luffers79
26th May 2013, 06:27
In the early 1970s, aircraft were not supposed to cross the Soviet border without obtaining clearance 10 minutes beforehand. From the South it was often virtually impossible due to weak radio reception & extremely congested channels – it was chaos sometimes - too many frustrated people trying to talk (unsuccessfully) at the same time. Coming up from Africa direction, it became commonplace to, eventually, cross & then get clearance shortly (a minute or so) afterwards – where the clarity rapidly improved. On landing one night at Moscow I was told to report to ATC & report to the Chief Controller ! He was an ugly senior military officer in boots & breeches with a monocle (a Colonel - a Baddie out of a 007 James Bond film). His office was dark – only illuminated by a weak desk lamp. Via a female interpreter, he asked Why had I crossed without permission 10 MINUTES BEFOREHAND ? I said that your radios were too congested & weak to get permission from that direction until very shortly inside your border !! He said nothing - but got up from his desk & went to look out of his window at the illuminated airfield for a long minute. He then said I may go. On our return flight (to a different destination) he got his revenge - making us orbit for three & a half HOURS !! before giving permission to exit his territory & cross his border. We had to divert to Vienna to refuel.