PIREP Leg 16 Lima to Juliaca (SPIM to SPJL)

[needles 1,013]

Well, as it turned out, John had quite a stay in Lima.

I just so happened, that I was on holiday in South America with my nearest and dearest, when I got a call from Mutley's HQ.

Wifey had won an all inclusive wine tasting trip, to the finest grape producing regions of Chile. All paid for by some womens magazine that wifey reads.

Well who was I to turn my nose up at a bit of quaffing?

It all started when we had already been to a couple of vineyards and had settled down for a day of rest, when I got the call.

I was requested if possible, to head for Lima in Peru, where I would have to meet John at the airport to take charge of a very special package.

The said package was to be taken by me, to Juliaca airport, also known as Inca Manco Capac International Airport, just north of Lake Titicaca, where I was to hand it over to a Mr Mikael Stockfors from Sweden.

Having never met the man, I asked how would I recognise him. 'You'll know him when you see him', I was told. 'He's a whole lot taller than you, and speaks in a soft Swedish accent'.

Wifey was content to sit by the pool for a couple of days, whilst I went on a jolly up in to Peru. So I headed off on the train to the local airport in Santiago.

Mistake!!

I hadn't travelled more than 5 or 6 kilometres when the guard informed eveyone that, due to works being carried out on the line further on, we would have to take a different train, back to where we started and catch another one to Santiago using a different line.

This took best part of 3 hours.

Needless to say that by the time I eventually arrived at the airport, the gate was closed and they wouldn't let me board. The next flight to Lima would be in 7 days from now. Arrghhh!

I happened to get talking to a local guy who informed me that if I could get myself down to Valapraiso, on the coast, a cargo ship carrying containers was actually heading for Lima that same day and if I didn't mind doing a bit of deck swabbing, I could work my ticket to Lima.

I've never moved so fast. Valapaiso here I come. I arrived at the dockside in Valapaiso around 15:00hrs and once I got over the language barrier of the dock workers in Chile, I managed to locate the said container ship.

It was a Maersk Line, container carrier. I have never seen so many containers in one place, never mind the fact that they were all stacked onto a ship. Once I managed to get to speak with the captain and told him that I needed to get to Lima and why, he allowed me to work my ticket. It is going to take me three days. Better than seven, waiting for a flight I thought.

 

Three days later.

 

I'm informed that indeed Lima was in sight and I had successfully worked my first ticket aboard a container ship.

Here I am aboard the ship waiting for the Lima port authorities, to allow the ship into port.

 

Once the ship had docked, I was given leave by the captain, to disembark and carry on my quest to get to Lima airport.

Fortunately, John had heard through the jungle drums, about my misfortune of missing a flight to Lima and subsequent sea journey. So he had one of the airport marshall vehicles waiting to meet me at the harbour.

A fiesty drive through the docklands of Lima and the hectic ride through the Peruvian streets of Lima and the marshaller was on the airside of Lima airport, rushing me to meet John and the baton.

 

Once the marshall vehicle came to a stop, I was off like an escaped Llama from a dodgy Peruvian abatoir.

 

John had arrived back at the airport and was waiting to hand the baton over. So once the formalities of the handing over were over I was out on the ramp, waiting whilst the fuel truck refuelled my borrowed aircraft.

 

The tower had granted permission for me to take off before the normal domestic flights had started and was keeping a keen eye on proceedings on the ramp.

 

Refuelling over and my walk around inspection complete, I waved the fuel truck driver farewell.

 

 

Making sure the sacred baton was securely stowed in my door pocket, I sought permission for startup.

 

Startup and takeoff approved I begin my takeoff roll.

 

Rotate and a positive rate of climb and I'm away from Lima with my precious cargo. Oh, did I forget to mention that John, in his infinite wisdom, had arranged for me to fly a handful of backpackers to Cuzco (SPZO), en route to meet Mickael at Juliaca. Cheers John! That's all I needed after the last few days I've had. Anyway, I just happened to have flown into Cuzco before so it would be great to stop off there and see some old pals.

 

I take a low flypast of the port area but can't spot the ship I came in on. All I know is, it's down there somewhere.

