Royal Oman Police Airwing
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Royal Oman Police Airwing
Cannot find any thread relating to what was the Royal Oman Police Airwing, now the Directorate of Police Aviation. As there must be many who were in it or worked with them thought it a good idea to record something.
Was at Seeb the day that they started flying with delivery of their first aircraft, a Pilatus Porter A4O-AK, was delivered by their first active pilot “ZZ” (of east European origin with a somewhat difficult name to pronounce - hence known to all as ZZ. Could probably start a ZZ thread with the tales of his antics while with ROPAW.
Initially operating from the SOAF apron until the ROPAW hangar/offices/apron were completed, A4O-AK was followed by the second Porter A4O-AL and the second fixed wing pilot Kurt Luder, I believe a Swiss National.
A series of other aircraft and helis (AB 205s and 206s) subsequently arrived including an ex Condor B727 A4O-CF (reg now on A139?), the Inspector General of Police’s personal gin palace, although it was used regularly for ROP PAX flights between Seeb and Salalah.
Now I’ve started will others follow? If so I’ll pop back from time to time to add further memories to the thread.
Was at Seeb the day that they started flying with delivery of their first aircraft, a Pilatus Porter A4O-AK, was delivered by their first active pilot “ZZ” (of east European origin with a somewhat difficult name to pronounce - hence known to all as ZZ. Could probably start a ZZ thread with the tales of his antics while with ROPAW.
Initially operating from the SOAF apron until the ROPAW hangar/offices/apron were completed, A4O-AK was followed by the second Porter A4O-AL and the second fixed wing pilot Kurt Luder, I believe a Swiss National.
A series of other aircraft and helis (AB 205s and 206s) subsequently arrived including an ex Condor B727 A4O-CF (reg now on A139?), the Inspector General of Police’s personal gin palace, although it was used regularly for ROP PAX flights between Seeb and Salalah.
Now I’ve started will others follow? If so I’ll pop back from time to time to add further memories to the thread.
A couple of Buffaloes and a turbine Islander equipped with rudimentary NVG seems to ring a bell - especially the reluctance of anyone to go practice landing that thing onto a dark bit of desert.
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The marvellous ZZ! How long is the flight to Sohar? “Two cigarettes!”
Being pedantic the 206s and 205s were Bell not Agusta Bell like SOAFs. There was also an early Bell 206L LongRanger that had 20 seconds of water methanol injection to help you get airborne. Then you decided whether to turn on the Air Conditioner and slow right down as it took too much power!
Also the Lear 35A. A40 CA
I was lucky enough to fly the Porters, Lear and helicopters. Fantastic flying with a great bunch of people in a marvellous country.
Being pedantic the 206s and 205s were Bell not Agusta Bell like SOAFs. There was also an early Bell 206L LongRanger that had 20 seconds of water methanol injection to help you get airborne. Then you decided whether to turn on the Air Conditioner and slow right down as it took too much power!
Also the Lear 35A. A40 CA
I was lucky enough to fly the Porters, Lear and helicopters. Fantastic flying with a great bunch of people in a marvellous country.
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Could write reams of stories about ZZ, one favourite was when he joined us for dinner at the airport restaurant. Dress code was collar and tie. Up rolled ZZ (he’d been to ours for a few pre dinner drinks) immaculately dressed, shoes that you could see your face in, collar, tie, jacket but no trousers!
ZZ was quickly and politely approached by the maitre-d who raised the issue. In true ZZ style he responded “I wear ze collar and tie vat is the problem?” Pointing out the lack of trousers was accompanied by an indication that the Police would be called. “Call ze police, I am ze Police!” with a warrant card produced. We were all quickly shown to our table!
Remember A40-CA flown by a father and son, Daddy N and Baby N. Daddy ended up barrel rolling it over the Police HQ at Qurum. Unfortunately for him a senior DGCA official was driving by at the time. As he was high on the current pecking order it was hushed up, but hopefully he did sweat at little over it before it was.
ZZ was quickly and politely approached by the maitre-d who raised the issue. In true ZZ style he responded “I wear ze collar and tie vat is the problem?” Pointing out the lack of trousers was accompanied by an indication that the Police would be called. “Call ze police, I am ze Police!” with a warrant card produced. We were all quickly shown to our table!
Remember A40-CA flown by a father and son, Daddy N and Baby N. Daddy ended up barrel rolling it over the Police HQ at Qurum. Unfortunately for him a senior DGCA official was driving by at the time. As he was high on the current pecking order it was hushed up, but hopefully he did sweat at little over it before it was.
