Caribbean Sunrise - San Juan Puerto Rico to Tortola BVI

In this series a FedEx Cessna Caravan makes an early morning inter island package delivery from San Juan's Luis Munoz airport (TJSJ) over to Terrance B. Lettsome airport (TUPJ) on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Flight is 30 minutes enroute. TUPJ reported RW weather 1800 scattered, Temp 82F, Visibility 10 miles, Altimeter 30.02, Wind calm.

Off San Juan with the rising sun lighting up scattered cumulus clouds behind us.

As we climb out of the San Juan area the mountains of the famous El Junque Rain Forest park are visible to the right

Approaching the eastern end of Puerto Rico we can see the town of Fajardo below us with the sun reflecting off a highrise resort hotel along the beach. Further out in the distance along the coast is the former Rosevelt Roads Navy base and air station. Familiar to generations of sailors and aviators as "Rosy Roads." Offshore beyond RR is the long slender island of Vieques.

Time to don our sunglasses as we head directly into a typical beautiful Caribbean sunrise.

Two landmarks flying between Puerto Rico and the Virgins. The island of Culebra off the right wing with Vieques in the distance.

Coming up on St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands the extended runway of Cyril E. King airport (TIST) in Charlotte Amalie is visible over the right glare shield corner. Tortola is straight ahead behind the layer of scattered clouds.

Over the Sir Francis Drake Channel south of Tortola on a downwind for Runway 25 at TUPJ off the left wing.

On base for the runway. The high terrain surrounding the airport make this a tricky approach in low viz.

Turning off the active for the ramp to offload our packages. "When It Absolutely, Positively Has to be There Next Day!" :)

Very nice pics Bill! Thanks for sharing!

Rick :cool:

Beautiful shots Bill! And an interesting story line and complete flight as well!!

What a jewel of a post!! :cool:

Michael