Good one cow bay kid. I have never read such a descriptive account of flying in PNG. So descriptive in fact, it almost felt like I was flying there when I was reading it.
It seems to me that the same planes still have the same problems.
I remember one time after takeoff in the C206, it became apparent that the engine or prop was shaking/rattling the instrumet panel and the control column alot more than normal, so I returned to land back at Nadzab.
GT was phreaking at the fact that I had come back, and asked me what was the problem. I informed him and the engineer, he scratched his head and went back to his office. (God only knows what he does in there all day.)
After awhile he came back out and said the engineer (a very talented engineer
) had a look at it and nothing was wrong. I politely told him that yes there was something wrong and I refused to fly it until it was fixed. (I was not going to fly a fully loaded c206 to 11500 ft over the ranges in such a condition.) He threw a tantrum we had a bit of a debate until I said 'why dont you fly it then'. He stormed back into his office. I offered to do a circuit with the engineer inside, and it even took him awhile to agree. After ten min they both dissappeared, I waited for a couple of hours, then went home. By the next day, the engineer had fixed the problem, a twisted shaft. After all my encouragement thankfully.
The Islanders problems are nothing new, oil munching, engine surging, spark plug fouling, or not even starting. Its hard to judge the condition of your engine on take-off when none of the engine gauges are working. These Islanders would have to be the most battered in the world, and I think that if they were in a civilized country they would be considered not airworthy unless majorly overhauled. The wings would be the first thing that I would replace. A heavier than normal (for PNG) landing and the wheel strut goes through the wing. As has been demonstrated not long ago.
Anyway I would just like to say you seem like a clever man Cow Bay, utilize your judgement, dont be afraid to say no and stay safe. After all saftey comes first not profit, dont fall into the trap.
Have fun, enjoy your time, cause it certainly is some of the most thrilling flying you will probably ever do.
I also noticed the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisory for PNG not long ago. It mentions the road from Lae to Nadzab and its associated dangers. I actually found it to be somewhat amusing. A couple of my previous work collegues and myself have been shot at on the way to work, even with a security escort, thankfully, the rascals are just a bad shot as the dudes in matrix reloaded. Maintain your vigilance at all times and keep a look out. I suggest when driving through these hot spots to keep your speed as high as possible and not to worry too much about driving around the pot holes in the road. That van can cop a hiding, demonstrated many times before in the past by ex North Coast drivers.
Cheers.