The SHORTEST RUNWAY in the WORLD! Flying the Winair Twin Otter: St Maarten to Saba [2020]

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  • Опубликовано: 10 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 209

  • @Paul_Lucas
    @Paul_Lucas  4 года назад +28

    Try Dashlane for FREE on your first device by heading to www.dashlane.com/paul - then, when you want to upgrade to Premium use my code PAUL for a discount!
    **This video is from February 2020 before the lockdown**
    I hope you are all doing well during lockdown/quarantine or during whatever situation you currently have in your country. I'm excited to see the first green shoots of recovery, with some countries in Europe beginning to reopen for tourists next month! Stick with it and we will be back in the air soon! Today's video features a Winair Twin Otter trip to Saba, the world's shortest runway and one of the most "dangerous" airports to fly into!

    • @ttealeaf5
      @ttealeaf5 4 года назад +3

      Wow, looks sooo tiny

    • @gerardacronin334
      @gerardacronin334 4 года назад +1

      Ah yes, we can watch your adventures and dream......
      By the way, “date of travel” in the description box shows 2019.

    • @alessiosomers2164
      @alessiosomers2164 4 года назад +1

      be aware ppl can use your credit card info now

    • @andie2809
      @andie2809 4 года назад +1

      You may like the STOL competition! I used to fly a Champ, a Cub and a Luscombe...such fun little planes!😍😍 Luscombe is my fav!!😁😁

    • @American569
      @American569 2 года назад

      14:28 if you can't pay the departure tax;you can$t leave

  • @doctorsteve5838
    @doctorsteve5838 4 года назад +91

    Did anyone else hear that guy swear "I'm so F**in tired of it all" @ 5:54 as Paul was boarding the small plane haha 😂
    Life is so rough.. 🏖

  • @thecaynuck4694
    @thecaynuck4694 4 года назад +20

    I worked on the design of the Twin Otter (the -400) and flew it myself, loved it. It's ver useful everywhere, especially here in Canada where we make it.

    • @localcrew
      @localcrew 3 года назад +3

      You can tell it wants to fly. Practically jumps off the runway.

    • @maxart3392
      @maxart3392 3 года назад +1

      Definitely the most versatile aircraft ever built. Too bad it hasn't enough range to fly from Saba to Lukla directly.

    • @thecaynuck4694
      @thecaynuck4694 3 года назад +1

      @@maxart3392 Haha yeah

  • @douglasker9770
    @douglasker9770 4 года назад +40

    Great post.
    Interesting how often the Canadian Twin Otter shows up in places where precision flying and really tight airstrips are involved. Guess that's why they are back in production.
    The Twin Otter is unrivalled in reliability, durability and performance.

    • @bruceboa6384
      @bruceboa6384 4 года назад +1

      They are partially built in my hometown.

    • @Boffin55
      @Boffin55 4 года назад +1

      When I learned to fly, it was from a corner office in the "Viking" hanger (who now own DHC) at YYJ. At that point they made spare parts for all the older DHCs, and always had interesting things parked there. That old hanger was destroyed by the snow of '96, but back then every radio called included "Taxi to/from Viking".

    • @thecaynuck4694
      @thecaynuck4694 3 года назад

      I love it. I also had a relative that helped engineer the original Twin Otters, some of which still fly, so it has a special place in my heart.

  • @trees1trees
    @trees1trees 4 года назад +11

    I've got left seat time from Cessna to Boeing and, if you like the feeling of flight, there is nothing, nothing, like flying a de Havilland. Wonderful.

  • @LisaMarli
    @LisaMarli 4 года назад +11

    That is insane. Pilots have a lot of patience and stamina to handle a run like that. Gorgeous little island though, I see why people live and visit there.

  • @glenmorris8389
    @glenmorris8389 4 года назад +20

    Interesting to see the fire engine @16:03 facing the wrong way, so it will have to reverse out during an emergency !

  • @johndornoff
    @johndornoff 4 года назад +18

    As always a wonderful trip report, just makes you want things to get back to normal like today...not going to happen but hopefully soon.

    • @Paul_Lucas
      @Paul_Lucas  4 года назад +5

      Hopefully! Europe is slowly beginning to open up again.

  • @trickyboat1
    @trickyboat1 4 года назад +6

    Shortest runway ticked off, so you'll certainly have to try the world's shortest commercial flight... Papa Westray - Westray sometime.

