Once upon a time there was Air Nauru.

[Centaurus]

NAURU AIRLINES
Airline of the Central Pacific

MEDIA RLEASE
Tuesday 15 July 2014
Nauru Air Corporation announces “NAURU AIRLINES”

Since 2006, Nauru Air Corporation has been trading as Our Airline and promoting co-operation amongst neighbouring countries to improve airline services in the region. The strategy has seen a number of new aviation initiatives and partnerships developed over the years since 2006 that have provided new services, linked new destinations and delivered more affordable travel in the region.

“I believe the Our Airline initiative has served us well over the last eight years” says Geoff Bowmaker, CEO “ however, also important is the very proud history behind Nauru’s servicing of its own, and the region’s, air transport needs going back more than the last forty years.”

“In recognition of the proud history of Nauru’s aviation achievements over these many years and the natural and primary role of the airline in servicing the people of Nauru, I am very pleased to confirm that effective 1 August, 2014, the trading name of Nauru Air Corporation will be re-named to NAURU AIRLINES” says Mr Bowmaker.

In his 46th Independence Day speech in January this year, His Excellency President of Nauru Baron Waqa foreshadowed this positive change, in conjunction with the impending arrival into service of the new all freight aircraft.

“I am pleased also to advise that the all freight aircraft is set to commence services to Nauru on Friday 1st August, bearing the proud external livery of NAURU AIRLINES” says Mr Bowmaker.
“This is a very exciting phase in the history of the airline and I congratulate and thank the entire NAURU AIRLINES family for all the dedicated and hard work that the whole team has put in to achieving these positive steps forward for the airline.”

Issued by: Geoff Bowmaker, CEO Nauru Airlines
Tuesday, 15th July, 2014.
............................................................ .............................................

This writer for one much prefers the original name of Air Nauru. It rolls of the tongue nicely. In those days, the pilots who flew for Air Nauru were mostly Australians, plus a few Americans, and New Zealanders. Among them were some who had flown Kittyhawks in WW2, Meteors in Korea and Caribou transports in Vietnam. The air hostesses came from all the different destinations on the network; each girl with her own individual personality and superstitions. Believe me, Pacific islanders can be very superstitious. To many of us old blokes who served in Air Nauru, the good old days were 1973 until 1988 when it fell in a heap after a bitter dispute between the Nauruan government of the day and the pilots. But the flying was good fun while it lasted. The destinations of its F28, Boeing 737-200 and Boeing 727-100 were really something. Especially to the old wartime airfields of which several are listed below.

Air Nauru had a remarkably comprehensive net work in the Asia Pacific with services to Hong Kong (the old Kai Tak airport), Kagoshima, Taipei, Okinawa, Singapore, Guam, Saipan, Koror, Truk, Ponape, Kosrae, Majuro, Tarawa, Honolulu, Honiara, Port Vila, Wallis island, Noumea, Apia, Pago Pago, Nandi, Tonga, Kanton Island, Niue, Raratonga, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Christmas Island (Kirimati).

The average load factor throughout the network was around 20% with many flights carrying no or few passengers. Those were the last of the days when the captain donned his uniform hat and took a stroll down the back and talked to the passengers. Among the great variety of passengers travelling to exotic destinations, crews were often privileged to have former American veterans of the Pacific War returning for a visit to old battlegrounds.

We would invite them to the cockpit and where possible show them the battle fields from the air. Tarawa was one such battle ground on the tiny atoll of Betio which is surrounded by the beautiful Tarawa Lagoon. In that three day battle for the Japanese held airstrip in November 1943, over 1000 US marines and 4000 Japanese defenders lost their lives.

The Nauru government subsidized the airline with profits from phosphate mining. As the phosphate began to run out in the early 1990's, the airline began to stop services to unprofitable destinations. That was most of the old network. Someone invented a new name for the airline and called it Our Airline. And now it has changed once more.

[Dash8driver1312]

...because all change is bad and must be resisted and the world will happily let one love in the past.

Now people flying P-40s tend to start out flying airliners, that's simply how the world is.

Although I do agree that Our Airline sounds rubbish and means nothing outside of the boardroom.

[onehitwonder]

Courtesy of the Australian taxpayers

[Paragraph377]

Centaurus, excellent post......
I for one am glad it is changing its name. I don't think Our Airline really ever did 'cut the mustard, although I do think it was a clever marketing strategy in "sharing" the airline with other nations, so to speak. The old Air Nauru certainly did have its own personality and also some great history, war stories and characters. The 727's were superb and served their time well. I sometimes wish that fast cruising and quick decent capable aircraft like the old girls, which were also heavy on fuel and noise would return to the skies (along with DC9's and the early 747's :) ) Air Nauru's 727 livery was simplistic yet neat, and some of the interiors reminiscent of a 70's porn film. Yep, that's the way I liked my aircraft. If only The Gen Y and X kids flying today's metal (oops, I mean Carbon) could have spent some time on these beautiful machines ;)
Anyway, it's good to see the airline are still around, although a little different today, but they are still around.

Thanks again for the great post Centaurus. (I'm a useless old fart with computers, maybe someone could upload a pic or two?)

Tarowang

[Meet the Fokker]

Centaurus

Great post. You obviously knew the old Air Nauru well.

The ex-Kittyhawk chap (PL) was near and dear to myself and I was so sorry to see how his time at Air Nauru ended. I really think it left him shattered.

I have no idea how they managed to get the old F28 as far as HKG and Kagoshima but they did and they never splashed one.

[TBM-Legend]

Is the freighter a DC8???

[Meet the Fokker]

I forgot to mention a few of the stories such as cabin staff not turning up for flight because they had more pressing things to do with their time and carrying loads and lodas of eggs from island to island. I wasn't there but heard some of the stories from the oldies like my uncle.

[Centaurus]

(I'm a useless old fart with computers, maybe someone could upload a pic or two?)


I'll have a go in the next day or two. I have used the "photo-bucket" website in the past for downloading to Pprune but often have troubles due also being a useless old fart too.:ok: Watch this space. Cent.

[sheppey]

Anyone interested in reading of Air Nauru tales of yore may like to Google the book "Tall Tails of the South Pacific" which was published by Self Publishing, Book Printing and Publishing Online - Lulu (http://www.lulu.com) in 2009. Paul Phelan, the well known Australian aviation journalist, reviewed the book and an edited extract follows.

"Aviation’s storytellers have always been one of life’s finest gifts to those of us who never took the trouble to write it all down. Their product ranges from the hilarious aviation adventures recounted in Aero Club bars, to the output of raconteurs who’ve actually been there, seen it all, and (happily) preserved big chunks of it on paper.
Many a modern airline pilot’s career is launched before age 20. The pressure is on from Day One to build airline-related qualifications, and there’s little time to soak up the broader aviation environment or even to interface with its history and its myths.

That’s a shame because to know and understand aviation in our region as it is today, is to appreciate how it all came together. And quite a lot of today’s intricate safety awareness, systems and ethos were developed the hard way – learning by experience.
It’s therefore thanks to people like (Centaurus) who must have complied a mountain of detailed notes right throughout his colourful career, that today’s young pilots can reach back in time and appreciate the rich variety of events that shaped today’s more orderly aviation environment. There are plenty of people still in aviation who have similar backgrounds to him but very few have chosen to document it.

During those colourful years he flew Fokker F28s and early-model Boeing 737s around the Pacific in one of the world’s most challenging operational environments. Challenging because of the turbulent blend of long sectors, dodgy navaids, forecasts and communications, none-too-long runways, ad hoc management decisions and Melanesian office politics. At one South Pacific airline I once saw a comment on the crew room notice board: “Things are so confused here that people are going around stabbing one another in the chest!” Pilots who’ve been there will be familiar with that scenario, which is often more focused on tribal nepotism and internecine politics than on basic air safety tenets.

That kind of flying has always attracted pilots whose individualism led them away from the day-to-day grind of more conventional airline flying and they, along with their opposite numbers in engineering, have always been the cement that’s held most of the small Pacific states’ airlines together. The book is prolific in examples.

Tall Tails Of The South Pacific offers several attractions for the reader whose interest is the broader background to our aviation scene. It comprehensively brings together clear images of early postwar military, government, airline and general aviation in a single well-detailed canvas. The whole book – all the military and all the civil flying – is richly peppered with operational incident and events including close shaves and accidents, and also names, many of them well-known and some quite famous. Being written first-hand and with convincing detail, it draws humorous incidents entertainingly, and the related yarns help us to understand better what shaped Australasia’s 21st century aviation environment .
That environment continues to change almost daily according to corporate, industrial, regulatory and political pressures, and any young and aspiring pilot in these times will benefit from a deeper understanding of how the aviation industry reached its present condition – and of what needs to keep happening, to straighten the path ahead".

[tourismman]

No the freighter is VH-VLI a 733F which has been in Subang the past few months.

[prospector]

Remember being on the tarmac at Faleolo when an Air Nauru boarding call was made, no pax came out from the terminal, but when I queried one of the crew what their payload was, I was told it was the mail for Pago Pago, and as we know, the mail must get through.

[parabellum]

Australians, plus a few Americans, and New Zealanders.


And two Poms, one sadly deceased.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Let's start at the beginning:

http://www.adastron.com/squawkid/gallery/vhbiz.jpg

Departure of the first service from Brisbane, Eagle Farm on 14 February 1970.

