One second before touch down of the first aeroplane to land on St Helena.
HISTORIC FIRST FLIGHT | Darrin Henry
With the delicacy of a gentle kiss the tiny twin prop plane touched down on St Helena’s brand new airport today, yet the impact of this event will ripple into the next 500 years of the island’s history, just as Joao da Nova Castella’s landing by ship did half a millennia ago.
Ok, I’m being a bit flowery, but it’s been an incredible day, more than 10 years in the making since the airport was announced and I can’t help myself. The first aeroplane to land on St Helena is here. This may not sound a big deal to some readers but in St Helenian terms it’s akin to landing on the moon!
History made. A Beechcraft King Air 200, the first aeroplane to land on St Helena, after a four and half hour flight from Angola, Africa.
By my camera’s time stamp, touchdown was exactly 13:44:25. Tuesday 15 September, 2015.
Pilot For First Aeroplane To Land On St Helena
Captain Grant Brighton was in command of the specially modified aircraft, having flown all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa, refuelling in Angola before crossing the Atlantic to reach us. It’s now here for a week to carry out airport calibration flights.
“It was amazing, we feel privileged to be part of your project,” Grant told us afterwards. “I’m happy to be here. Runway’s good, conditions are good, you have lovely facilities here; it’s wonderful.”
Hundreds of people turned up to watch the historic event of the first aeroplane to land on St Helena.
Tiffany Plato: “I had mixed emotions, excitement but a little sad thinking about the people who are not here to see this happen (they’ve passed away.) But finally our island is moving forward. Although we all love the RMS St Helena, the shorter time to leave the island will make it easier for people to go on holiday more often.”
Parking on the slope before Bradley’s Garage.
Pat Henry: “It’s the moment of truth, certainly historic for St Helena as we remember all our option A supporters who are no longer with us today. Their tick helped make it happen.”
Seeing St Helena For The First Time
I was one of the few fortunate photographers stationed around the landing strip and lucky enough to capture the historic moment from a great vantage point.
A small group of officials and island dignitaries were assembled on the hill to my right, overlooking the terminal building. Over my left shoulder, back up at Bradley’s Garage and the Millennium Forest, nearly a mile away perhaps, hundreds of people had gathered to watch, including Sharon. More were sporadically lined along the ridge out to Horse Point. Even the pilots noticed.
First Officer on the plane, Dillan Van Niekerk, said afterwards, “The key part for me was seeing the island; seeing everyone on the mountain watching us.”
Youngsters watching the moment the first aeroplane to land on St Helena touched down from afar.
The second fly-by before landing.
Wrapping up well against the chilly September breeze.
We all wanted to witness it; the moment that many, many (many) people thought would never come; the day the first aeroplane to land on St Helena touched down.
At Bradley’s Garage, people of all ages were there, from babies right up to the island’s oldest resident, Ma Flo, at 101 years old. Winter weather (island winter) meant a fleece jacket and beanie dress code and flasks of tea were preferred over something stronger – for most!
St Helena Plo and Tomato Paste Sandwiches
Some families made a day of it. Tommy and Milly Benjamin from Rupert’s Valley were the first to secure a prime spot at 10:30am, along with their son Colin and grandson Lucas. Milly had cooked plo and made tomato paste sandwiches, two St Helena favourites.
L-R, Milly, Tommy, Colin & Lucas.
Colin: “Everybody is excited and it’s an interesting day for us because we live in Rupert’s Valley, we’ve seen every piece of plant that has been shipped here for the project. We’ve got plo in the back, tomato paste sandwiches, tea, coffee, you name it we’ve got it! We probably have enough food to feed the crew! It’s a very special occasion.
We’re already talking about a trip out of here. We’ll have a stepping stone on the plane now to anywhere in the world.”
The very first aeroplane to land on St Helena makes its final approach to runway 20.
Many people brought fold out chairs for a comfortable view.
A sight that is soon to become normal – a plane landing on St Helena.
