Author would like some advice on aircraft related matters

[phil170258]

Hi

I'm an author and am currently writing an action-based novel (to be published by Penguin Random house in 2019) set in Indonesia but told from the point of view of an Australian.

I don't know much about planes or flying (hence my presence on this forum!) but a light aircraft plays a very important part in my plot! So this particular aircraft is owned by a South African who is a bit of a cowboy and runs supplies in and out of the goldmine on Buru Island.

So my question is: what type of plane could he typically have? I guess I'm thinking of something that is pretty old but is famous for being an absolute workhorse. It also has to be able to carry at least 4 people (including my pilot) and a couple of surfboards. I realise that, without the 60,000 odd words of accompanying plot this sounds a bit mad, but any help will be greatly appreciated.

It is fiction I'm writing but I do like to get this stuff right. Oh yeah, I'd also need to know the range of the plane.

regards, Phil

[TEEEJ]

How about an Antonov 2?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-2

Range: 845 km (456 nmi, 525 mi)

ir_dtvqYFqU

Cockpit/Interior view in following video.

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[evansb]

De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, 9-10 passengers, max range: approximately 945 mi (822 nm, 1,520 km). Payload: variable depending on configuration, but safely around one-ton (2,000 lbs, 900 kg.). The "Otter" is commonly equipped with floats, and less commonly on amphibious floats.

Or better yet, a De Haviland DHC-6 Twin Otter. Google it.

If you want an Australian built aircraft with an Indonesian connection, the rare GAF Nomad N22 comes to mind; Range: 730nmi / 1352km, endurance 8 hrs at 140kt / 259km/h, at 5,000 ASL.

[treadigraph]

Beech 18 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Model_18), in production from 1937 to 1969 - plenty still flying. Much used as a small cargo hauler, range about 1200 miles.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1063x526/c45_20n476pa_20d1_57c8b3df19d8887e05d3988bbda6effb9e264622.j pg

[evansb]

Note that although Jet fuel is available at Buru Island airport, the availability of aviation gasoline on Buru Island is around ZERO, so the DHC-3 Otter would preferably be a turbine engine conversion. For added suspense, turbine engines can burn diesel fuel in a pinch. The GAF Nomad and DHC-6 Twin Otter are both powered by turbine (turbo-prop) engines.

The Beech 18 would need a cargo door conversion to carry two surf boards.

[wiedehopf]

Just throwing some models out there:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-6_Porter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_208_Caravan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GippsAero_GA10
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_Kodiak

The surfboards would be a snug fit in some of them but hey we are talking cowboy here :)

[treadigraph]

There are a few turbine Beech 18s out there! :)

[Hotel Tango]

Note that although Jet fuel is available at Buru Island airport, the availability of aviation gasoline on Buru Island is around ZERO

phil170258, I honestly think that 99% reading your book, including pilots who don't fly in that area, would never be aware of the above. Therefore, I strongly suggest that the Beech 18 is the best candidate for your cowboy operator/workhorse spec. Be sure to include an image or silhouette of the Beech 18 on the cover!

Good luck.

[phil170258]

phil170258, I honestly think that 99% reading your book, including pilots who don't fly in that area, would never be aware of the above. Therefore, I strongly suggest that the Beech 18 is the best candidate for your cowboy operator/workhorse spec. Be sure to include an image or silhouette of the Beech 18 on the cover!

Good luck.
Thanks so much for all your brilliant replies but I love love love the Beech 18 - what a beautiful looking plane, and absolutely, the sort of thing you would stick on the cover!

I have another question, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate, given that it involves border protection. So Moderator feel free to delete if it breeches any guidelines.

But here's what I want to achieve plotwise - I want my plane to attempt to land in Australia, but for the authorities to not allow this. And, of course, because it's a novel, I'd like this to happen in an exciting and dramatic way!

My aim then is for the plane to be forced to land in Timor Leste, in one of the smaller regional airstrips.

Once again, thanks so much for your help!

Phil

[double_barrel]

But here's what I want to achieve plotwise - I want my plane to attempt to land in Australia, but for the authorities to not allow this. And, of course, because it's a novel, I'd like this to happen in an exciting and dramatic way!



