Maurice Kirk is in Africa
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From the Rally FB page
So where is Maurice everybody is wondering??? Last update: from our contacts in Eastern Kenya we are happy to confirm he was till this morning still in South-Sudan and heading for Lokichogio (Kenya), but it seems he had to make a forced landing, again...He and his plane, it seems, are totally fine and he might be inbound Loki tomorrow again! To be continued...
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It's a disgrace that abandon him, and the world is watching.
It's a disgrace to have taken him on in the first place knowing his reputation.....
It's a disgrace to have taken him on in the first place knowing his reputation.....
I appreciate that it is a commercial business earning Sam money, but to take on Kirk, 'flying threat' in the first place... Who's crazier, Maurice or Sam for taking him on? Giving him a chance to realise his dream? No. Commercial decision, id say.
Good luck to Maurice though, and let's hope there no more crashes for the rest of the rally. The Stearman outcome could have been very different.
Last edited by Hawker 800; 2nd Dec 2016 at 09:20.
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From MK's facebook page just now:
Maurice has crashed late last night desperate to get into Kenya,,,,, Don find me , please, in Kenya, anyone who can be paid to rescue the old girl just 30 k from Lokichocio on the the only road?
she needs a minimum of a left u/c and prop .....the rest can be bent straight to get out......thorns have made her a 'a little ragged'
she needs a minimum of a left u/c and prop .....the rest can be bent straight to get out......thorns have made her a 'a little ragged'
Hope he receives an offer of help and is on his way soon......!!!
His latest on FB ,posted without comment:
Dear Belinda, just had orrible ride back to Kapoeta ..governor sending me to Juba tomorrow...cub a bit 'scratched'.....needs, at least, left u/c and a prop ....the rally guy, by the way, refused to carry any of my stuff to Cape Town including a spare prop, or even a sight of a flight plan a UK pilot is to abide by etc etc.....there is a book to be written about the petulant pongo exploiting pilots once their money is safe in some foreign bank
skype nbg
Put out a mild distress call please re cub pilots in Kenya to rescue her before more is pinched.....taken camera, fone an distress beacon and even my new clean white shirt ! etcD xx
skype nbg
Put out a mild distress call please re cub pilots in Kenya to rescue her before more is pinched.....taken camera, fone an distress beacon and even my new clean white shirt ! etcD xx
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Having just watched his video, I must say he looks ver down. Frankly I don't see how kicking him now is going to help anyone.
Last edited by Jonzarno; 2nd Dec 2016 at 15:06. Reason: Typo
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Steady on posters. Obviously there are differing perspectives on Mr. Kirk's conduct as a pilot, rally participant and citizen. More discussion is not going to resolve that here. Let's contain discussion to the title of the thread, how's he getting on. People are welcomed to discuss Mr. Kirk's progress through Africa, and the adventure of it all, but the criticism of Mr. Kirk's history, or support for his perseverance as an aviation rebel, has little benefit at this point.
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I passed all the helpful comments to a number of his family and friends. His son said the engine had been recently overhauled, and he thought from his trip in it that it's revs were a bit higher or different after the overhaul, but that it was not cutting out then.
What would be the best way for him to get a prop and u/c ?
What would be the best way for him to get a prop and u/c ?
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Onmybike I didn't want to spell out the obvious but isn't this for insurers to get involved?
I would have thought that MK would have wanted the a/c recovered and to be repaired somewhere?
I would have thought that MK would have wanted the a/c recovered and to be repaired somewhere?
Pilot DAR, why do you persist in deleting posts from those who know enough about Kirk to describe what a liability he is to aviation?
He is NOT some latter day folk hero, he is someone for whom the niceties of aviation law and responsible behaviour are totally alien concepts.
He is NOT some latter day folk hero, he is someone for whom the niceties of aviation law and responsible behaviour are totally alien concepts.
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He is NOT some latter day folk hero, he is someone for whom the niceties of aviation law and responsible behaviour are totally alien concepts.
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He is NOT some latter day folk hero, he is someone for whom the niceties of aviation law and responsible behaviour are totally alien concepts.
And isnt that refreshing a touch of colour? We seem to have lost the pioneering days, The days when people did crazy things.
When pilots attempted to break the sound barrier or to fly the most bizarre unworkable machines.
