Jimmy Buffett, beloved musician and icon of the laid-back island lifestyle, was not only known for his flip-flop style and catchy tunes but also for his love of flying. With a fleet of planes at his disposal, Buffett used aviation as a means to island hop and travel the world on tour. His passion for flying was well-documented on the fan-made site, buffetworld.com, which cataloged his time in the sky and the various planes he owned throughout the years.
Buffett’s fascination with flying began during his time at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was introduced to the world of aviation by a pilot friend. However, the high costs associated with flying, including plane ownership, fuel, and instruction, kept Buffett from pursuing his passion at the time.
As Buffett’s fame and success grew, thanks in part to his iconic song “Margaritaville” and the establishment of his brand by the same name, he was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. With the proceeds from his music and business ventures, Buffett earned his single-engine land and sea qualifications just a year before his 40th birthday. He went on to obtain his commercial pilot’s license and multi-engine certifications, which he utilized in conjunction with his most famous aircraft, the Grumman HU-16C Albatross named “Hemisphere Dancer.”
The “Hemisphere Dancer” played a significant role in Buffett’s touring lifestyle, serving as a sort of winged motorhome/tour bus. Its unique features and capabilities allowed Buffett to access remote leisure destinations and concert venues that other aircraft with similar amenities couldn’t reach. The Albatross became synonymous with Buffett’s island lifestyle, and its adventures even inspired one of his hit songs, “Mystic Jamaica.”
One noteworthy incident involving the “Hemisphere Dancer” occurred on January 16, 1996, during a flight to Jamaica. With Chris Blackwell of Island Records and U2 frontman Bono and his family on board, the plane landed in the waters of Negril, Jamaica. Mistakenly believing that the Albatross was a drug plane, Jamaican police opened fire on the aircraft. Fortunately, everyone on board survived unharmed, albeit with a few bullet holes. The incident inspired Buffett to write the song “Mystic Jamaica” based on the experience.
The “Hemisphere Dancer” continued to faithfully serve Buffett until 2003 when it was retired. Today, it is on display at “Palma Solitaria Airport” outside the Margaritaville Café at Universal Studios Orlando, serving as a reminder of Buffett’s love for flying and his iconic island lifestyle.
In addition to the “Hemisphere Dancer,” Buffett owned several other planes throughout his life. His collection included a Pilatus PC-12, a Boeing E-75 Stearman biplane (featured in the music video for his 2004 single “Trip Around the Sun”), and three different Dassault Falcon business jets. Buffett’s passion for flying extended beyond fixed-wing aircraft, as he also owned seaplanes such as the Lake Renegade amphibian and Cessna 208 Caravans equipped with floats.
However, not all of Buffett’s aviation experiences were smooth sailing. In 1994, Buffett’s Grumman G-44 Widgeon met a tragic end off the coast of Nantucket. During a takeoff run, the plane encountered a swell, causing it to nearly veer off the wave and plunge into the water, sinking. Buffett narrowly escaped the incident and credited his survival to the Navy survival training he had previously undergone.
Buffett’s love for aviation extended beyond his personal aircraft collection. In 2009, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Florida, named one of its departure procedures after him. The departure procedure, known as OWL ONE, featured the landmarks “FINNS,” “PYRUT,” and “JIMEY,” paying tribute to Buffett and his connection to the airport.
Throughout his life, Jimmy Buffett lived a dream that many can only imagine. Travelling from one city or beach to another, chasing sunsets in the cockpit of his beloved planes, he truly embodied the carefree, island-hopping lifestyle he celebrated in his music. As we raise our glasses to his memory, let us remember the joy and freedom he found in the skies above.