There are some examples of UK radio procedures denying access to an aircraft in the radio comms manual CAP 413 (google for a pdf).
eg

BIGJET 347, I am instructed by Her Majesty’s Government to refuse entry into United Kingdom airspace. What are your intentions?

BIGJET 347, I am instructed by Her Majesty’s Government to inform you that landing clearance has been refused for any air eld within the United Kingdom. What are your intentions?

BIGJET 347, I am instructed by Her Majesty’s Government that you are to hold at KTN at FL270. Acknowledge

I imagine the Oz version is similar and that the Oz version of CAP413 is available online. Maybe ask in the Australian forum here.

Not sure how exciting and dramatic that is! If the reason for denying entry was 'legal', then an emergency such as low fuel would presumably take precedence, the pilot would have to formally declare an emergency and would be optimistic that permission would then be granted. But that implies turning-up unexpectedly which may or may not be possible depending on the intervening airspace.

If the plane is hijacked, CAP 413 says a dialog like this might be expected:

I AM INStRUCtED BY HER MAJEStY’S GOVERNMENt tO REFUSE ENtRY INtO UNItED KINGDOM AIRSPACE/tO INFORM YOU tHAt LANDING CLEARANCE HAS BEEN REFUSED FOR ANY AERODROME WItHIN tHE UNItED KINGDOM. WHAt ARE YOUR INtENtIONS?
or
I AM INStRUCtED BY HER MAJEStY’S GOVERNMENt tHAt YOU ARE tO HOLD At ( x or GPS position) At (level). ACKNOWLEDGE.


If a hijacking was suspected (and the pilot can indicate this by setting the transponder code to 7500) then declaring an emergency will probably not give the pilot freedom to land anywhere, a rather tense dialog would probably follow with the aircraft being directed somewhere remote with consequences to not following instructions.


May I add that I applaud you for making an effort to get this stuff right. Flyers, sailors or others get very frustrated when a plot hinges on something that is wrong or impossible, or even if a detail is nonsensical. We will allow you some artistic licence :-) but even for the non specialist I think a solid, consistent, technically-accurate narrative makes it much more compelling and convincing.

[Hotel Tango]

May I add that I applaud you for making an effort to get this stuff right. Flyers, sailors or others get very frustrated when a plot hinges on something that is wrong or impossible, or even if a detail is nonsensical. We will allow you some artistic licence :-) but even for the non specialist I think a solid, consistent, technically-accurate narrative makes it much more compelling and convincing.

Not that I disagree with you, but it only really applies to those of us in the business. The vast majority of readers won't have a clue. I have read loads of novels involving subjects I know nothing or very little about in terms of factual accuracy. I just enjoy the story line. Of course, when I read an aviation based novel I become critical of inaccurate facts and it does affect my enjoyment of the book. I think an author has to find the right balance between reality and nonsense. Not always an easy task.

[double_barrel]

Not that I disagree with you, but it only really applies to those of us in the business. The vast majority of readers won't have a clue. I have read loads of novels involving subjects I know nothing or very little about in terms of factual accuracy. I just enjoy the story line. Of course, when I read an aviation based novel I become critical of inaccurate facts and it does affect my enjoyment of the book. I think an author has to find the right balance between reality and nonsense. Not always an easy task.

Interesting, I'm not sure how far I can suspend my disbelief, it probably depends on other distractions in the storyline. I imagione that I can detect a 'technically consistent' storyline even in an area I know little or nothing about - eg toys associated with modern warfare. And even in sci-fi, I can accept a Universe with any properties, but I get tetchy if they are not consistently or logically applied, because the whole plot becomes arbitrary. I can accept that an engine runs on unobtanium, but please be consistent about its nature and capabilities

Maybe I am just weird!

[Hotel Tango]

Maybe I am just weird!