How The First Plane Landed On St Helena
The plane, when it did arrive, treated us to two fly-bys before landing. Okay, it wasn’t just as a treat for us on the ground, they were checking for “wind shear” as planned. The first was a high speed pass; the second was slower and a bit lower. And then, the ‘historic’ moment.
First airplane landing on St Helena Island.
On final approach I could see the aircraft moving around quite a bit; the wings dipped first one way, then the other as the pilot made adjustments to find the right alignment. From a long way out I was aware of a bright light on the front of the plane; closer in the undercarriage caught my eye, dangling down reaching for the ground.
And then suddenly the plane was over the runway, gliding gently down. The left wheel and the nose wheel touched down first, then the right. The left wheel did the tiniest of bounces, rising up off the runway before settling, and then the plane was fully down. History made. The first aeroplane to land on St Helena, ever.
L-R Rodney, Reid & Lyn. Lyn Buckley: “It feels that from this moment on life is going to change.”
Rodney Buckley: “A brilliant day. I’ve been waiting 40 years for this! If we stuck with just sea access St Helena would have never done well. Mark my words, now we have an airport, maybe in the next 20, 30, 40 years we’ll have airplanes and ships.”
Lyn Buckley: “It’s definitely a plus. On the ship it’s always sad to see lots of medivacs. At least I’ll know now they’ll get the help they need a lot quicker.”
The aircraft crew for the first aeroplane to land on St Helena comprised Captain Grant Brighton, Co-pilot and First Officer, Dillan Van Niekerk, Chief Flight Inspector Nick Whitehouse, FCSL Chief Pilot, Stuart Rawlinson, and Chief Aircraft Engineer, Jeffrey McKenzie.
South African contractors, Basil Read, have built the airport on St Helena, led by their Island Director, Deon De Jager, who was there with his wife, Chrezelda, to welcome the flight.
The St Helena Access Team (front) and newly appointed Airport Manager, Nigel Spackman, posing the with flight crew.
Like a lot of Saints, probably most, who have looked forward to this day for so long both Sharon and I were filled with mixed emotions. Sorrow for family and friends who dreamed with us of this day but sadly never lived to see it. But also happiness for the potential of positive change that now lies ahead, especially for the youngsters.
Commercial flights to St Helena should begin early in 2016 and a 500 year culture of exclusive sea travel to the island will come to an end.
An End To Isolation For St Helena
We all have our thoughts on what this now means and how it affects us as residents of St Helena.
Christine Caswell was there to be part of history, together with her family. “Ever since I was in school we used to write essays about the island having an airport. Twenty years later it’s actually happened. Now it should be easier to get to places, faster and for shorter periods. For us now as a family we’ll be able to fly out of here in four hours rather than spending five days on the ship.”
Reigning Miss St Helena, Sinead Green, was part of the welcoming committee to greet the flight crew.
The flight crew of the first aeroplane to land on St Helena with Island Governor, Mark Capes (centre) and Basil Read Island Director, Deon De Jager.
We could go on forever discussing the possibilities that now lie ahead. It’s exciting, stimulating and perhaps just a little bit scary as well.
But what a day it’s been. Just over 500 years ago the island woke up with a ship anchored off Jamestown for the very first time. Tomorrow when the sun peeps up over Prosperous Bay Plain, there will be an aeroplane sitting on the island for the very first time. Incredible.
The new normal. Airplanes on St Helena.
2018 update: For more facts about the St Helena Airport, click here.
It is wonderful. For myself I say I would not have dared to use such small aircraft to fly such a distance.
Great pictures, what a day that was for us all, look forward to great things to come for our island once the airport become operational.
Thanks Lawson. It really was a wonderful day and we were so priviliged to be there. Looking forward as well to the possibilities for us all.
Great move in respect to airline safety too, as it looks like a good location for a Southern Trans-Atlantic emergency landing strip. I would think that you will see ships at port to supply Jet fuel as well as other aviation supplies.
