Скачать или смотреть Flying to the World’s Shortest Commercial Runway in Saba

🔊🎶🗣️ My latest jaunt in the #DutchCaribbean took me from #StMaarten to the lesser known island of #Saba (pronounced “SAY-ba”), coincidentally near #Statia from a several posts/reels ago on @theglobaltrip. While this tiny island only about 5 sq.mi is in the idyllic #Caribbean, it doesn’t really have many beaches since its topography and geology is rough and jagged. Volcanically-formed, its rocky coasts mostly continue straight down to the sea. That said, there aren’t many flat places on the island for plantations like in Statia, let alone a runway for planes.

For years, Saba was only accessible by boat, until one area known as “Flat Point,” became almost a dare to see if any pilot could land there. On February 9, 1959, this was accomplished by Remy de Haenen, and his historic landing paved the way (figuratively and literally) to the world’s shortest commercial runway at 440 yards. In 1963, Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport was constructed, which is still in use to day for short, 12-minute flights from Sint Maarten, by talented #Winair #pilots who are required to re-train or refresh their piloting skills to SAB every 30 days. — Flying away with @iflywinair, along with @maggiearana, @k_rellihan, @noman.nomad, and @ajgoinplaces in the #CaribbeanNetherlands.

#theglobaltripsaba