  • @mikeboxall7955
    @mikeboxall7955 4 года назад +15

    Great vlog Paul.
    Damn, they hold the brakes a long time before the full power take off roll! 👍

    • @joespittle1
      @joespittle1 4 года назад +1

      It's just like break boosting in a car, you've got to build up a good bit of energy.

  • @AverytheCubanAmerican
    @AverytheCubanAmerican 4 года назад +7

    Maho Beach on St Maarten is truly a plane spotter’s paradise. I’ve always wanted to visit Saba since they have good diving spots

  • @sallychipman9857
    @sallychipman9857 4 года назад +6

    Wow. Gorgeous scenery. Those runways though, I’d have no fingernails left from chewing them all off and be having a nervous breakdown. lol Thank you loved these two vids.

  • @bluelithium9808
    @bluelithium9808 4 года назад +1

    My wife and I loved your ship video! It was probably the best travel video I've seen. Love your work.

  • @philsflights
    @philsflights 4 года назад

    So happy you got the opportunity to experience Saba Airport, Paul! It's truly incredible. I was fortunate enough to visit Saba 3 years ago on a crazy 8 day trip that went: YYZ->SXM->SAB->SXM->EUX->SXM->SBH->SXM, ferry to Anguilla, AXA->SXM->YYZ. Yes, that was 9 flights in 8 days into/out of SXM. The take off from Saba is better than any amusement park thrill ride. Very interesting to see SXM airport now, as I was there 5 months before Hurricane Irma wreaked its havoc. Thank you so much as always for sharing your adventures.

  • @DeltaBravoTango
    @DeltaBravoTango 4 года назад +4

    Wow another good video! You are one of the first youtubers I watched to motivate me to make aviation content! It's so cool seeing you still at it and each video gets better! Cheerio!

  • @GenkisTravels
    @GenkisTravels 4 года назад +33

    What an interesting little island. I hope to fly to St.Maarten one day.

  • @DOMINICAAVIATION
    @DOMINICAAVIATION 4 года назад +6

    That's one of the airports in the Caribbean I really look forward going to. Great video and nice coverage

  • @kierancarvell715
    @kierancarvell715 4 года назад +2

    Another great video, Paul! 👍

  • @ryanfrisby7389
    @ryanfrisby7389 4 года назад +1

    Wow! Awesome video Paul! I can’t wait for more of the Australia videos!😸😻😸

  • @richardnei
    @richardnei 4 года назад +4

    Great Report. Saba is certainly an avgeek’s dream destination. Can’t wait to try it myself someday,✈️

  • @nickbeer2658
    @nickbeer2658 4 года назад +1

    That take off was very special - I could feel many of the sensations just sitting here watching. Your point about how routine it is for the pilots and crew is spot on - I see this in Nepal where I fly a lot - the strips are often of similar size and disposition to Saba and often much less well maintained - but the planes run like buses. And us AV geeks love it!

  • @debriantravels8507
    @debriantravels8507 4 года назад

    St. Maarten and the famous beach are absolutely on the bucket list!

  • @bartvandongen4962
    @bartvandongen4962 4 года назад +1

    I lived in Sint Maarten for a few years in the mid nineties and many times flew to weekly to Saba for my work. The experience of landing and departing was the same but public airport facilities has been modernised since. Lovely islands to visit.

  • @gauravlakhwani8747
    @gauravlakhwani8747 4 года назад +3

    Wow, I live in St Maarten! Really glad you came to visit, wish I could've met up with you mate! Hope you enjoyed it here, and hope to see you visit back here soon!

    • @localcrew
      @localcrew 3 года назад

      If I’m ever there again, I’ll look you up!

  • @Mzzblizz
    @Mzzblizz 4 года назад

    Fantastic footage. I always loved watching the planes fly in to SXM but really enjoyed the flight into Saba. All your videos have been awesome and makes me experience the world without leaving home. Thank you so much.

  • @kippen64
    @kippen64 4 года назад

    When I was much younger, my father had an air charter service. Watching this video, it hit me how much I miss flying.

