November 1981 - Goroka PNG
This an interesting refuelling scene at Goroka PNG in late 1981.
MAF pilot's Winston Ussher is loading P2-MFU with Colin Simmons from previous posts is on the wing plus Tony Lister (LAME) with the fuel hose. Tony's dress is very period and the side burns, long socks and bermuda type shorts all the go back then ! Good to see proper refuelling SOPs in place, the earth strap on the LH leg already.
Notice the other chap in the rear RHS window and far side of MFU looking on with the puzzlled look ... like how much can you fit in a 185 ? The pilot seat was the full size adjustable type and the co-pilot was a smaller folding unit that was stored in pod when not required. Center seat was a bench type also folding and had belts for 3 pax when installed. Many of the airstrips serviced were above 5000' elevation.
At this point in it's life, MFU had accumulated some 6,500 hours and 5 incidents, including some 3 landing accidents (one in Australia and 2 in PNG).
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 20th Mar 2012 at 21:23.