Sunshine Skies Historic Commuter Airlines of Florida and Georgia. Photo by Bob Garrard.

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THE LATEST UPDATES

December 26, 2011
AIR FLORIDA
A new page of early Air Florida postcards circa 1972.
ATLANTIS
Added a flight bag emblem with great artwork depicting an Atlantis Jetstream 31 circa 1983-84.

December 24, 2011
Happy Holidays! Santa was just spotted refueling!



December 23, 2011
A really good NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE (with some of Bob Garrard's excellent photography) about a subject near and dear to my heart, the death of interesting airline paint jobs!



Air Miami HeronDecember 23, 2011
AIR MIAMI
Several "new" photos showing Heron N121G in early (pre-Shawnee) Air Miami colors. Also added an Air Miami timetable scan to the page.   
December 8, 2011
NEW PAGE: PBA DC-3s: Where Are They Now? Ever wonder what happened to all those beautiful old planes that were once ubiquitous in South Florida? So did I! This new page includes recent photos and the current status for the 12 DC-3s that once flew for the famed Provincetown - Boston Airline. 
AerocoachDecember 5, 2011
UPDATED PAGE: The Aero Coach Airlines page has been updated with a Cessna 402 photo from 1989 contributed by Andrew Rodriguez and a destination map from 1991 contributed by Arthur Na.
December 4, 2011
NEW PAGE: Nationwide Airlines Southeast A new page about the predecessor of Air South.
December 1, 2011
UPDATED PAGE: Added a scan of a 1992 timetable to the GP Express page.
November 30, 2011
UPDATED PAGE: Added two timetable scans from 1985 to the Eagle Airline page. 
November 29, 2011
NEW PAGE: Comair A new page highlighting the Delta Connection carrier's Florida operations in the late 1980s, featuring photos by Andy Rodriguez.
November 28, 2011
NEW PAGE: PBA YS-11 Malta to Miami ferry flights Former PBA Captain Nancy Zeglin sent in some great photos and information about the May 1984 ferry flight of 4 YS-11s from Malta to Miami.

September 23, 2011
You can now listen to the Sidewalk Radio episode about the history of Atlanta Airport, featuring yours truly, HERE.

September 19, 2011
I was recently interviewed by Gene Kansas, host of the Atlanta-based Sidewalk Radio, for an episode about Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The full program will air at 6:30 pm on Monday, September 19. You can also listen live online at http://1690wmlb.com/ If you missed it, the program will soon be available on iTunes. Sidewalk Radio is a monthly, Special Feature radio show on Atlanta's WMLB AM 1690 "The Voice of the Arts", that focuses on art, architecture, design, development, city planning and preservation. More info on the episode HERE.

Here I am (at left) in the studio with Sidewalk Radio host Gene Kansas.
David Henderson in the AM 1690 studio with Sidewalk Radio host Gene Kansas.
May 9, 2011
NEW PAGE: Cape Air timetable gallery 
May 8, 2011
NEW PAGE: Air New Orleans timetable gallery 
May 4, 2011
NEW IMAGE: Pan Am Air Bridge timetable courtesy of Arthur Na.
May 3, 2011
Atlanta's "Jet Age" terminal opened 50 years ago today.

Also check out Greg Germani's Atlanta Time Machine to see a Delta Digest article from June 1961 about the futuristic terminal.
May 2, 2011
NEW IMAGE: Trans Southern Airways timetable courtesy of Arthur Na.
April 28, 2011
NEW PAGE: Air Sunshine Memorabilia. Images of Air Sunshine brochures and postcards from the 1970s.
April 27, 2011
NEW PHOTOS: Two photos added to the Air Florida page.
April 26, 2011
NEW PAGE: Air Florida route maps. Courtesy of Arthur Na, a collection of Air Florida route maps that illustrate the airline's amazing growth.
April 25, 2011
NEW PAGE: Air Florida timetable gallery. With the help of Arthur Na, I have created a gallery of Air Florida timetable covers from 1973 - 1984. Nice and colorful. Arthur has sent well over a hundred new images that I will eventually post on the site. Thanks Arthur!
April 24, 2011
NEW PHOTOSRon Alexander sent in two new photos of his Douglas DC-3 N28AA - one of the cockpit and one of the passenger cabin. This aircraft flew for PBA during the 1980s.
April 21, 2011
NEW PHOTOS: Two new photos taken by Andrew Rodriguez during a flight aboard an Aero Coach Cessna 402 in the summer of 1989.
April 20, 2011
UPDATE: Florida Coastal Airlines  
Information from Joey Saet about the fate of FCA.
April 19, 2011
17 NEW PAGES: Atlanta Airport: The 1961 Terminal Nearing Completion  
Brian Sassaman sent in this collection of incredibly clear slides of Atlanta's 1961 airport terminal taken shortly before it opened.
April 1, 2011
NEW PAGE: Atlanta Airport: The Paintings of Michel Schou. A series of magnificent paintings depicting classic airliners at Atlanta Municipal Airport during the 1950s and '60s. These are fantastic!
January 3, 2011
Happy new year to everyone! I plan to post several pages about airports in Florida and Georgia that no longer receive commercial airline service. There is a long list to choose from. Here is the first one: History of airline service at Vero Beach, Florida

