2008 Flights to New England's Lighthouses
& USCG Stations
By Brian Tague
December 2008 marked the 79th year of Flying Santa flights
to New England's USCG stations and lighthouses. This holiday
tradition was established in 1929 by Capt. William Wincapaw,
a Maine seaplane pilot, as a gesture of appreciation to the lighthouse
keepers, lifesaving crews and their families who stood vigil
along our coast. On Christmas Day, Capt Bill would take to his
plane and drop packages of holiday treats for the dedicated folks
at these isolated outposts. The tradition was carried on for
many years by maritime author and historian Edward Rowe Snow,
who sometimes visited lighthouses as far off as the West Coast
and Bermuda.
Pemaquid Point Light
Friends of Flying Santa continues these flights today, using
helicopters to make visits to over 30 stations and lighthouses
from Jonesport, ME to Jones Beach, NY. An all volunteer non-profit
organization, the Friends hold fundraising events during the
year to cover the costs of the program including scholarships
for Coast Guard dependents. Each December, during three days
of flights, we visit with and deliver toys to over 600 CG children.
The role of Santa is shared by two CG warrant officers, Tom Guthlein
and Dave Waldrip.
Goat Island Light
Our first flight of 2008 took place on December 6th and covered
nine stops in Maine and New Hampshire. The sleigh for this flight
was an Agusta 109e generously provided by Granite State Aviation.
Pilots Greg Harville and George Louzek did an outstanding job
transporting Santa Tom Guthlein to his anxiously awaited appointments
along the coast. With weather more suited for actual reindeer,
Greg and George safely guided us through some severe snow squalls
that were parked over Penobscot Bay for the majority of the day.
The first half of the flight included landings at USCG STA Jonesport,
USCG Southwest Harbor, the island of Vinalhaven and Owls' Head
Light. Taking a break to refuel at Downeast Air, Greg and George
donned their official reindeer noses and presented gifts of appreciation
to former owner Bob Stenger and his daughter Leslie Richardson
for their longtime support of the Flying Santa flights. Back
in the air, we continued on to stops at Pemaquid Point Light,
Burnt Island Light, Portland Head Light and Goat Island Light
before finishing up the day at STA Portsmouth Harbor. Over 200
gifts were delivered to the children of these northern New England
Coast Guard units.
Chatham Light
Our second flight of the season took place on Sunday, December
14th covering 10 Massachusetts stops from Nantucket to Newburyport.
The Bell Jet Ranger for this flight was generously provided by
Ray Newcomb and JBI Helicopters of Pembroke, NH. This was the
second year that Ray stepped forward to sponsor one of our Santa
flights. Returning pilot Leo Boucher did an awesome job dropping
in at some of our tightest landing areas. With Santa Dave Waldrip,
we visited with over 200 children during stops at Brant Point
Light, Chatham Light, Cape Cod Light, STA Cape Cod Canal, Scituate
Light, STA Point Allerton, Boston Light, Hospital Point Light,
STA Gloucester and STA Merrimack River. At every stop, pilot
Leo donned his reindeer nose and cheerfully showed off the JBI
Jet Ranger.
Prudence Island
Reminiscent of 2007, bad weather once again forced us to twice
postpone our final flight of the year to stops in New York, Connecticut,
Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For the 7th year running, Evan
Wile, along with Cannon Aviation, donated his helicopter and
piloting services for our flights. Setting out the day after
Christmas with a full load of fuel, toys and good humor aboard
Evan's MD 520N, we were transported to STA Jones Beach, Stratford
Point Light, Lynde Point Light, Point Judith Light, STA Castle
Hill, Prudence Island Light, Aids to Navigation Team Bristol,
Warwick Light, Nobska Point Light and West Chop Light. At all
of the stops Santa Tom was greeted by very appreciative Coast
Guard families, some of whom have been participating for almost
20 years. These special Santa visits continue to be a large part
of their holidays. Their children have grown up more familiar
with Santa's helicopters than his reindeer.
Hospital Point Light
The long list of pilots, all current and past members of the
New England Helicopter Council, has helped make this annual tradition
a huge success. Friends of Flying Santa remains extremely grateful
to pilots Greg, George, Leo and Evan as well Granite State Aviation,
JBI Helicopters and Cannon Aviation for their past, present and
future support of this 80-year-old tradition of good will to
the families of the USCG.
(To view all the photos from December's flights please visit
our Photo Galleries) |
