This is a post by author Claudio Stamper. At the time of its writing, Claudio served as general manager for Universal Aviation Aruba – Oranjestad, which discontinued operation of the GAT in January 2018.

This business aviation blog post is part of a series on operating in Aruba and continues from our last article: “Business Aircraft Operations to Aruba: Catering, Cars, Pets & Guns.”

Permit requirements are virtually nil for Aruba. If you’re conducting any sort of special aircraft operations – experimental flights or flight testing in the local area – be sure to work with your ground handler to provide appropriate reporting to local authorities.

The following is an overview of what you need to know:

1. What are permit, airport slot, and PPR requirements for Aruba?

Aruba is a very straightforward operating environment. Airport slots are not required under any circumstances, and Prior Permission Required (PPR) is not needed for this location. Landing permits, also, are not required for Aruba for either private non-revenue or charter (non-scheduled commercial) operations. While operators of aircraft on experimental certificates do not need landing permits, it’s necessary to report the type of flight to airport authorities upon landing. For experimental flights it’s best to note this in the remarks section of the flight plan.

2. Are there local considerations to keep in mind?

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) operating hours are Monday-Friday, 0800-1700 local. There are after-hours agents in cases of emergency operations or air ambulance flights. CAA prefers communications via e-mail. If you plan to do test flights while in Aruba, you’ll need to advise CAA for appropriate permission. Cabotage is not an issue at this location. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is only available in print format, and copies can be obtained from the flight planning department at the airport.

3. Are there routing restrictions?

Air Traffic Control (ATC) will advise operators if a certain route isn’t permitted and will assist crew members in modifying flight plans. For Aruba a flight plan may be submitted up to five days prior to operation. Flight plan validity is +/- 30 minutes from estimated time of departure, but any delays can be updated easily. Your ground handler can update a flight plan if the crew is at the FBO. If the crew is onboard the aircraft, they can ask ATC to update the flight plan or have the ground handler arrange flight plan updates. Flight plans may be filed electronically or filled out manually and submitted to ATC. AIP for Aruba isn’t available online, but, if needed, a copy of it can be requested from ATC while the aircraft is in Aruba.

4. Any other flight planning considerations?

By law flight plans must be filed at least one hour prior to departure. Fifteen minutes prior to departure, crew members should request engine start up. There are no special items that need to be added to remarks 18 of the International Civil Aviation Organization flight plan.

5. Are there local weather issues or occurrences to be aware of?

As Aruba is located below the hurricane belt, hurricane conditions are not an issue. Cross winds may, from time to time, be a consideration, so crew members should always check local surface weather conditions in advance. Winds are updated via TAFs and METARs. If an operating closure does occur at this location, it will have to do with lack of aircraft parking and/ramp space rather than weather-related issues.

6. How do we obtain local weather briefings?

While there’s no website available for Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and local weather, crew members can obtain weather briefings and NOTAMs from the airport flight planning department. Depending on the season, you’re usually able to obtain weather briefings from the flight planning office within five minutes. During busy periods, however, it may take as long as 20 minutes to obtain these reports. Also, the ground handler has a book with all current NOTAMs issued for the area.

7. Additional reading: Business Aircraft Ops to Aruba – Series Index

Note: Links will be updated as articles are published.

• Part 1 – Airport operations
• Part 2 – Ground handling and security
• Part 3 – Catering, Cars, Pets & Guns
• Part 4 – Permits, PPRs, flight planning and weather
• Part 5 – CIQ information
• Part 6 – Fuel and hotels

Conclusion

Requirements such as PPRs, airport slots, and landing permits aren’t required for operations to Aruba. Adverse weather conditions are not an issue for this location, and the ground handler will keep crew members advised of all local weather/NOTAMs.

Later we’ll discuss customs, immigration, and quarantine information for Aruba and their impact on your trip.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this article or would like assistance planning your next trip to Aruba, contact us at operationalinsight@univ-wea.com.