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The view: Maule beached at a popular tourist attraction in the Bahamas alongside some sunbathing pigs
The pilot: Capt. Paul Harding (ret)
The airplane: Maule M7-260 on amphibious floats
The mission: A tourism flight to a well known attraction in the Bahamas.
The memory: One of the many fun moments during an 11,000+hr commercial seaplane career!
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)
- My mid-flight medical emergency - September 2, 2024
- Friday photo:If pigs could fly - August 9, 2024
- Friday photo: fishing from the wing of a Maule - September 22, 2023
I’m ordering his book! I’m a retired American pilot and now fly for fun to the Bahamas! I do have a float rating and considering a purchase! But I hear float planes on salt water is a maintenance nightmare?
Hi there John, thanks for the book purchase, hope you enjoy. Reviews on Amazon always appreciated. Yes, maintenance in salt a nightmare but prior prep can save many headaches (for a while!) Mail me when you buy and I can give a few hints before ‘she’ gets wet!!