Rgds

[Exaviator]

I have fond memories of Nauru. My logbook shows several flights in a HS-748 during the latter part of 1970, Suva, Funafuti, Tarawa, Nauru.

In those days there was a shortage of eligible men on the island, but a surplus of single women, mostly working for the Phosphate Commission and each accomadated in their own small cottage.

I will leave the rest of my story to the readers imagination, but suffice to say that the overnight was a most enjoyable stay.:ok:

[A37575]

It was quite common for bored and jealous members of the Nauru police to cruise in their Land Rovers at night around the hosties single quarters and note the number plates of any expatriates parked outside. A warning then given to the hosties not to entertain expats in the evenings regardless how innocent the intentions of the visits were.

On a tiny atoll like Nauru (takes 20 minutes to drive around the whole country) it was amazing and disconcerting to hear about the gossiping. One classic story which was true, involved an Air Nauru flight engineer booking a six minute call to his wife in Australia. This was done through the Nauru international switchboard who told you when time was up.

Having gone well over the six minute call, the F/E remarked to his wife that he had better say his goodbyes as he had exceeded the paid for six minutes. The voice of the Nauruan switch operator interrupted his goodbye sweet nothings with "It's OK - you can keep on talking".. He had listened to the whole conversation.

This type of eaves-dropping had more serious ramifications when another private conversation was listened in to between an Air Nauru pilot who lived on Nauru with his wife and another pilot in Melbourne, in which conversation was about pilot industrial action that had just occurred. Within a few days the pilot living on Nauru was sacked by the Government. The conversation had been leaked by the switch operator to the President of Nauru.

[Skystar320]

Okay - but whats wrong with Our Airline? They have brought up a reputable brand in the market so why change it?

[Centaurus]

Okay - but whats wrong with Our Airline? They have brought up a reputable brand in the market so why change it?



No argument with that at all. Maybe the previous name of Our Airline did not really reflect the name of the island that owned it. Especially with overseas visitors booking their tickets and who would have no idea of the 40 year old history of the airline. An understandable name change.

[Square Bear]

Old is the new new.

Like Centaurus I like the new old name.

I always felt that the name "Our Airline" smacked of self indulgence within the region.

[Centaurus]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/HSWL/Bastonbeatup737-1.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/HSWL/media/Bastonbeatup737-1.jpg.html)

Better than Farnborough. Air Nauru 737-200 at Nauru circa 1984. The 737 had just returned from Hong Kong after a new paint job and the President of Nauru asked the chief pilot (Captain M. Baston) to show the 737 off to the people of Nauru. He did it proud.

[dodo whirlygig]

"No the freighter is VH-VLI a 733F which has been in Subang the past few months. "


Not in Subang any more.

[ACMS]

I bought the book "Tall Tales of the South Pacific" by John Laming and it's fantastic.

I highly recommend it to anyone.

[ivan ellerbai]

with the emphasis on "Tall".

[john_tullamarine]

Knowing John very well over many decades, I suggest not the case ...

[parabellum]

The original B737-200 of Air Nauru, C2-RN3, had a freight door, forward on the port side, but it wasn't for freight! The aircraft was fully fitted out for pax but when the island chief travelled a 'royal suite' was loaded in via fork lift truck, hence the freight door!


Known John a long time too and I agree with John Tullamarine.

[belowMDA]

I lived up there at the time the photo was taken that Centaurus posted. Dad was flying for the outfit. I remember a similar shot of the 727 doing a flyby at almost half the height of that 737. They had a simple yet attractive livery then.

Many memories of the place, but the fondest one, as a 5yr old, was the Lego shop. Then the cheapest in the world. My kids are about to inherit crate loads of the stuff!

[Centaurus]

"Tall Tales of the South Pacific"
You may have mis-quoted the title. The correct title is "Tall Tails (as in aircraft tails) of the South Pacific":ok:

While it is true the freighter version RN3 had a large freighter door up front, it was not of course primarily for President Hammer De Roburt's armchair suite. During the specifications plans for the fleet it was obvious the remoteness of Nauru and the need to bring in urgently needed perishables and general freight, required a freight capable type which also carried passengers. The floor was strengthened but rollers were not installed because that would have increased the empty weight of RN3 which was already about one tonne heavier than the other 737's in the fleet.

Besides the normal cargo holds, freight including passenger bags would be sometimes be loaded in the cabin with the passengers seat configuration changed as needed. Load and trim sheets were done manually.
I am sure every Air Nauru pilot from the early years of the operation has dined out on a story or ten to tell. It is such a pity few got around to recording their experiences for posterity. At least some have recorded their stories in Pprune pages which is a good thing.

The photo of the 737 doing the low run along the runway at Nauru was taken from the balcony of the flight service control tower situated less than 100 metres from the runway. Judging by the shadow of the aircraft on the runway the 737 was about 50 feet high. It is hard to envisage a Boeing 727-100 flying along the same runway at half that height.:eek: A trick of the memory perhaps or a little embellishment - or combination of both?

Many memories of the place, but the fondest one, as a 5yr old, was the Lego shop. Then the cheapest in the world. My kids are about to inherit crate loads of the stuff!

I know exactly what you mean. I well recall the kindly Nauruan lady with such a lovely well spoken voice who ran the Lego shop from her house at the bottom of the road that curved up into Menen Terrace. My daughter (now 38) was about seven years old at the time, and still talks with great affection of the Lego lady

[feenix]

Almost back to the old Airline with a fleet of five Boeings

[jarden]

Fleet is 3 Boeing 737-300s, where did you get the idea it is now 5?

But back in 1983 their fleet was 7 aircraft. 2 727s and 5 737s.
See History at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Airline

I like this comment:

since the entire population of Nauru at this time was about 8,000, the airline was in the extraordinary position of having seating capacity equal to 10% of the Nauruan population

[tourismman]

I have it as 4 aircraft

VH-INU
VH-PNI
VH-NLK
VH-VLI (Freighter)

I have heard that NLK and INU will go early next year and be replaced by 2 NZ 733's.

[feenix]

I have it at five ,all the above plus VH-ONU and one more to come so Jarden you are wrong 5 not 3 and I did say almost !!!!!!!!!

[jet_mechanic]

VH-INU flew its last load of PAX today. Ferry FLT to Alice Springs this (1st Aug) Friday to be decommissioned.

x2 more PAX aircraft (EX: Air NZ) will be arriving soon.

VH-VLI (freighter) will enter into service on the 1st of August. This will coincide with the new trading name of Nauru Airline from this day also.

A/C fleet will be x5 by end of this year.

[jarden]

Five by the end of the year so not 5 now feenix

[feenix]

Five now Jarden VH-INU (still on register till it is replaced by a new VH-INU), VH-NLK,VH-PNI, VH-VLI and VH-ONU That makes five now and in the future. Don't believe everything you read on Wiki it has more rumours than this site. VH-INU has not done its last pax flight yet and the ANZ aircraft are already owned by the Airline so at this point there is actually six if you want to get technical.


"where did you get the idea it is now 5?" From facts from the people who know and not Wiki

[jarden]

OK thanks Feenix for the full detailed reply.

You may find this thread interesting:

Our Airline To Rebrand As Nauru Airlines — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/6126388/)

There is also a mention of a possible 737-700 coming!

[d_concord]

Country has been broke, Airline has been broke, there is no industry other than the immigration camp and given that there are virtually no new arrivals that little earner has a use by date not too far into the future.

What is it about small countries that they have to have an airline that bleeds. They should have just one or two aircraft running hard and earning (or at least minimal subsidisation).

[The Big E]

What is it about small countries that they have to have an airline that bleeds.

I have said for donkey's years that they should all stop the pi**ing contest and combine and collectively have aircraft and maintenance facilities stationed at opposite ends of the Routes and criss-cross between these Ports on a daily or some other scheduled basis. They should also subscribe to a common set of Aviation Regulations similar to that which the PASO has tried to achieve. With competent management and oversight to provide the necessary good governance, this would bring about a more profitable solution for all, and the ADB, UN, World Bank, and other substantial contributors would get more value for money, and the Region would be far better off overall in terms of regular air services.

Food for thought. Ya all have a good day now. TBE.

[ivan ellerbai]

d_c: "They should have just one or two aircraft running hard and earning (or at least minimal subsidisation). "

And what - miss out on the revenue that is to be had because you can't cope with the demand? The entire fleet is "running hard", why else would it have been increased other than to cope with the current work to be had? Do you know anything about economies of scale and amortisation?

What "subsidisation"? Our Airline (sorry, Nauru Airlines as of today) pays a healthy annual dividend to the Nauruan Government as it happens.


Yes, circumstances will change in time and it is then that management should react and respond accordingly, it's what airlines do. Energy Crisis, SARS, GFC are a couple of examples where airlines had to react to changed circumstances. My intel is that NA management is acutely aware of future considerations and are planning accordingly.



Big E: "I have said for donkey's years that they should all stop the pi**ing contest and combine and collectively have aircraft and maintenance facilities stationed at opposite ends of the Routes and criss-cross between these Ports on a daily or some other scheduled basis"

And from where, exactly, do you think the concept of Our Airline stems? Fine ideal and enthusiastically supported by several other Pacific Nations - until it came to putting the money in!!! Individual agendas by the various countries make this ideal virtually impossible to achieve. It's a Pacific thing - those who have worked there will understand.




.

[ACMS]

Finished John's book Tall Tails ( sorry about earlier ) and it indeed was good reading.

Thanks John.

p.s. Is he still around Melbourne?

