Trans Catalina Airlines
Trans Catalina Mallard at Pebbly Beach seaplane ramp 1979. TCA flew three Grumman Mallards and provided service from Long Beach, San Pedro and Orange County Airport. Photo by Chris Bell
Trans Catalina Mallard at Long Beach Airport, 1979. Photo by Chris Bell.
Trans Catalina Mallard at San Pedro seaplane Ramp in Los Angeles Harbor. Vincent Thomas Bridge is in the background.
CAT Mallard water landing. Taxiing to seaplane ramp at Pebbly Beach, 1980.
Registration number N42DA serial #J18. Photo by Chris Bell.
CAT Mallard N42DA, Pebbly Beach. Photo by Chris Bell
CAT Mallard N42DA, Pebbly Beach. Photo by Chris Bell
Read Bob Reed's own recollections of maintaining the Grumman Mallard fleet while working as Night Lead Supervisor for Trans Catalina Airlines 1978/1979 Click Here
1978-1981
Trans Catalina Airlines began service to the Island from Long Beach Airport, San Pedro Terminal and Orange County (John Wayne) Airport in 1978. Flying the beautiful Grumman Mallard amphibian, Trans Catalina touted having the only "wide body" service to Catalina. The airline's owner was Dan Hill and Manager was Frank Strobel.
Trans Catalina's Fleet:

Grumman Mallards

N36DF (c/n J-18)  
N95DF (c/n J-19)
N51151 (c/n J-42)


Airline Logo and Paint Liveries
California Amphibious Transport/ CAT
1981-1982
California Amphibious Transport provided seaplane service to the Island  for about a year.  CAT provided service from Long Beach Airport with a Grumman Mallard and a Piper Navajo. The airline's owner was Dan Aikens.
CAT's Fleet:

Grumman Mallard N42DA (c/n J-18)

Piper Navajo
N888LM
Airline Logo and Paint Livery
"The Route of the Seagulls"
California Amphibious Transport Piper Navajo
N42DA departing Pebbly Beach. Photo by Chris Bell
Trans Catalina Mallard shares the ramp with a Catalina  Airlines Grumman Goose at Pebbly Beach air terminal.
Boarding "Spirit of Avalon" for the return trip home.
On final approach to Pebbly Beach.