27th Jan 2019, 13:21 - Wikipost
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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!!! 
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PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok
Grandpa Aerotart
Tmbstory I am sure the SAT boys were in NZB in the late 80s too...perhaps they did two stints with a break in the middle..I was based in Lae in 88/89 and they were there then...I went for a ride up to Moro with them and got to pole the C130 (I think they were actually slightly stretched C130s.)...nice easy flying aircraft.
Certainly the old captains were REAL characters...mostly ex AA Laos/Vietnam (those I met anyway)..SAT was another CIA owned airline started when Air America got too well known and was closed down as the Vietnam war ended.
They used to love beating up the Lae yachty in the dark as they arrived back from the last Moro shuttle..until one of them hit a flying fox and punched a hole in a wing fairing or some such. I well remember one crew being rather upset that they were required to stay in PNG a few extra days/weeks because their replacement crew had taxied over a landmine in Africa and blown the front of the aircraft off and were all in hospital somewhere.
Aseanaero that Bandit crash was Jay Cabrera's...memory dims now...probably more like 1991 than 92 as Talair closed down in 1992...unless VERY early in 92...was drinking with him the night before.
Certainly the old captains were REAL characters...mostly ex AA Laos/Vietnam (those I met anyway)..SAT was another CIA owned airline started when Air America got too well known and was closed down as the Vietnam war ended.
They used to love beating up the Lae yachty in the dark as they arrived back from the last Moro shuttle..until one of them hit a flying fox and punched a hole in a wing fairing or some such. I well remember one crew being rather upset that they were required to stay in PNG a few extra days/weeks because their replacement crew had taxied over a landmine in Africa and blown the front of the aircraft off and were all in hospital somewhere.
Aseanaero that Bandit crash was Jay Cabrera's...memory dims now...probably more like 1991 than 92 as Talair closed down in 1992...unless VERY early in 92...was drinking with him the night before.
"The Southern Air Transport operation in Papua New Guinea started on May 3rd 1991."
Sad to hear about Dave McClure. I remember him well from Macair days. Also sad to hear about Max Paynter - a true engine overhaul craftsman and perfectionist. Last saw him a couple of years ago at Brisbane Aero Engineers, Archerfield, now owned by his son I believe.
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Southern Air Transport
Chimbu chuckles and Torres:
SAT were probably in PNG on many occassions prior to the 3rd May 1991 but that was the date when we started the "official " Moro operation.
My time in PNG was between August 1989 and December 1991, I went to Marietta, Atlanta USA in Febuary 1991 to do the Course and Simulator for the L382 and returned to PNG 18th March 1991. Carried out about 290 hours of Supervisory operations on the Nadzab/ Moro run and thoughly enjoyed it.
The Captains, First Officers, and Flight Engineers, were as you say, Real characters and mainly very good crew, would go anywhere at any time, in all a fine operation. They liked to let their " hair down from time to time, I recall some prop wake ripples on the Lake near Moro when looking at the caves of skulls on the banks of the lake.
The L382 was a " a lady of the sky" to fly, much like the Falcon 20.
There must be more stories of this time.
Regards
Tmb
SAT were probably in PNG on many occassions prior to the 3rd May 1991 but that was the date when we started the "official " Moro operation.
My time in PNG was between August 1989 and December 1991, I went to Marietta, Atlanta USA in Febuary 1991 to do the Course and Simulator for the L382 and returned to PNG 18th March 1991. Carried out about 290 hours of Supervisory operations on the Nadzab/ Moro run and thoughly enjoyed it.
The Captains, First Officers, and Flight Engineers, were as you say, Real characters and mainly very good crew, would go anywhere at any time, in all a fine operation. They liked to let their " hair down from time to time, I recall some prop wake ripples on the Lake near Moro when looking at the caves of skulls on the banks of the lake.
The L382 was a " a lady of the sky" to fly, much like the Falcon 20.
There must be more stories of this time.
Regards
Tmb
I'll correct my earlier post. In retrospect, SAT's Hercs were in Port Moresby prior to 1971, delivering Boeing Vertols. I remember the flight deck water cooler - Alaskan ice water with a few shots of malt whiskey!
Those SATs pilots were real characters - mostly ex Vietnam. I'm not sure those aircraft were L100-30's as they had C130 type under-wing tanks to enable California to Port Moresby direct?
There was a rather racial cartoon sketch around 1970 of a Vertol with a couple of black feet out the back pushing bicycle pedals, a barrel slung on a long line under the Vertol dragging along the ground and the caption was "Pedal harder Mudda F---er. The P1ss ain't airborne yet"!
The cartoon may have been by the Black & White cartoonist, I forget his name now?
Anyone have a copy?
Those SATs pilots were real characters - mostly ex Vietnam. I'm not sure those aircraft were L100-30's as they had C130 type under-wing tanks to enable California to Port Moresby direct?
There was a rather racial cartoon sketch around 1970 of a Vertol with a couple of black feet out the back pushing bicycle pedals, a barrel slung on a long line under the Vertol dragging along the ground and the caption was "Pedal harder Mudda F---er. The P1ss ain't airborne yet"!
The cartoon may have been by the Black & White cartoonist, I forget his name now?
Anyone have a copy?
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The cartoon may have been by the Black & White cartoonist
I would be totally amazed if there were any connection between SIL (as in Ukarumpa) and SAT - apart from both employing Yanks!
I don't think that cartoon ever made it into Black & White, rather may have been done for CHC or SAT as I think I saw the original. There were quite a few photo copies made but photo copies in that era last about a month before they went blank!
I don't think that cartoon ever made it into Black & White, rather may have been done for CHC or SAT as I think I saw the original. There were quite a few photo copies made but photo copies in that era last about a month before they went blank!