[chimbu warrior]

Good on Air Nauru for moving forward and expanding. Sure, they've had a few ups and downs (not uncommon in this industry), but continue to look for new opportunities.

I'd guess that they are making more money than Qantas and Virgin combined.

[john_tullamarine]

p.s. Is he still around Melbourne?

Indeed ... I'm sure a PM enquiry to him regarding a coffee would produce appropriate results

[Square Bear]

Must be a little concerned with the current Aus Govt....stopping the boats could curtail further expansion.

But credit where credit is due, not that many years ago the "fleet" (1 off) was reprocessed, however management has got it to to the expanding position it is now.

All the best.

[feenix]

Immigration work although a god send is only a fraction of their work. it has helped with upgrading the fleet but has only played a small part in their expansion. The company is very proactive and although not politically connected like some has earned a good reputation as a can do operator resulting in a good flow of charter work

[Rudder]

Lets get it right. The immigration work is the majority of their external work and that is running at 20% of what it was and can only decline further.

If you care to look at flight aware for their fleet for the last 4 months they are hardly working at any level that will sustain them with what they now have coming on line. The only saving grace they have is that the aircraft owe them nothing.

So given the competition from Skywest, Network and Alliance for any of the similar type work, they clearly will have a tough road expanding the business to cover the fleet.

As far as being politically connected who could be better connected than the government owned airline!

Good luck to them but I doubt that it will play out exactly as hoped.

[down3gr33ns]

"If you care to look at flight aware for their fleet for the last 4 months they are hardly working at any level that will sustain them with what they now have coming on line"


I understand that Air Nauru, like Skytraders, have had the majority of their ops removed from display on Flight Aware so you can hardly rely on that as a definitive authority.


What, for example, does Flight Aware show them doing in VH-INU or VH-VLI yesterday? I couldn't find anything with my search ability but I'm willing to learn. I'm reliably informed that they did flights in those aircraft yesterday completely unrelated to the refugee work.

[Rudder]

It was reported in the press last week that OA had only just removed the tracking. Skytraders had it removed years ago so you will see what OA has been doing up until then.

[MyNameIsIs]

Considering a lot of the guys currently running the show have been there for years, helped the airline get back up after VH-RON was taken from them and in general have been in the airline game for decades, they have got an idea of what is indeed, what. I doubt they would be digging a hole for themselves, they have invested too much hard work into it.

It's a company that one day I would like to go and work for. Real flying. If you have ever dealt with them in any capacity, you'd know.

[down3gr33ns]

"It was reported in the press last week that OA had only just removed the tracking"


There's your problem Rudder, you believe what you read in the press. Air Nauru, I'm advised, removed the majority of the tracking somewhat earlier than the alleged article suggests - more like the 4 months ago you alluded to and from which you concluded that they'd not been doing much due to the minimally reported activity since.


Airliners.com even has lots of photos of departures and arrivals that Flight Aware doesn't list.


And of my question re VH-VLI and VH-INU??? They certainly flew but I can't find it on Flight Aware - SO, I guess you're right, if it's not there then they're not doing much!!!


It's probably time you followed your own advice which was "Lets get it right".

[feenix]

Flight Aware means nothing and only showed basically domestic operations when it was working months ago. It doesn't work in the Pacific region where a lot of their work is done. As for all their aircraft owe them nothing, I don't know where you get that idea as all recent purchases are wholly funded by the Airline and are not a gift. It amazes me how some quote things as fact when they don't even know what is correct although I suppose this is a rumour network. Rudder you are so wrong but it would appear you work for Skytraders and have an axe to grind. Why did they drop Flight Aware years ago, did they have something to hide? The business doesn't need to expand to cover the fleet as it is the other way around the fleet has expanded to cover the business.

[Tarkeeth]

Centaurus, a bit of history from back in the late 60's. I was with Fiji Airways on the commercial side. We had Herons, DC 3s and a newly arrived HS 748. We set up the first scheduled service to Nauru with proving flights in the Herons then 748s', extending out from Tarawa, O/N Nauru.
In discussions with Hammer, who had been offered a fifth shareholding, didn't go to well in that he wanted to buy the whole of FJ outright. In those days we were owned by several Pacific Island nations and QF/BA. It was all or nothing for Hammer so no Pacific Island Consortium was formed to operate an airline. Still think it was a good idea but the Frog s where also a bit iffy.
FJs GM, crusty but straight, killed himself laughing when I gave him Hammers reply and that he had offered me the job of GM! if he could buy the whole of FJ. The discussions I might add where conducted in Hammers pig pens.
We did a bit of charter work for them to places like the Marshall's.
The Independent celebrations in 69 where fun with 2 Herk's, 2 DC4s 2 748s all arriving close behind one another. Cops on motor bikes clearing the runways, No ATC as the Radio was U/S. Having been co-opted to help sent our 748 off to Tarawa, Stopped the first Herk on the runway and asked him to act as ATC and inform the following A/C of the situation and to back himself onto the tennis courts with the other Herk. Having taken the skipper there by car to get his ok,TAAs 4 was taxied down to the school yard to park. QFs 4 parked in the admin area leaving room for the VIP A/C to land.
On our O/Ns we didn't stay in BPC quarters but at the wonderfully named " Virgins Castle "
As so many contemporaries are no longer with us great stories of PNG/Pacific Islands in the late 50s and 60s have been lost forever.

[Exaviator]

As so many contemporaries are no longer with us great stories of PNG/Pacific Islands in the late 50s and 60s have been lost forever.

As mentioned in my earlier post Tarkeeth, I am one that remembers them well. Glad to know that you are still hanging in there :D

[frigatebird]

It's a Pacific thing - those who have worked there will understand.


And those who haven't, never will..

[feenix]

Agree totally frigatebird.

[skol]

I used to operate to Nauru in the HS748 and on one occasion flew a Heron from Tarawa to Nauru and back when the 748 went u/s.
Those were the glory days when Nauruans were the richest people on Earth per head of population and the island was littered with wrecked Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Falcon GTHO's

[Centaurus]

Those were the glory days when Nauruans were the richest people on Earth per head of population and the island was littered with wrecked Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Falcon GTHO's


Not to mention the young bloods on their huge 1500cc Honda Goldwings who would race along the airport perimeter road to try and keep up with a Boeing 737-200 taking off 50 yards away. The Goldwing would beat us to 80 knots but we had them by the balls by VR when they had to pull up to avoid spinning off into the sea. :ok:

[jarden]

This is about the most interesting thread on PPRuNE right now. Keep the posts coming.

[shorty2rj]

As a yank flying for United in Guam, I love this thread. Air Mike's history with our islands is also ah colorful to say the least.

[Centaurus]

While on the subject of humorous stories, take a look at Pprune Forum "Questions". The thread is about good and bad pilots. Very funny indeed.

http://www.pprune.org/questions/544319-good-pilots-bad-pilots.html

[Mach E Avelli]

OK, my pig story.
The President of Nauru often commandeered the 737 for his own use.
On this occasion it was to celebrate his birthday at Majuro, as he was connected to 'family' there.
When the birthday party eventually returned to the airport, they were accompanied by the most beat up truck you ever saw. It was so rotten with rust that the cab had no floor and no proper seats. Just a couple of plastic garden chairs held with fencing wire to what remained of the chassis below.
Anyway, in the back of the truck were half a dozen or so pigs which were the President's birthday present. Pigs are very highly prized in many Pacific cultures. Wives are traded for pigs in some places.
These pigs were not caged. The truck backed up to the aircraft hold and they were herded in and the door slammed shut. Not my problem, not my aircraft - if that's how they wanted to treat their only remaining asset, too bad, so sad.
However, on return to Nauru I conveniently 'forgot' to forewarn the bag snatchers of our cargo - to watch the fun that I reckoned was to come.
Of course, as soon as the cargo door was opened, out came the squealers and off they went in all directions. At this stage in Nauru's history, the populace was not exactly enamoured with their President, so only a very half hearted effort was made to round up the porkers. In fact, it is quite probable that more than a few found their way to lash-up feasts all around the island over the next few days with the President back to his chicken and rice. And deservedly so.

[jarden]

Ex NZ 737-319 ZK-NGD flew out of CHC today to Subang (SZB) via CNS and DPS for a repaint. This will eventually become VH-ONU.

[Exaviator]

One overnight spent in Nauru comes to mind.

In the wee hours of the morning and needing a nature call I groped in the dark for the light switch. Now I should point out that I was not sleeping in the room that had been allocated to me in the men’s quarters, but one in the “Virgins Castle” belonging to a young lady who had earlier wined, dined and entertained me in fine fashion.

Prior to sleep I had noticed a pull cord hanging down over the bed and assuming it activated the overhead light, I eventually located it in the dark and gave it a healthy pull.

The still of the night was immediately broken by the extremely loud wailing of a siren. Unfortunately it turned out that I had activated not the light, but the “Intruder Alarm”, which was quickly followed by a urgent knocking on the door by a member of the security patrol. :confused:


I spent the next few minutes concealed in the bathroom whilst my generous companion of the evening explained, how she had accidentally activated the alarm herself…

[Tarkeeth]

On alternate Sundays we operated Nandi-Funafuti-Tarawa-Nauru and on one accession managed to get Sundays Sydney's papers off the transit QF 707 and give it to the NZ Met guy and his wife stationed at Funafuti. Both burst into tears as it was the first paper they had ever seen on the day it was published in 10 months. The hotel there was listed as A/con which actually meant one pushed the weaved slats out to get the breeze.
On one of the trips a Catholic Monsignor was visiting and the local maidens were to welcome him with dancing in their grass skirts. Himself missed the flight but the welcome went ahead anyway with the maidens minus their tops which says so much about the islands.

