Hippolyte Edouard, known as Faustin, Pioneer of Caribbean Aviation

TRIBUTE TO

By His Brother, Robert Lédée

As the eldest of a family of five children, you were born on 16 February 1935, although everything had been planned for the 15th. That is how you came to be known as Faustin, since Saint Faustin’s feast day falls on 15 February. After earning your primary school certificate at Gustavia Primary School, you left for Martinique in 1946 with your brother Stéphane and other children of your age to attend the Seminary College of Fort-de-France, the only school at the time that accepted boarding students. You were an outstanding pupil.

In 1945, Father was approached by Rémy de Haënen to grant permission for a small two-seater aircraft to land in his savanna at St. Jean, where sheep and cattle grazed peacefully. The decision was then made to send you to Puerto Rico to obtain your private pilot’s licence. In 1953, Father purchased the family’s first aircraft, a four-seat, single-engine Cessna 170. You had just earned your private pilot’s licence, becoming the first pilot from St. Barth, and your parents were delighted to watch you take off and land in the savanna.

Let us look back at your first landing in the St. Jean savanna

It is 1953. You are 18 years old, I am 11. This is the big day, the day you will land alone in the savanna. Your instructor, the experienced Puerto Rican pilot Commander Magruder, is with us. Early that morning, he had you complete your final two practice runs before sending you off on your first solo flight beneath the day’s blue sky. The estate manager had carefully gathered the sheep and cattle grazing peacefully in the savanna. A little to the right, at the end of the grass runway, lay the final obstacle: the pond where the livestock came to drink, which had to be avoided during landing. The estate manager had positioned himself nearby to frighten away the seagulls that often landed there and could also pose a danger during take-off. Parents, children—we are all gathered on the terrace of the house, cheering you on as you prepare for your first great achievement.

To rise from the ground and soar into the sky,
To climb towards the storytellers’ azure heavens,
The aircraft must rely on the power of its mighty engine,
And on the skill of the pilot who knows how to read the instruments.

With wings outstretched, the handsome bird of prey
Breaks free from the earth and discovers the skies.
Its wings bear no feathers and its skin is made of metal.
It shines across the heavens and crosses the clouds,
Leaving behind, high above, something of its soul.

The birds are frightened by its wings,
But children find it beautiful,
This great kite without a string,
Flying so high.

The aircraft reaches the Tourmente Pass.
It trembles, vibrates and dips towards the ground.
The wind blows from the southeast, with a few moderate gusts.
It gathers speed,
And begins its descent.

That is when Mother takes on the role of air traffic controller,
Calling out with her arms raised to the sky:
“Come down, darling, you’re too high!
Climb again, move further to the right!
Oh dear, the gust of wind has lifted him back up!!!”

And brave Commander Magruder reassures her, gently patting her on the back:
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Lédée. Eddy will do it!!”

Suddenly, the aircraft accelerates, rears up, almost playfully defiant,
Fearless and bold,
Its tyres squeal across the dry grass
Before coming to a stop beside the house.

We welcome you, we embrace you.
Congratulations, Faustin!

But for this final journey,
This time, the aircraft leaps towards space and infinity,
Towards the edge of the universe,
And carries you to meet God.