Saturday, December 27, 2014

Seaplane service splashes down in Key West

Salt Island Seaplanes Owner Jon Rector, whose wife is an airline pilot, likes flying seaplanes, partially because of scheduling. 'This fits in very nicely because I'm home every night,' he says. 
ANTHONY CAVE



Salt Island Seaplanes Owner Jon Rector, whose wife is an airline pilot, likes flying seaplanes, partially because of scheduling. 'This fits in very nicely because I'm home every night,' he says.

Flying seaplanes is part of Jon Rector's retirement plan. The former commercial airline pilot has been flying planes, both on land and on the water, for more than 30 years. His Naples-based company, Salt Island Seaplanes, started its first season in the Southernmost City about three weeks ago.

"We can pretty much land wherever we want to," Rector said. "The response is great; people just love it."

The route is simple -- Naples in Southwest Florida to Key West and back with one-way tickets costing $210. The 55-minute flight in Rector's Cessna 206 amphibious seaplane, which holds up to four passengers, however, is no fly-by night operation.

Rector takes the time to point out points of interest on the flight, whether it's sharks or the impending Key West landscape. The initial takeoff and subsequent landing is, well, literally like floating on water. On a recent flight, no air pressure was felt on takeoff from the Garrison Bight waters in Key West.

"It's such a feeling of freedom not being restricted to an airport or runways," Rector said.

Seaplanes fly at a much lower altitude, between 1,500 and 5,000 feet, compared to some commercial planes that service the Florida Keys and fly between 15,000 and 25,000 feet. That means the sea places offer up-close, scenic views of both of Florida's coasts.

As far as safety, Rector said he checks conditions like wind patterns and wave height before he flies. The plane also needs to be washed every day because of the saltwater, to prevent corrosion.

The flights depart from Naples Municipal Airport and land near the Garrison Bight Mooring Field, northeast of Fleming Key. A seven-minute boat ride takes passengers to the Conch Harbor Marina dock, which is less than three blocks from Duval Street.

The trip back to Naples is just the reverse. Passengers would meet a boat captain at the Conch Harbor Marina to be carried back out to the plane.

Rector is working with the city on setting up his own dock space in Key West. At the moment, he pays nearby boat captains to take passengers to the dock.

Locally, Rector said seaplane companies, such as Key West Seaplanes, have been welcoming. He also has been working with a local hotel property, which also has locations in Southwest Florida, to do joint marketing.

Besides his Key West season, which runs from October through April, Rector has a similar operation in Michigan with a different operating name, Royale Air Service.

That route, which runs from May through September, flies from the Michigan mainland to Isle Royale National Park near Lake Superior. Because of the seasons, Rector splits time living between Michigan and Southwest Florida.

For more information, visit www.saltislandseaplanes.com.

Story and Photo:   http://www.keysnet.com

No comments:

Post a Comment