One of reasons I travelled as supernumerary was to teach the locals how to do the load sheets. Say no more.
Our agent in Tarawa was the best available and he was actually certified! True.
He had the Bone pointed at him for fooling around with another mans wife, he became very ill and we flew him to RPA in Syd. They couldn't overcome the " curse " and he returned home to die. Amazing power pointing the bone has.

On one trip the inverters on the 748 went tits up in Tarawa and special dispensation had to be got to ferry the A/C back minus Pax and so we had 11 days there. Apricot pie and gravy is another story. Found out then that the outriggers on the lagoon were supposed to be the fastest sail boats in the world at that time, 69.

One of our first hostess was a Fijian Princess, problem was she was not supposed to be above head height of Fijian men when serving food or drinks. A word in fathers ear solved that.

On a couple of trips took Meb car dealers to Nauru one was the Rolls Royce agent who had to ensure that suitable servicing was available before completing the order for 5 Rolls. He was quite shocked and didn't believe that there was only 12 miles of rough tarmac.
The other guy was a second hand dealer who did a few trips and he actually charted a ship to take a heap of used an unused cars back to Meb

Hammer spent millions on green Astro Turf for the admin area which of course bleached to white.

Nauru didn't have any Immigration or Customs regulations of their own which where needed before we could operate. Took out Regs from an international guide to a similar country and gave it to their Chief of Police. Problem fixed.

The Search and Rescue charters were interesting, only a few, as it was NZs area. Amazing stories of Gilbert islanders coming ashore after 100 days + being lost at sea.

As we all know, lots of wonderful tales that can't be told here. The Vila/Honiara service is a whole another story.

[zanzibar]

" Not my problem, not my aircraft - if that's how they wanted to treat their only remaining asset, too bad, so sad."


Nice attitude Mach. I bet you took the money from them at the end of the month anyway.

Not much of a demonstration of a Captains responsibility - if that's what you were. Didn't have the fortitude to tell them to get it right and load the livestock properly? Scared of El-Presidente by the look of it.

[Mach E Avelli]

Oh Zanzibar, lighten up. A figure of speech, but when there is nothing one can do, I have often found that, provided an activity is not unsafe, it is easier to just do it rather than take the high moral ground. Unlike some who behave like the gutter Press and seize on every word - as if those who contribute here are politicians and need to be oh so PC......
Before you bang on about the obvious, I am quite aware of the regulations about carriage of animals. The same regulations that consider an adult to weigh 84 kg. As if....the average prepubescent Nauruan teenager weighs more. Multiply that 'standard' weight by 150 pax and you can see that compliance with rules out there was somewhat, shall we just say, flexible. And, OF COURSE I had them clean the pig poo out of the hold before the aircraft flew again.
As for being scared of the President, ask someone about the riot on the airfield when the same President (of the pigs, and he was quite annoyed about that incident already) was trying to do a flit to his Swiss bank account. It did involve refusing to fly and quite deliberately making the President somewhat uncomfortable for several hours by shutting off all power to the aircraft in an attempt to 'smoke him out' in the heat. I was sacked for being such a recalcitrant. To be reinstated about three hours later when he realised no one else was available to fly him, or the aircraft, out of the country. Sacked again on arrival in Australia, to be reinstated yet again 24 hours later when some other pollie needed to go back to the island.
Individual Nauruans are often delightful and generous people, but the same can not be said for some of those who rose to high office.
Hence the 'too bad, so sad' attitude, and yes, I took their money just like all the other drunks, skunks, misfits, missionaries and mercenaries that have been through Nauru over the decades.

[Centaurus]

" Not my problem, not my aircraft - if that's how they wanted to treat their only remaining asset, too bad, so sad."
Nice attitude Mach. I bet you took the money from them at the end of the month anyway.


Zanz. The story by Mach was a good one. I knew exactly how he felt when he wrote "if that's how they wanted to treat their only remaining asset, too bad, too sad." I think you have misunderstood what really went on during the days of Air Nauru. There were good things - there were bad things and the Nauruans in those days were quick to deport any expatriate that criticised their policies and their behaviour. I saw the quick deportation of so many excellent New Zealand and Australian school teachers who loved teaching the local children.

Some had been there for several years. If I recall, the teachers were on about $8000 AUD a year - free accommodation etc no tax. Then one fateful period after the President had been to India to stitch up a Phosphate agreement, he hired an Indian bureaucrat to be the Chief Secretary and Head of the Public Service on Nauru. Within a few months the sackings of loyal Australian and NZ teachers started. Often less than one week's notice to pack up and get out. Miraculously teachers from India arrived en-masse on Nauru to replace them. Also miraculously their wives suddenly produced teaching certificates, too. Soon there was disorder at the schools with Nauruan high school students protesting at the sacking of the expatriates who had been there for so many years.

It got nasty when students started throwing stones at their Indian teachers and a car got burnt up as well. One of the problems was the students could not understand the sometimes incomprehensible Indian accents and especially when it was alleged some of the wives teachers qualifications were faked. More from the Sub-Continent arrived to take appointments in the judiciary and Public Service administration and even the Civil Aviation department. The Chief Secretary was virtually King of the Castle. If the President said sack someone the CS did just that on his behalf because that was his job.

I well recall a NZ teacher that was deported. He packed up his personal effects and boxed them in wooden crates to be put on a 737 scheduled to go to AKL. Word went around the teacher had upset a local identity and so the cops smashed open the crates and left the belongings strewn over the tarmac. Eventually the then Australian commercial manager of Air Nauru arranged for the boxes to be put together and he quietly got them aboard another 737 for on-forwarding eventually to AKL. He was sacked for doing so. There are no shortage of similar stories of the old days. Hence I can readily understand Machiavelli and his shrug of the shoulders about the pigs.

One story I will never forget which perhaps typified the cavalier sackings of loyal expat employees. It is a factual event because I was involved in one small way. A NZ surveyor who had worked on the island for many years made an ill-advised remark in the bar of the Menen Hotel about the propensity of the then President to micro-manage the building design of local houses. At about that time the space station Skylab was orbiting the earth and no one knew where it was going to land as contact had been lost.

Talking to friends at the bar the disgruntled building surveyor said the best thing that could happen to Skylab was to fall on State House - the official residence of the President (Hammer De Roburt). The barman or someone talked and next day the surveyor was called to the Chief Secs office and sacked for (and get this for hilarity) "Wishing ill health upon the President by hoping Skylab would fall on his house."

And how do I know this? Because I was the pilot who flew he and his family a few days later on his way back to NZ. He was seated down the back of the 737 when he related his story to me. I decided then and there to elevate him to Business Class up front. A captain had that authority in those days. But all that was over 35 years ago. So here is a funny event to balance some of the less funny stories.

737 Nauru to Nandi and return. Centaurus PIC. One hour turn around at Nandi so the four air hosties visit Nandi passenger terminal to buy ice-creams for themselves and gifts for relatives back on Nauru. A drunk is seen staggering around the terminal and on their arrival back on the Air Nauru 737 a hostie tells me. There were a couple of other airliners including a QF 747 at Nandi so I hoped the drunk was not coming to our plane.

We get airborne and happily wing our way towards Nauru. Weather is good with a few CB with tops well below us. The hostie call ring sounds and it is the youngest hostie who says in a small voice that there is a gentleman down the back who would like to visit the flight deck. The OK is given and within seconds the cockpit door bursts open and a drunken "gentleman" appears looking like Godzilla in combat boots. He wavers then thrusting one hand forward to shake hands says "I am a personal friend of the President.'

Down the back many eyes are seen looking nervously through the cabin at this tall half pissed Osama Bin Laden look-alike minus head rags and beard, leaning into the cockpit with both his arms draped over the back of the pilots seats. Not a good look even though hijacking was unheard of in our part of the world. In fact, he was a delightful drunk with a keen sense of the ridiculous. But he made no effort to leave the cockpit after a few minutes and his breath was off too. Being a friend of the President gave him a certain status. In those days, if you crossed the President, however inadvertently, then your career with Air Nauru was likely in jeopardy. Cross one of his professed mates and same problem. So for the time being we were stuck with the President's mate. He could even be a local politician..

Then a brilliant thought. Ahead and below were towering Cumulus build-ups with tops around 20,000 feet. We were at 35,000 ft so well above the clouds. By dropping the radar tilt to minus five degrees we could see several big red blobs of moisture-laden clouds. I pointed to the radar and told the co-pilot there was danger ahead and to put on the seat belt signs. The co-pilot thought I was kidding until I jerked my thumb towards our visitor. The co-pilot got the message and faked murmurs of consternation at the radar screen.

"See the red blobs on the radar" I said to the visitor. "The red means dangerous turbulence ahead, so get back to your seat fast and strap in and only drink water for the rest of the trip." For someone half-cut he sure moved fast and the rest of the trip passed without further drama.

After the last of the passengers had disembarked at Nauru I called the junior hostie up to the cockpit and asked her why she had allowed the drunk to go to the cockpit when she knew the state he was in. "I didn't have much choice" she said. "He was my father" :eek:

[Mach E Avelli]

Politics, intrigue and corruption are bedfellows in many societies, but on Nauru sometimes all three combined in the most comical ways.

