Air Link PNG
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Air Link PNG
Hello every one
Would any one be able to help me with finding out any info about Air Link in PNG have been offered employment and want to find out a few things before I head of any comments appreciated .
Tah
Would any one be able to help me with finding out any info about Air Link in PNG have been offered employment and want to find out a few things before I head of any comments appreciated .
Tah
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One of the PPRuNers up there will surely be able to help with local knowledge....
Just did a bit of a search, nothing much at all on the Internet, guess you have tried their web site, not much there either..
http://www.airlink.com.pg/
Just did a bit of a search, nothing much at all on the Internet, guess you have tried their web site, not much there either..
http://www.airlink.com.pg/
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G'Day Insert...
A little sketchy on the exact details of Air Link, however have a mate flying with them up there and I suspect he may have fallen off the end of the Earth. They operate a mixed fleet of Turbines and Pistons from BN2, C-404, Bandits and possibly Dash-8????? I believe they pop you on the Bongo and Titan to build command time if you join with less than a certein amount of total and Multi (i.e 1500 and 500), then move you into the right seat of the Bandit..
Airlink are based from Madang and possibly have a remote base on Rabaul.In addition the pay I believe is in kina, making the experience definatly there for the flying. The only other definate fact I know about Air link is that the Chief Pilot is/was Terry Schroder. Very approachable gentleman over the phone.
Whilst I'm there, would appreciate any info anyone would have on North Coast.. I'm heading to PNG early Jan..
Cheers,
QA
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
A little sketchy on the exact details of Air Link, however have a mate flying with them up there and I suspect he may have fallen off the end of the Earth. They operate a mixed fleet of Turbines and Pistons from BN2, C-404, Bandits and possibly Dash-8????? I believe they pop you on the Bongo and Titan to build command time if you join with less than a certein amount of total and Multi (i.e 1500 and 500), then move you into the right seat of the Bandit..
Airlink are based from Madang and possibly have a remote base on Rabaul.In addition the pay I believe is in kina, making the experience definatly there for the flying. The only other definate fact I know about Air link is that the Chief Pilot is/was Terry Schroder. Very approachable gentleman over the phone.
Whilst I'm there, would appreciate any info anyone would have on North Coast.. I'm heading to PNG early Jan..
Cheers,
QA
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
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Airlink is presently based in Madang, Rabaul,Kavieng (?) with an additional base in Lae (1 Bandit crew). Fleet is 5x EMB 110, 3x BN-2 and 2x C404. Requirements are 1500 TT 500 ME command but they've been scrambling for pilots over the last 6-12 months so these could perhaps be more flexible than usual. Overall I'd recommend accepting any offer given to you from Airlink - they're a good outfit. Yes it is PNG but as far as flying up there goes you'd only be safer with MBA or Air Niugini.
As for North Coast (based in Lae and Wau) it is a great way to build hours (1xC206, 3xBN-2, 2xC402). Chief Pilot is Geoff "Guts" Thiele and Brad Potts is in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. Requirements are fairly fluid but 1000 TT with some multi would be a rough guide. The only problem with getting work for NCA at the moment is that it's almost entirely crewed (4 out of 5 pilots) by ex-MBA cadets and may well continue to be so for some time. But it's worth calling them on 0011 675 472 6595.
The only note I'd make is that if you want to go to NCA do NOT hold high expectations. The flying can be pretty dodgy (at the discretion of the PIC of course) and to look at the aircraft may not inspire confidence. But then what about GA in PNG does?!?
Good luck.
[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: 2daddies ]</p>
As for North Coast (based in Lae and Wau) it is a great way to build hours (1xC206, 3xBN-2, 2xC402). Chief Pilot is Geoff "Guts" Thiele and Brad Potts is in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. Requirements are fairly fluid but 1000 TT with some multi would be a rough guide. The only problem with getting work for NCA at the moment is that it's almost entirely crewed (4 out of 5 pilots) by ex-MBA cadets and may well continue to be so for some time. But it's worth calling them on 0011 675 472 6595.