December 18, 2010
NEW PAGE: Southern International Airways 

December 13, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: Updated the Pan Am Air Bridge page.

December 12, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: Added 3 more photos to the Air Florida page.

December 11, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: Updated the Chalk's International page with several new photos.

December 10, 2010
NEW PAGE: Some great photos from Steve Frenkel from his flight over the Everglades aboard an Air South / Florida Airlines DC-3 in August 1978.

December 9, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: Updated the Mackey International page with 2 DC-6 photos sent in by Sandy Estabrook, a photo of a Mackey Beech 99, a Florida Archives photo of Mackey stewardesses and I added a larger route map.

December 7, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: 8 more photos added to the Air Florida Commuter page.

December 4, 2010
NEW PHOTOS Updated the Southern Express page with 2 new photos sent in by Captain Duncan Flett. Also added 3 more photos of the Martin 404 at the Fantasy of Flight museum courtesy of Scott Peterson. Finally, added a photo of a Vero Monmouth deHavilland Heron sent in by Martin Weinert.

December 1, 2010
NEW PAGE: A page about the ex-PBA Martin 404 stored at the Fantasy of Flight museum in Polk City, FL.

November 28, 2010
NEW PHOTOS Ron Alexander has sent in some more gorgeous photos of his ex-PBA DC-3 N28AA. These were taken by Rich Davidson and can be found HERE and HERE as well as HERE. Thanks to Ron and Rich!

November 17, 2010
NEW PAGE: Fantastic Marco Island Airways publicity photos from 1975 courtesy of Thresa Todd.

September 22, 2010
NEW PHOTO The entrance ramp to Atlanta's 1961 terminal still exists although it is surrounded by grass, no longer connected to other roads. Thanks to Hannah Palmer for sending in the photo of this odd sight!

September 21, 2010
It was 30 years ago todayHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's terminal is 30 years old today. I've added a half dozen pages about the early years of the midfield terminal beginning HERE.

June 18, 2010
NEW PAGE: THIS PAGE is about the final year of Atlanta's old terminal

June 16, 2010
UPDATED PAGES: A mid 1970s night shot of Atlanta Airport added HERE and a 1979 photo of a Sabena 747 added to THIS PAGE.

June 4, 2010
NEW PAGE: Photos of The National Museum of Commercial Aviation near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

June 3, 2010
UPDATED PAGES: Added a great pair of photos of the implosion of the old Atlanta terminal and another view of the old terminal in the process of being demolished (look for the Delta 727)

May 29, 2010
NEW PAGE: A page about the opening day of Atlanta's jet-age terminal on May 3, 1961
UPDATED PAGES: A few new photos HERE and HERE. You may need to hit "refresh".

May 25, 2010
UPDATED PAGES: Added another Brasilia photo to the ASA page and added a story about a flying dolphin to the Red Carpet Airlines page.

May 23, 2010
NEW PAGE: Added a 5th page to the History of DC-3 N28AA with photos taken by David Hartman.

May 21, 2010
NEW AND UPDATED PAGES: The MASSIVE Atlanta Airport section is now online!

May 10, 2010
UPDATED PAGE: Added some more photos and another great reader story to the Port Largo Airport page courtesy of Richard Young.

May 9, 2010
Updated the Southeastern Commuter Airlines page with a great story from Jim Locke and also added a timetable image for good measure.

April 26, 2010
Updated the Florida Coastal Airlines page with new information provided by FCA President Albert Vitale. Thanks Albert!

March 26, 2010
NEW PAGE: A new page exploring the history of Bahama Caribbean / Aero International / Air South. Also updated the Port Largo page with a photo of an Aero International Islander.