No, but you prove my point that we are all different and have different areas of expertise depending not only on our professions but also hobbies and subjects of interest. Furthermore, I would guess that an author can get away with a lot more in a sci-fi novel. I don't know; never read them! :)

[phil170258]

As a writer of fiction you often struggle with how closely you want to cleave to reality. For example I was researching firing up a Beech 18, and it seems like quite a lengthy and complicated process. That actually suits my purposes, because I'm able to extract some drama from it, and I will go into some detail, but if there was no drama to be got, then I'd just skip over it.

I have a couple of other questions:

Is it possible for there to be 'intervention' before my plane gets anywhere near an airport - in maritime situations boats often get intercepted as soon as they enter Australian waters, but is there an aviation equivalent?

At what stage do the authorities want to know who is onboard the plane? Do they ask for passport details before allowing the plane to land? And if one of the passengers wasn't an Australian citizen and didn't have the required visa would that be enough to deny permission to land?

thanks Phil

[Espada III]

Certainly the USA and UK and probably the EU want the passport details of everyone flying. You do this at check-in be it online or at the airport. Not sure if this will apply to a private plane but in part of artistic licence you could make it so; e. g. When filing the flight plan and it is overseas, you could require the destination country to ask for that information.

[double_barrel]

For international flights, in my experience on private flights, you file a passenger list which includes passport numbers. But also in my experience there is never any check while boarding even in large airports, and certainly not in small airports when flying privately. And even on arrival, passport checks through GA areas seem pretty sporadic. So smuggling people would be easy.


Is it possible for there to be 'intervention' before my plane gets anywhere near an airport - in maritime situations boats often get intercepted as soon as they enter Australian waters, but is there an aviation equivalent?

It's uncommon, but certainly possible. Would probably only be done in the case of a particular suspicion. The aircraft would be visible on radar, its transponder should identify it and link it to a flight plan and alarm bells will ring if there is no match or no transponder response. I guess rather than very expensive and difficult in-the-air intercepts, a suspicious flight would find a welcoming committee waiting for it on the ground.

[condor17]

De Havilland [ Australia ] Drover 3 eng looks lie a Dove , tailwheel fixed u/c.

condor

[Hotel Tango]

Do what all the smugglers do: fly very low under the radar and land at a remote field in the middle of nowhere. Or maybe you want them to be seen?

[MarkerInbound]

As a writer of fiction you often struggle with how closely you want to cleave to reality. For example I was researching firing up a Beech 18, and it seems like quite a lengthy and complicated process. That actually suits my purposes, because I'm able to extract some drama from it, and I will go into some detail, but if there was no drama to be got, then I'd just skip over it.

thanks Phil

The start up isn't much worse than other engines. There's a bit of piano playing going on holding the starter and ignition boost and tickling the primer. There's about 7 gallons of oil to warm up but in that part of the world it shouldn't take too long.

[jonkster]

Thanks so much for all your brilliant replies but I love love love the Beech 18 - what a beautiful looking plane, and absolutely, the sort of thing you would stick on the cover!

I have another question, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate, given that it involves border protection. So Moderator feel free to delete if it breeches any guidelines.

But here's what I want to achieve plotwise - I want my plane to attempt to land in Australia, but for the authorities to not allow this. And, of course, because it's a novel, I'd like this to happen in an exciting and dramatic way!

My aim then is for the plane to be forced to land in Timor Leste, in one of the smaller regional airstrips.

Once again, thanks so much for your help!

Phil

FWIW - maybe your character might not have bothered checking the notams or gets themselves a bit lost and blunders into a military air defense identification zone or similar doing exercises around the top end (eg operation "pitch black" that gets conducted across northern australia every year or so) and finds themselves intercepted by military aircraft (if F18s they would have a hard struggle trying to slow down to keep with the D18 - you might also have some fun with that...)

The D18 would certainly be made to feel unwelcome, particularly if it failed to comply with the directions of the intercepting aircraft.

