Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Airspace Structure; Airport; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Company Policy; Procedure; Manuals
Going into MHH; Miami Center told us to report the field in sight so we could cancel IFR and descend VFR into MHH. We informed them that there was a cloud layer below us and that we would not be able to descend visually. They transferred us to Nassau's Center for a descent. We called Nassau. They told us to descend to 2;000 [feet]. They informed us that we would lose radio communication with us below 1500 [feet]; and that we would need to cancel before descending below 2;000 [feet]. We descended to 2;000 [feet]. At that point; we were below the clouds and were able to see the field. We tried to contact Nassau Center several times to cancel IFR. We were unable to reach them. We continued to the field and landed normally under VFR conditions. After we parked; we called Dispatch to have them contact Nassau Center to close out our flight plan.Radio reception is very poor at MHH. Center cannot clear you for the RNAV approach. (I'm curious why they exist; then?) The ceiling was somewhat low.No real suggestions. Maybe a little more guidance in the company pages. They say you will need to climb to 7;000 [feet] to contact Center and get your IFR clearance from MHH. They also say you will not be dispatched to MHH with weather/forecast less than 2;000 [feet]. They don't really talk about what happens with a ceiling between 2;000 [feet] and 7;000 [feet].
Air carrier pilot reported a lack of guidance in the company manual with regards to picking up an IFR clearance at MHH when the ceiling is between 2;000ft and 7;000ft.