Getaway Guide: Revisit Flying Boat Glory
Imagine a passenger plane where every seat became a bed, food service throughout was first cabin and you could land in glamorous places without runways. It was real. It was the dawn of post World War 1 aviation. The planes were called "Flying Boats" and they remained in service into the 1950's. The downside was it took about 20 hours to fly to Britain and you had to stop for gas. But flying boats provided thrilling moments, lifting off and landing on some of the world's most scenic waterways. I flew as a radio operator aboard the military versions. Visiting the key seaplane ports and base locations by modern means is a journey in time. Let's take a ride. – Jay Lloyd
GLENN L. MARTIN AVIATION MUSEUM
Martin State Airport
Middle River, MD 21220
www.mdairmuseum.org/
Middle River is a backdoor to Baltimore and holds a dramatic place in American aviation history. The most famous of the commercial flying boats was built here, the fabled Pan American Clipper. So was my aircraft, the Martin Mariner. A revealing museum near the old seaplane ramps holds a treasure of aviation lore through artifacts, documents, film and videos to accompany a stunning display of Martin aircraft. Sorry, no flying boats.
LAGUARDIA MARINE AIR TERMINAL
LaGuardia Airport
New York, NY 11371
www.panynj.gov/airports/lga-facts-info.html
Those Pan American Clippers built at Baltimore soon found their way to LaGuardia Airport in Queens where it's location on Long Island Sound made it an ideal metropolitan operating base, complete with a pier to usher passengers aboard for trans-Atlantic travel in the 1930's. World War 2 put a stop to commercial Atlantic and Pacific travel. The Marine Terminal here is still in use for domestic commuter flights, but is also a national landmark. A visit to LaGuardia to see the art-deco terminal and displays offers a chance to visit tempting ethnic eateries that have become restaurant magnets in the nearby Astoria and Woodside neighborhoods of Queens. A combination of bus and subway lines from LaGuardia gets you there in minutes.
CANADIAN MARITIMES
Since trans-Atlantic flying boat travel required refueling stops, the Maritime Provinces of Canada became major seaplane ports. Today visitors find modern amenities combined with the tranquil lifestyles of coastal villages on New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Daily American Airlines flights run direct from Philadelphia to Halifax. And you'll get there in 2 hours. For rugged beauty, Newfoundland is the spot. For a combination of scenic highlands, fishing villages and a sophisticated urbane city, Nova Scotia fills the bill.
THE AZORES
Few Americans visit the ruggedly stunning Azores, a grouping of 9 Eastern Atlantic Islands administered by Portugal. Trans-Atlantic yachtsmen know them well as provisioning ports when heading to the Mediterranean. They were also a major refueling stop for luxury class flying boats, carrying passengers on to Lisbon. Only one airline now flies there from the U.S. east coast, SATA, a Portuguese carrier that flies from Boston with round trip fares under $800. www.sata.pt/en/content/home-page My friend Joe St. Pedro, a native Azorean returns every year from his Montgomery County home. The islands are known for boating, deep sea fishing, hiking in mountains and canyons, and of course, fine Portuguese wine. Until SATA began operating from Boston, Americans had to fly to Lisbon and then back 900 miles to the islands - a costly and discouraging option.
BERMUDA
www.gotobermuda.com/default/
Pan American Clippers and heavy Martin seaplanes roared across the waters of Bermuda's Great Sound from Darrell's Island and Morgan's Point. This was my home port. Bermuda was both a destination and refueling point for European and American based flying boats, until more efficient and longer range land based planes, rendered them obsolete. Darrell's Island became a movie studio and set. Morgan's Point is slated for development as a luxury resort and Yacht Center. Today Bermuda attracts thousands of cruise ship passengers and hotel visitors for its pink coral beaches, world renowned restaurants, water sports, motorbiking and carefree lifestyle. Cruise there from New York, Boston and Baltimore or fly from Philly. To relive the days of the glamorous flying boat, take a ferry ride on the Great Sound and imagine a massive, glistening hull lifting off into a sun brightened sky. It's been almost 60 years since my last Mariner flight. I still miss the rush, but can at least visit the memories.
