PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok

[tail wheel]

Helio Courier

I received a PM from PPRuNe User "VH-BCY" who has acquired a Helio Courier registered VH-LIW.

Of course, it was not difficult to guess which Helio Courier he acquired......

He suggested it came from PNG in the early 1990's and:

"Yes my Courier is EX P2-BOX. I would like to know some of it's previous adventures as it is such a fun machine to fly."

I'm sure many here would be very familiar with the aircraft. Any comments? Anyone know how and when it arrived in PNG? (I had the feeling it was originally a Mission aircraft?)

Tail Wheel

[Chimbu chuckles]

He should ask the previous owner about a certain video that was taken during his type checkout (with me).

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Helio Courier performing at Oshkosh in 1999. Looks like a fun bit of kit!

Dr

http://www.fototime.com/9C56977EB23678C/conv.wmv

[2 Dogs]

from early in this thread.....

VH-FRB Helio H-250 Courier MkII, c/n 2540 ex N6330V
Registered 27.01.1967 to Franciscan Mission, Aitape.
To P2-FRB 14.11.1974.
Crashed 28.05.1976 at Mount Hagen.
Restored and re-registered as P2-BOX (I do not have date), was with PNG Aviation Services P/L, Boroko.
Sold and registered to E. H. Mills, Gladstone, Tasmania as VH-LIW on 27.11.1990.

I believe the Hagen "crash" was actually a ground loop on take-off performed by a QF cadet cum ATC who was working in Hagen at the time.

[Maxii]

B & W Magazine

Have Vol. 1 No.13 & Vol. 2 No. 6

[Chimbu chuckles]

Some great pictures here showing off some of the Helio Couriers interesting design features. Certainly one of the more unusual and fun aircraft I have been lucky enough to fly.

http://www.sbavia.com/detail.htm

Click on Obituaries here and type in Ronnie's last name and see the very moving obituary and all the lovely messages left by many of his friends world wide.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/n...ews/index.html

His passing effects me more than I seem to be able to get my head around.

[Chimbu chuckles]

I have managed to establish two way comms with Hew Mills who bought P2-BOX/VH-LIW from Yorke...he sounds like he has had 16 fun years taken it places 99% of fixed wing aircraft are excluded from before selling it on 18mths ago...I have invited him to contribute.

[Waghi Warrior]

Good luck to the well know Air Niugini Pilot who got married in Mt Hagen on Saterday. From what I hear the wedding was one of the biggest (For all the good reasons) Mt Hagen has seen for some years, especially involving an expat.

[Sharpie]

was the septum pierced for the event, or will that come later?

[Pinky the pilot]

What was the 'Bride price?'

I got married in the Douglas Pilots 'mansion' in 1990 and had to negotiate a bride price with the late Dennis Douglas, who gave the bride away!!

Mrs Pinky cost me two pigs and two raw stuffed chooks!!

[DingoMuddy]

PX 767 Replacement

I hear the long-awaited replacement 767 for P2-ANG from RBA is now a dead deal with RBA walking away. What a fiasco. Surely some heads must roll with the CEO being the first to get chopped, closely followed by the Chair.

This is a joke of monumental proportions and clearly displays the gross incompetence of those involved. What are all the current 76 crews doing with no aircraft for the past 5 months, and who knows how long before a replacement arrives now???

The PM will not be happy. Who knows what he has missed out on?

[tinpis]

Hope you dont have to put an Evinrude on the back of the E-type Torres

Heres a 1979 shot of waiting for the morning smok to clear at GKA
That Phils Thorpe ?



And an old girl waiting for a new set of Cranky Franky oil leakers

[INTERESTED BYSTANDER]

Mt Hagen Wedding

Being closely related to the groom at the Mt Hagen wedding on 12 January I thank Waghi Warrior for making mention of what has been one of the most amazing experiences of my family's lives.
The bride is the most wonderful, honest, thoughtful lady we could ever hope to have as a member of our family. We will never forget the welcome we received into her family and the people of the village and we look forward to making many more visits in the future.
We are so honoured to be accepted into the family.

[Sharpie]

Dingomuddy

So sad, so very sad, more so when one sees new arrivals F100 and D8-300 (weeks ago) sitting down nutting waiting on crew. It appears that maybe not too many experienced crew available these days.

[DingoMuddy]

Perhaps experienced crew not available, perhaps not prepared to work for such inept management. Planning is inadequate, decision making questionable at best, resulting in crews always being under pressure, being prevailed upon and given little thanks at the end of the day....me thinks? People will tolerate certain things for only so long, chaos being just one of those things.

It all starts at the top. No airline experience, a major chip on his shoulder, only wants to appease the pollies, and frankly way out of his depth. Soon we'll have Sir Wanka from Sri Lanka!

[HANOI]

Stood in Boroko Foodworld contemplating the breakfast muesli shelf . Decided not to buy another packet . One can only take so much . St Paddy's day looking good for a return to sanity.

[tinpis]

Someone used a Chook to get their bongo back to GKA 1979



Is that Hellyadore von Schutstik on the right?



Ian Tindale photos BTW

[HANOI]

Probably asking his famous question , " Who vill pay for zis ".

Is that Ray Williams in the red shirt ?.

[DingoMuddy]

Good luck Hanoi!

Sorry to hear that news coming on top of the long list of notable departures over the past 6 months and more. Should raise many questions, but obviously the Board is oblivious, or really are they? What's that chinese saying - foo tjeong dung?

Will your replacement be a Muralidaran or a Sangakara or a Ramatungadownyrthroata? Who is the new Finance man?

Why is Viva Macau back in town?

DM

[tinpis]

Looks a bit too fit fer Helly...