One former Chief Pilot was a nasty drunk, though he was also quite generous towards the poorly paid local cabin crew. On an overnight after shouting the crew dinner he became embroiled in an argument (maybe over the service or the bill, I dunno). Story has it that he belted a waiter. Whatever the truth of that, he found himself in the lockup. Due to the ensuing flight delay, he was sacked. When he stepped off the aircraft back in Australia, he wasted no time calling CASA to try and have the AOC suspended on the grounds that the airline no longer had a Chief Pilot. Fortunately, an acting position was hurriedly accepted and business continued.
About a month later the former CP reappeared on the scene in the position of General Manager! He had got to the Minister who held the aviation portfolio and promised him that he would expedite promotion of Nauruan pilots to command. Of course he had no such intentions - in fact quite the reverse. He didn't last long. Brought undone by a very racist email in which he described the Nauruans as 'fat, useless and lazy' or some such similar derogatory terms.

Then there was a very good General Manager who came on the scene. As part of his determination to stop the President and all his merry men from joyriding around the skies in the Boeing, he required them to actually pay up front. On one occasion a considerable sum in cash was deposited with the airline's Nauru office in advance of a Presidential jolly. The jolly was duly flown, but strangely no sooner had it been completed than the office was broken into and the safe containing the money uprooted and removed. No mean feat, as it had to be unbolted from the floor and then carried down a flight of steps. The empty safe was recovered at 'topside' where the mining equipment was maintained and where obviously cutting equipment was kept. The police investigation was cursory at best. It would have taken some very strong men to lift that safe. Although never proven, it was suggested that at least some of the perpetrators were members of Nauru's weight lifting team. The question of how these guys would have known that the safe actually contained cash was never asked. More often than not it was pretty empty because there was very little money in circulation on the island by then.
So the President got a free ride after all.

[dodo whirlygig]

I'm forever amazed at how peoples recollections differ over a period despite them being present at the same event.


As an expat on Nauru at the time MachE mentions, and who happened to be at the airport at the time he mentioned, it is my clear recollection that the aircraft wasn't going anywhere because the runway had been invaded. There is no way an aircraft could have taken off without mowing down some locals. A little different to other versions of events especially considering the mention that to defy the President would get you fired. So, why would you do that (act defiantly) with that knowledge?


Yes, the pilot chief alluded to did have some issues but I can assure you that it had nothing to do with smacking a waiter and nor were there any flight attendants or dinner involved. Facts get distorted when recanting stories second-hand, unfortunately.


How do I know? I knew him well whilst I worked for Rehab as I did many of the other Air Nauru pilots at the time. Did I know you and did I attend your send-off party in the Menen? A good time was had by all - ah, the happy days ies!

[Mach E Avelli]

Dodo, as I admitted, I don't know exactly why the ex CP spent the night in the lockup, though from his character I surmise that he probably deserved it.

As for the riot, I was the guy in the cockpit, so know exactly how it unfolded.
The runway and taxiway were blocked by protesters behaving fairly peacefully. They wanted to hold the President on the island pending questions about money he had allegedly spirited away.
When he arrived and was rushed up the aircraft steps direct from his motorcade, the crowd got a little agitated but were in the main still reasonably well behaved.
Via the PA I spoke to the passengers and told them that we would not be starting until the crowd dispersed. One of the President's men came forward and said words to the effect of "just get going, they will move out of the way and if they don't, mow them down"'. I agreed to start the engines and did so, but when the crowd did not show any signs of moving, shut down again, went to the foot of the steps and spoke to the ringleader of the protest. Meantime there was some biffo going on - the funniest sight was a large lady who had taken to a cop and was getting the better of it. Also a couple of cops laying into each other, presumably because one had hit a relative of the other.
After we disembarked the pax, the President insisted on staying aboard, so was left with one volunteer Flight Attendant and his usual contingent of goons. The APU was shut down to heat things up, in the hope that the discomfort would move the President. My excuse being that we were fuel critical. It was not quite at that stage, but after a few hours more of APU usage would have been, because the locals had sabotaged the fuel installation and we could not uplift any more.
A couple of young guys then rode a bike along the strip to where there were no people and threw a Molotov cocktail, which proved a point that I had made that until the strip was not only clear of people, but the perimeter fence also, we would not be departing. Also, once daylight ended, we would not be departing as we would be unable to see who or what was along the perimeter. I think that's about when I got sacked for the first time.
It was eventually resolved when the Chief of Police agreed to release protesters who had been locked up during the melee' and yet again the President had his way.
He's just lucky that Nauruans are generally gentle-natured. In some places the crowd would have stormed the aircraft and lynched him.

[Tee Emm]

Meantime there was some biffo going on - the funniest sight was a large lady who had taken to a cop and was getting the better of it. Also a couple of cops laying into each other, presumably because one had hit a relative of the other
Being familiar with that part of the world I could just imagine that stuff happening. If someone got the film rights to that story it would make millions on You Tube. Bit late now though. Well written Mach:ok:

[piratepete]

Hey Mach, I was there too.Which of the DRUNKS SKUNKS MISFITS GYPSIES WEIRDOS MISSIONARIES or MERCENARIES Category do you belong too? Your writing style is familiar, a bit arrogant, ........

[Mach E Avelli]

Rather than engage in a urinating contest about who has the more arrogant writing style, I will graciously concede defeat by referring Pirate Pete back to some of his own posts, particularly those he made on 25th December last year and around 15th May 2012.
Now let's not sabotage Centaurus' worthy thread with further argument about writing or attributes/personality defects (or two versus too versus to) but rather, return to tales of the Pacific. Whether tall, true or anecdotal, there are plenty to be told. Change names if necessary to avoid lawsuits or troubles with the moderators.

[piratepete]

I rest my case.Case closed.

[dhavillandpilot]

Guys

How about a few pictures.

After all these were the good old days of swash buckling pilots like my father who nearly got sacked from Ansett for mistakenly telling a flight attendant to come up and see the biggest banana over the PA instead of just the intercom

[skol]

Tell me how, Pprune isn't like other websites I visit where I can upload pictures.

[Kharon]

Mach E: Dodo, as I admitted, I don't know exactly why the ex CP spent the night in the lockup, though from his character I surmise that he probably deserved it

Mach, they pop up out of nowhere; metaphor is a mystery almost a sacrilege, pedantic, soulless beings who thrive on minutiae. Imagination, comprehension and intuition sacrificed in a world of well ordered cupboards and ironed underdaks. They exist. – Those of us with humility, humanity, wit, a sense of humour, and of the ridiculous; the ability to take the Mickey and to withstand the same, understand. It is bad manners to question a skippers story, especially in the pub, no matter how many times it has been told. It's actually bad manners to get too close to 'da troof'.

This thread and the one linked (Biff 's life story) are a delight to read. Pilots, true pilots love nothing better than a cold beer and a good yarn shared amongst mates. Don't have to be factual, not even accurate – when yarns and laughs are then thing; it's just part of the post flight 'balancing act'; so essential to professional pilots who have just completed a tour.

Bollocks to the pedantic details – spin the yarn, but tell it well; it's the smiles we enjoy, not the dry, dusty pedantic crap clerks and the like thrive on. Yarn away boys.

And I somehow rather fancy that I’d like to change with Clancy,
Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the cash-book and the journal —
But I doubt he’d suit the office, Clancy, of ‘The Overflow’.

Patterson (http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/p/paterson/ab/man_from_snowy_river/chapter4.html)would have understood; probably bought a round and be glad of the company. Amateurs and salesmen?; got no time.

Toot toot.

[amos2]

Having spent an enjoyable time with Air Nauru in the late 90's I must tell you that this thread does nothing but disservice to the Nauran people and to those who worked for Air Nauru! :=:=

[Mach E Avelli]

Amos, what Kharon said.

Centaurus probably won't consider a tale from another Pacific airline to be hijacking his thread.
The hero of this true story is no longer with us, but he was a close friend and I am sure that he would not mind me telling it.
On the regular HS 748 run from Nadi through Funafuti and Tarawa to Nauru, my mate reckoned the Lagoon at Funafuti was the pick for swimming. Problem was the HS748 never obliged by breaking down at FUN. However the turnaround was a fairly leisurely affair as the pax checked in on 'island time'. Also, sometimes a magistrate came up from Fiji and ran a court hearing in the grass hut that was the terminal, thus slowing the turnaround even more.
When it was time to board, a triangle was rung to round everyone up.
On this occasion my mate figured that he had enough time for a swim, so without saying anything to the Captain (who was also the Deputy Chief Pilot and a bit of a stickler), he slipped away. He reckoned he would hear the triangle being rung and that would still give him time to change into his uniform and get back to the cockpit. Unfortunately, he had not accounted for the onshore wind which masked the boarding signal.
Needless to say, all pax including the magistrate were aboard, the Captain ready to go and no First Officer anywhere. Eventually my mate reappeared dripping wet, did a quick change in the toilet and the flight continued.
From distant memory, I think that episode cost him another 12 months in the sin bin before he could be considered for command.

,

[amos2]

You really were a bunch of cowboys, weren't you!
Thank goodness you were eventually replaced by professional pilots!

[skol]

I used to operate the HS748 to Nauru via Nadi and Funafuti, we overnighted at what was then the BPC barracks, hardly the Sheraton.

