It’s a Tuesday morning in February, and I’m headed to work. Don’t cry too hard for me, dear reader; work in this case involves a round trip to Rio de Janiero and back in the 767. Today’s commute to my base airport is a rare two-legger, and on the first leg I’m traveling on an even rarer paid ticket. A few days ago Windbird made a beautiful starlit passage from tony St. Barth to the sunny isle of Antigua, which my employer serves but once a week. Thus I am starting my day by boarding a Winair Twin Otter bound for Sint Maarten (SXM). Accompanying me are my parents, who are heading home from nine sun-soaked days aboard Windbird, a welcome respite from an exceptionally snowy Minnesota winter.
Taking Wing: Airports of the Caribbean
Key Takeaways:
- Many Caribbean airports, particularly those on smaller islands like Saba and St. Barth, present unique operational challenges due to limited flat terrain, exceptionally short runways (e.g., Saba's 1,312-foot runway), and complex, steep approaches.
- Despite frequently appearing on "most dangerous airport" lists, accidents at these challenging locations are rare, underscoring the exceptional skill, rigorous training, and consistent experience of the pilots who operate there.
- The article highlights the author's appreciation for the "stick-and-rudder" flying involved with regional aircraft like the Twin Otter, which are crucial for connecting the chain of Lesser Antilles islands.
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