RAI, French Polynesia by flying boat
Between 1957 and 1971, Réseau Aérien Interinsulaire, later Air Polynésie, connected the Polynesian islands with flying boats able to turn lagoons into airfields.
The Short S.25 Sandringham gives this plan its full meaning: vast water, low islands, lagoons, precise water landings and the feeling of a local airline in an immense ocean.
The age of inter-island flying boats in French Polynesia.
Connect islands by water as much as by air.
A robust four-engine aircraft, ideal for the RAI network.
Sea distances, low references and water landings.
Understanding the flight
The Polynesian challenge is scale: a small population spread over huge distances. The flying boat becomes a logical, flexible and almost natural answer.
The route follows RAI's advertised stops, then expands them to enjoy the Sandringham's range and explore more islands.
Before departure
- Place the flying boat on water before each departure when the simulator does not do it naturally.
- Keep readable weather: low islands can vanish quickly in tropical showers.
- Prepare every water landing area like a real approach, with wind, axis and escape path.
- Fly slowly on arrival to enjoy the lagoons and avoid reducing the page to direct GPS legs.
Suggested route
Tahiti, Moorea and Leeward Islands
Faaa, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Maupiti form the most iconic part of the network.
NTAA → NTTM → NTTH → NTTR → NTTB → NTTP
Tuamotu
Tikehau, Rangiroa, Makemo, Manihi, Hao and Mururoa stretch the journey toward more isolated atolls.
NTTP → NTGC → NTTG → NTMD → NTMN → NTTO → NTTX
Austral Islands
Tubuai and Rurutu close the campaign with a more southerly and wilder Polynesia.
NTTX → NTAT → NTAR
Experience tips
The pleasure lies in the arrival: choose low-angle light and take time to line up water landings.
Do not underestimate inter-archipelago distances. Even in paradise, navigation remains maritime.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2013