The Epic Adventures of ATWC003, an Obsessed FS Addict - ATWC V Flight Leg 12

[Andrew Godden 945]

There are times when the Aussie accent can be disguised within a group and other times when it just attracts attention.  Well, on a Russian plane full of Russians, unfortunately, a poorly attempted "do svidaniya" simply doesn't cut it and I stood out like the proverbial.....  One particular Russian gentleman had met Australians before, recognised the accent and was keen to befriend me.  This, I didn't really need.

 

As I entered the terminal building, he was waiting for me.  My first thoughts were he wanted to meet up for drinks and we would spend the night doing vodka shots, but as it turned out, he and eight others wanted to deviate from their holiday's scheduled tour and see a bit more of the Caribbean.  The tour was spending a few days on St Vincent before heading down to Grenada for a couple of days, but they wanted to see Barbados and Trinidad.  Their plan was to spend a day each on Barbados and Trinidad and then meet up with their tour again on Grenada.  With that, he thrust a large roll of "Benjamins" into my hand and said he and the others would meet me here at 6.00 am tomorrow.

 

There's nothing like a bit of pressure to let you know you are alive I thought to myself.  At least I had the rest of the day to organise a charter aircraft, but there being no time like the present, I made the necessary inquiries and had the aircraft booked in under 30 minutes.  Now, I could finally go and relax.

 

The next morning, as sure as the dawn breaks, my passengers were at the airport.  Not at 6.00 am, as they promised, they were here at 5.30 am - these guys are certainly keen.  I had chartered a Cessna 208 "Grand Caravan", the latest EX model, and it looked like it was fresh off the production line.  The rain had persisted, but it didn't take long to get everyone and everything on board and we were soon taxiing for departure.

 

 

 

With a 38% improvement in climb capability, the new EX is a pleasure to fly and the interior is extremely well appointed.

 

 

 

Bardados soon appeared and after a straight in approach we were pulling up to our designated parking spot at TBPB.

 

 

 

 

After a full day touring Bridgetown and the island, my eager passengers were on time for our 4.30 pm departure.  With an estimated flight time of just under two hours to Port of Spain (TTPP), Trinidad, the plan was to have everyone settled into their hotel with the night still to enjoy.  The airport was a little busier than this morning as we taxied to Rwy 09 behind a WestJet B737.  As soon as he commenced his take-off roll, we were cleared to taxi into position and hold and after a brief moment, then cleared for take-off.

 

 

 

 

Climbing to cruise and tracking back to our course, the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit makes this aircraft a pleasure to fly.

 

 

 

 

After the overnight stop and another full day, we were soon preparing for our early evening departure for our final destination, Maurice Bishop International (TGPY) on Grenada.  

 

 

 

 

The airspace got a little crowded up here just after departing TTPP, but the glory of the Caribbean sunset was something to behold.  I must have been weary and drifted right on short finals before correcting and finally sending my Russian passengers away happy and contented.

 

 

 

 

I'll be back in the skies soon with more epic adventures as I continue on to Venezuela.

 

Cheers

Andrew

[brett 2,316]

Sorry to hear you missed out on a night of vodka shots, always a hoot with a Russian acquaintance. Looked like great flying weather. So far your doing great as a hobo pilot, keep up the good work.

[mutley 4,498]

Lovely destinations! I gave the Ruskie your home address, he said he wanted to be your best buddy and fly with you more. (As flight attendant!)

[ddavid 149]

I trust you will be publishing this odyssey as a complete volume, Andrew? Most entertaining - Thanks for sharing.

Cheers - Dai.