Taking a Flight to the Abaco Islands During Sea Turtle Nesting Season – Here’s What to Know
Sea turtle nesting season goes through the end of October, so travelers booking an upcoming flight to the Abaco Islands should know what to do if they encounter a nest during their trip. With sea turtles officially listed as an endangered species, it’s critical that they are treated with caution by locals and tourists alike. Air Unlimited can share with you what you need to know about these spectacular creatures and how you can help protect them, not only during nesting season but year-round.
While visiting the Abaco Islands, you may choose to go snorkeling in the tropical reefs, where you may spot a sea turtle enjoying the clear waters of the Bahamas. As exciting as it is to swim alongside a sea turtle, refrain from touching them or interfering with their habitat. Instead, take in this amazing experience from a distance and keep an eye out for their paddle-shaped flippers, large shells and marked colorings, which are unique to each sea turtle species.
When strolling along the sandy beaches during nesting season, there is the chance of coming across sea turtle eggs. Touching the eggs could be harmful to the turtles, so stay back from the nest to avoid accidentally disrupting it. If you see the mother nearby, stand still and allow her to travel easily around her nest. At nighttime, any artificial light, such as a phone, camera or flashlight could confuse the turtles from following the natural moonlighting, so be prepared to embrace the dark around a nesting space. If you have the once-in-a-lifetime experience to encounter the eggs while they are hatching, walk carefully in the sand to avoid stepping on the baby turtles, as they journey toward the sea. These tiny turtles will be working their way to the waves, where they can take their very first swim.
We hope you have the opportunity to see these beautiful creatures during your next trip to the islands. Not only are they majestic, but they are also vital to the health of the oceans. Sea turtles graze on seagrass and jellyfish populations, control sponge distribution and transport nutrients across the water.
Whether its nesting season or not, taking a flight to the Abaco Islands is the first step toward your chance of enjoying these wild animals, and Air Unlimited is here to get you there! Book your flight today either online or by calling us at (407) 585-4300.
- Published in News
Earn Your Pilot Wings on a Memorable Flight to the Abacos
Whether it’s piloting a short flight to the Abacos or leading an aircrew on a long-distance journey, all pilots have had to earn their ‘wings.’ Wings are a recognized badge in the aviation industry that pilots proudly wear on their uniforms. This emblem has an interesting history and is designed for everything from representing a pilot’s license to serving as a charming memento!
The crew at Air Unlimited knows how special it feels to earn a pair of pilot wings, as many of our team members started their fascination for aviation as a child, dreaming of the day they’d earn their own badge. Now, this day can come sooner for youth that feels passionate about flying, thanks to our Junior Pilot Program. Through this program, families can register their kids to have the rare chance to sit in the cockpit with the pilot during their flight to the Abaco Islands and experience spectacular views from the front of the plane, all while learning about the wonders of air travel. Afterward, children co-pilots receive a certificate with a commemorative photo, a souvenir, and their very own pilot wings.
The meaning of pilot wings goes back to the early 1900s when one of the first commercial airlines started scheduling passenger services, making crew uniforms come into fashion. As part of their uniform, pilots started wearing shiny, specialty wings to showcase their qualifications. Around the same time, military aviation became prominent during World War I, and soldiers started earning their wings based on their flight experience, rank, and accomplishments. In both commercial and military aviation, the design of a pilot’s wings distinguished their seniority or merit, thus changing in color, material, embellishments, and patterns based on its intended purpose. To this day, earning wings is a significant and exciting moment for any pilot, considering the hours of hard work, schooling, in-flight training and experience required to receive this token of achievement.
Knowing the valued history and meaning behind pilot wings, we want to share this special keepsake with young passengers and inspire their love for aviation through the Junior Pilot Program. Register children for this unique experience for just $50, and you can enjoy an unforgettable flight to the Abaco Islands. Interested parties should call our team directly at (407) 585-4300.
- Published in News
National Aviation Day: From History’s First Flight to Today’s Luxury Aircraft Charters
We’ve come a long way since the first airplane was flown in 1903. Today, we have everything from large commuter planes and first-class aircraft charters to powerful air force jets – all safer, faster and sleeker than ever before. To celebrate this remarkable progress in aviation, we’re observing National Aviation Day on August 19th.
