corblimey
6th Mar 2004, 11:27
Tried a search, but couldn't find this one anywhere.
Years ago I read a very interesting story of a C208 lost on a ferry flight heading towards an island in the Sth Pacific.
He called on 121.5, and was lucky enough to make contact with a DC10. He explained the situation (this is all pre GPS days)..and the Capt of the DC10 'roughly established the position of the C208 by asking the pilot of the C208 to stretch his arm out in front of himself and ask how many finger-widths between the horizon and the sun (which was toward setting). From this info, the DC10 crew ball-parked the pos of the C208, gave him a direction to steer, and just after sunset, the C208 pilot saw lights of an island on the horizon. He subsequently landed on vapour.
I read this article in a book about 13 years ago, and with all the moves with the job over those years, I have lost that book..or probably loaned it to a pilot and you know what they're like at returning things.....
Any ideas people...a great read if you find it..
Years ago I read a very interesting story of a C208 lost on a ferry flight heading towards an island in the Sth Pacific.
He called on 121.5, and was lucky enough to make contact with a DC10. He explained the situation (this is all pre GPS days)..and the Capt of the DC10 'roughly established the position of the C208 by asking the pilot of the C208 to stretch his arm out in front of himself and ask how many finger-widths between the horizon and the sun (which was toward setting). From this info, the DC10 crew ball-parked the pos of the C208, gave him a direction to steer, and just after sunset, the C208 pilot saw lights of an island on the horizon. He subsequently landed on vapour.
I read this article in a book about 13 years ago, and with all the moves with the job over those years, I have lost that book..or probably loaned it to a pilot and you know what they're like at returning things.....
Any ideas people...a great read if you find it..