After nearly 30 years as a pilot
with Cayman Airways, Captain Steve Scott is moving on.
The Bracker started work with the
company in 1981 after graduating from flight school in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Initially employed at the desk in Cayman Brac, he progressed to pilot in 1983.
Mr. Scott is switching to a
regulatory position with the Cayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority, where he
will be in charge of overseeing planes that are flying worldwide under Cayman
registration.
Memorable last day
On a memorable last day in the air,
Captain Scott received a great reception at Miami International Airport, Cayman
Brac and Grand Cayman, all of which put on the customary water cannon salutes.
And when landing at Grand Cayman
for the final time as a Cayman Airways pilot, he was greeted by an entourage
including Deputy Premier Julianna O’Connor-Connolly, senior Cayman Airways
staff, and family members who had flown in to celebrate his achievements.
Over the years, Captain Scott has
flown everything from a three-engine Trilander propeller aircraft to 727s,
turboprops and the current 737-300s in the Cayman Airways fleet. He has also
met many famous people, including actor James Woods, plus he had the rare
opportunity to watch a Space Shuttle launch – from 35,000 feet up and on a
relatively rare night launch.
Gorgeous days
There have been countless other
noteworthy moments, he said, such as going into new airports for the first
time, and on one particular occasion, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, in the
middle of a snowstorm.
“We train for it and hopefully you
never have to experience it. It’s just another element, whether a nice sunny
day, rain or snow. It becomes a little more tricky, but there are procedures in
place to follow.
“There’s also times when there’s
absolutely gorgeous days as well: watching the sunset, early mornings on a
clear day when you can almost see forever,” he said.
The travel bug has not left him. As
part of his new position, he’ll be flying all over the world to check that
aircraft are operating according to regulations – it’s just that this time,
somebody else is doing the driving.
“I feel so fortunate to have been
able to have this opportunity, to be able to live a dream,” he said.
Related Videos