 

 

 

Turned now onto a heading of 107 to intercept the ZCO (114.90) VOR for Cuzco approach and I feel some lumpy weather ahead, looking at that sky. I'm hoping I can get above it though.

 

One of my passengers has friends in Lima and they sent him this picture that they took as we headed out of Lima. It looks like blue skies all the way but I was looking at a different sky to them on the ground. A nice shot though.

 

Still climbing, the clouds are closing in as we fly high above the Andean foothills.

 

I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the flight is going and we manage to get above the lumpy stuff and start to enjoy the flight.

 

After approximately 1.75hrs, I start the descent into Cuzco, where I can relax knowing that I will be leaving my passengers there.

 

Descending too fast, I'm not going to make the initial approach safely so I opt to fly downwind and approach from the south.

 

Having flown through these parts before, I suddenly remember that the option I have taken is in fact the correct way to approach Cuzco, as arriving from the south, you have an uphill runway facing you. Which makes for a safer landing at these high, oxygen starved airports.

 

Giving my passengers a good look at Cuzco and it's surroundings as I head downwind.

 

On final approach now and I steal myself, for what I know to be a very bumpy ride once we are down. Funny really, as I have learned that not one of my passengers has been here before. It should be quite a ride for them.

 

Touchdown came with a loud bang and boy, was it a bumpy ride in. I was concerned that I may have damaged something and prayed that I/We make it to the terminal without help from the emergency services.

I check the baton and it's still snug in the door pocket, so all is well, for now. I feel this is going to cost the boss a few quid off the Hangar credit card.

 

Well, surprise surprise, we make it to the terminal. Everyone evacuated and I begin to check for damage. Sorry Boss, but I seem to have cracked one of the wheel struts and have borrow another aircraft, to get the baton to Mickael at Juliaca. I leave the twotter in the capable hands of the local airframe techies and head of for a coffee and a chat with a guy with a Lancair for rent. Mmmmm!

 

Well, after several coffees and a good meal, I had some explaining to do. So I got on the phone and spoke to the boss and he gave me the go ahead to have a chat with a guy called Andy Chiavetta from California, who just happened to be at Cuzco with his Legacy. Having chatted with him and told him about Mutley's Hangar and our ATWC, he is intrigued by the baton and questions me as to what is inside it. Unable to answer his questions, I give him in the Bosses number and business card and he agrees to let me fly his plane down to Juliaca, to get the baton to Mickael. So, without further ado, I strap the baton in and fire this little beauty up.

 

I taxi out to runway 10 and can't believe the luck I've just had. I'm not sure though what this is going to cost me when I return to the Hangar. Ready for takeoff, I start my roll.

 

A good rate of climb but I have to pay much more attention to the mixture and pitot heater. The air is really this in these high Andes but I keep my cool and we are away. (Me and the baton that is). A downhill roll helps build up the speed we need to get off the ground.

 

Gear up and I start my climb out of Cuzco.

 

Levelled off and it should be plain sailing/flying from here to Juliaca. Fingers crossed, I don't damage this little beauty. Heading for the URCOS VOR on a heading of 112degrees, should only take me about 7 minutes from there I'll take a heading of 177degrees to overfly Yauri (SPIY) airfield for my final turn to Juliaca.

 

After turning from the VOR onto a heading of 177degrees, I fly for only 30 minutes more and Yauri airfield is in sight so I turn onto heading 123 degrees and head for Juliaca and Mikael, hopefully.

 

After another half hour or so, I fly past Juliaca and head down towards Lake Titicaca. After passing one of the smaller lakes before Lake Titicaca, I turn back and head for my given runway (30).

 

 

Gear down, runway in sight and all feels well with the world. So I turn on to finals.

 

Scraping the tops of the buildings, I'm contious of the fact that the boss would not want to pay for any damage to this aircraft. So I keep it level and approach with caution.

 

A little too cautious but nearly down.

 

Someone is keeping an eye on my taxi back to the apron.