Procedures for what they would say and do to an aircraft they didn't want around can be found in several places on line but a quick summary is at General Civil Aviation Safety Authority (http://vfrg.casa.gov.au/operations/air-defence-identification-zone/general-2/)

[Cornish Jack]

+1 for the Beech 18 - not least because of previous 'form'! An ex French Marines Adjutant Chef was (it was alleged) flying one (unlicensed) in Laos, in the early 60s moving white powder from the North West and air dropping in the Gulf of Thailand. His approaches to isolated airstrips in mountainous terrain was D/R from known peaks along known valleys!!:eek: Vientiane was very much 'cowboy territory' in those days!

[meleagertoo]

I'm not personally familiar with N Australia but in territory that vast I'd be astonished if there is even rudimentary radar coverage over much of te coast and virtually none inland, especially for an aircraft flying low-level. Switch off your transponder and you'd be all but invisible. Radar's not going to see a small plane like the Beech at 500ft above perhaps 50-60 miles even at sea I imagine. If he's on the deck as he coasts in he'd need to be within 20 miles to be visible amongst surface clutter. Once inland he's away and gone as far as ground based radar is concerned.

Anyone is welcome to correct those figures, but surveillamnce radar coverage over extensive coastlines at low level is nowhere near as good as most people imagine. Gaps sometimes get filled by airborne surveillance assets, AWACS types of which Oz doubtless has some and will use them off the N coast mainly for illegal immigration control. They work well over water and would probably see him from 30,000ft at 3000ft from 150 miles away.If he were on the wavetops (where he would be in this scenario) surface clutter would reduce thet by half I imagine. That could be your idea for getting him spotted. He pulls up to 100ft to light a fag and pops up in front of a tired radar operator, and then disappears off the screen again. Of course as these things aren't armed (at least not for Air to air) they can't harm him and if he gets down amongst the weeds once onshore he might even lose them in hilly country. Remember, it was the inability to see through ground clutter that contributed significantly to the costs and eventual abandonment of the Nimrod AEW programme.
Even if they launch F18s a well trained pilot (ie ex military) will be able to evade one of those indefinately in a Beech 18. Harder with two of them if they know what they're doing but if they're not on the ball and he is even 2 is doable, I'm told. (The speed differential and turning rdiuii are so different the jet can't easily get a bead on him) Do Oz F18 have guns? They'd be totally useless without.

A fisheries patrol aircraft might bump into him and send a report...

Others will doubtless correct my figures/rationale.


Finally, when yu've got it pretty much done be sure to get it proof-read by three or four experienced aviators from the region to weed out any glaring technical boo-boos.
Best of luck!

[PAXboy]

Speaking as a passenger ... when a light aircraft is staying low and 'hedge hopping' to stay (they hope) unnoticed, the passengers may find themselves wishing they had not had breakfast ... Also, in sub-tropical regions the air density can change very quickly and this leads to bumps and drops, exacerbating the discomfort for the passengers and the risks of not having enough suitable bags in the seat pocket. Pilots of these aircraft are innured to this. I would not want you to be graphic but it adds another facet of realism.

I agree with those who have said: Establish the rules and stick to them! I spent 27 years in telecommunications and IT, so I get highly irritated by the modern films and TV serials that have some junior crapping away on a keyboard and then shouting, "I'm in!". Whilst hacking is 100% possible, please make it look realistic. As a specialist, I am sorely irritated when a style of telephone (fixed or cellular) is chosen because 'it looks right' rather than what was being used in that time and place. I then discount almost everything else they have put in that I do not know about.

It sounds as if you are planning your 'cowboy' to be in the analogue era and thus fewer electronics - which is good! Electronics are used too freely by writers as a get-out-of-jail-free card. If you get your character into trouble then, either they get themselves out the clever way - or they get stumped!

[phil170258]

Thanks so much! So many great ideas here, and wonderful language, too. My nasty writer's mind especially loves the idea of them all being airsick!

I've had a major rethink, though. My Saffer pilot, who was only ever a minor character, was starting to dominate the action! And you can't have that, it's always your major characters who should carry the action. So my Saffer pilot is now too drunk to fly, and I've given Kimbo, one of my major characters (who is a good guy but is on the run), a backstory where he almost qualified as a pilot but something (and I'm stll working on this) prevented him. I know that sounds a tad convenient but, trust me, it actually works really well even if it's meant some solid hours reverse-engineering what I've already written. I always loved the central premise of the TV show Doc Martin where the main character, who is a London surgeon, finds out that he faints at the sight of blood and, tail between his legs, ends up as a 'lowly' GP in a rural backwater.