Grandpa Aerotart
They were weird though torres...I don't remember ever meeting a SIL staff member who wasn't ex US MIL...and the man proof fences around their set up at Ukarumpa?
As Missios go they were definately strange.
As Missios go they were definately strange.
Ah, Chuckie, I'd agree they were different!
I never could work out where their apparently unlimited funds came from - C402, C185 and helicopters. I asked the question once and was told their brethren go on speaking tours around the USA, raising funds.
Conversely, I never saw even a single religious bone in any SAT pilot!!!
New Tribes were another mystery. There was a Yank near Goroka, bought one of our C185s; think he was New Tribes?
Tinpis. Don't mention piston Porters. Brings back nighmares about the piston Porter Junior got in exchange with the Wewak Catholics for an overhauled Continental 520.
I never could work out where their apparently unlimited funds came from - C402, C185 and helicopters. I asked the question once and was told their brethren go on speaking tours around the USA, raising funds.
Conversely, I never saw even a single religious bone in any SAT pilot!!!
New Tribes were another mystery. There was a Yank near Goroka, bought one of our C185s; think he was New Tribes?
Tinpis. Don't mention piston Porters. Brings back nighmares about the piston Porter Junior got in exchange with the Wewak Catholics for an overhauled Continental 520.
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Flying in PNG / Irian Jaya - survival tips for new guys please
Any tips from the old hands for flying into strips in the highlands ?
Does and don'ts , rules of thumb etc.
I guess a lot will also be local knowledge about weather patterns and trends gained from flying in a particular area.
Does and don'ts , rules of thumb etc.
I guess a lot will also be local knowledge about weather patterns and trends gained from flying in a particular area.
Grandpa Aerotart
aseanaero study the countryside you're flying through until you know it BETTER than the back of your hand...always have an escape route...as soon as you sit forward in your seat thinking ummmm 
do a 180 and retreat to better weather where you can think clearly and reassess.
The SIL base at Ukarumpa either had the worlds most terminal Ham radio nut or they wanted to be able to talk direct to the US...and as stated above the hangar/radio shack complex was surrounded by electrified man proof fences.
The SIL 'missionary' on the Karimui plataeu in the mid 80s rode a brand new quad bike, was a retired scientist from the US Mil Nuclear program, who told me he used to make bombs, and 'chose' to live at Negabo rather than Karimui...very weird.
I once acted as a go between between Karamui Spice and SIL when the former was purchasing a TU206. All money paid I went down (flown down by a New Tribes Mission pilot) to pick up said TU206 only to find out I couldn't retrieve said conveyance (I much prefered my C185) because they hadn't painted out the blue stripe. "No problems I am sure Karamui Spice will repaint it one of these days" I said. "ITS OUR BLUE!!" barked, and I do mean BARKED!, one of the SIL pilots....I went back and picked it up several days later when they had painted over the blue in a very nice green. Bizarre.
As God Botherers go I think God was bothered by that crowd more than most.
New Tribes Mission I got on well with...they maintained our C185 and did it beautifully...but SIL were scary.
do a 180 and retreat to better weather where you can think clearly and reassess.The SIL base at Ukarumpa either had the worlds most terminal Ham radio nut or they wanted to be able to talk direct to the US...and as stated above the hangar/radio shack complex was surrounded by electrified man proof fences.
The SIL 'missionary' on the Karimui plataeu in the mid 80s rode a brand new quad bike, was a retired scientist from the US Mil Nuclear program, who told me he used to make bombs, and 'chose' to live at Negabo rather than Karimui...very weird.
I once acted as a go between between Karamui Spice and SIL when the former was purchasing a TU206. All money paid I went down (flown down by a New Tribes Mission pilot) to pick up said TU206 only to find out I couldn't retrieve said conveyance (I much prefered my C185) because they hadn't painted out the blue stripe. "No problems I am sure Karamui Spice will repaint it one of these days" I said. "ITS OUR BLUE!!" barked, and I do mean BARKED!, one of the SIL pilots....I went back and picked it up several days later when they had painted over the blue in a very nice green. Bizarre.
As God Botherers go I think God was bothered by that crowd more than most.
New Tribes Mission I got on well with...they maintained our C185 and did it beautifully...but SIL were scary.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 25th Feb 2009 at 13:42.
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Thanks Chimbu
After a 10 year break from flying (kids , who are now young adults, divorce, employer collapsing then starting a business etc) I'm getting back into it this year and I've been offered some casual work as a co-pilot in Irian Jaya which I'm going to take up. Starting this month with getting my Ozzie CPL revalidated then work on my Indo CPL endorsement
At 46 I'm not running for the airlines and I'll still run my business but this way I can get out and about and have some fun and make some new contacts and new adventures
After a 10 year break from flying (kids , who are now young adults, divorce, employer collapsing then starting a business etc) I'm getting back into it this year and I've been offered some casual work as a co-pilot in Irian Jaya which I'm going to take up. Starting this month with getting my Ozzie CPL revalidated then work on my Indo CPL endorsement
At 46 I'm not running for the airlines and I'll still run my business but this way I can get out and about and have some fun and make some new contacts and new adventures
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OK gang!
Are there any of you readers who know B4s from pre-war Wau who are alive.
I'm trying to identify some people from that era in photos I have.
I'm onto a couple of people but they may not remember these ones.
This one may be identified ... needs confirmation.
Haven't had any joy on these.
Cheers
Sixties
Are there any of you readers who know B4s from pre-war Wau who are alive.
I'm trying to identify some people from that era in photos I have.
I'm onto a couple of people but they may not remember these ones.
This one may be identified ... needs confirmation.
Haven't had any joy on these.
Cheers
Sixties