January 18, 2010
Added a detail of an old sectional chart to the Port Largo Airport page.

December 28, 2009
NEW PAGE: We finally have an mp3 of Hal, the famed robot voice of Atlanta Airport that played on the underground shuttle trains during the 1980s and early '90s! 

December 19, 2009
NEW BLOG: For current news about regional and commuter airlines in Florida and Georgia check out the BLOG.

December 3, 2009
NEW PAGE: Southern Airways

December 2, 2009
Greg Heinrich at departedflights.com has posted a few of my route map scans on his excellent website. I  realized there were a few more that I forgot to post, so here you go: ASA and National Florida.

December 1, 2009
2 NEW PAGES: GP Express and Gulfstream International

November 30, 2009
8 NEW PAGES: Maps of Atlanta Airport from the 1970s and 80s
UPDATED
PAGE:
Added a new bird's-eye photo to the Port Largo Airport page.

November 29, 2009
NEW AIRLINE PAGE: Skybus Express

November 27, 2009
NEW AIRLINE PAGES: Eagle Airline , Phoenix Air  and  Trans Southern Airways

November 26, 2009
NEW AIRLINE PAGES: Airways International  and Cape Air

November 25, 2009
NEW AIRLINE PAGES: Florida Coastal Airlines and Florida Express

November 24, 2009
UPDATE: Updated and added more photos to ATL Hangars at Lenora Airport

November 22, 2009
NEW AIRLINE PAGE: Panhandle Airways

November 17, 2009
NEW SEARCH BUTTON ADDED
Can't find what you're looking for? Try this:
only search Sunshine Skies
October 15, 2009
ATLANTA AIRPORT AERIAL MASHUP 1949 / 2009
An aerial image that superimposes the 1949 airport layout over Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson as it appears today.

October 10, 2009

MORE PHOTOS OF ATLANTA AIRPORT FROM LIFE ARCHIVE 
I added 5 more photos to the 1949 set, they are mixed in with the first batch. Also added more information on individual aircraft pictured in the photos. All sets of photos from LIFE can now be accessed from the same page.

October 8, 2009

LIFE MAGAZINE PHOTOS OF ATLANTA AIRPORT IN 1949
The photos from 1956 were such a huge hit, I've added 22 new pages of more fantastic pictures from the LIFE photo archive.

October 2, 2009
FALL SPECIAL!
The book is now available for only $15.99
, a $6 discount!

UPDATED PRESS PAGE
Added a few recent reviews and articles.

August 17, 2009

Two great ramp photos from Atlanta Airport taken in July 1989: ASA Embraer Brasilias and Eastern Metro Express Jetstreams. These were taken by flickr photographer emdjt42.

August 1, 2009
The Airliners International show in Orlando was a blast. Thanks to those who stopped by and came to my presentation. Great to see all of you! I came home with lots of goodies for future site updates.

July 12, 2009
AIRLINERS INTERNATIONAL 2009: JULY 23-25
In conjunction with the National Museum Of Commercial Aviation, I will give a presentation on Sunshine Skies: Historic Commuter Airlines of Florida & Georgia at the Airliners International 2009 event in Orlando on Saturday July 25th at 10am. I'll also be selling and signing copies of the book in the main display hall Thursday the 23rd through Saturday. You'll find me at the National Museum of Commercial Aviation tables. Looking forward to meeting you there!

Wyndham Orlando Resort

8001 International Drive, Orlando map
Presentation will be at 10am July 25 in the Jasmine Room.


July 2, 2009
SUNSHINE SKIES COFFEE MUGS!
That's right!  Now you can enjoy your favorite hot beverage while checking out the latest updates at Sunshine Skies.  The design features 10 aircraft of long gone historic commuter airlines of Florida: Mackey International DC-6, Air Sunshine Convair 440, Shawnee Airlines DC-3, Air Miami DH-114 Heron, Marco Island Airways Martin 404, Dolphin Airways Bandierante, Chalk's  Turbo Mallard, Florida Airlines DC-3, Executive Airlines Twin Otter, and a PBA YS-11. Support your caffiene habit while supporting this website! If all goes well, there may be new designs (an all DC-3 cup for example)...

Available through Cafe Press
Sunshine Skies coffee mug!

