USA/Caribbean Trip Part 5: Winair SXM-SAB-SXM (Photos)

[Brandon Giacomin]

Introduction:

Part 1: http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=9280

Part 2: http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=9283

Part 3: http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=9291

Part 4: http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=9302

Here is Part 5 of my report. This will include my flights from SXM-SAB and return as well as what I did whilst in Saba.

ST MAARTEN PRINCESS JULIANNA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

On June 8th we went to Saba for the day. The reason we chose to go to Saba was because it is home to the shortest commercial runway in the world, only 396m long! So we had to go there! We got to the airport a bit before 7am for the 8:15am departure. The flight over is about the same as to St Barths, roughly 15 minutes. The flight was on-time and soon we were boarding the flight.

June 8, 2013
Winair
WM502
SXM-SAB
PJ-WIS DHC6
Seat 2C

The plane was parked close to the terminal so we just walked out to it. WIS would be taking us to Saba, our second time on WIS. There was about 12-14 people on-board this flight.

Cockpit


The view


Josh took a video of the takeoff and landing, it can be found here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjY3ZzbVO8s

Climbing out after taking off on RWY10


Nice views of St Maarten






About halfway between St Maarten and Saba


Saba


Descending into Saba


There’s the airport, that runway looks very short!!!


Turning finals for RWY30


Short finals




Still had plenty of room to spare! The landing was great, and loved the sound of the full reverse thrust!


Backtracking the runway

[Brandon Giacomin]

WIS, the flight took 13 minutes


JUANCHO YRAUSQUIN AIRPORT SABA

After passing through immigration, which was a little window outside the terminal, we went for a walk. By the time we got out, WIS was already taking off. Winair have very impressive turnaround times, usually taking about 5 minutes.

Quite a nice little island


The airport






We tried to walk up the hill but we only got a few hundred metres up before deciding just to stay at the airport. It’s very very steep! Our flight left at 1:30pm, we just stayed at the café at the airport. There was a flight at about 10am so before that was due in we walked to a spot to see it from.

The terminal building


It’s WIS again! Diving into RWY30.


About to touchdown


Backtracking the runway


WIS at the terminal


Takeoff!


They don’t so much takeoff at Saba as they do fly off the end!

Departures area at Saba


We were told that unfortunately our flight has been delayed an hour due to an issue with the aircraft! We just walked down to the water and stayed there for a bit. Finally our plane arrived, and it was WIS yet again!

Taxiing to the terminal


Coming into the gate

[Brandon Giacomin]

After a whopping 2 passengers dis-embarked the flight, we boarded the plane back to SXM!

June 8, 2013
Winair
WM436
SAB-SXM
PJ-WIS DHC6
Seat 2C

The captain seemed to be in a hurry to make up for the delay. The flight was nearly full, 18 passengers so just the 1 spare seat.

Taxiing out to RWY12


Backtracking


Josh took another video of the takeoff and landing. He accidently stopped recording after we flew off the end of the runway. The short field takeoff was awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzU6ppx8b0o

Ready for takeoff!


Rolling down the runway


And were up!


On our way back to SXM


St Maarten




Interesting approach, we had to go out quite wide to let another plane land before us.


Turning back towards the airport. Would’ve had an awesome view from the other side of the plane.


Cockpit


Beautiful water


Awesome approach!


Turning finals


Maho Beach

[Brandon Giacomin]

Because of the detour the flight took exactly 15 minutes


Interior


Cockpit


Thanks for the three awesome flights WIS!


That’s it for this part! Had another awesome daytrip, just loved flying with Winair. Saba was a nice place, but it did get very boring. But I still had a good time.

I will try to post the final part of the report either later today or tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

Brandon

[Justin L]

Brandon,

I have enjoyed each part of your trip reports so far and look forward to the remainder. The photos have all been great, but I love the photo from this report entitled "Awesome approach!" with the shot of the cockpit and the blurred view from the window.

[Brandon Giacomin]

Thanks Justin