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PILOT INFORMATION
Grand Turk
International - MBGT
Runway - 11/29
6,335' x
150 asphalt - Excellent Condition
Tower on field
Nassau VOR - 112.7, ZQA
122 radial 405 nm
Miami VOR - 115.9D, MIA 118 radial 574 nm
Puerto Plata
VOR - 115.1, PTA 342 radial 116 nm
Provo VOR - 115.6, PVN 116 radial 66
nm
FSS - 118.4 Miami
Radio - 122.0 flight watch
Flight plans cancelled upon arrival Miami Intl. FSS - 305.233.2600
Fligt plan must be filed before departure.
Wind Sock - S.E. near tower
Lights: Runway / Taxiway / Beacon / PAPI - Runway 11
Fuel - 100 LL 7am - 6pm
Call Provo Approach prior to Grand Turk Tower
Civil Aviation: 649.946.2138 - f:649.946.1885
Customs: Attended 7 days - 6am - 8pm, $15.00 upon entering/clearing ($8.00 addl.
Sat/Sun)
Overtime: > 4:30pm M-TH, > 4pm Fri-Sun
Airport: 649.946.2138
Tower: 649.946.2570
Landing fees: $5 < 6,000 lbs, $8 > 6,000 lbs
HISTORY
Turks and
Caicos has a past similar to it's northern neighbors. The Maya Indian tribe's
markings have been
found on Middle Caicos. The islands lay claim to being
visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The islands
were used a pawn in
the struggle between the French, Spanish and British empires. Ownership of the
Islands
changed hands several times, finally landing with the British.
Due to the fact the islands had insufficient
harborage, windward of the
main sailing routes, soil unsuitable for harvesting crops, the islands were
insignificant possessions to the major world powers. The islands
remained uninhabitated until 1678, when
a group of individuals (from
Bermuda) settled and began to develop the salt and lumber industries. The
salinas (salt drying pans) were produced as a result. In 1710, the
Spaniards recaptured the islands
and then as quickly, relinquished them.
The islands soon became the home of the most notorious pirates.
These
pirates sacked all that crossed their path, including the wealthy salt merchants
inhabiting the
islands. The name of the islands is in debate. Some say
the name, Turks & Caicos came from the
name of Mediterranean pirates
and their sailing ships. Others argue that the names come from the
native species of cactus who's flower resembles a Turkish fez and
"cayos", the spanish name for keys.
The french soon attacked the pirates
and took over the island in 1753. The french went on to lose
control of
the islands and regain them again in 1778 and 1783. After the American
Revolution, Colonial
Loyalists joined the inhabitants of the islands.
Slaves were transported to the islands to help produce the
common staple
of cotton crops. Unfortunately, the crops failed in the salt laiden soil and the
plantation
owners converted their crops to salt fields. The islands were
formerly part of the Bahamas through the
middle of the 19th century. The
citizens of the Turks and Caicos became a self governing country
under
the guidence of Jaimaca through the mid 20th century. The islands remained under
Jamaica's
guidence until the U.S. government established an airstrip
during WWII. In 1962, the Turks and Caicos
were splashed into the
limelight with Astronaut John Glenn. The islands hit it big when a few
millionaires
decided to make the Turks and Caicos their winter homeland.
In 1973, the islands were recolonized by
Great Britian. In 1984, Club
Med established a resort on Provo, and the rest they say "is history". For
more
history on the Turks and Caicos click HERE and vist Grand-Turk online.
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