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:
- The article explores the unique and challenging nature of flying within the Lesser Antilles, highlighting how smaller aircraft like the Twin Otter connect these islands.
- It details several iconic Caribbean airports, including Sint Maarten (SXM) with its famous low approaches, Saba (TNCS) featuring the world's shortest commercial runway, and St. Barth (TFFJ) known for its steep approach over a busy traffic circle.
- The author emphasizes that despite their reputations as "dangerous," accidents are rare due to the exceptional skill, training, and experience of the pilots who expertly navigate these demanding island environments.
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