Sometimes the urge to fly strikes when I least expect it. It’s always there, mind you, but sometimes it lies dormant while my attention is elsewhere, only to suddenly resurface. Take yesterday morning, for example. I was lounging in Windbird’s cockpit, sipping coffee and enjoying the warm Caribbean breeze while planning an upcoming sail to Vieques, when an unmistakable sound reverberated across Christiansted Harbor and set my heart aflutter. A de Havilland Twin Otter on floats raced across the old schooner channel, skipping across the waves, then lifted into the trade winds and banked to the north. Just like that, I had to fly! Alas, I didn’t know anybody on St. Croix whom I might talk into lending me a light plane, but I nevertheless worked up a plan to get into the air. I threw on some long pants and shoes for the first time in a month, grabbed my airline badge and motored our dinghy across the harbor to Seaborne Airlines’ historic seaplane base.
Hopping the Virgin Islands by Seaplane
Key Takeaways:
- The author, an experienced pilot, finds renewed inspiration and a passion for flying during an impromptu trip on a Seaborne Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane between St. Croix and St. Thomas.
- The article highlights the integral role of commuter aviation, particularly Seaborne's unique Part 121 seaplane service, in efficiently connecting Caribbean islands and facilitating daily life.
- It showcases the appealing work-life balance and strong community enjoyed by Seaborne pilots, like Captain Dennis, suggesting that a fulfilling aviation career can prioritize quality of life over chasing maximum earnings, even amidst regional challenges like hurricane recovery and airline bankruptcy.
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