The youngest ever Cayman Caravan participant to make the annual overseas flight from Key West to Cayman came this year in the form of 10-month-old Sam Fertitta.
Son of private aircraft owner Paul Fertitta and his wife Kim, from St. Augustine, Florida, Sam was part of a contingent of the 15th annual Cayman Caravan. This year it involved a flight of 30 aircraft with about 100 people in tow.
‘He just stands at the window, looks down at the clouds, and laughs,’ said proud dad Mr. Fertitta .
Cayman Caravan is a flight of private aircraft from North America and even further afield. The event originates in Key West and it makes its way across the skies to Grand Cayman.
It arrived on Tuesday and will depart the island on Monday.
The event was originally part of a component of the popular Cayman Islands International Aviation Week, including the air show, until 2001 when it was discontinued.
However, Cayman Caravan still visits each year as the organisers enjoy making the visit.
Having first flown in 1991, the Cayman Caravan introduced the Cayman Islands to more than 1,000 aircraft and more than 3,000 visitors, according to organisers.
Each year it is greeted with enthusiasm and queries about the discontinued air show of which it was previously part.
‘We’ve had several people asking us if the air show is being brought back – the people in the hotels and rental car companies and restaurants. In fact we have been bombarded with this question,’ he said.
The Cayman Caravan begins in Key West where pilots and passengers review flight documents and the flight path.
Participants attend seminars on flying over water, particularly first-time Cayman Caravan pilots.
They learn survival techniques and emergency procedures.
Once in Grand Cayman, the participants tour the island, enjoying a series of local restaurants. This year’s itinerary includes The Wharf, Casa Havana at The Westin, Pappagallo’s, Reef Grill, Lobster Pot and the Cracked Conch.
Pilots and passengers stay at The Westin Hotel, Cobalt Coast, Regal Beach and Comfort Suites.
Several pilots have returned to Cayman year after year, including Lloyd Noble of Oklahoma City who has been a participant for nine years, and John Nardei of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who has been a participant for 10 years.
Chief organiser Ross Russo, has visited every year, but this year had to return to the US immediately.
Each year Cayman Caravan awards the person who has been of greatest help. This year the trophy was due to go to Walter Ebanks of the Cayman Islands Airport Authority.
The trophy is named after Winston Hendriks, who was principally responsible for the early years of the Cayman Caravan.
The caravan is grateful to the Civil Aviation Authority and professionals such as Richard Smith, David Fredericks and Jeremy Jackson for their help through the years.
Customs, Immigration and the weather facility officials have also helped to keep the Caravan coming back year for 15 years, and hopefully many more to come.
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