I was based in Tarawa on 2 occasions and flew the Heron to Tabiteuea, Butaritari and Abemama, and on one occasion to Nauru, very enjoyable and very profitable. I paid Gilbertese taxes at a grass hut in Bairiki and claimed taxes back when I returned to Fiji.

On one occasion I flew the local magistrate to Abemama where he held court in the terminal, an open frond-covered building. The guy on trial had cut someone up with a machete. The magistrate was asked if he would like a drink, whereupon someone obtained Exhibit A, the blood covered machete and cut open a coconut for him.

[prospector]

What Kharon said. Amos2, what a happy little chappy you must be.

[witwiw]

I think you touched a nerve with your observation, Amos.

[witwiw]

You forgot inanity - typified by your post.


As in "Something empty of meaning or sense."

[Fantome]

and people accuse me . . . . witwiw . . . as you know, he is anything but inane. . . . as a rule . . .. . but tonight the Kilkenny is
kicking in . . .. it's oither thut . . or the juice of the barley . .. AND . .his long list of ingredients is not without some Ernest Gannish influence. (Upon his office shelves once
upon a time I did aspy, tucked in at the end of two metres groaning shelf space of manuals, regs and regs and regs and bumf. . . the
EKG classic.)

BTW . . IOS???

[witwiw]

Sensitive, aren't we?

[zanzibar]

" no longer interested in one line troll baits"


Really? Well, it looks like you took it.

[Kharon]

And once you line 'em all up - ???

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/004wercras/images2.jpg

[Square Bear]

Witwiw and Amos2

You guys need to chill out..yarns are are yarns....

Having an idea who Centaurus and Mach are, I would imagine their stories have substance.

Geez..bet you two (Amos2 and Witty) will have a best seller...um NOT!!

[zanzibar]

Who removed the inane rants? The poster or the mods?


And with this,


"And once you line 'em all up - ???

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/004wercras/images2.jpg "


you're not.

[jarden]

Sorry to drag up this thread but there is an interesting analysis done on Nauru Airlines on CAPA:

Nauru Airlines begins new chapter with new brand & rapid growth despite world?s smallest home market | CAPA - Centre for Aviation (http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/nauru-airlines-begins-new-chapter-with-new-brand--rapid-growth-despite-worlds-smallest-home-market-186147)

[4 Holer]

Must have been wrong info.....

[feenix]

Doubt it 4 holer. Even if they were paying as you say, which I doubt, it would still be half of what Virgin would want !

[falconx]

interesting to see if Virgin is given access

[4 Holer]

Got it wrong again...............

[mightyauster]

Dear 4 Holer,

Why has your DC8 not flown for the last few weeks? I hear the Feds are involved...

[Rhterrke Atnyeneteke]

Rumour Aussie Govt getting charged 737-300 (128 seats ) $17000 per hour to Nauru not hard to beat that one would think. Presume AUS Government flight number will get access.....

But what do you think would happen to a flagship Australian government policy if Canberra said, sorry but we're not going to use Air Nauru to fly to Nauru any more?

The words, "short and curlies" spring to mind.

[falconx]

For the Aussie government to use Nauru's detention it was a condition it's own airline was to be used. $17K an hour, explains another 3 in aircraft in 6 months

[d_concord]

Morrison on Friday spelt out that they were offering to shut down the detention centres if they can get the TPV's through the senate.

Makes sense but it will bring the gravy train to a halt.

(and for what it is worth I have heard a much higher figure than the 17K/hr)

[feenix]

You guys are dreaming. Some facts. It is not 17000 or higher-Try and hire a 737 off any of the majors and you won't see much change out of 25000- What government work they do carry out is shared with Skytraders who are more expensive I'm told-the Australian government does not hire the airline to take workers to Nauru it is a private company- Nauru government was getting a freighter before the centre was opened and it appears the DC8 operator has his nose out of joint as the private (not Government) parties using him were not satisfied with his work- The fleet upgrading and expansion has been planned for other purposes and all the centres have done is escalate things. The airline is providing work for people under good conditions so why knock it. Even so I will sit back and wait for the barrage of unfavourable comments from parties with much to gain if they fail.

[Car RAMROD]

Isn't there a PNG operator asking for about $30+ grand an hour for their Fokkers??

Ill take a 17k 737 if that's the case!

[Square Bear]

Isn't there a PNG operator asking for about $30+ grand an hour for their Fokkers??

Are you serious, Travel Air charge that much to charter one of their Fokker 50's??? :ooh:

Tell 'em they're dreaming!, go for the 733.

[Stanwell]

Aww, c'mon chaps. Do your sums please.


Centaurus, where are you when we need you for another remenisce?

[Centaurus]

Centaurus, where are you when we need you for another remenisce?

Right here. Another true story of Air Nauru times.

TEN TONNES AND HOLD THE POTION.

Normally I am not superstitious. Well, maybe just a little. OK, I avoid walking under ladders, I am tempted to throw salt over my left shoulder and I certainly touch wood. Yes, I believe rats will leave a sinking ship – but wouldn’t you?

In the Pacific islands superstition is rife. A former airline pilot I know has lived on a tiny Pacific island for 29 years. He is unemployed, does not have citizenship but the government let him stay there with free housing. He keeps fit by running around the island and the locals accept him as one of their own. Let’s call him Bill, although that is not his real name.

Bill joined the local airline around 1977 and elected to be based there on the island rather than in Australia. It was tax free, accommodation provided and his contract included free medical and hospital services. The money was good and because there was little to spend it on, his bank account grew nicely. In 1988 the airline’s 30 Australian based pilots went on strike over pay and conditions of service and perceived safety issues. At that time, only four pilots lived on the island. Their salary was tax free, the booze plentiful and cheap and it was pleasant life style. The airline flew to exotic destinations such as Hong Kong and Honolulu and the flight attendants who lived on the island were good company.

The government of the island made a lot of money from natural resources and they owned ships and several Boeings. They named these ships and Boeings after island chiefs. One ship was destined for the ship-breakers in Taiwan as it was going to cost a mint to renew the sea-worthy certificate. It had been found un-seaworthy by the local authorities of another island 500 miles away who prevented it from leaving their harbour. The vessel was named after an eminent lady of the rich island who was still alive but very old. The superstitious islanders considered it bad luck to get rid of the ship while the old lady was still around. So it was left at anchor in the lagoon with a skeleton crew aboard to run the generators and pump out sea water. They had no shortage of girl-friends with whom to enjoy the warm nights. This went on for several years when eventually the old lady went to Heaven and the ship was towed to Taiwan and sold for scrap metal.

The islanders who lived on the rich island were grateful when the four pilots who lived on the island refused to join the strike. The government refused to bow to the pilot’s demands and their contracts were terminated, leaving just four pilots and three Boeings. More pilots were recruited this time from India and essential services resumed. Food supplies and other goods were flown from Australia.

Although unpopular with their colleagues in Australia the four remaining pilots who lived on the island were heroes in the eyes of the government and the people. Time passed and these pilots themselves moved on, leaving Bill as the last of the original pilots that manned the airline in 1977.

Perceived by some as eccentric, Bill clashed with the wrong person and was removed from flying in 1992. In a similar position, other expatriate workers on the island would have deported by the government on the first plane out. The turn-over of qualified expatriates had historically been high. Cross the wrong island official and you were out, fast.

Although Bill did not know it, he was regarded by a grateful government as the last of the Mohicians – the band of four pilots who had remained with the airline. It would bring bad luck to sack him. Financially he was secure, living on investments and bank interest made during his airline years. With the island’s natural resources drying up there was no more money coming in and the once rich islanders became poor. The government was broke and so was the bank that had Bill’s money. Despite numerous changes of government, none were game to deport Bill back to Australia. The decision had long been made to let Bill stay as long as he wished. Such is the power of superstition.

In the early 1980’s the airline’s Boeings were landing on islands in Micronesia, the Marshalls, the Carolines and the Solomons. Guam, Saipan, Chuuk (Truk), and Koror in Palau were popular destinations for Japanese tourists in particular. Flight attendants of the airline were recruited from several Pacific islands. Each brought with them individual superstitions common to their own country.

One particular flight attendant from Malaita Island in the Solomons, was feared by her colleagues because Malaita, a mountainous jungle covered island, had an evil reputation for black magic and sorcerers. Playing on their fears, this attractive dark skinned young woman let it be known she possessed certain magic powers and that unless the other flight attendants “volunteered” to do her flights, she would eat their eyeballs while they slept. It worked, because she rarely flew and spent much of her time relaxing on the beach on full pay. Not bad if you can get away with it..

The power of superstitious beliefs, on one island at least, is well illustrated by the two preceding stories. The next story however is about my own clash with superstition and starts on a balmy evening at the bar of the Hilton Hotel in Guam. Our crew had arrived from Hong Kong and were relaxing before resuming duty next day. Some had gone shopping, others were sleeping, and I was reading a book by the pool when I was joined by Henrietta, a air hostess from the Micronesian atoll of Chuuk. In those days it was called Truk and the title of air hostess has been long replaced by the more neutral term Flight Attendant, or FA for short.

Henrietta isn’t her real name, but close enough for the purpose of this story. She was attractive with laid back manner. Where possible the airline rostered the FA’s through their home islands. Some had children there and of course, relatives. In the islands everyone is a cousin. When passing through Truk on previous occasions I had seen two small children waiting for Henrietta behind the airport security fence and as she stepped from the aircraft they would wave and call out to her. The Immigration staff knew her well and allowed the children into the terminal building to greet her.