  • @SupremeLeaderKimJong-un
    @SupremeLeaderKimJong-un 4 года назад +5

    Shortest runway? Cool! Speaking of, at St Maarten you can take the world’s shortest international flight to Anguilla. I find it hilarious they named a town Windwardside. Very original

  • @ProcoreCupSeries
    @ProcoreCupSeries 4 года назад +2

    Never actually flown to or from St. Maarten but we stopped there on our cruise and the beach was HILARIOUS

  • @davidellis6359
    @davidellis6359 4 года назад +1

    Fantastic vid as always!!!! Look forward to your next one

  • @jamesrobinson9194
    @jamesrobinson9194 4 года назад +3

    Pilots of the Caribbean on the makeshift fan 😂😂😂 great video as always Paul. Stay safe during these difficult times. Let us know if you make it to Manchester soon.
    Oh 16:15 - the pilot is ordering his takeout once he gets back to SXM!

    • @robertcurrie9977
      @robertcurrie9977 4 года назад +1

      "I think I'll have a boost pump, extra hydraulics, hold the brakes. And a large fuel."

  • @anitascarr7982
    @anitascarr7982 4 года назад

    Great trip report! Glad you have more content to show us!

  • @Daydreameruk
    @Daydreameruk 4 года назад

    I always thoroughly enjoy your videos, but this was fantastic!!

  • @markviereck4547
    @markviereck4547 4 года назад +2

    I did this same trip in 1993. It was $66 then. We rented scooters when we got to Saba. Strange to see all the grave yards in people’s back yards.

  • @167curly
    @167curly 4 года назад +1

    An exciting moment when getting full engine revs before letting off the brakes for a take-off. I have flown in Nature Air Twin Otters in Costa Rica. It's like a local geography lesson.

  • @rp6635
    @rp6635 4 года назад

    bringing back memories of flying between islands as a kid.

  • @danielintheantipodes6741
    @danielintheantipodes6741 4 года назад

    What an amazing place! Thank you for the video!

  • @ticoguy05
    @ticoguy05 4 года назад

    Excellent video Paul. Cheers from Costa Rica!

  • @CBGrassman
    @CBGrassman 4 года назад +11

    Those Brazilians were cursing and stuff you know. BAHAHAHA

    • @vinicius8834
      @vinicius8834 3 года назад +1

      No, they're not.
      In the Beginning a woman is asking what's de correct seat, after that, the other woman is asking about the pictures she wants to take.
      On the descent she says "I won't dare to film it"
      After landing she talks about how the plane makes a 180 in order to taxi.

  • @owenking8662
    @owenking8662 4 года назад +1

    Paul - a great flight to see you do is St Maarten to Anguilla!

  • @rodneyboulton6410
    @rodneyboulton6410 4 года назад

    Just finished watching your videos from the very first one. Very enjoyable and looking forward to watching many more

  • @keithlivingstone2525
    @keithlivingstone2525 4 года назад +1

    I showed my wife this video this evening and it turns out she was in St Marteen at the same time (if its the 25/26 Feb). She’s the art tutor on a cruise ship and we think you head over her ship as you fly back from Saba.

  • @LotusLady9
    @LotusLady9 4 года назад +1

    Thank you Paul as always!🌞✈️

  • @mkairlines
    @mkairlines 4 года назад +1

    I was also at SXM airport on 19 february 2020 (flying AF499 F-GLZK to CDG)! Beautiful island.

  • @robertsadler1275
    @robertsadler1275 4 года назад +1

    The twin otter has always been my favourite aircraft brilliant when you fly over on the grand canyon with Scenic airlines well recommend it!

  • @childs4sale336
    @childs4sale336 4 года назад +1

    thank you for sharing paul, you are the best!

  • @jaani1984
    @jaani1984 2 года назад

    Back in 2005 and 2006 I went tp St. Martin and from there to Anguilla. The first time we took a plane to Anguilla. The scenery was worth it, but it was easier to use the ferry. Love the place.

  • @Bad_Karma1968
    @Bad_Karma1968 4 года назад +1

    Fantastic vlog Paul
    Hope u are doing well

  • @pilotincmnd1867
    @pilotincmnd1867 4 года назад

    Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing this with us!!! All the best from the west coast of Florida USA!!!

  • @albertusdrostable
    @albertusdrostable 4 года назад

    The best I have seen from you this year!!! I hope one day I get the right idea and be able to do what you do!!!

  • @wavebuff
    @wavebuff 4 года назад

    This would be so fun! Twin Otter for the win!!!

