Dominican Republic launches ‘Flying Ambassador’ service

The Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Authority (IDAC) has inaugurated its “Flying Ambassador” service for U.S. and Canadian pilots. This free program is available to all pilots interested in flying to the Dominican Republic (DR). A “Flying Ambassador” will assist private pilots plan their trips and provide answers about procedures, customs, fuel availability, documents, etc.

Jim Parker of Caribbean Flying Adventures.com has been designated as the Good Will Ambassador and official point of contact. Parker is a retired senior U.S. diplomat who is an expert on private flying to the Caribbean, according to Dominican Republic officials. He has over 1,000 flight hours in the Islands and has landed his Cessna 172RG at 85 different Caribbean airports.

José Tomás Pérez, the Minister of Dominican Civil Aviation, pointed out that “no other Caribbean country offers a full time point of contact for U.S. pilots. We are pleased to provide this expert resource. Whether you are planning your trip, are enroute or on the ground in the DR, Jim Parker is only a phone call or email away.”

Parker will personally organize official, escorted “Fly Ins” and assist others interested in organizing group visits. He will also help pilots plan individual trips and be “on call” for pilots while they are in the DR.

The Dominican Republic has 14 fee free airports, casinos, 75,000 hotel rooms, 10,000 ft. mountain peaks, the highest airport in the Caribbean, the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, and 26 “signature” golf courses.

Following a decree by Dominican President Dr. Leonel Fernandez that eliminated all government agency fees for visiting private aircraft weighing less than 30,000 lbs, the DR has already seen an increase in aviation tourism, island officials say.

The new program also is designed to promote and enroll pilots from the U.S. and around the globe into the new Dominican Aviation Academy in Santo Domingo, the Superior Academy for Aviation Sciences (ASCA). The regional university offers certified ICAO training programs for pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and flight crew.

For more information: 305-667-6282, 829-380-8003 or CaribbeanFlyingAdventures.com.