Why August 19th? It’s the birthday of Orville Wright, one of the Wright brothers who invented and flew the first airplane. From his original flight owning the sky, we now have more than 9,700 planes and 1 million people in the sky at any given time, according to flight tracking service, FlightAware. That’s a lot of air travel each day!
To celebrate National Aviation Day, Air Unlimited wants you to consider taking a journey into the past, present, and future of air travel. Below, are some of our tips for enjoying the day and recognizing the gift of aviation.
- Take a Destination Flight
- There’s no better way to celebrate National Aviation Day than hopping on a plane, enjoying the bird’s eye view and landing in paradise. To make sure your trip is hassle-free from start to finish, Air Unlimited offers quick reservations, free valet parking, fast check-in, short lines and a comfortable, private waiting area. In flight, each of the nine seats feature window-views and plenty of leg room. In just over an hour, you’ll land in the beautiful and tropical Abaco Islands. You can also reserve one of our aircraft charters to fly anywhere in the U.S.
- Learn More About Aviation
- To learn more about the history and future of aviation, visit a local aircraft museum or science center featuring planes. Consider checking out aviation books at your favorite library or renting an exciting aviation movie. You could even take an introductory flight lesson.
- Inspire Your Kids to Appreciate Flight
- Many of today’s pilots became fascinated with aviation at a young age. At Air Unlimited, we hope to inspire the young passengers with our Junior Pilot Program. Registered kids fly in the cockpit with the pilot, experience stunning views from the front of the plane and learn about air travel. These kids walk away from their aircraft charter or commuter flight with a certificate, photos, a souvenir, and their very own pilot wings.
No matter how you choose to spend National Aviation Day, we hope you can celebrate the wonder of flight on this special holiday!
- Published in News
Things to do in Sanford near Orlando Sanford International Airport
Historic downtown Sanford offers a variety of things to do for anyone passing through for a few hours or with a couple of days to explore. If you’re coming from outside of the Central Florida area and have some time to kill before your flight with Air Unlimited, there are plenty of fun things to experience near the Orlando Sanford International Airport where our private hangar is located.
Explore
Sanford is home to beautiful state parks, including the Lower Wekiva River Preserve. The preserve is a system of blackwater streams and trails. This wildlife area provides a habitat for black bears, otters, alligators, wood storks and Sandhill cranes. Visitors can hike, paddle and camp on the preserve to get a taste of Sanford’s wild flora and fauna. An especially interesting feature of the preserve is the equestrian campsite area that has horse stalls and corrals for those who want to bring their horse along on the trails.
Learn
Sanford Ghost Tours are a great way to hear the vast history about the area in a thrilling way. This one-hour walking tour is great for all ages, and takes you through stories of ghostly encounters around the downtown Sanford area leading up to the last stop at a haunted building. Tours are just $15 and are offered at 8 and 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
Eat
A great way to visit multiple restaurants in a short period of time is by taking a tour with Sanford Food Tours. They work with dozens of restaurants and shops in downtown Sanford and allow guests to choose from two different tours or create their own. The Brews & Bites Tour includes stops at Deviant Wolfe Brewing, Sanford Brewing Co., Wops Hops Brewing Co., Inner Compass Brewing Co., and Tuffy’s Bottle Shop. Food and drink pairings are accompanied by the amazing sights and rich history of Sanford’s city center. The Celery City Tour stops at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, The District, Busters Bistro, and Sanford Brewing Company. Each walking tour is about four hours and includes insight into local history and culture along the way.
Drink
Have you ever had a drink while riding on a 15-seat bicycle? At Limo Cycle Tours, you can do just that! It’s not a traditional bicycle, but rather a mobile bike bar that uses pedals to propel you forward with a tour guide steering and leading the way. The faster you pedal, the faster you get to the next destination. Guests are allowed to bring beer and wine on their tour, and each tour stops two to three times to visit shops, restaurants, and bars in the downtown Sanford area. This two-hour tour is bound to be a group favorite.
Sanford has so much to offer and is located just around the corner from Air Unlimited’s hangar in the Orlando Sanford International Airport. Call (407) 585-4300 to book your flight with Air Unlimited and ask our knowledgeable staff about their favorite things to do in Sanford.
- Published in News