The Anegada Adventure with Steve Simon and Helen Porter

It was another flat calm day. Habiba, Mario (Chin) and I had been to Anegada the day before in our 14' Caribe, which Mario always called the Lamborghini. While there we met Neil a pilot out of Virgin Gorda who had this plane that he called "Air Cam." It was an unapproved experimental aircraft designed for aerial photography. Powered by twin Canadian Rotex engines the plane was modified by Neil to carry two passengers and to land at sea.

It was an absolutely incredible experience. We flew low and slow over the island and over the Anegada Reef. With the mirror-like stillness of the water, we could see the reef clearly from the plane as we approached from the dark blue waters of the Anegada Passage. The reef rose from the sea in all its colors and glory – breathtaking really! The sandy patches on the island side of the reef were full of large mating nurse sharks side by side. Flying over the island we could see what was left of the Anegada Walls, the settlements, the beaches and the sunken ships just offshore.

We didn’t get a chance to take photos that day and being that we had such a good experience and being that it was another flat calm day, we decided to share our experience with our friends Steve and Helen. They have a comfortable twin engine Glacier Bay catamaran that could get to Anegada easily in a little more than an hour. We called Steve and Helen and told them about our trip the day before and suggested another visit to Anegada that day. They agreed.

Habiba signs a release of responsibility in case all should not go well

Steve and Helen get ready for take off

In Flight

Steve and Hellen land safe and sound

Next it was our turn. Neil refuled the plane with fuel he carried in a five gallon Jerry-Jug. We got in the plane with our cameras and prepared for take off. Up, up and away - and then sputter, cough, sputter - "It sounds like we're having trouble with the port engine, says Neil, "I better bring her down."

"I better bring her down"

"Good idea," I say and we make our landing easily enough. "The Air Cam can fly on one engine and can even glide if both engines were to fail," Neil explains.

"No problem," says Neil, I'll have her fixed up in no time.

Neil repairs Air Cam

"All right. Everything's good. Let's take her up again," says Neil.

Habiba and I get on board and we take off again. Less than a minute into the flight we hear "sputter sputter, cough, cough", and Neil says "Better bring her down again," and he does.

"I'll have it fixed in no time," says Neil.

"Nah. It's getting late, we have to back to St. John," I reply.

Steve remarked on our way back to St. John, "I can't believe you guys got in the plane that second time."

Really, we have great faith in the aircraft and in Neil's ability as a pilot and would fly with him anytime. Sometimes things just don't go smoothly and that was one of those times. Steve and Helen had a great flight and Habiba and I had out own little adventure.