The only note I'd make is that if you want to go to NCA do NOT hold high expectations. The flying can be pretty dodgy (at the discretion of the PIC of course) and to look at the aircraft may not inspire confidence. But then what about GA in PNG does?!?
Good luck.
[ 19 December 2001: Message edited by: 2daddies ]</p>
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Thanks 2dads,
I'm told visa grants for potential pilots is very time consuming at the moment.Anywhere up to 3 months. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
"in it to win it I guess"
Cheers,
QA
<img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
I'm told visa grants for potential pilots is very time consuming at the moment.Anywhere up to 3 months. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
"in it to win it I guess"
Cheers,
QA
<img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
Grandpa Aerotart
2daddies, by dodgy at NCA do you just mean that they operate into almost exclusively the strips in the Monghi/Kabwum Valleys and in the Anga region of Morobe Province? The Anga region is around Kiantiba,Kanabea etc.
I know they like to give you a full load but <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Do they still have P2-ISM/COD/ISB etc. they were old girls when I flew them in Lae for Talair!
As far as Airlink are concerned they were certainly a good mob when I was based in Rabaul with them prior to the volcano blowing us out of town in Sept 1994. The 404s were in excellent condition as were all the aircraft. Pity they got rid of the Twin Otters but they do so little real bush flying that the Bandit was the better machine I suppose. Col is a good bloke as well.
Quitales if you get the opportunity you wont regret it, pity the kina is worth $hit these days but it's the quality twin time you young chaps all need to get on with. And you do get used to SP
Chuck.
I know they like to give you a full load but <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Do they still have P2-ISM/COD/ISB etc. they were old girls when I flew them in Lae for Talair!
As far as Airlink are concerned they were certainly a good mob when I was based in Rabaul with them prior to the volcano blowing us out of town in Sept 1994. The 404s were in excellent condition as were all the aircraft. Pity they got rid of the Twin Otters but they do so little real bush flying that the Bandit was the better machine I suppose. Col is a good bloke as well.
Quitales if you get the opportunity you wont regret it, pity the kina is worth $hit these days but it's the quality twin time you young chaps all need to get on with. And you do get used to SP
Chuck.
Grandpa Aerotart
Just been looking at their website. The route structure is vintage Talair, you'll love going to Gonali and Jac bay in the wet season We didn't have GPS to help in my day but you'll have it...spoiled
F/Os in Bandits ? What is the world coming to?
Chuck
We didn't have GPS to help in my day but you'll have it...spoiled F/Os in Bandits ? What is the world coming to?
Chuck
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Chimbu,
Sorry, mate. Dodgy may have been the wrong word. I certainly did mean it in reference to the areas NCA fly in (nothing like dropping off the end of Kanabea thanks to a completely unforseen and viscious bout of downdraughts. Makes me wet my pants just thinking about it!) but I was also just trying to put it in to context for those who haven't experienced what seems after a while quite unremarkable in PNG. Even to the most feral of Aussie bush pilots I'm sure North Coast ops/ planes look, well.... Dodgy!
P2-ISM is still going strong and in fact was my favourite of the only 3 remaining at NCA: ISL, DWA and ISM. ISB is in bits and although I haven't heard of the other one you mentioned I would have to assume it has found a similar fate. As a matter of interest, P2-ISA was written off in a fatal accident at Bapi (Garaina Valley) on the 29th April, 2000. 8 deaths including the pilot, a New Zealander called Hayden Gibbs.
Quietales, you are spot on with the Visa debacle. A good friend of mine has finally been given his NCA visa after 4 months of waiting and another mate has already hit 5.5 months.
You know what they say - "Hurry up and wait!"
