Wikiposts
Search
The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions The place for students, instructors and charter guys in Oz, NZ and the rest of Oceania.
    Hide Wikipost
Old 27th Jan 2019, 13:21   -   Wikipost
PPRuNe Forums Thread Wiki: PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok
Please read: This is a community-maintained wiki post containing the most important information from this thread. You may edit the Wiki once you have been a member for 90 days and have made 90 posts.
 
Last edit by: tail wheel
A thread where ex PNG geriatrics lapuns and long longs can live in the dim distant past.

Where tall stories are accepted as fact.

War stories are applauded.

Grab a Brownie, pull up a story and join in a trip down memory lane!!!

Print Wikipost

PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10th Oct 2011, 22:02
  #3521 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Queensland
Posts: 2,422
Received 8 Likes on 4 Posts
Where is Bernie Flanagan ?
Bernie is retired in rural Queensland and has a small horse property. PM me if you want his contact details.
Torres is offline  
Old 20th Oct 2011, 04:47
  #3522 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: closer to hell
Age: 52
Posts: 914
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
bump

quite a bit of Talair Twin Otter action on this guy's channel that is recently uploaded.



Fill your boots Chuck

grrr embedding...click here msjvista's Channel - YouTube
troppo is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2011, 10:21
  #3523 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
seeking news

Wondering if anyone can tell me about Raphael Koipa who stayed with my family for an extended period when he first came to Australia as a young teenager. We stayed friends and visited & kept in contact for many years. My brother stayed with him in Port Moresby. We have been wondering why we haven't heard from him. I saw his name in a list on your website.
raphsfriend is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2011, 20:02
  #3524 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Pacific
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
troppo
great old vids
Motto - Always carry a camera..
(will have to pass on the link of the heavy equipment dramas to my brother to enjoy)
frigatebird is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2011, 02:14
  #3525 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: tasman
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Raphael Koipa

Raphael passed away some years ago at Mt Hagen. He flew with Air Niugini in the 70's and then took up Rotary Wing flying and had his own operation at Mt Hagen in 2000. In the meantime he did quite a bit of flying for Col Bubner's Airlink. He built a nice home on Kuta Ridge. A real Gentleman. I think he died of a heart attack.
sundaun is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2011, 07:30
  #3526 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks sundaun

For your response. Am very sad to hear of Raph's passing - we had wondered why there was no word for so long and at least we know now.

He became a family member over the year or more he spent with us. We have lots of funny memories as he came straight from his village to our home in a small Qld country town, quite a culture shock. The last time I saw him was in 1974 when I visited him at Sogeri. He wrote & rang sometimes & visited my family in subsequent years but I was living on Christmas Is and missed him.

We did have a letter from his wife Dorothy about the time of the trouble in Bougainville. I don't know if they were ever reunited. Is there anyone you know who we contact for more information about Raph & his family?
Thanks again
raphsfriend is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2011, 11:00
  #3527 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Queensland
Posts: 2,422
Received 8 Likes on 4 Posts
I worked with Raphael at Talair around the late 1970s, nice guy.

Just a thought, send a PM to High 6 as he may have contacts to know how to contact Raphael's family.
Torres is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2011, 11:08
  #3528 (permalink)  

Grandpa Aerotart
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SWP
Posts: 4,583
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Great vids Troppo...that young bloke is now a 777 captain with EK.

Sorry to hear of Raphael's passing.
Chimbu chuckles is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2011, 17:12
  #3529 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Twyford, UK
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Haven't been on for a loooooong while, but it is heartening to see that the same old Lapuns are alive and kicking. Chuckles, Tinpis, Torres, Animal Club. I shall open the fridge door and get yes all a coldie and we can sit around and tell lies to each other.!!
Taildragger is offline  
Old 10th Nov 2011, 12:11
  #3530 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pointy End
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Didn't think you'd ever need an excuse for cracking a cold one Taildragger, but good to hear from you and hope you are keeping well.
High 6 is offline  
Old 10th Nov 2011, 22:53
  #3531 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: closer to hell
Age: 52
Posts: 914
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Line Pilots

Central Aviation based in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, servicing the mining industry of PNG and other charter requirements is seeking the services of line pilots to fly the PAC750XL.

Minimum requirements:

ICAO CPL
1000 hours
Current instrument rating
3 years aviation experience (to be eligible for a PNG work permit)
Desirable:

PAC750XL endorsement
BGT
The salary range offered will be A$60,000 A$70,000 dependent on experience and endorsements. The contract will be on a touring basis of 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Return airfares to Australia or New Zealand provided. Accommodation and meals supplied whilst in PNG.

Opportunities will be available to progress to Twin Turbine flying after a period of time with the company.

That would be a good gig, pays well + accom and food.
(mass exodus from NCA pending?)
Dunno about the Hagen meris though
troppo is offline  
Old 12th Nov 2011, 02:40
  #3532 (permalink)  
Silly Old Git
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: saiba spes
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Get all the pilots they needed if they changed base to Madang.
tinpis is offline  
Old 18th Nov 2011, 08:33
  #3533 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Perth
Age: 71
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Gibbes Sepik Aiways

Gents this is a request for any information regarding the GSA fleet, but in particular the leased Lockheed Lodestar VH-FAC. Any photos or recollections? GSA aircraft had chequered painted rudders.. what colour were they?