  • @jozuabaker1345
    @jozuabaker1345 4 года назад +1

    thats my home thanks for visiting... I'm actually in flight training right now to hopefully fly for WInair one day. I'm glad you enjoyed Saba

  • @Calcouk
    @Calcouk 4 года назад

    Strange as it may seem, I liked the shots of getting on to the feeder bus to the aircraft, always an exciting and final moment crossing the tarmac and boarding via the steps ...

  • @leestravels7079
    @leestravels7079 4 года назад

    Great video .....bucketlist trip right there. It's on my list although not sure when I'll get to do it

  • @dennisdalessio8238
    @dennisdalessio8238 4 года назад +1

    Paul, very cool. Thanks

  • @twobins2060
    @twobins2060 4 года назад

    Stuff business class, this is real flying, Great video,

  • @logansaviationadventures
    @logansaviationadventures 4 года назад

    Hope your doing well mate great video as always

  • @jakethepitador2558
    @jakethepitador2558 4 года назад +2

    Twin Otter: the Jeep of the skies.

  • @travelmentaryTV
    @travelmentaryTV 4 года назад +3

    What an exceptional journey. A scary runway view at 17:57 though! Also love that you put a second camera view into the video. Well done.

  • @c0smoKram3r
    @c0smoKram3r 4 года назад

    Love your videos Paul. You said you had 6 months worth of content and 20+ videos to upload. Any chance of uploading more frequently than every three weeks? You've got a keen audience!

  • @low8739
    @low8739 4 года назад

    Oh my anxiety! Amazing trip, but I was holding my breath the whole time.

  • @MsBeryl6
    @MsBeryl6 3 года назад

    Well Paul, you have taken me to some fantastic places, are there more to come? I hope so. KEEP TRAVELING

  • @rushi1178
    @rushi1178 4 года назад +1

    Nice journey dangerous airport

  • @ajmsmith4
    @ajmsmith4 4 года назад +2

    Any plans to fly to the Isles of Scilly in the future Paul? Could take an Islander from Lands End or another Twin Otter from Newquay or Exeter 🙂

    • @Paul_Lucas
      @Paul_Lucas  4 года назад +1

      Yep! I’ll do that as soon as I’m able to.

    • @ajmsmith4
      @ajmsmith4 4 года назад

      @@Paul_Lucas Would be awesome to see you at Newquay, sadly I wasn't working when you flew out to Dublin 😭

  • @michaelwatson113
    @michaelwatson113 4 года назад

    Those pilots do some serious aviating.

  • @andyrbush
    @andyrbush 4 года назад

    Ah the Twin Otter a wonderful plane because it took me on leave from Das Island at the end each of six week rotation there. Off for three weeks and then a terrible plane for taking me back to the Island lol. All the sounds are so familiar even though my last flight after five plus years was in 1986.
    One night flight we all panicked as a streak of flames ran down the side of the plane, the pilot had thrown his cigarette out the window.

  • @taariqbovell5427
    @taariqbovell5427 4 года назад +1

    That greaser at the end 🤤

  • @teammeteamus.8315
    @teammeteamus.8315 4 года назад

    You have nerves of steel! I would have wet myself several times during the landing at Saba!

  • @haraldlorentzen40
    @haraldlorentzen40 4 года назад

    Wow, that must take some nerves of steel to be a pilot flying into Saba.
    And that take off... Must be the closest one can get to an Aircraft carrier without actually being on one...

  • @shaded_dude
    @shaded_dude 4 года назад

    Been to saint maarten before the hurricane it was a lovely place. Still Is, there just trying to rebuild what was once there.

  • @rollingtroll
    @rollingtroll 4 года назад +2

    Impressed that an A340 manages to land there!
    13:14 Please tell me you timed that with the voice over on purpose :D.

    • @Rob2
      @Rob2 4 года назад

      They used to land 747 there... and even Concorde one time.

  • @gregoryyearwood3035
    @gregoryyearwood3035 4 года назад

    Was lucky enough to fly into both Saba and St Barths... Saba was ok to land as it appears suddenly on the horizon but St Barths landing is off the hook as the power plants stall as we lose air then you are rushing down a hillside to the airstrip and the other end is the sea.

  • @heathertruskinger6214
    @heathertruskinger6214 4 года назад +1

    Thank you Paul

  • @brucie-of-bangor528
    @brucie-of-bangor528 4 года назад

    That Saba runway could do with a steam catapult and a series of arrestor wires!