Thanks LL for your comment. There are bound to be many side benefits that many of us haven’t even thought about yet. For sure we will always have sea traffic to St Helena even with the airport. Cheers.
Just one question; If the Kingair could for any reason not land on St Helena, did it have enough fuel on board to fly another four and half hours back to where it came from?????
Great question Andre – I understand from the engineer on the flight that at 130 miles out from St Helena, before they began their descent, they had enough fuel to turn around and fly all the way back. Apparently they burn very little fuel at high altitude. They were in contact with St Helena from 15mins after leaving Jo’burg so they would have known weather was good for landing. In an emergency however, I suspect the airstrip on Ascension Island, 700 miles northwest would have been an option. Cheers
Congratulations from North Carolina, we had a first landing back in 1903 and it has been great for us. You have a beautiful airport. A lot more people will be able to visit your beautiful island, and maybe we might get to try some Saint Helena coffee.
Excellent Larry, you are Wright there for sure! Our first flight felt just as significant for many of us here. I’m sure a lot more people will visit now, as you say, and hopefully you may be one of them! Be great to sit down for a coffee together! Always appreciate your comments, Cheers 🙂
I understand that once regular flights commence, the ship will cease.
Is this for commercial cargo and passengers or only passengers?
Is this not risky as seafreight is also important?
Also can I ask where exactly is the runway situated on the Island?
Is there a map showing its location?
All in all – congrats – good move. The old fashion way is quaint and a pity it is gone, but life has to move on sadly. This is a step in an improved direction.
Thanks for your comment Craig. I’d suggest checking out the St Helena Access page which has tonnes of useful, up to date information about the project and concepts around access, freight etc. There’s a link at the bottom of our article/post. Yes, we agree, congrats well deserved all around on a mega achievement in bringing this monstrous project in on time. Cheers
Awesome..Congratulations to all!
Awesome is right Dominique – the congratulations have to go to so many people, Basil Read are the obvious ones for doing such a fantastic job on the airport build, but there are hundreds of unsung heroes who have played their part for more than 10 years to make this moment happen. Thanks for your comment, Cheers 🙂
Best news in a long while. I will now be able to visit the island of my Grandmother’s birth very soon. Her name was Rosina Benjamin, who together with her sister Winnie and brother Victor, settled in Cape Town many years ago.
I think you’re journey will be one of many more that now becomes possible Malvin. We have been discussing the connections and possibilities before us now and it is just wonderful. Hope to see you on the island soon. Thanks for commenting.
Wonderful! What a milestone.
Yes it is. We saw it happen yesterday and still woke up today with a real buzz. Thanks for your comment.
What an experience it must have been for the island people. Will open a new world. Congratulations with this milestone event
Thanks Peet. You summed it up perfectly, “Will open a new world.” It was an amazing experience to be there.
On the one hand I am really happy to see the Air Link finally come to St Helena. On the other it is really sad that it will lead to the complete isolation of the St Helena Communities on Ascension Island and the Falklands, as HMG/SHG have chosen not to include a link of any sort. Even more shocking when you consider that it was the votes from the Falklands and Ascension (in the Air Access referendum) which carried the decision.
Thanks for the comment John, always appreciate your input. Both Sharon and I spent many years working living on Ascension. Hope this issue is sorted out soonest for everyone.
I’ve wanted to take the RMS St Helena for a visit, but as it going out of commission I may just have to take a plane instead. Your new airport looks lovely.
The airport is pretty spectacular. Pretty soon we’ll all be getting used to the new view on approach out the window. Cheers.
Brilliant!
Thanks Judy.
An excellent account for the history books. Please let this be a real positive for the wonderful people of this amazing little island.
Absolutely Sheila, there are so many positive possibilities which we lay before us. Thanks for your comment, always appreciate your support. 🙂
Great reporting Darrin. For those of us who would have liked to be present for the historic day you helped provide a real ‘taste’ of the occasion.
Thanks Roger, we really did feel proud to be there on behalf of Saints and friends of St Helena everywhere who couldn’t be. It was a special day.