Just bringing the thread back to the top in case someone would like to add text re the COVID-19 issue so it is recorded here for history etc.

Sat 23rd May, 2020 Former prime Minister Peter O'Neil (aka: Peter O'Steal) has been arrested by Fraud squad detectives and taken to Konedobu police station for further questioning..
Are we talking hundreds of millions Kina?

Nope they are going him for a couple of unapproved generators out of Israel.

Not following policies & procedures.

Hopefully it’s just the start.

Does the PNG Defense Force have any serviceable aircraft these days?
I know there were two CASA 235's and I think they bought 6 or more PAC 750's from New Zealand.

Couple of hired Bell 212s, don’t think they have got anything else running. They got in a bit of hot water a few years ago after it was found that they were operating a CASA 235 with time ex components. The report is on the AIC website.

And running a few "fares and freight" trips around the country.

A slight digression; I was going through some old papers ect a few days ago and found my old Douglas Airways One Way strip book.

Which got me wondering just what is the current set of documents used there these days? The old Club dero had a version which contained a few strips not covered by the Dz version. Had one but lost the damn thing!:*

Wouldn't mind a copy of any updated versions, purely for nostalgia!

Check your PMs pinky

Was Omkalai on Biscuit Ear's list Pinky?

:}

Not in my copy Taily, and as far as I'm aware, not in any of the copies I ever saw.

Seem to remember that it was in the version sold by the Club Dero though.:hmm:

Duck Pilot; Thanks.:ok:

Welcome Pinky, I’m sure he will help as he has a heart of gold.

Omkalai (now closed) was the steepest at 14% or 15%. Keglsugl under Mt Wilhelm was the highest. From memory........

Keglsugl corrected! :ok:

Keglsugl under Mt Wilhelm

Role Call
 

I’m interested to know the where abouts of the following ex/maybe still current PNG aviation professionals;

Adrian Kerr - Shakey
Doug Taylor
John Rocks
Tony Skelton
Anthony Thernbeck? - Big Foot
Mike Foley - CASA AWI Kiwi good guy
Rodney Roach
Rod Marsland - 🚀
Mick Jasney
Phil Anstey
Steve Cook
Mick Dwyer
Mick Bingham - Helicopter Engineer
Phil Dunn
Mark Dunn
Tom Karlsborn
Tom Gleeson
Ray Ross
Ross Fielders - Shaggs
Rob Bradbury - Brow
Wilson Belraj??? - Ex Pacific/Helifix
Greg Bill - Good guy
Nick Gorogo
Jim Smith
John Sovereign
Joe Tripp
Ken Blain
Joe Saba
Jim Moresby Birrel
Chris Tewson
Charles Pooley
Nick Messit
Andy Smith
Frank Ryan

Plenty of others, need to check my logbooks.

Shakey, Bones and Chris Tewson's wife regularly post on Facebook.

Shags is retired on the Gold Coast.

Lost track with the rest on your list, although a few including Big Foot were at the last Talair reunion.

Last heard of Shakey was slightly west of Townsville. Woodstock region.

Thanks, great to hear that these great people are still around. Certainly good memories of the past.

Has or is anyone writing anymore books documenting the history of aviation in PNG? Last book was Balus 4 I think and I seem to recall hearing that the author passed away a few years ago.

The "Balus" series was a trilogy; James Sinclair passed a few years ago.

Vol 1: The Early Years
Vol 2: The Rise of Tailair
Vol 3; Wings of a Nation

Additionally by James Sinclair

Wings of Gold
Sepik Pilot; story of Gibbes Sepik Airways

Roll call:

A fairly reliable source in POM told me that Tony Skelton was retired from PNG and was heard flying an 'Islander' aircraft in Victoria during the early 2020 bush fire season. Just heresay......???

For those that knew Jasper Maskelyne. (or his father) ??

An interesting article in today's BBC News:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p08l3...is-with-magic-