Freedom is something we cherish but in many ways we are less free now than we have ever been with big brother watching your every move.
The days when you sat up front on an airline with the pilots or where the Captain walked down the cabin to chat to customers in the cruise.
To have your aftershave removed through security because its more than 100 ml s or to be eyed suspiciously by the same because you haven't removed your belt or shoes? Thats freedom ?
The all singing and dancing technology of never get lost moving maps
Sometimes its refreshing to see a character who does everything wrong! maybe because it what we would like to do deep down but a character filled with passion for aviation because it reminds us of a past time which has gone in this modern controlled grey world
Two fingers to our over regulated society and disapproving masters
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It seems there is still lots of passion. The moderators and PPRuNe do not take a position on Mr. Kirk's endeavor. The moderators will moderate discussion to steer it on topic. The topic is Maurice Kirk is in Africa. I'm sure many readers will be interested to read posts which report the next phase in his travels, so let's keep the thread open to enable posts on that topic!
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Hurrah for Maurice Kirk, say I. What a lot of stuffed shirts getting bent out of shape; how the spirit of adventure has been stifled. Why on earth did Maurice ever associate himself with the money moguls? he could have just taken off like my good buddy Colin Hales, who is a true pioneer, built his own two identical airplanes in his rented hangar at Shenington, and first flew one to Australia with his then ladyfriend, and now is flying solo around the world, INCLUDING CROSSING THE WATERS carrying extra cabin tanks of fuel instead of a ladyfriend. Got his priorities right!
All you poor chaps need to try our sport, we fly cross country in gliders and enjoy the uncertainty; if you get it wrong you visit a farmer. No worries. We fly gliders all round Europe, and also fly gliders in Africa, if a lion is nearby it is best to remain in the glider and keep calm....
All you poor chaps need to try our sport, we fly cross country in gliders and enjoy the uncertainty; if you get it wrong you visit a farmer. No worries. We fly gliders all round Europe, and also fly gliders in Africa, if a lion is nearby it is best to remain in the glider and keep calm....
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Well said guys. It was just wonderful when news came in that he had got lost, and was overdue. Then in good old derring do, up he pops. The guy is flying a Cub, in Africa for Gods Sake. Plenty of open places to put it down, particularly with his million hours on it, or in today's money, a Billion.....lets keep on hearing of the exploits of the wonderful Maurice. Now then, Anyone know where he is?
Thread Starter
The real challenge is old man Kirk flying that Cub across Africa.
He is now missing a suspension leg and a prop for the Cub but hopefully someone will help him out.
His getting lost and problems echos Emilia Earhart and the old mid 30's pioneers.
At least he is solo!
He is now missing a suspension leg and a prop for the Cub but hopefully someone will help him out.
His getting lost and problems echos Emilia Earhart and the old mid 30's pioneers.
At least he is solo!
It doesn't happen very often but I'm in total agreement with BEagle on this one - aviation does not benefit from the likes of Maurice Kirk. He has nobody but himself to blame for his current condition and I, for one, would not lift a finger to get him out of it. He's alive and, presumably, uninjured and if the locals make teapots out of his Cub, it will, at least, ensure safer skies over Africa for a while.
Thread Starter
I come from a line of thinking that we should help this man in his hour of need.
Being stuck in a backwater in Africa is not exactly fun.
However he still has a desire to look on the bright side.
He has dispatched a cry for help.
https://www.facebook.com/maurice.kirk.92?ref=br_rs
Is there anyone out there than can just locate and supply the spares he needs?
Can I just remind you all of Tony Bullimore.
BBC ON THIS DAY | 9 | 1997: Bullimore rescued after five days
Being stuck in a backwater in Africa is not exactly fun.
However he still has a desire to look on the bright side.
to Sophie FCO
Thankyou, Thankyou for FO intervention
Please tell my daughter I, since leaving Gambella, Ethiopia, have been vomiting with severe nausea, head aches to mild ones...all very rare experiences for me....today in Kapoata it all seems to be over ....taking my malaria tablets .....
Suffered minor injuries by locals and whipped but all is forgiven ----"When in Rome....." ......Maurice clearly provoked the autication out of plain frustration of being made to sit under an apele? tree for two days doing nothing!!!!)
