret and Homoky
said it was a greater experience than they had imagined.
"It was amazing," Claret said. "The architecture was so
beautiful and was kept up the best it could be considering
the limitations they have. Everyone we met was so friendly.
Not in a way where they are vying for our tourist dollar,
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2016

but in an honest, happy to have you here kind of way. It
was enjoyable."
As for the accommodations, both ladies suggest visitors
forego the big hotels and instead opt to stay in a local bed and
breakfast.
"They are everywhere, and I don't feel that you will get the
whole Cuban experience by staying in a large hotel," Homoky
said. "Our B&B was one of the highlights of our stay. We
were served an outstanding breakfast each morning, which
included freshly made juices of Mango and Papaya. The fruits
were lifted up to our second floor by a rope and basket. How
cool is that?
"I felt incredibly safe and protected by the locals, especially
the delightful lady who ran the B&B. It turned out that she
is a dentist like me; talk about a coincidence. Her experience
as a dentist in Cuba versus what I experience in the U.S. was
shocking to both of us. I think it's important for everyone to
see his or her occupation through someone else's eyes. I know
it makes me more grateful for what I have when Monday
mornings roll around."
HOME JAMES
All too quickly, their three-day Cuban adventure came to
an end. But unlike loading up at their local FBO, it turned out
that their departure had just one more surprise.
"When leaving Cuba, plan on it taking a lot more time than
you might initially think," Homoky said. "At least when we
were there, general aviation still seemed to be somewhat of
a mystery to their airport system. Having an airplane with no
passengers to them was perplexing, so we defaulted to Mary
Ann being the flight crew and me the passenger.
"Also, the fact that she was not in a pilot's uniform was
strange to them. When we went to board our aircraft, they
requested my boarding pass. When we explained that I didn't
have one, they actually made one for me. Luckily, I was seated in first class for the flight home in seat 1B."
Both ladies enthusiastically stated they are already looking
forward to returning to this beautiful island country.
"Absolutely we will go back," Claret said. "Next time, I
would like to take Sarasota Avionics' Piper Saratoga so we
can take our kids with us. We may also go to another airport in
Cuba. There are a lot to choose from, and knowing the process
now, I want to see a lot more of the country."
Homoky added, "My friends and patients often ask what I
did this summer for vacation? I just can't control the grin that
comes across my face when I proudly say, 'I flew to Cuba in a
single-engine Piper with my best friend!' Cuba is a treasure. I
can't wait to go back with my son.
"I have to say that having recently discovered that we may
be the first all-female crew to fly a small, GA airplane to
Havana, Cuba, is just the icing on the cake." q

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News November 2016