The view: Surreal aerial views above the Schooner Cays, Bahamas
The pilot: Capt. Paul Harding
The airplane: Cessna 172F
The mission: Aerial photography commission
The memory: A landscape often flown over but one that never ceases to amaze. On a commissioned photo shoot of the island of Eleuthera, one passes over these cays. We call it “our Van Gogh!”
Want to share your “Friday Photo?” Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]
Captain Paul Harding, originally from the UK, was brought to the Bahamas as a youngster after being educated in England. In 1989 he ordered a factory new straight-float seaplane from Maule Air in Georgia—not having a clue how to fly! He attended flight school at Rockledge Air Park on the east coast of Florida. He soled in nine hours and passed his PPL with just 40 hours. He then added a seaplane rating at Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven to complement his new seaplane with just less than 48 hours total time. Over the years he added all his commercial/instrument/multi ratings in land and sea. Paul formed the first commercial seaplane operation in the Bahamas in 1990, retiring after 17 years with nearly 14,000 hours experience. He published his autobiography, “Sharks in the Runway,” which is available on Amazon.
Latest posts by Paul Harding (see all)
- Friday photo: fishing from the wing of a Maule - September 22, 2023
- Friday Photo: Bahama blue - April 22, 2022
- A close call on the water in the Bahamas - September 27, 2021
Paul, I‘ve read your book and loved it!
I am a fractional pilot who often flies into the Bahamas, and recent seaplane pilot, so your adventures made me dream. Thank you for sending this pic.
Cheers!
Thank you Richard for the acknowledgment on the photo! Very glad you enjoyed “Sharks in the Runway”, it was quite a ride for the 50 years I covered, not done yet so maybe more to come?
Cheers
Paul