So, in being forced to fly the plane, Kimbo is forced to face whatever demon prevented him from being a fully-fledged pilot in the first place. Any ideas out there?

Also I also like the idea of there being less digital and more analogue - so many plot problems these days are solved by Google.

But if that's the case - how do they navigate? So if they fly out of Buru how do they plot a course to Darwin or Timor Leste? Please be gentle, I have no background in aviation and I would love to be able to learn how this is done so I can pass it on to my readers. Personally, I love stories where I learn something.

I'm also playing around with the idea that they are forced to land on Kisar Island. I assume there would be no air traffic control on such a small place. So if they landed there would there typically be anybody around the airport at all?

Again, I can't thank you all enough for all your wonderful suggestions - my novel was stalling, but now it's soaring, taking me to unexpected, and exciting, places!

cheers, Phil

[PAXboy]

Thanks phil170258. I think it's fine to navigate by GPS as the aircraft you are planning will be 'old school', with special wiring to power the GPS unit. Naturally, this would not be built in but a small unit fixed on a stalk or bracket to the edge of the panel or a window? The folks in here can guide you on that. Likewise, the radio and comms would be basic - as long as they meet all current regulations! On the ground, you could seek to minimise use of computers. At departure, he might be asked for his load manifest to be emailed but all he has is a hand written page? As mentioned, I am pax and not familiar with the detail there.

Cowboys might want to try and use a cell phone for communicating with his reception committee as he gets close and that gives some opportunity for it to work/not work. Or to receive SMS whilst flying and then the same as in a car - don't try to send txt messages when you are the sole pilot! Does he have to ask a pax to help? As long as looking at the small screen of the phone does not add to ill feelings ...

Lastly, do his pax try and bring too much with them, risking overweight departure? Especially if he has to tanker fuel for his get out, which would be to a third point, not his original.

[OwnNav]

Probably a good idea to read some books by Brian Lecomber, he flew in the Caribbean on some decidedly dodgy trips.

[treadigraph]

One of them is very Beech 18 oriented...

[visibility3miles]

Beech 18s are a skydivers' mainstay, in case you want to have an emergency bail out or pick a little used airfield.

And, yeah, GPS is not wired into all old planes, and many reliable planes are way older than GPS.

[visibility3miles]

So, in being forced to fly the plane, Kimbo is forced to face whatever demon prevented him from being a fully-fledged pilot in the first place. Any ideas out there?

Watched a tragic death of a loved one in an (aviation related) accident.

Caused the tragic death of another in an accident.

Lack of self confidence.

Got chicken **** (no offense) at the concept of going solo when the instructor got out of the plane and said, "It's all yours. I'll sign your logbook after you make three landings."

Ran out of money (over and over again) before finishing flight training, so never had a chance to solo [fly all by your lonesome in the plane with only yourself to rely upon to land safely] or whatever other milestone you needed to get your license.

Flying costs money and takes time. If you don't have both, it won't happen, for a myriad of reasons.

Family illness, duty, obligations, "failure to launch"

Flying is usually a result of following your dreams despite the expense.

Fill in the dots for all the reasonable reasons that would say "NO" to that dream.

[visibility3miles]

By the way, if you want to carry four passengers and surf boards in whatever sort of plane, get rid of extra passenger seats.

They get in the way and add useless weight.

Planes used by skydivers only have a seat for the pilot, and copilot, if needed.

Skydivers are cargo in jump planes.

[topdrop]

I want my plane to attempt to land in Australia, but for the authorities to not allow this.
If he wanted to land in Darwin, it's possible authorities could stop it. Elsewhere along NT coastline different story.
Many years ago, a missionary got scared for the safety of his family due to threats from Indonesian military - they wanted him to spy on villages in Irian Jaya. One day he loaded family onto the 182 and landed at Gove - first anyone knew about it was when he went to the briefing office/flight service unit to announce what he had done.