Here's the full design:
Sunshine Skies coffee mug design

April 21, 2009

WINGS AIR and GEORGIA SKIES 
2 new pages concerning commuter airlines that are currently operating at Atlanta Hartsfield: Wings Air and Georgia Skies
 

TAMPA AIRPORT MAPS FROM 1974
1 new page of 1970s maps of the Tampa International Airport terminal printed by Air Sunshine.

April 18, 2009
EASTERN METRO EXPRESS
After receiving several requests, I have posted a new page on Eastern Metro Express. 
Also added a fantastic shot of DC-3 N28AA making a LOW pass at the Peach State Aerodrome.

April 14, 2009

ATLANTA AIRPORT IN 1956
20 new pages of spectacular photos from the LIFE photo archive.

April 11, 2009

FORMER PBA DC-3 IS ALIVE AND WELL IN GEORGIA!
4 new pages that explore the nearly 70 year history of Ron Alexander's classic DC-3 N28AA.

April 8, 2009
PORT LARGO: THE FLORIDA KEYS FORGOTTEN AIRPORT
A new page about the unusual history of Key Largo's defunct Port Largo airport.


April 5, 2009

ATLANTA AIRPORT HANGARS AT LENORA AIRPORT?
Robert Brown sent in a great vintage ATL photo and some interesting info regarding a couple of old Hartsfield hangars.


March 16, 2009

THE CRASH OF SHAWNEE AIRLINES FLIGHT 103
Reader Randy Jackson sent in his incredible account of surviving a DC-3 crash, including some pretty amazing photos. Thanks Randy!

January 27, 2009

PHOENIX AIRLINES
David Zekria sent a great scan of a Phoenix Airlines timetable. Phoenix may have been the only airline to ever offer scheduled passenger service to Atlanta's DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.


January 15, 2009

BOOK SIGNING PHOTOS
The book signing at Barnes & Noble Southlake last month was a lot of fun and we also managed to raise some money for the National Museum of Commercial Aviation. I posted a few photos from the event HERE. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

December 2, 2008 - I'll be signing copies of Sunshine Skies at the Barnes and Noble Southlake in Morrow, GA this weekend (December 5-7). More information HERE.

December 1, 2008 - 18 new pages added to the airline gallery this week! They're in alphabetical order and start with National Commuter Airlines .  Just click "next airline" at the end of each page to continue.

November 21, 2008 -
4 new pages: Florida Air Lines , Gull Air , Key West Airlines , Mackey International Airlines

November 17, 2008 -
9 new pages: ASA -Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Atlantic Gulf, Atlantis, Chalk's, Charter Airlines, Devoe, Dolphin Airways, Executive Airlines, Finair Express

November 12, 2008 -
7 new pages: Air Florida, Air Florida Commuter, AAT, Argosy, Air New Orleans, Air Omni, Atlanta Express.

November 10, 2008
-
4 new pages added: Aero Coach, AeroSun, Air Carolina, and Air Miami.

November 6, 2008

SUNSHINE SKIES second edition is now available
on Amazon!


November 4, 2008
SUNSHINE SKIES second edition is now available
!

The revised and expanded second edition of Sunshine Skies : Historic Commuter Airlines of Florida and Georgia , is now available!!! The book includes 40 more pages than the original, 10 new chapters, dozens of additional photos, illustrations, and rare timetable covers. Plus, the pages are 25% larger, so there's a lot of extra information. It can be purchased through this site and will also be available on Amazon. BUY NOW !

October 29, 2008
WINGS AIR
This is really interesting. Just when it seemed the independent commuter airline industry had all but vanished, this airline comes along. 

GEORGIA SKIES
(Nope, this isn't the name of my next book!) Wow, yet another new airline flying the same two routes. www.flygeorgiaskies.com

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION

I was recently contacted by Grant Wainscott, curator of the new National Museum of Commercial Aviation here in Atlanta, in regards to Sunshine Skies. I may be participating in their book signing event in early December. The museum is in a temporary location until a permanent building is constructed, but they've already got lots of fantastic items on display. Definitely worth a visit if you're near Atlanta.   www.nationalaviationmuseum.com

THE ATLANTA AIRPORT TIME MACHINE

Greg Germani and I collaborated on this retrospective of the Atlanta Airport. www.atlantatimemachine.com Greg's site, The Atlanta Time Machine, has to be one the most amazing things I've ever seen.

October 28, 2008
SUNSHINE SKIES IS ONLINE
The new Sunshine Skies site is up and running! Only one page so far, but there are hundreds more on the way.