On the following day we were scheduled to return to our home island via Truk and Ponape and I asked Henrietta about the two children at Truk airport. They belonged to her, she said, and always met the inbound Boeing in the hope their mother would on it. During the Pacific war, Truk was a Japanese military base and the target of constant air attacks by American bombers. After the war Truk Lagoon became a popular destination for dive parties eager to explore the many sunken Japanese ships.

With two children, I assumed therefore that Henrietta was married although she certainly had no shortage of suitors among the airline pilots. When asked for how long she had been married, she replied quite simply that she was still single. I could understand one child for a single mother, but how come two – I asked. She had no choice – it was black magic, she replied.

You must be kidding, I said – You are an intelligent woman, how did you fall for that line? At that Henrietta got quite huffy and scolded me for laughing at her. I was fascinated and after I bought her a drink, she told me this story.

She was sweet sixteen and living with her parents and many sisters and brothers. A local lad was keen on her but she was too naive to know that he only wanted one thing. She told him to get lost. One night, after her parents had retired, she thought she heard a quiet knock on her bedroom window.

Unlatching it, she became aware of a strange compelling scent wafting from a figure crouching in the shadows outside. It was the man who had wanted to marry her. The Trukese are a superstitious race and Henrietta had been brought up by her mother to believe in the power of love potions, as well antidotes to dilute their effect if forewarned. But now she had been caught unawares.

She knew immediately her suitor must have sailed away to one of the outer islands and from someone dealing in black magic, had obtained a love potion. Her mind in a hypnotic daze, she soon succumbed to his advances, while as far as the suitor was concerned, the canoe trip over rough seas to get the potion was worth every penny – or US dollar. Twice Henrietta fell pregnant before the spell wore off leaving the boyfriend to try his luck elsewhere.

Her story intrigued me and back on base I talked to Pamela, an island lady married to an Australian surveyor. I told her of my conversation with Henrietta. She was not surprised and explained that superstitions had existed all over the Pacific for centuries. She herself believed implicitly in certain events, despite being educated in Australia where magic spells are unheard of. But, she said, when sensing I was more than casually interested in this love potion thing – take my advice and never stuff around with black magic, because it can turn around and bite you. Meaning of course it can bring bad luck as well as good luck.

The potion concerned is gathered in a small phial and rubbed into the skin. Once the object of desire is aware of it’s scent it is only a matter of time before you are in like Flynn – that was according to Freddie our Trukese refueller, when I asked him during my next flight there.

A few weeks later I was in Hong Kong and bought some Brute after-shave. Back again on my island after dropping into Guam and Truk, I hitched a lift to Pamela’s house with goodies from overseas including fruit, veggies and magazines for her husband in return for lunch and a beer. Apart from driving aimlessly around the island clockwise and then counter-clockwise, there was little to do, and to remain sane, pilots would drop in on expatriate friends with goodies and news of the outer world. In turn, the families would welcome the pilots with open arms and something to eat. The local hotel where they stayed had food, but the mice would piddle into the flour and all that sort of thing.

Possessed with an unfortunate warped sense of humour, I had sprinkled after-shave on my arm ( it was good for keeping the mossies away) and when Pamela opened the door I waved my arm in front of her and said in a deep down south voice “Hi Sweetie, what do you think of love potion No.1” All in absolute jest, I might add.

Of course, she was a happily married woman I had known for years and I was practically one of the family. But, she was still a Pacific islander and superstitious. She recoiled in horror and quickly backed away from me. OK, so the Brute aftershave was a bit overpowering, but I was staggered at her response. I tried to explain lamely it was only a joke but it took a while before she calmed down. Even then it was obvious the joke had gone badly wrong. She warned me that islanders never joke about superstition, and that I was playing with fire. This well educated woman who had lived in Australia with her husband and her two attractive daughters, one married to an Australian policeman – clearly still retained deep superstitions from her island culture. Her warning of bad luck was to haunt me within weeks.
It was time of political instability in the government and mutterings in Cabinet about a huge budget deficit. The airline was losing big money and there was ominous rumours of crews being laid off. My seniority in the airline assured my security of tenure – or so I thought at the time.

I was back at Truk a few days later, watching Henrietta cuddle her two adoring children, and I thought maybe the love potion had brought her eventual bundles of joy regardless of the original carnal intent. In those days the internet had not yet arrived so let me fast forward to 2006 and type into Google, the words “Chuuk Love Potions”. Time can play tricks with one’s memory and I confess to sometimes wondering if things really did happen as I remembered it, or was it all the result of my vivid imagination. One site said it all - and I quote:

“Of all the islands scattered throughout the Western Pacific, none is more famous than the Micronesian island of Chuuk for magic spells and potions, especially for potions. The love potions are said to give the powerful attraction needed to attract and hold the object of one’s affection”. So there it was in a nutshell – or maybe a phial?

The last of the passengers were boarding and Heneritta was waving a sad farewell to her offspring. I signed the refueling docket and beckoned slyly to Freddy, the refueller. Slipping him a bottle of duty free from Guam I asked him if it was true that a love potion could guarantee a successful seduction. Of course, captain – he replied. It never fails. Do you want some? Cost you fifty bucks. A swift glance around and I slipped $50 US into his hand and told him I would be back in a couple of weeks. He gave me a wink and said he would have it ready by then.

Now in case you get the wrong idea, my plan was to surprise my ever-loving spouse with the love potion. I can hear you say that you may believe me, but thousands wouldn’t. God’s truth, so help me.

I flew down to Melbourne a few days later. I imagined the love potion was being brewed on some remote outer island of Micronesia and would be carried by outrigger canoe to Truk in time for my next trip. My wife had always hinted she would prefer something of many carats value from overseas as a surprise gift. I had other ideas…

I was having breakfast and reading the paper when there was a phone call from the chief pilot on the island. Fifteen pilots have been retrenched as from today and you are one of them – said the curt voice. Island politics are one thing, but pilot politics can be vicious especially when it comes to who stays and who goes. In short, I was now unemployed. Pamela’s words of warning about playing with the fire of black magic had come to haunt me. I touched wood to break the spell but that didn’t work and I rued the day I talked to Freddie the refueller from Truk.

Two years passed and I drove taxis and became a poorly paid flying instructor. Nearing sixty I was too old for the airlines in Australia. The thought of a career cut short, depressed the hell out of me. Since leaving the airline I had kept in touch with Pamela and her husband and with other islander friends. Perhaps it was out of nostalgia for the good times, rather than anything else.

Back on the island the budget was balanced and within a month of being retrenched, the pilots had their jobs back – all except those who had crossed the airline management’s A team.

At home in Melbourne 3000 miles away from the island, the phone rang. It was the island’s Director of Civil Aviation. There had been a change of management and would I like to come back and fly for the airline again? Pamela and her island friends had put in a good word on my behalf and the President of the island had given the nod. It had taken two years for the black cloud of depression to be lifted and I was elated at the prospect of flying a Boeing again.

Within weeks I was back at Truk. Henrietta had long since left the airline and was now happily married to an Australian engineer who welcomed her children as his own. Freddie the refueller was there, connecting the hose as I walked towards him with a bottle of duty free. He was delighted to see me and remembered my name, asking how much fuel I needed. It was dark with lightning on the horizon and I needed enough to get through to my island plus diversion fuel at this time of the year. I had long since forgotten about the love potion that cost me fifty green-backs.

Freddie hadn’t forgotten, though, and asking me where I had been all this time, he added he still had the potion at home waiting to give it to me. I thought of my loving wife and figured giving her carats would be safer. I wasn’t superstitious, I told myself but nevertheless I wanted nothing to do with the bloody love potion. In any case, one could never be sure if bad luck really exists and I wasn’t willing to take the chance. Once burnt, twice shy was my motto.

“ Thanks for the offer Freddie” I said – “Just give me ten tonnes of fuel and hold the potion…. “

[Heathrow Harry]

Ahhhh - I can remember when the hotel used to stop serving food half an hour before the flight came in from Australia didn't start serving breakfast until all the morning flights left................ and an Australian Captain who was slightly tipsy most of the time

Nothing on Air Tungaru tho'.... those Heron's...........

[Stanwell]

.
Well, there we are then. The amos has again deigned to grace us with yet another wisdom-filled pontification.


All kneel, please.

[parabellum]

Amos - You could not be more wrong.

[tail wheel]

Bye bye Amos! :E

[Stanwell]

.
Thanks, taily.
Some mothers do have 'em.

[Square Bear]

Article in yesterday's Australian suggesting Republic of Nauru is on the verge of Bankruptcy (again?).

Wonder if this might cause any issue with the fleet?

[feenix]

No not related in any way fleet stays at five

[down3gr33ns]

Cash-strapped Nauru wins court case to have funds from Australian accounts released - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-03/nauru-wins-court-case-to-have-cash-released/5788148)




Looks like no problem after all.


Seeing our airline has been on a spending spree with new aircraft (a freighter and two ex-ANZ a/c) it would appear that the Naruan government problems are at arms length from the airline - and so it should be!!

[Centaurus]

Just received this by email from one of the original Air Nauru pilots. It's a bit cryptic but that is how it was received. He asked for it be posted on this thread.

Quote:
"I thought I would drop a note to contribute a little to this thread. Reading it brought back many memories.

We often think back to the time we have experiences and remember a company, airline or group and often think it is the same as we ourselves experienced. Unfortunately that is rarely the case as I respectfully point t out as best as my old brain can do.

