NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (BAOPA) has expressed frustration with the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB) and the Ministry of Aviation, accusing both entities of ignoring its attempts to engage in dialogue on issues affecting Bahamian aviators. The association also criticized the recent implementation of a European-designed pilot exam, calling it irrelevant to the country’s aviation needs.
In a statement, BAOPA highlighted its repeated efforts since October to address concerns with the Minister of Aviation and CAAB, noting that its outreach has gone unanswered. The association, which represents the majority of Bahamian pilots, emphasized the vital role local aviators play in connecting the islands and supporting the economy.
BAOPA took issue with remarks by Minister of Aviation Chester Cooper, who, when asked about the association’s concerns, cited safety, airlifts, and airport ratings. The association dismissed these justifications, stating:
“Historically, there is no theoretical examination that is used in aviation to test the practical aspect of safety. And on that note, we would like to suggest that the use of words such as safety in aviation should not be casually mentioned so as not to create panic among the flying public. The number of airlifts into The Bahamas is not tailored or demolished in any significant way by the Bahamian pilots, whose talents are primarily exercised within the borders of this archipelago, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The rating that our Lynden Pindling Airport receives is primarily an assessment of the facility and security protocols, again the Bahamian pilot has and will never be included in this equation.”
The group further criticized CAAB for imposing the exam, which it claimed is “literally lifted directly from Europe” and not tailored to Bahamian aviation. It argued:
“A pilot’s training is a pilot training, there is no need to internalize and or commit to memory information from any jurisdiction that an aviator would find themselves working. Rather, it is incumbent upon any pilot operating an aircraft in any country, to acquaint him or herself with standard procedures, from arriving, to approaches to land and departing from an airport. All of these procedures known in the industry are known as plates (arrival, approach, and departure plates) and are readily available in printed and or electronic format, the latter being a method that perhaps every pilot utilizes today.”
BAOPA also questioned the CAAB’s authority to impose such an exam, pointing out that The Bahamas is not an “issuing state” for pilot or mechanic licenses. Instead, Bahamian licenses are validated based on foreign credentials, predominantly from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). BAOPA alleged prior licensing missteps by the CAAB, including issuing type ratings and licenses without proper authority, as highlighted in an FAA audit.
Despite these grievances, BAOPA called for a more responsive and transparent aviation authority, underscoring its commitment to improving the sector for the benefit of Bahamian pilots and the broader community.
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