Armed escort does not arrive until 9!"!!! the hours lost flying to Nairobi.....but I must not complain.....the south Sudanese hospitality quite humbling and incredible .......(could seek citizenship if it goes on like this!)
3 hour drive at least and hope the old girl is not upside down in last night's winds
At The Mango Camp hotel using their internet but must return to new Kuleu hotel tel ? where armed guard pick me up at 9am local time for treck across a desert instead of some inter galactic exersise, as brother michael used to say.
local time GMT+2
Where do I send you the box of chocolates and bunch of flowers?
Thankyou, Thankyou for FO intervention
Please tell my daughter I, since leaving Gambella, Ethiopia, have been vomiting with severe nausea, head aches to mild ones...all very rare experiences for me....today in Kapoata it all seems to be over ....taking my malaria tablets .....
Suffered minor injuries by locals and whipped but all is forgiven ----"When in Rome....." ......Maurice clearly provoked the autication out of plain frustration of being made to sit under an apele? tree for two days doing nothing!!!!)
Armed escort does not arrive until 9!"!!! the hours lost flying to Nairobi.....but I must not complain.....the south Sudanese hospitality quite humbling and incredible .......(could seek citizenship if it goes on like this!)
3 hour drive at least and hope the old girl is not upside down in last night's winds
At The Mango Camp hotel using their internet but must return to new Kuleu hotel tel ? where armed guard pick me up at 9am local time for treck across a desert instead of some inter galactic exersise, as brother michael used to say.
local time GMT+2
Where do I send you the box of chocolates and bunch of flowers?
Maurice has crashed late last night desperate to get into Kenya,,,,, Don find me , please, in Kenya, anyone who can be paid to rescue the old girl just 30 k from Lokichocio on the the only road?
She needs a minimum of a left u/c and prop .....the rest can be bent straight to get out......thorns have made her a 'a little ragged' !
Our local governor insists in send me to Juba tomorrow ....my injuries are minor or old war wounds given a joult! worried about the the nausea and vomitting....a bottle of Tim's Carey wine would not go a miss!
after a night in a police cell, an experience I do not recommend, hours in the dust and dirt back to Koepata an Mango hotel but a hot bath and full english breakfast......dream on ...... I remain ashamed at the standards thery live by as to where I have just existed for 24 years.....real poverty every where .....I remain bessotted with this place despite the 'hardships'
She needs a minimum of a left u/c and prop .....the rest can be bent straight to get out......thorns have made her a 'a little ragged' !
Our local governor insists in send me to Juba tomorrow ....my injuries are minor or old war wounds given a joult! worried about the the nausea and vomitting....a bottle of Tim's Carey wine would not go a miss!
after a night in a police cell, an experience I do not recommend, hours in the dust and dirt back to Koepata an Mango hotel but a hot bath and full english breakfast......dream on ...... I remain ashamed at the standards thery live by as to where I have just existed for 24 years.....real poverty every where .....I remain bessotted with this place despite the 'hardships'
Is there anyone out there than can just locate and supply the spares he needs?
Can I just remind you all of Tony Bullimore.
BBC ON THIS DAY | 9 | 1997: Bullimore rescued after five days
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 3rd Dec 2016 at 00:11.
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Thanks you are doing a great job with the information. I sent it to two sides of his family and friends who learn of things after us. The links are great as they get unverified messages from various sources, so to see exact quotes or links they then are sure.
Does anyone have contacts to get help from places like this? Would they have contacts who can help?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Briti...32419676788800
Does anyone have contacts to get help from places like this? Would they have contacts who can help?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Briti...32419676788800
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It doesn't happen very often but I'm in total agreement with BEagle on this one - aviation does not benefit from the likes of Maurice Kirk. He has nobody but himself to blame for his current condition and I, for one, would not lift a finger to get him out of it. He's alive and, presumably, uninjured and if the locals make teapots out of his Cub, it will, at least, ensure safer skies over Africa for a while.
But let's also remember that he is a human being stuck in an awful situation - yes, largely of his own making - and the attitude of: "I wouldn't lift a finger to help him" is, IMHO, a far worse sin than any that MK has committed.
There's nothing that I can do practically to help him but, if there was, I'd do it.