Firstly though………what I write here is not conjecture. Believe me please it is fact….as I recall.

Firstly there was no such thing as Air Nauru with the Falcon. That was a pure charter run by Bizjet. Bob Atkinson was the Chief Pilot and I know that Don Pinkstone and Ralph Salmon were often the pilots that flew the charters. There was an Air Nauru sign stuck on the aircraft and it was removed once it returned from the trip from Melbourne to Nauru. The aircraft was the only one that was “gravel certified.

The first interviewees for crewing the ex MMA brand new F-28 were interviewed by the Honorary Consul Mr.Holmes, Ansett Execs Captains Lane and Winchcombe. They recruited two captains…the Chief Pilot Peter Lavender and Maurie Baston.
The Office was located on the corner of Swanson and Collins Street in the Bank of NSW building and later moved to Nauru House after it had been built.

The initial crews were Peter Lavender the Chief Pilot. Maurie Baston who was deputy chief pilot, Don Pinkstone, Ralph Salmon, Ted King as captains….FO’s Tony Allen, Martin Berle, Tom Simons and Doug Whitbourn. There was no admin assistant but one was recruited some years later.

Some items that may be of interest. For much of the area there were no maps available at the time so Ralph Salmon and Maurie Baston drew them from graph paper. No letdowns were published for Nauru and as we expanded to Majuro we produced letdowns from blanks sourced from the then Australian DCA.

Fleet expanded to two F-28’s and routes were added to places that some of us had never heard about. Nuie, Wallis, Christmas (Pacific), Manus, Yap, ........... towns named “Paris" and "London" in the Pacific etc.. It was a wonderful geography lesson.

The first Boeing was met by two F-28’s 20,000’ 100nm north and a formation welcome was flown. Ferry crew was Peter Lavender and Rick Fry who later became the CX boss. F28 Crews Spike Jones, Bill Thompson, Barry Tate, Tony Allen, Maurie Baston, Bruce Marquez.

All aircraft were gravel equipped and we flew into such places as Majuro - 5,400 coral. Truk, 5,000 Coral, Yap 4700 Coral, Ponape 5600ft coral..........from memory with routes expanding to Japan, Singapore, NZ etc.

The B-737 was certified with flexible tyre pressure. That was needed to operate into Suva. Land at Nadi. Let the tyres down to 75PSI. Fly to Suva and back to Nadi. Pump up the tyres
(145 PSI I think) and head north again.

A few scares. Runway light failure at Nauru in rain and poor viz. Battery operated portables deployed in time.

Push back at Noumea B727 nose steering gear pin inadvertently left out by towing crew . Major damage to nose gear trying to stop on Nauru. Aircraft stopped about 50 feet from the then 5,600 runway.

At Christmas Island (Pacific) Flight Engineer Jack Riley saved the day in getting a vehicle unloaded from the combi B-727 with no unloading gear. Jacked the vehicle up with fork lift and got the locals to push the aircraft sideways away from the raised vehicle in the freight area.

Inaugural service into Hong Kong - whole crew and VIPs under house arrest in Manila over three days due no military clearance under Martial Law. House arrest was in the Manila Hilton.

Snow removal gear in Kagoshima…a ships hawser see-sawed over the fuselage roof……and brooms on the wings.

Routes to Japan and Samoa etc. flown with basic nav aids only. Omega tried and later INS made it easy. With INS and Omega, found out that Nauru was not in the place published on the maps. Out by about 7 nms.

Two jet stream merging over Kagoshima produced a ground speed during six weeks in winter of about 650kts

Flight plans produced by hand and submitted for each sector by crew.

Such was the fun as the airline grew to nine aircraft and then the B 727s were sold …reduced to 4 B-737. CX requested referee comment for the FE’s and I think all or most were employed by CX.

Tried to get the AFAP to allow the FE’s to crew TAA aircraft but AFAP refused.

Many more stories but my typing is not good ……..just thought I would share a bit of the origins of Air Nauru." Unquote.

[Cyba]

Guys,

Do any of you have a sense for how reliable ON are on their INU-BNE flights? Do they generally tend to be on time or do they have a "flexible" approach to schedules?

I'm planning a trip in a few weeks and feeling uncomfortable about booking a same-day connecting flight out of BNE.

Any tips are welcome.
Thanks.

[chimbu warrior]

From my observation, very reliable. They run a good operation.

[down3gr33ns]

ON have a pretty good on time record.

Like all airlines there is the odd disruption but their reliability compares favourably with others. With the reported delivery of yet another aircraft in the coming weeks, the reliability can only get better with the ability to substitute an aircraft at short notice should any problems arise.

How do I know? I'm a regular on their services to/from Nauru and connect to the southern states.

Just make your connection time allowance sensible and not like some of those I travel with!!! I've seen some with a one hour connection - booked by their travel agents who didn't even seem to realise the need to get from one terminal to another which in itself can take 45 minutes (train, bus or taxi - the latter is quicker if you're prepared to put up with a whinging taxi driver complaining about a short trip). One tip, go to the domestic check in counters in the arrivals area of the international terminal and check in there. They take your bags and you are now "in the system" for your domestic sector.

I allow a minimum of 2 hours which has been on rare occasions a little tight. Usually as a result of Air Traffic Control imposing some holding on the inbound flight which is not the fault of the airline, or any airline for that matter. Schedule is usually a 5:10pm arrival so I go for something after 7:30pm. I guess the availability of suitable flights depends on where you're heading. I don't mind cooling my heels a bit if I get there quickly and it takes the pressure off - one airline will put you on an earlier flight if you strike the right person. I've had that happen about 20% of the time but it needs to be negotiated at your check in. Once your bags have disappeared into the void they won't entertain any change.

[Obie]

I'm pleased that Air Nauru, and the Nauruan and Australian pilots who are the backbone of Air Nauru, are finally getting the respect they deserve!

Amos...ex Air Nauru 1999.

[Cyba]

Thanks for your input down3gr33ns and chimbu warrior. I was thinking of a 4 hour connection so it sounds like I'll be ok unless something major happens.

[Eastwest Loco]

Cyba

I regularly move Indo crews into and out of Majuro and Kwajalein.

ON are a pain in the butt as they are not living in regular airline computers but their on time record is very good which is just as well when you are dealing with passengers who have a maximum of 8 hours allowed transit time in Australia without visa.
Best regards

EWL

[coco-nuts]

Good day Centaurus and the old boys of ON who frequent this site.
Though you might all like to know that we are flying out of Chuuk/Truk again.
The route is TKK-PNI-KSA-MAJ-TRW-INU with connections to NAN and BNE.
Thought of you and your stories Cent, and the FSM island flying is as magical as you've described. I worked the inaugural with the boss and 2IC, the pleasure was all mine.

cheers

coco

[Centaurus]

Thanks for the info, Coco. In the old days Truk was a tricky place to land at night due often low cloud close-in terrain and rain. The REIL lights were a great comfort though. Would love to wind back the years and fly with Air Nauru all over again.

[patagonianworelaud]

'Cept it ain't Air Nauru any more.

The current outfit appears to be very professional and growing steadily under decent and capable management.

[porch monkey]

Hey Nuts!! You back in country?? Long time no hear PM me.

[jarden]

Nauru airlines will be tendering for the NLK contract it's up for renewal again

[witwiw]

Oops, old news, the re-tendering process was at least three months ago. Your information source is somewhat out-of-date!!!

Looking like a foreign airline will get it once more, and again with an Australian government subsidy as has been the case for several years last. Your taxes and mine.

That wasn't the case when Our Airlines was operating the service. And a better service it was, ask those of the Norfolkians without a vested interest and the stubborn pride to prevent admitting they backed the wrong horse. Higher fares, bugger all freight, reduced frequency (aka fewer seats for tourists and consequently fewer bed-nights for the accommodation operators) are a few of the issues the Islanders have to currently put up with .....

[Square Bear]

Looking like a foreign airline will get it once more, and again with an Australian government subsidy as has been the case for several years last. Your taxes and mine.


So Air Nauru, Our Airline, Nauru Airlines were/are not a FOREIGN AIRLINE subsidised by the Australian Taxpayer???

Or perhaps you are suggesting an Australian Airline should be doing the run instead of totally foreign owned airlines. If that is the case I'll stop thinking like the pot....calling the kettle etc etc :)

[zanzibar]

Absolutely NOT. Our Airline/Air Nauru/Nauru Airlines etc receives NO subsidies from the Australian government and certainly it is not supported by the Australian Taxpayer as you suggest. It may receive income from the Oz govt, but no subsidies - and that is a major difference.

It is an Australian airline in that it holds a full Aussie AOC, not a foreign AOC like most airlines with overseas ownership. A fine line, maybe, but one nonetheless.

And YES, if our taxes are used to prop up an operation, then Aussie businesses should be the beneficiaries - nothing more, nothing less.

How'd you feel if your taxes were used to subsidise footwear manufacture, for example, in Asia, Europe or elsewhere? Oops, forgot, the then Aussie government destroyed that industry here some time ago.

[parabellum]

Is Nauru still the only foreign territory that is allowed to use the Australian dollar as its own currency?

[witwiw]

Current places, other than Australian Overseas Territories where the AUD is the official currency, are Nauru, the Kiribati islands and Tuvalu.

Doesn't mean it's the only place you can spend an Aussie dollar though - Fiji, Singapore, Hanoi, Indonesia and Malaysia in my experience.