  • @benjaminoverton7702
    @benjaminoverton7702 4 года назад

    Saba and it's airport remind me very much of El Hiero, the smallest of the Canary Islands. Well worth a visit if you ever get the opportunity, and the airport approach is pretty hairy to say the least!

  • @waltersteenvoorden252
    @waltersteenvoorden252 4 года назад

    Looks like a carrier take-off haha

  • @MarcelaR-dh1ok
    @MarcelaR-dh1ok Год назад

    Was doing that back in 77...along with Stacia

  • @nicholasbevon5412
    @nicholasbevon5412 4 года назад

    You are lucky when I flew out of Sxm the departures was in the undercroft where the baggage goes before entering the terminal but it was great they made the most of it with bars food and a WH Smith type shop

  • @TheBrowncoat2112
    @TheBrowncoat2112 3 года назад

    Mano is awesome. We’ve spent far too much time there!

  • @Harrysdxb1
    @Harrysdxb1 4 года назад +2

    Great video Paul

  • @robharris5245
    @robharris5245 4 года назад

    Paul, have you flown on the Twin Otter to Barra( the beach runway)

  • @EileenMurphy
    @EileenMurphy 4 года назад +3

    Hello Paul! Perfect timing! Enjoying my Sunday morning Breakfast!

  • @dahorn100011
    @dahorn100011 4 года назад

    If you like the twin otter, you should have a look at the trans Maldivian airways twin otter sea planes

  • @scrambledegg81
    @scrambledegg81 4 года назад

    That takeoff actually gave me cold sweats. *_*

  • @K1W1fly
    @K1W1fly 2 года назад

    Just as well there is a constant strong wind! It would be tough getting a "Twotter" in there otherwise. 400m is short even for my own light aircraft.

  • @YEETMAN-dt9mb
    @YEETMAN-dt9mb 4 года назад +2

    2:47 tarmac alert!!!

  • @alexspeetjens2985
    @alexspeetjens2985 4 года назад

    Nice video, i have been living in st maarten for about 15 years basically my entire life and i have been to saba a few times. U should also try to go diving its really nice in saba

  • @thwalesproductions
    @thwalesproductions 4 года назад +2

    St Maarten is definitely on my bucket list and would love to go to see Saba.

  • @fireflyrobert
    @fireflyrobert 4 года назад +3

    Great video with interesting flying, thanks Paul

  • @kenwillmott6059
    @kenwillmott6059 4 года назад

    Hey Paul when will we see the rest of your trip in Australia? Hope you are well.

  • @rikspector
    @rikspector 4 года назад

    Paul,
    Isn't the Twin Otter a Canadian bush plane like the Beaver etc.?
    That's a long way from home:)
    Cheers,
    Rik Spector

  • @21Kyzix12
    @21Kyzix12 4 года назад +2

    Great video. I'd never heard of Saba, but I want to go there too now someday. Also, I really like footage of the surrounding area as well. It's a nice touch to see between the arrival and departure.

  • @chow24
    @chow24 2 года назад

    Wow that was scary

  • @andrewelie8687
    @andrewelie8687 4 года назад

    I was in Saba in 2017 on a day trip by boat from Sint Maarten. Although the US dollar is the official currency, on several occasions I was able to pay with euros; however, they did not accept coins - only paper money. Change was given in euros, where possible; otherwise, it was given in US dollars.

  • @Boffin55
    @Boffin55 4 года назад

    And is there a better sound than the PT6 with the props going into Beta (reverse pitch) for the braking.

  • @PilotStudd
    @PilotStudd 4 года назад +5

    Great video Paul, I’ve been with you since the old, old Intro and Paul’s trip reports. You’re videos are constantly great quality. You’ve inspired me to film my own trip Reports and upload them to RUclips, hope your staying safe at this time. I’d love some feedback on my trip reports if any one has the time. Have a great day and stay safe 👍

  • @Rob2
    @Rob2 4 года назад +1

    The runway may be short, but they use only 2/3 of it for landing :-)

  • @cloutboy_lex9306
    @cloutboy_lex9306 4 года назад

    Is this during the Corona virus?

  • @timothyfruhauf611
    @timothyfruhauf611 4 года назад

    You torched Americans 767 so hard

  • @justthatguy9946
    @justthatguy9946 4 года назад +3

    It is amazing what those Twin Otters can do!

  • @thegaminggrub2558
    @thegaminggrub2558 4 года назад

    1:58 Nice Citation