[hoto fred niven ansett collection
cac_sabre is offline  
Old 19th Nov 2011, 00:10
  #3534 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: S37.54 E145.11
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cac_sabre:

I used to live right next to Goroka airstrip as a kid when GSA was operating. I doubt if there are any colour photos available to confirm this but, from memory the chequered rudders were black (or very dark green) checks superimposed on the silver colour of the fuselage (fabric or metal).

GSA operated Austers, Norsemans and Junkers 52s, as well as the Lockheed Lodestar pictured. According to James Sinclair's book "Sepik Pilot", the Lodestar was leased from Fawcett Aviation when Gibbes was hoping to get an airline licence to operate a regular service from Port Moresby and Sydney via Cairns and Brisbane. The licence request was refused by DCA on the grounds that it would compete with the established airlines already operating the route. GSA handed back the Lodestar in 1953. According to Sinclair the Lodestar "...was a financial and operational embarrassment from the start. It was expensive to operate, unserviceable for long periods, and unsuited to the type of internal operations the Company conducted; ..."

If you want to get the best information on the operation of GSA, I would suggest you get a hold of James Sinclair's excellent book "Sepik Pilot", published in 1971 by Lansdowne Press SBN 7018 0323 1, which details the history of Bobby Gibbes and GSA. Unfortunately, I doubt this book would still be in production but may be found in a library somewhere.

From James' book, in addition to the Lodestar, the aircraft operated by GSA included (all VH registrations):

Austers: KSD, KSQ, KSS,KSU, KST
Norsemans: ASN, ASS, ASR, BLM, BNE, BNL, BNT, BHG, GSA
Ju 52s: BUV, BUU, BUW

Hope that helps.
QSK? is offline  
Old 19th Nov 2011, 01:50
  #3535 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Perth
Age: 71
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Thanks QSK

I have that book. Trying to tie down the colours used, I have read dark green checks but for the life of me I dont remember where

cheers

one that is approaching the finish line..Aztec P2-GKZ
cac_sabre is offline  
Old 19th Nov 2011, 23:34
  #3536 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Queensland
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I went to PNG in the early 70's with only a latent sting from the Aviation Bug after a 10 shilling joy flight in a Bo at an airshow at Hoxton Park.

Towards the end of my stay I decided that I cant leave without experiencing a small adventure, and to see a little more of the country than just dry old Port Moresby. One Saturday morning one of you fellows took my (then) wife and I from POM up to Tapini. Just the 2 of us in a twinotter, what a magic trip. Up into the hills, along ridges and over valleys. I wish I had known about the Tapini ILS then. The AV bug began to bite a little harder. After landing and parking cross runway at the top of the hill, the aircraft was mobbed by a hoarde of would-be passengers.

We departed with a more than full load. The return trip was also very intersting, but more on the inside of the aircraft. The gaggle of people, their piles of carry-on baggage, the screaming, sqwarking trussed chooks in the aisle took a little away from the air adventure. Never mind, the AV bug was doing it's work.

Just before we left, we were invited to one of those PNG parties were huge, whole, BBQ coral trout were served. I chatted with a fellow who was an ATC at Moresby tower and he invted me up the tower the next day to see what he does.

That was it! The AV bug had done it's job and as soon as we were settled back home I started flying lessons with Mike Jones of Pioneer air. I was satisfied staying a PPL and for the last 10 years we have owned our own C182. I still travel to Mackay to see Mike every year for my IFR renewal.
Sroodplus is offline  
Old 20th Nov 2011, 12:54
  #3537 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Perth
Age: 71
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Almost done Talair Aztec

Almost finished, just a few touch ups required, most of them done now but its now too dark to take a pic.


cac_sabre is offline  
Old 20th Nov 2011, 15:20
  #3538 (permalink)  
Silly Old Git
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: saiba spes
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
.....and for the last 10 years we have owned our own C182.
Well done. Just reading your post makes me think you may be just a little too level headed for "Pilot, TPNG"

Good on yer
tinpis is offline  
Old 20th Nov 2011, 19:54
  #3539 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Pacific
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Good job, cac sabre.

Last time I saw those colours and rego, was when I ferried it Hir-Kia-Nadza, Nadzab-Lae-Goroka-Daru-HI-Cns, Cns-Isf-Hug-Roma, and Roma- Af, on the 18, 19, 20 & 21st. Jan '81. Had to go inland from Innisfail because of a cyclone sitting on the coast south-east of Townsville. Had Junior's son and his schoolchum on board from Goroka, as they had to get back to school in Sydney. We operated a PA-23 in late '83, briefly, H4-AAM, but don't think it was the company Aztec, more likely the SDA Aztec to fill a short term need. From late '85, we operated H4-ABD that may have been the old GKZ, as I think it came to us from Air Melanesaie. We had taken an Islander from them a few months earlier, YJ-RV2, and had a 402 and Bandit from Talair then too, as the Metro was still u/s.
frigatebird is offline  
Old 21st Nov 2011, 05:17
  #3540 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: S37.54 E145.11
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cac_sabre:

Ref your post #3538, go to FlightAware > Photo of VHBLM for an actual (faded) colour photo of the Norseman VH-BLM.
Also this site may be of interest to you: go to Bobby Gibbes Sepik Airways (GSA) Noorduyn Norseman

All those checks look dark olive green to me. Also of interest in the second link, is the olive green painted wing struts on the Norseman.

Good luck!
QSK? is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.