Worst Place To Be A Pilot
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: On the Bay, Vic, Oz
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Weren't that many places to go out of Moresby. Did go on to bigger and better things, but good place to start.
Another of the strip at Tapini. I have a recollection of an RAAF Caribou, minus legs, close to the "piano keys".
Early Nav Ex, accompanied, to Popondetta via Kokoda. Didn't have a problem then with locals on the strip. There was sign that said they shouldn't.
There were rumours of Japanese still hiding out from WWII up there.
Suspect Jackson's Field has changed a bit. The SPAC end.
Another of the strip at Tapini. I have a recollection of an RAAF Caribou, minus legs, close to the "piano keys".
Early Nav Ex, accompanied, to Popondetta via Kokoda. Didn't have a problem then with locals on the strip. There was sign that said they shouldn't.
There were rumours of Japanese still hiding out from WWII up there.
Suspect Jackson's Field has changed a bit. The SPAC end.
Dr Oakenfold
Dr Oakenfold - yes it was, and it was a bloody good time 
It was great to be there, watching the next generation, doing what I did almost 45 years ago. Bitter sweet in some respects as it leaves you with a yearning for adventures past.
It was great to be there, watching the next generation, doing what I did almost 45 years ago. Bitter sweet in some respects as it leaves you with a yearning for adventures past.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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Interesting clip there Capn Rex.
Recognised a few of the strips. Pity about the soundtrack though.
I turned that off after a short while.
Recognised a few of the strips. Pity about the soundtrack though.
I turned that off after a short while.
Skywagondriver,
I might be wrong, but if you are the father of the young lad flying the Porter around, what are his plans? Going to stay on or move back to Europe?
I know what I'd do.... That flying looks amazing, and I doubt he will EVER enjoy flying anywhere as much as he does in the mountains.
If I could be so bold as to offer him advice, it would be: Do what you love doing, not what others think you should do.
Safe flying!
Coolnames
I might be wrong, but if you are the father of the young lad flying the Porter around, what are his plans? Going to stay on or move back to Europe?
I know what I'd do.... That flying looks amazing, and I doubt he will EVER enjoy flying anywhere as much as he does in the mountains.
If I could be so bold as to offer him advice, it would be: Do what you love doing, not what others think you should do.
Safe flying!
Coolnames
alisoncc - spent most of my PNG time in various locations with Crowley. Did get to Kiunga but not on shuttles.
allthecoolnamesarego - I respect your advice, as I am sure he would - the flying is fantastic there and what you say is true...however, he has just recently 'moved on'.
It was a bit of a misnomer calling him 'British' - sounds like one but was born and grew up in HK until he went to school in the UK.His mum spent some time in PNG years ago as well so it was great to see him in that area.
allthecoolnamesarego - I respect your advice, as I am sure he would - the flying is fantastic there and what you say is true...however, he has just recently 'moved on'.
It was a bit of a misnomer calling him 'British' - sounds like one
but was born and grew up in HK until he went to school in the UK.His mum spent some time in PNG years ago as well so it was great to see him in that area.
Skywagondriver - you've got a great kid there! You must be a proud Dad. What a nice fellow and he looked like he knew what he was doing! Awesome!
Last edited by josephfeatherweight; 3rd Feb 2015 at 11:31.
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alisoncc - spent most of my PNG time in various locations with Crowley. Did get to Kiunga but not on shuttles.
Was there when a front page story in the Moresby Post? reported that the Head Kiap had stated that the whole of Papua was now cannibal-free. But not all of us believed him.
Skywagondriver,
From what was aired on TV, your son came across as a mature, level headed bloke who really loves his flying. I am sure you are very proud of him. What an experience it would have been for father and son to spend time together doing some fantastic flying.
I wish him all the best with his future. With dedicated professionals like your son our industry is in good hands.
Coolnames
From what was aired on TV, your son came across as a mature, level headed bloke who really loves his flying. I am sure you are very proud of him. What an experience it would have been for father and son to spend time together doing some fantastic flying.
I wish him all the best with his future. With dedicated professionals like your son our industry is in good hands.
Coolnames
Excellent show. Refreshing to show the juniors at entry level, instead of the airline crap that is repeated too much.
The scenery is amazing! Some places I'd love to visit one day.
Cheers, KP
The scenery is amazing! Some places I'd love to visit one day.
Cheers, KP
Skywagondriver:
PM sent
PM sent
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A top show.....
Quite a few older (and not so older!!) and bolder Q drivers did their early days up there and so it's not any wonder that such flying experience is highly regarded when it becomes time!!
Surely ,any new pilot who is really serious about his / her aviation career could only benefit immensely from such an experience if they could score such a gig!!.
For those of you that have, I salute your journey!. You are no doubt a far safer pilot and a better person as a result of the invaluable lessons of life learned!.
I often wish that I'd been there and done that!!!
Stiky
Quite a few older (and not so older!!) and bolder Q drivers did their early days up there and so it's not any wonder that such flying experience is highly regarded when it becomes time!!
Surely ,any new pilot who is really serious about his / her aviation career could only benefit immensely from such an experience if they could score such a gig!!.
For those of you that have, I salute your journey!. You are no doubt a far safer pilot and a better person as a result of the invaluable lessons of life learned!.
I often wish that I'd been there and done that!!!
Stiky
Enjoyed the show.
He said his C208 didn't have all the luxuries of a jumbo??? Looked pretty damn good setup to me, as good as most jumbos I've flown. Apart from the low level flying single engine threats etc he has the same wx radar, TCAS TAWS that we have.....
He said his C208 didn't have all the luxuries of a jumbo??? Looked pretty damn good setup to me, as good as most jumbos I've flown. Apart from the low level flying single engine threats etc he has the same wx radar, TCAS TAWS that we have.....
Campers
Yep a bit better equipped than the 1976 C402, 1972 B58, etc that a lot of us had the real pleasure to fly.
Ahhh a van with color TVs working AP and wait for it Aircon!!! What more luxuries Ya need to fly around the bush.
Great flying and a pity every new pilot can't have some fun doing it, even in a 2 crew campervan.
Ahhh a van with color TVs working AP and wait for it Aircon!!! What more luxuries Ya need to fly around the bush.
Great flying and a pity every new pilot can't have some fun doing it, even in a 2 crew campervan.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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He said his C208 didn't have all the luxuries of a jumbo??? Looked pretty damn good setup to me
The ones I flew mostly had no navaids at all! And if there were any they never worked. Single pilot, and I have never heard of a Bongo Van with an autopilot!
Flying could be dodgy at times, cruising up valleys with cloud covering the terrain above you, turning up the 2nd/3rd/whatever valley to the left/right three minutes after passing a particular village/whatever.
And I only experienced a bit of that sort of flying. Chimbu Chuckles could write a book on his time there! Dammit Chuck, where are ya?
Yes it's a good show, but I really am irritated by some of the commentary and a quiet voice inside me occasionally uses the phrase
'Get some in!'