One man's love affair with flying has soared to new heights with the release of a new book.

Retired squadron leader Colin A. Pomeroy recently released a comprehensive history of Bermuda's long association with flying boats and seaplanes.

Entitled "The Flying Boats of Bermuda'' -- a 272-page book rich in photographs and diagrams -- the book examines the Island's marine aviation history from 1919 to 1987.

The British writer is no stranger to local transport milestones. In 1993, Mr.

Pomeroy penned the definitive history of rail on the Island entitled: "The Bermuda Railway: Gone But Not Forgotten''.

"My first contact with Bermuda was when I was in the air force and I used to come to Kindley Field,'' recalled the historian.

"It was during the early 60s that I first heard of the railway, but I never thought anymore about it.

"In the 90s my son came out here and spent four-years with the Police force.

I came for a visit and one day while I was walking along the trail I thought `hey, there's a story here'.'' And it was during another visit to the Island that "lightening struck twice'' for Mr. Pomeroy.

"While I was researching the railway book, I took a ferry ride and I noticed the remains of the air terminal at Darrell's Island,'' he recalled.

"Then four years ago, someone came up to me and said `you're the guy that wrote the railway book' and offered to show me some pictures from Darrell's Island. That got me started on this book.'' And Mr. Pomeroy said his book had exceeded his original expectations.

"I was only going to do a little book, but it just grew,'' said the former pilot. "I thought I was going to be writing a little book on Darrell's Island.

"It took about three years to complete but I was just doing it as a hobby.'' A great deal of research went into the publication, especially since the topic had never been written about before.

"It would have been easier if there had been other books on this, but neither the railway or the flying boats had ever been written about before,'' he explained. "Because Bermuda was a colony, the Public Records Office and the Royal Air Force were useful.

"I also obtained some information from the Bermuda Archives and of course there are still people around who were involved with either the old airport or the flying boats.

"I actually spoke to someone who was in his 90s. Talking to someone like that was amazing.'' Through his research, Mr. Pomeroy said he discovered Bermuda played a significant role in aviation history.

"Bermuda is actually unique in the history of aviation,'' he said. "This is the only maritime island in the western part of the Atlantic.

"The flying boats were an integral part of Bermuda's history and a lot of people will remember them.'' With the success of the Mr. Pomeroy's previous book on the Railway Trail, there has been great interest in "The Flying Boats of Bermuda''. Last Thursday Mr. Pomeroy addressed The Bermuda Historical Society, and he expects interest to continue flying sky high.

Copies of "The Flying Boats of Bermuda'' are available at bookstores throughout the Island.