I first joined South Pacific Island Airways as a flight engineer on the Boeing 707's. After SPIA lost a mail contract in Guam, as a junior FE, I was to be laid off. It was decided I would work in the maintenance department until I was needed back on the line. I arrived at the maintenance department just in time for FAA hearings on the Part 135 Twin Otter operations as well as further violation with the Part 121 ops. I began to assist with major violations regarding operations in Pago Pago and Guam. Within a few months I became the Superintendent of Maintenance in charge of both locations as well as assist with the re-certification of all certificates. Another busy task at hand but rewarding once completed. SPIA was a good airline, with exceptional people... everyone wished it had a better fate.

On occasion when I flew N146SP, I would think of that aircraft once being in Pan Am's fleet as N870PA. Charles F. Blair years before was a senior pilot for Pan Am and I would think of him in the left seat when I was flying. I worked for Capt. Blair years before. See more