Airport Road, November 13, 2015 – On November 11th 2015, following the commemoration of the WWI armistice, its fallen soldiers, and all those who fought for the freedom of France and its citizens, the Collectivite of St.Barthelemy organized a special event to honor aviation pioneers who were detrimental in their contribution to the development of the island. Pioneers such as José Dormoy, Remy deHaenen and so many others including non aeronautical who are no longer with us that played an immense role throughout history were evoked in the President Bruo Magras’ introductory speech.
Capt. Faustin Ledee was the first St.Barth native to obtain a pilots license, while Capt. Gréaux was the founding member of Windward Islands Airways bringing Capt. Ledee and Mr. Chester Wathey on board that venture. Winair has since then ensured quick and safe access to St.Barths and helped it gain its position in the high end travel market that it enjoys today. The benefits of which we can see every year with the multitude of private jets and megayachts that come through the SXM Airport and marina bases in St.Maarten.
Capt. Paul Wykander ensured connectivity between St.Thomas and St.Barth as many St.Barth people had migrated to the USVI for economic reasons in those days, and had a need to travel back and forth. Capt. Wykander founded Virgin Air that eventually became St.Thomas air and he flew this airline for well over 40 years having retired only recently. Interestingly, Capt. Wykander was the only pilot to have landed a DC-3 for the first and last time in St.Barth, apparently this feat was done on a wager……