Sorry, mate. Dodgy may have been the wrong word. I certainly did mean it in reference to the areas NCA fly in (nothing like dropping off the end of Kanabea thanks to a completely unforseen and viscious bout of downdraughts. Makes me wet my pants just thinking about it!) but I was also just trying to put it in to context for those who haven't experienced what seems after a while quite unremarkable in PNG. Even to the most feral of Aussie bush pilots I'm sure North Coast ops/ planes look, well.... Dodgy!
P2-ISM is still going strong and in fact was my favourite of the only 3 remaining at NCA: ISL, DWA and ISM. ISB is in bits and although I haven't heard of the other one you mentioned I would have to assume it has found a similar fate. As a matter of interest, P2-ISA was written off in a fatal accident at Bapi (Garaina Valley) on the 29th April, 2000. 8 deaths including the pilot, a New Zealander called Hayden Gibbs.
Quietales, you are spot on with the Visa debacle. A good friend of mine has finally been given his NCA visa after 4 months of waiting and another mate has already hit 5.5 months.
You know what they say - "Hurry up and wait!"
Grandpa Aerotart
2dads,
Yes ISM was a nice machine in 1987 when I first flew her, did she still have the 'concorde style' control column when you flew her. ISL had all new Collins avionics in 88, very flash bit of kit, probably doesn't now though eh <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> I thought they got COD from Talair as well <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> I did quite a few hours in GKB as well back in 89, did they have COI(402)? It is the 402 in the grass next to Tokua now, someone tried to fly it on the auxs and had a double engine failure!
Ahh Kanabea when it's windy! A mate of mine took off across Kanabea in a Porter! Backed it into that shed next to the 'parking' bay and away he went!
I think any young bloke who goes to PNG and misses out on flying into the Monghi/Kabwum/Anga areas or the Koiari out of POM, all the 'Bips' out of Tububil, Selbang etc misses out on classic PNG bush flying.
Chuck.
PS I'm sure I met Hayden? How do you kill yourself at Bapi? I had left PNG by the time he crashed.
[ 21 December 2001: Message edited by: Chimbu chuckles ]</p>
Yes ISM was a nice machine in 1987 when I first flew her, did she still have the 'concorde style' control column when you flew her. ISL had all new Collins avionics in 88, very flash bit of kit, probably doesn't now though eh <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> I thought they got COD from Talair as well <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> I did quite a few hours in GKB as well back in 89, did they have COI(402)? It is the 402 in the grass next to Tokua now, someone tried to fly it on the auxs and had a double engine failure!
Ahh Kanabea when it's windy! A mate of mine took off across Kanabea in a Porter! Backed it into that shed next to the 'parking' bay and away he went!
I think any young bloke who goes to PNG and misses out on flying into the Monghi/Kabwum/Anga areas or the Koiari out of POM, all the 'Bips' out of Tububil, Selbang etc misses out on classic PNG bush flying.
Chuck.
PS I'm sure I met Hayden? How do you kill yourself at Bapi? I had left PNG by the time he crashed.
[ 21 December 2001: Message edited by: Chimbu chuckles ]</p>
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Apinun olgeta!!! yeah not a bad mob!! used to fly the Bandit for them out of Madang/Lae.a lot of people didn't like current management but I found JB easy to get along with.Good flying, but being based in POM would be the pits!!!good luck wantok.
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Hi guys,
Chuckles is spot on about the flying in PNG particularly the stuff around Kabwum, Monghi and the west ports. I have some classic photos of most of those places from my time there if any one is interested. Don't know how to post them here otherwise I would have, but can always email a couple if you are interested.(Or someone could explain how I could and I will put some here)
CC: would love to have seen the porter departure out of the hangar at Kanabea, a very short version of Satwag in the Kabwum Valley Your mate obviously didn't want to sample the local priests hospitality. Is that the porter that is permanently at Kanabea now? I can remember having to do a u-turn inside the valley at the end of that strip in less than vmc conditions one day as a twotter called rolling at Kanabea. Never saw him or more than the end marker cones at the strip <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> By the time I came back around the joint had closed for the day, guess they were as eager not to be overnighting there too. The twotter could get over the ridge but unfortunately the old BN2 couldn't. I have a sequence shot of a lightly loaded BN2 going out of there if you would like!?
