Channel Catalina

The Story of Catalina

The Story of Catalina series

Follow the remarkable history of Santa Catalina Island in a continuing series of documentaries beginning with...

Wings Across the Channel

Catalina's Aviation History.

A six-part series available beginning this Spring!

PART 1

May Day. Air power saves the town of Avalon from certain destruction on May 10, 2007, exactly 95 years to the day after the Island was first introduced to the bold new world of Aviation.

PART 2

Take Off. On May 10, 1912, aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin (of Lockheed-Martin fame) made the first flight to Catalina Island, setting Catalina Island on a course to make aviation history. While Hollywood was dazzling the world with motion pictures, Catalina Island and the rest of the Southern California aviation industry were blazing new trails in the sky.

PART 3

Turbulence. World War II closes Catalina to tourism. In turn, Catalina hosts several branches of the military to support the war effort and to keep the Island’s economy flying. After the war, the civilian aviation industry returns, but all is not happy in paradise.

PART 4

Knight Flights. The 1950s were the second Golden Age for aviation on Catalina as well as for the “Knights of Avalon” who tirelessly flew their Grumman G-21 "Gooses" in and out of Avalon Bay, bustling with post-war tourists. Hear the stories of the pilots, passengers and even the elite “Dockboys” as they relive those wild and crazy days (and nights!).

PART 5

Final Approach. All good times must come to an end and aviation on Catalina Island nearly did. While the use of civil aviation was expanding in most parts of America, a tragic string of fatal accidents and a host of conflicting personalities brought the aviation industry on Catalina to its knees.

PART 6

Flight Plan. The future of aviation on Catalina is once again promising with a healthy commerce in passenger and freight service. Freight is still brought to the Island on vintage DC-3s, private planes keep bringing private pilots in for their "$100 hamburgers" and a regular stream of helicopters carry passengers to the Island from a host of mainland heliports.