Air League: Proposed long distance award Kirk

[PDR1]

Back in 2010 we took a water-taxi over the river back to Aswan from Elephantine Island. It was a small boat (perhaps 10 passengers) with an outboard motor. I had already noted that the outboard's throttle was operated bu a piece of string tied to the driver's toe, and that a bit of rubber tube went from the carb down into the boat. As we were about to depart another man came along with a jerrycan of petrol which he proceeded to pour into the back end of the boat where that rubber tube went. Before I fully took this in the driver started the boat and we set off across the river. I looked more closely and realised that in the bottom of the boat (beneath the driver's feet) was a large bucket - an open fuel tank with several gallons of petrol.

The driver was quite unperturbed by this as he drove the boat and puffed away on his cigarette. Perhaps his perseverance in continuing when most others would have refused to be within a hundred yards of such bodgemanship is equally deserving of an award...

PDR

[terry holloway]

Originally Posted by Chris Martyr

LAA award ! !......Are you serious !
I think that the only recognition that Kirk will be getting from the LAA is when Chief Insp. Craigie comes hammering on his door . Accompanied by the CAA Surveyor whose remit covers the LAA.
And besides ,,,,the LAA will probably be doing some serious vetting [ouch sorry] on any future award nominees after the last mistake they made. Remember that one Mr Holloway ?
No more AGM's mired in controversy please . Them old boys can still bite , once they've refitted their teeth from the Steradent jar.

No! But it has wound up a few people who lack a sense of humour!

Well from all the comments it seems there is little support for an Air League award, and as he is flying an LAA aircraft I thought the suggestion might entertain a few people........!
It has!!

[maxred]

TH, brilliant play. Hook, line and total sinker,, methinks. Now, can someone tell me, CAA Surveyor? The only one I ever met was as much use as a paper plug in a large sink outlet. Given the decades MK has been flying, quite obviously illegally, what makes the offended ones think the CAA Surveyors are now going to act in a very strict manner? Is the Chief Inspector British Transport Police??

[noflynomore]

Having spent some time in flying in Kenya I suspect MK may well find his bluff called by the KAA. They cannot be unaware of his shenanigans both outside their airspace and within it and any ferry flight of an aircraft in such a parlous state as his is likely to be examined fairly carefully. Lokichoggio is a seriously sensitive area as far as Military and National Security are concerned and arrivals from ther are likely to attract particular attention.
Loki to Wilson is a mere 500 miles. 500 miles of seriously unpleasant rocky desert, thornbush, rift valley and forested wilderness and all in severe turbulence once the sun is up - you might make it in a sound Cub in 2 days - just - but in one as battered as his I think you'd be utterly daft to even try. Even 2 flights of dawn to 1100 - by which time you'd need to be at FL090 or more to avoid the turbulence - is hardly a "ferry trip". He must stop somewhere to refuel and overnight (Lodwar, Eldoret, Nakuru or Nyeri are about the only choices unless he wants to crash somewhere else near a gas station) and not all of these - if any - have the supplies of Avgas he needs afaik - let alone engineering.
If the Kenyan authorities have seen the pics posted =above - and they have - of his wings, cowlings and that appalling fuel "transfer system" they may not be in a very welcoming mood.

But then, why should they?

[Onmybike]

This website links him with a miracle in South Sudan, so with miracles he definitely could still be in with a chance for an award:-

Evangelism

[Mike Flynn]

At least he is involved in real outreach unlike another former pan African 'pilot'.

He donated £500 to the school and I understand he is keen to keep in touch with them.

[terry holloway]

The Air League awards sub committee met earlier today, and it was agreed that Maurice Kirk will not be the recipient of a 2017 Air League award. The list of those who will be invited to accept awards, at the Annual Reception in St James Palace on 30th May 2017, will be made public during March.

[Mike Flynn]

At least you were brave enough to put him on the agenda Terry.

I imagine the discussion was interesting when his name came up.

[terry holloway]

It was, but actually we were all "behind him" for his efforts and perseverance, so a lot of positive stuff was said. However that was outweighed by the negatives....!
We need a film about him!

[9 lives]

a lot of positive stuff was said. However that was outweighed by the negatives....!

Excellent! Consideration of a broad perspective, and a decision which reflects the value in flying as much as possible in harmony with other people, and "the system" in aviation on the whole. Well done Terry and group!