Katama Airpark is a GA field on Martha’s Vineyard. Featuring 3 turf runways, it sees a variety of operations daily, from private PC12s to air tours in WWII biplanes.
They also happen to have a cool restaurant on the airfield grounds, called Katama Kitchen, an aviation themed diner-type situation.
I went spotting and grabbed some breakfast with my dad, while my mom and sister did some sort of horseback riding thing.
As we pulled in, I saw this awesome WWII biplane, which gives air tours all across the island! It’s very slow, and VERY LOUD.
The tour operator has two of these planes based at Katama Airpark. One landed a few minutes after our arrival.
I was able to go right up to the plane. Unfortunately, tours are booked weeks and weeks in advance, and this was pretty last minute. Can anyone ID this plane?
I talked to Mike, one of the pilots. He said that this plane is over 80 years old!
Moving to some more modern day planes, we have a few Cessnas parked on “stand” (if you can call it that). It seems to be mostly private owners who don’t want to pay the exorbitant fees at KMVY, the island’s “major” (relative to this one) commercial airport.
Nice looking PC12. A little Googling reveals the aircraft (N543DC) is registered to “ JETICOPTER LLC” in New Windsor. It seems like its a charter company of sorts, but I’d love to. Hear if someone has any more info!
After a lovely engine startup, the PC12 taxied and took off from the runway closest to us. Though no route was filed, it appears via FR24 that it went to Teterboro, New Jersey.
Anyways, after a few more not super notable GA operations, it was time for some breakfast! The Katama Kitchen is right on the airport property, just a stones throw away from the parked planes and runways.
I went with some pancakes for breakfast, and I must say they were delicious. The freshly whipped butter was a nice touch as well. We had gotten a booth right by the window, so could see operations on the airfield as we ate.
As part of the aviation theme, they had pieces of shirt mounted on some of the walls. For those who don’t know, it is tradition that, when a pilots takes his/her/their first solo, their instructor will cut a piece of their t-shirt off to signify the moment.
If you’re ever on Martha’s Vineyard, spotting here and a visit to the restaurant is a must! I’ve linked some spotting videos below.
PC12 Taxiing
PC12 Takeoff (volume warning)
WWII Biplane Takeoff