[evansb]

OMG. Almost forgot to mention a classic STOL aircraft that meets your requirements, plus the engine can burn diesel and land in a 300 foot (91m) clearing. The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a single-engined STOL (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STOL) utility aircraft (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_aircraft) designed by Pilatus Aircraft (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_Aircraft) of Switzerland. First flown in 1959. It can fly in level flight as slow as a, well, let me just say the Pilatus Porter can fly really slow.

[visibility3miles]

So, in being forced to fly the plane, Kimbo is forced to face whatever demon prevented him from being a fully-fledged pilot in the first place. Any ideas out there?

They had a near miss as a student/low time/ beginner pilot?

Once, as a student. I accelerated down the (long) runway when my instructor asked me about various instrument readings.

Umm, duh, battery wasn't hooked up right, so crucial instruments were dead. I had time to abort the takeoff and taxi back to base.

Would have been far more exciting to be airborne as a student pilot with crucial information lacking. Especially if I'd been solo...

A second time, when I had many more hours on my log book, I was cruising round in uncontrolled airspace with a new camera taking pictures. I had the radio tuned to the approach of a nearby controlled airport when I noticed that the channel had gone oddly quiet.

I looked at the gas gauges, and noticed that they read empty. A quick gut check reminded me that yes, indeed, I knew there was sufficient fuel in both tanks, so ignored that disconcerting note.

Anyway, landed at a local uncontrolled field, made a land line phone call to my home base, which had a control tower but no radar, saying that in twenty minutes I'll fly in and land there. Got back to my plane, where, duh, I had to rely on the kindness of strangers, who'd listened to my tale, to prop start my plane and send me on my merry way.

Getting lost is a great way to get scared.

My first training lesson as a student pilot included a small plane cutting across our path, which led my instructor to tell the control tower that they knew where lost student was. (We listened to the tower and student talking, with both trying to figure out where latter was. Busy airspace.) The latter was then directed safely home.

Any equipment failure early on, or a bird strike (e.g., a bird smashing through your windshield, resulting in a bloody mess and a howling wind in the cockpit) would be enough to cause second thoughts in many pilots.

Kimbo may also haver flown after drinking? Or likes to drink? Or been in the plane when his partner was drunk?

[visibility3miles]

Also I also like the idea of there being less digital and more analogue - so many plot problems these days are solved by Google.

But if that's the case - how do they navigate?

Charts and navigation equipment, and eyeballs! Familiarity with the local area.

In early days of GPS navigation for small planes, there was an increase in controlled flight into terrain.

In other words, you were on a perfectly straight line between your takeoff point and destination, but ran straight into a hill or a mountain or a large radio tower because you didn't look at the aviation chart (or through the windshield in front of you) which would have warned you of the obstacle.

They upgraded GPS systems for planes to warn of obstacles...

Another concern is that if the atmospheric pressure changes as you travel.

The phrase is, "From high to low, look out below."

In other words, if a low pressure area moves in, typically associated with bad weather, then your plane's altimeter will think it is at a higher altitude (lower atmospheric pressure) than it actually is in comparison to local terrain, whose altitude in comparison to local sea level doesn't change, regardless of weather.

[pilotmike]

I have a couple of other questions:

Is it possible for there to be 'intervention' before my plane gets anywhere near an airport - in maritime situations boats often get intercepted as soon as they enter Australian waters, but is there an aviation equivalent?

At what stage do the authorities want to know who is onboard the plane? Do they ask for passport details before allowing the plane to land? And if one of the passengers wasn't an Australian citizen and didn't have the required visa would that be enough to deny permission to land?

thanks Phil
2 really profound questions. Having answers for those would be beneficial to anybody wishing to interfere with lawful operation of international flights.

All that is required for the bad guys to get to that point is spinning some fiction around it to create a good enough cover story.

Hopefully the ones who know the answers are sufficiently intelligent NOT to post their answers here on a PUBLIC forum, and mostly you will receive the lesser-informed opinions, ie. more fiction to add to yours. Good luck with the novel.