 

Well, after the nightmare of the last few days, I can honestly say, I'm glad to have got to Juliaca in time for Mickael arriving. The Legacy is in one piece, more importantly, the baton is in one piece and I'm not sure, but is this Mickael arriving, or Andy coming to take his aircraft back to Cuzco? Either way, I'm happy to be here. 

 

Well, it wasn't Mikael arriving, it was indeed Andy coming to fly his Lancair Legacy back. Mickael, I'm waiting my friend and the credit card is running low, so bring some cash with you.

 

I find myself apologising yet again, for a broken wheel strutt, that may have been my fault having such a thud of a landing, but it must have had a hairline fracture to start with. SURELY?

[brett 2,315]

Glad you made it safely down Brian and didn't break anything else. I enjoyed your entertaining PIREP and have committed it to memory. Now when you retell the story, many times over, at every gathering, I will be able to tell fact from expanded fiction.    

 

Loved the shots and scenery and choice of conveyance (to bad we didn't get one of you swabbing the decks for posterity).   Thanks for a great tale.

 

and don't call me Shirley   

 

 

 

 

[stu7708 244]

Wow, what a story Brian. Wonderful shots, and a nice selection of airplanes. Shame on that beautiful Twotter though... but as you said it most have had some issues when you started....

 

I will be appearing when you least expect me (much like the Spanish Inquisition), all though if you keep a lookout for a black Beechcraft Duke with the registration G-REAL you will have a fair warning of my imminent arrival. And don't worry about the expenses, the bribes I received during the bidding process for this section should cope with both your tab in the bar as well as my flight

[ddavid 149]

Way to go, Bro' - tidy flight, apart from the bumps, and some interesting scenic views.

Pity you couldn't take Margaret with you, though - did she enjoy her plonk tour?

Cheers - Dai.

[J G 927]

Great to hear you adventures after you left me. 

 

I would say sorry about stitching you up with the backpackers, but that would just be a lie!

 

 

[needles 1,013]

Cheers Guys, glad you enjoyed it.

@Brett, Me swab decks? Not on your life mate. I spent three days making strong tea for the captain.

@Micke, I'll be on the lookout for you coming in. Meanwhile, I'm trying to find a decent single malt in this obscure airport.

@Dai, Bumps are now part of the way I fly. Wifey had a bit of a miserable time of it really. She won the prize but can't drink wine because of allergies. Couldn't eat half the food in Chile for fear of migraines. Sad really but I left her in the hotel spending a week having mind and body treatments. She loves that sort of thing.

@John, I didn't think you would be too concerned at dumping a load of sweaty backpackers on my flight. I bet you were laughing for days.

[J G 927]

Cheers Guys, glad you enjoyed it.

...

@John, I didn't think you would be too concerned at dumping a load of sweaty backpackers on my flight. I bet you were laughing for days.

 

All the way to the bank mate, Who do you think they paid? 

[mutley 4,498]

What? You are in the bar, no surprises there!

 

I guess that the last of my no claims bonus gone, those Twin Otter struts ain't cheep you know   

 

Great PIREP Bunsen, I forgive you   
 

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Great PIREP Brian - just a shame about the broken wheel strut!

[brett 2,315]

Since I was headed down to South America I figured I would look for a resort for my wife to stay in, she enjoys the mind and body relaxation stuff too. After a bit searching I decided she will stay home.

 

[rosariomanzo 545]

Great story and I really liked the screenshots. Nice one!

[needles 1,013]

Thanks guys. Glad you liked it.

[DaveLeafNiles 0]

Great read and pics. Really enjoyed the PIREP. Any landing you can walk away from is a good one, besides if we didn't prang something now and again the meks wouldn't have any work to do.

[jaydor 345]

Brilliant trip and plenty of spin good story telling.  Did you find the golden rivet on that ship?

 

See you ended up with a nice legacy to bring your trip to a close.

 

But tell me, where the hell did Brett get that photo of me doing the mind and spirit thing...  

[needles 1,013]

Hi James

No golden rivet found by me thank you very much.  

And you forget sir, I have actually met you in the flesh, so to speak, so I know that's not you in the picture Brett posted. Sorry.

 

[Kasper 14]

Brilliant Brian! Love the story and your modes of transportation.