Chuckles is spot on about the flying in PNG particularly the stuff around Kabwum, Monghi and the west ports. I have some classic photos of most of those places from my time there if any one is interested. Don't know how to post them here otherwise I would have, but can always email a couple if you are interested.(Or someone could explain how I could and I will put some here)
CC: would love to have seen the porter departure out of the hangar at Kanabea, a very short version of Satwag in the Kabwum Valley
Your mate obviously didn't want to sample the local priests hospitality. Is that the porter that is permanently at Kanabea now? I can remember having to do a u-turn inside the valley at the end of that strip in less than vmc conditions one day as a twotter called rolling at Kanabea. Never saw him or more than the end marker cones at the strip <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> By the time I came back around the joint had closed for the day, guess they were as eager not to be overnighting there too. The twotter could get over the ridge but unfortunately the old BN2 couldn't. I have a sequence shot of a lightly loaded BN2 going out of there if you would like!?
Grandpa Aerotart
Well I flew straight over the ridge in an empty -300 once on a calm morning, but in the many, many ,many departures out of Kanabea I survived in a -200 it was no better than an Islander. I used to take-off a little diagonally so that just as the wheels were getting light the left wing was poking over the side. Then roll on heaps of aileron and turn before the end of the strip/coincident with the wheels lifting off. Safer than going straight off the end, but then I knew the chap who died in the Islander there in 1986.
No the Porter was Talair's P2-SEA. The Porter wreck at Kanabea, which I never spotted myself, was a Catholic Mission one apparently.
I've got about 10 PNG bush flying photos left, after donating three full photo albums to the Rabaul Volcano <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
Chuck.
No the Porter was Talair's P2-SEA. The Porter wreck at Kanabea, which I never spotted myself, was a Catholic Mission one apparently.
I've got about 10 PNG bush flying photos left, after donating three full photo albums to the Rabaul Volcano <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
Chuck.
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They say PNG is no place for a lady but I am getting married in April and PNG might be my only choice for a while.
Is it really that bad or is it somewhere an "adventurous young couple" might enjoy?
The Fiancees Mum worked in PNG back in the 1960s...
Is it really that bad or is it somewhere an "adventurous young couple" might enjoy?
The Fiancees Mum worked in PNG back in the 1960s...
PPRuNeaholic
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Alistair... if you don't get any other offers, e-mail the pics to me and I'll put them up on my site, under a heading attributing to you. I have a pretty slow linespeed atm so would muchly appreciate if you sent them in batches of no more than 6 at a time. Don't use the e-mail addy in my profile please, use [email protected] instead, as I'm in Oz until the new year.
Hardon deGeare... guys DO have their wives and girlfriends living there, but the place has been known to be a severe test of marriages. Many marriages have failed the test, one way or another. Older couples tend to survive better than younger ones. You'd be well advised in any event, make enquiries about the type of accommodation that will be provided for you and, most importantly, the quality of the security at the accommodation venue.
Hardon deGeare... guys DO have their wives and girlfriends living there, but the place has been known to be a severe test of marriages. Many marriages have failed the test, one way or another. Older couples tend to survive better than younger ones. You'd be well advised in any event, make enquiries about the type of accommodation that will be provided for you and, most importantly, the quality of the security at the accommodation venue.
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In regard to the original post, Airlink have 6 operating bandits, 3 bongo vans(islanders), 2 404s for charter & a 402. Bases are Tokua(Rabaul), Madang, Lae & Port Moresby. Inital start is on the bandit as an F/O for a few hundred hours to accrue time in country(insurance requirement) before moving onto the islander fleet if your hours require further consolidation. I believe they have introduced a new schedule, so most work is done on the Bandit now. The pay is in Kina, I think based similar on F/O wages for operating the same machine in oz. It should be good experience for those chasing multi-crew, multi-turbine RPT OPS, & if you progress to the throne of the Bandit, it would help with progress when the time comes to leave PNG. Also there will be plenty of willing & able Mary's to keep you company on hoty humid nights!
