Santiago is just fourteen nautical miles, as the crow fly’s, from Quetzaltenango and Serving God by Serving His People (SGSP) Aviation Ministries mission base. It is one of several municipalities that dot the shore of Lago Atitlan, I’m told each is named after an Apostle from the Bible, (Santiago is James in English). Robin and I took to the sky’s climbing up to 10,500 ft., to clear the ridge between our valley and lake Atitlan. Descending to 5,600 ft., I configured the aircraft for slow flight, flaps at 20 degrees and 67 knots. The modified base leg skirted a lesser volcano and shore line before the strip actually comes into view. At best, it is a short final approach over water, high bush, and a road, before giving way to a 2500 Ft. grass strip with a 3 or so degree up slope. The geography allows for only uphill landings and downhill takeoffs. Today Robin and I touched down here to evaluate Santiago as a possible auxiliary mission base for SGSP. 

The Aeroclub de Guatemala maintains the strip, employing a local man, Felipe, as security/strip maintainer. Felipe was friendly and happy to share his wealth of local information. He explained that small lots can be purchased from a local resident to build a single hangar. After calling a contact number, I was soon shaking hands with an American who directs a nearby children’s home and is also a pilot.  He shared several aviation points about weather patterns, and takeoff/landing considerations unique to this location. Additionally, he pointed out that larger parcels of sufficient size to build a multi-aircraft hangar and mission house may be purchased from a local Finca (plantation) owner. Some potential there for an SGSP Aviation building project. Oh, and the cows….Felipe made sure the cows were kept clear until after we landed and again when we were ready to depart.