Inside the demanding approach to St. Barts’ short runway

Tradewind operates the island route with Pilatus PC-12 turboprops; the roughly 2,100-foot runway is too short for large Boeing and Airbus jetliners. Pilots descend over a hill before the strip comes into view, then adjust for crosswinds and turbulence. Passengers can watch from the cabin, where the cockpit curtain is left open, Stein said.

As of 2026, 31 Tradewind captains were qualified to land at the airport, with an average of more than 3,000 flight hours. Only captains who already know the PC-12 can train for the approach. Preparation includes steep-approach drills at standard airports, followed by live training in St. Barts, where pilots complete dozens of approaches and landings. Stein said there is no fixed training schedule; instructors continue as long as a pilot is improving and decide when that pilot is ready.

The approach is flown visually, with pilots using the controls and watching how the wind affects the aircraft. No two landings are the same, Stein said, so pilots are expected to review each approach and consider what to change next time. He said simulators cannot fully reproduce the sudden wind shifts and turbulence encountered at the airport.

A landing is not attempted in every condition. Pilots go around or divert if crosswinds exceed aircraft limits, rain is very heavy, too much water is standing on the runway, or the aircraft is too fast or too slow. Passengers may feel bumps, Stein said, but described the approach as exciting for those on board.