I think requirements are 1500 TT & 500 M/E, however this may be a little flexible(ie 1200 TT & 300 M/E) PNG flying is fun & challeging & companies in PNG are always seeking drivers. Considering the Aus situation, PNG is one palce in the world still chasing pilots, & its better than pumping fuel! Yawo
I think requirements are 1500 TT & 500 M/E, however this may be a little flexible(ie 1200 TT & 300 M/E) PNG flying is fun & challeging & companies in PNG are always seeking drivers. Considering the Aus situation, PNG is one palce in the world still chasing pilots, & its better than pumping fuel! Yawo
Hardon deGeare ,gang rape is the national sport in PNG and a white woman is the State of Origin trophy.Things have changed A LOT since the 1960s.
A very big question mark over Rabaul and Madang ,ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Moresby or Lae.Leave her in Cairns and go to see her ,difficult but her safety comes first.You will be in enough danger by yourself !
A very big question mark over Rabaul and Madang ,ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Moresby or Lae.Leave her in Cairns and go to see her ,difficult but her safety comes first.You will be in enough danger by yourself !
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Insert Mature Name Here, Hope you don't mind as this doesn't have much to do with your original post but you may find these interesting once ozexpat puts them online
Ozexpat...you have mail, hopefully, let me know if they don't get to you (15 in first batch, will send you Kanabea with CC's hangar once scanned). Don't forget to tell where others can find them, me too!
Hardon...My wife and I were in Poppondetta and Lae for about 4 months or so during my year and a half in PNG (Hi Sheesh bloke, Pottsy, Geoff) and she decided to leave after being in an armed robbery with me and having our compound broken into whilst I was working and she was at home. Pay attention to Metromans post as it is a very real threat, but by no means a certainty. If I was asked would we do it again I would say absolutely no way (I would go back alone for the flying but I would no longer be married <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> ) which is a shame as it is a beautiful country with some really great people, but you can't win an argument if the other guy has a gun!!
Ozexpat...you have mail, hopefully, let me know if they don't get to you (15 in first batch, will send you Kanabea with CC's hangar once scanned). Don't forget to tell where others can find them, me too!
Hardon...My wife and I were in Poppondetta and Lae for about 4 months or so during my year and a half in PNG (Hi Sheesh bloke, Pottsy, Geoff) and she decided to leave after being in an armed robbery with me and having our compound broken into whilst I was working and she was at home. Pay attention to Metromans post as it is a very real threat, but by no means a certainty. If I was asked would we do it again I would say absolutely no way (I would go back alone for the flying but I would no longer be married <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> ) which is a shame as it is a beautiful country with some really great people, but you can't win an argument if the other guy has a gun!!
Grandpa Aerotart
I have to agree with Metro Man Hardon! I met my now exwife up there, she was a teacher at the Goroka International School. That was in 1987 and things have gone A LONG WAY DOWNHILL SINCE THEN.
Whatever memories your future mother in law has of PNG are way out of date, and completely 1000% at odds with the reality that exists today.
I personally have knowledge of 3 white females that were raped and one murdered, these were people I knew not just stories I heard. There were many more stories of it happening to people I didn't know personally.
In 1987 my then fiancee and I were driving from Goroka to Kianantu and were stopped at a road block. I managed to reverse away up the hill before doing a wheels locked 180 degree reversal, jam it into gear and leave, they were shooting at us as this happened. We were just lucky that the rascals had not had time(or forgotten to) set up another vehicle to block our retreat, as was common. If we had not gotten away we had absolutley no doubt about the outcome, my future wife said if we were ever trapped shoot her before they got to her, she was NOT JOKING!
