View from the north side of the lower Keys’
exclusive Little Palm Island, a frequent
destination of Key West Seaplanes.
Carol and I met Nick after accidentally parking our Cherokee Six in his spot. The spot was reserved for Key West Seaplane’s amphibian Cessna 206. It was Christmas Day. Because the FBO was closed, the ramp had become a semichaotic aluminum mess. After we adjusted a few airplane positions, Nick and I exchanged business cards and a dry sense of humor. We soon became friends. I realized that Nick was living the airline pilot fantasy. What is that fantasy exactly?
The fantasy is the idea that I could trade in my polyester tie for a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and flip-flops. I could fly fun airplanes that would never see a Cat III approach, let alone an autopilot. Of course the real fantasy lies in the belief that I could quit my airline job and still pay the mortgage.
Undaunted by financial reality, I expressed my desires to Nick. I volunteered to act as his copilot for a typical trip. After all, I have a seaplane rating. And I’ve logged well over 10 hours. And with almost 21,000 hours of total time, I was certainly overqualified. Yeah … right. Despite his justifiable fears, Nick agreed to my proposal. (I had to buy him another beer.)
Key West Seaplanes is a dream of Nick Pontecorvo and Julie Ann Floyd. They are co-owners. Both have brought their own colorful character to the operation.
Julie is a full-time physician. Her practice involves pain management and sports medicine. She is also a senior AME. For many years, Julie has contemplated changing her career to aviation. She began taking lessons in Wellsville, New York, and initiated a 10-year plan to shift her focus from medicine to airplanes. She has an instrument, commercial and seaplane rating and is working toward her CFI. When the doctor is not in, Julie spends her time helping to manage the operation. She also flies sightseeing charters in the company Cessna 182 and flies with Nick when a seat is available on the 206.
The two owners met in 2003. Julie had been visiting Key West on a periodic basis and was contemplating moving her practice to the area. Nick had been flying a Cessna Caravan on floats out to the Dry Tortugas for the local FBO. Julie had been a passenger on one of the trips. For “weight and balance” purposes, Nick’s calculations determined that the pretty girl had to ride in front. The rest is history.
As you may have guessed, Nick’s background also adds color to the mix. He was a tax accountant before vacationing in Key West. He decided that a two-year career was enough. Nick called his company to tell them that he wasn’t coming back.
Very loosely applying his financial background, Nick became a first mate on a popular local catamaran that carried tourists on day cruises and sunset sails. He further applied his financial skills as a bartender at the famous Sloppy Joe’s and eventually transitioned to management level at another popular establishment.