Our very dear friend was raped in her house at Goroka Teachers College. The Haus Meri had left the escape hatch in the floor unlocked so one of her wantoks could get in in the evening. While being raped, something her subconcious blocked out, she fired a flare at him and burned his face. Several days later he turned up at work, he was a security gaurd at the college! The police were called but did nothing after his wantoks threatened to come back and rape every female in the place if he was arrested and jailed! In case you're wondering why a house would have an escape hatch(common in PNG) it's so you can get out quickly in case of fire blocking your path to the RAPE GATE. A locked iron grill type door which is often used to seperate the sleeping part of the house at night.
Another person I knew, a female chopper pilot, was raped and chopped into bits in Lae.
The US Peace Corps stopped basing females in PNG in 1994. They had decided it was to risky even in the relatively 'safe' PNG Islands.
We were a young adventurous couple and were very lucky.
Do not take your new wife to PNG even if she says she wants to go. She is blinded by her affection for and desire to be with you, she has no idea what she is in for. Even shopping in big supermarkets in broad daylight will result in young black males coming up to her and saying "Hey misses...I want to F***K you!" regularly enough to scare her witless.
I would estimate that over 80% of PNG women have been 'raped' by the time they are 25, if you apply the wests definition of the act. PNG men, with very few exceptions, have zero respect for women and zero fear of the police.
Those white women still in PNG are either, as OZ states, much older(45+) and at less risk or have been in PNG so long that they are totally used to it and know how to stay out of trouble. They have developed a 'sixth sense'. The later group is tiny, the exodus of white women from PNG in the last 7 or 8 years has been MASSIVE.
Chuck.
Whatever memories your future mother in law has of PNG are way out of date, and completely 1000% at odds with the reality that exists today.
I personally have knowledge of 3 white females that were raped and one murdered, these were people I knew not just stories I heard. There were many more stories of it happening to people I didn't know personally.
In 1987 my then fiancee and I were driving from Goroka to Kianantu and were stopped at a road block. I managed to reverse away up the hill before doing a wheels locked 180 degree reversal, jam it into gear and leave, they were shooting at us as this happened. We were just lucky that the rascals had not had time(or forgotten to) set up another vehicle to block our retreat, as was common. If we had not gotten away we had absolutley no doubt about the outcome, my future wife said if we were ever trapped shoot her before they got to her, she was NOT JOKING!
Our very dear friend was raped in her house at Goroka Teachers College. The Haus Meri had left the escape hatch in the floor unlocked so one of her wantoks could get in in the evening. While being raped, something her subconcious blocked out, she fired a flare at him and burned his face. Several days later he turned up at work, he was a security gaurd at the college! The police were called but did nothing after his wantoks threatened to come back and rape every female in the place if he was arrested and jailed! In case you're wondering why a house would have an escape hatch(common in PNG) it's so you can get out quickly in case of fire blocking your path to the RAPE GATE. A locked iron grill type door which is often used to seperate the sleeping part of the house at night.
Another person I knew, a female chopper pilot, was raped and chopped into bits in Lae.
The US Peace Corps stopped basing females in PNG in 1994. They had decided it was to risky even in the relatively 'safe' PNG Islands.
We were a young adventurous couple and were very lucky.
Do not take your new wife to PNG even if she says she wants to go. She is blinded by her affection for and desire to be with you, she has no idea what she is in for. Even shopping in big supermarkets in broad daylight will result in young black males coming up to her and saying "Hey misses...I want to F***K you!" regularly enough to scare her witless.
I would estimate that over 80% of PNG women have been 'raped' by the time they are 25, if you apply the wests definition of the act. PNG men, with very few exceptions, have zero respect for women and zero fear of the police.
Those white women still in PNG are either, as OZ states, much older(45+) and at less risk or have been in PNG so long that they are totally used to it and know how to stay out of trouble. They have developed a 'sixth sense'. The later group is tiny, the exodus of white women from PNG in the last 7 or 8 years has been MASSIVE.
Chuck.