PIREP Leg 26 Fua'amotos Intl (NFTF) to Norfolk Island Intl(YSNF)

[brett 2,315]

Boyyo, the bosses sure are gonna be ripped at me, late again for my leg.

 

I was arrested again, hey, it wasn't my fault, honest. So there I was in a local Tongan bar, got here a month ago you see, talking up one of the local girls. With no nefarious intentions running through my mind, honest. When these locals boys get in my face and, well, to make a long story short, 30 days for disorderly conduct. They were stronger than they looked.   I tried to explain what happened to the judge but you know how these locals stick together.

 

By the way, the only way to get from Chile, my last leg, to Tonga was flying First Class, honest. You guys will pick up the ticket price, right?

 

Getting out of jail yesterday I immediately, well almost, I was pretty thirsty and made a quick refreshment stop and then went straight away to the airport to beg for work. A few hours later I ran across this old timer that needed a pilot to take left seat on his privately owed bae146-300. He failed his latest visual test and can't fly his normal passenger service business anymore. I assured him I was rated to fly that bird and after a few more questions I was hired. He said, I am retiring on Norfolk Island, show up early tomorrow morning and we will get on our way. Sounds good to me, best go get some sleep and stay outa trouble, I think.

 

Next morning is beautiful and I am on time. Nice change of pace since I have been looking at a cell wall for the last thirty days. I grabbed the baton from the Tonga hangar with no problems except for a small money exchange before the fella there remembered where he put it.    I also get a good look at what I will be flying. Now it has been a bit since I have flown a jet but I figured I would be fine, hmmm, looks bigger than I remembered. I have been flying the small props for to long I think to myself.

 

The old timer, goes by the name Pappy, will take care of the flight planning, climb on in and get comfortable, I'll be back in a minute, he said. True to his word he is back in no time and hands me the weather report and shows me that there is moderate turbulence over the Island and to the north.

  

 

We get buckled in and as start going through the checklists, I fumble around looking for the switches, Pappy laughs and say's, been awhile huh? Sheepishly I admit that it has been. No problem, take your time, I have all the time in the world now that I'm retired. I double my efforts and things come back to me, not long before the bird is fired up and ready to go. Radio calls made, pushback called and we are taxing down the long runway.

 

At 8,795ft it takes a bit to get to the end of runway 11. Finally the turnaround comes into view and we slowly make the turn as I become more familiar with the plane.

 

Lining up.

 

I double check everything and run through the before takeoff checklist. Full power while eying the gauges, nice smooth rollout and stayed dead straight down the runway despite the 10kt crosswind. And we are in the air, gear up.

 

Hehe, Pappy giggles and says, like riding a bicycle son, you did good. We leave the island behind as we climb.

 

I was planning on turning to the right to pick up our route to the southwest but looking over at Pappy, while he twisted his head to get a last glance at the Island, I asked if he would mind if I turned left to overfly the Island so I could get a good bearing to our destination. With a smile on his face he happily agreed and told me he has worked here for twenty-three years.

Thank you he said with moist eyes.

 

Climbing slowly to a cruise altitude of 20000ft to conserve fuel, we enjoy the beautiful cloud formations and sunny day.

 

Pappy regales me with stories of his many flights around the Islands. Some real funny ones leaves us both laughing like drunks. After a awhile Pappy soon tires and takes a copilots nap. Tough getting old. 

 

I check over the instruments and everything looks just dandy.

 

Moving right along and getting closer as the clock ticks away.

 

Not even a ship or plane in sight for miles.

 

Oh oh, fuel seems to be getting low. I back off the engines a bit hoping to conserve the precious fuel I have left. Hope Pappy didn't notice my mistake but I always try to remember that nothing gets by the old timers.

 

Pappy stirs and mumbles, I was wondering when you were gonna back off those throttles, I would like to live long enough to enjoy my remaining years. After a humph, and smile he returns to his catnap.

 

Kindly reprimanded I think to myself, hope someone won't need to use these emergency directions.

 

Wasn't to much longer before I started down through the clouds and Pappy awoke bright eyed and bushy tailed like all expert pilots with plenty of seat time.

 

Breaking through the bottom we can see Norfolk Island ahead and I position for runway 11.

 

Runway in sight, I radio in and receive landing clearance.

 

It's a little windy with a 12-18knt crosswind and I fight to stay lined up as I near the cliff lined coastline.

 

I am down close enough to the centerline to put a smile on my face. A cloud of burnt rubber trails behind as the spoilers spring into position and I reverse the engines.

 

Pappy congradulates me on a flight well done with a pat on the shoulder as we make a two runway taxi and creep up into the gate. Not bad for a bush pilot he says. We go the through the procedure of shutting down and de-board into the tropical air.

 

 

As we part, plans are made to meet up and tip a few together during my stay. Pappy's family and grandchildren live here and it would be a pleasure to meet them. I hope our plans come true, he was a pleasure to fly with and I now consider him a friend now.

 

Time to meet up with John and hand over the baton, I hope he hasn't given up on me.

[ddavid 149]

New tyres, please - put them on Jote's account! Grat to see the steam gauges... Glad you didn't quite run out of fuel, too.

Thanks for the screenshots and typical 'Brett' narrative (jail, etc).

Cheers - Dai.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Superb shots Brett - a nice relaxing flight

[hifly 925]

Nice trip Brett, not bad for a bush pilot. When I heard you were in jail I tried to bribe your captors for an early release. They said 'No deal, this man is a violent, hardened criminal, two of the arresting officers are still in hospital and the police station is under repair.' I tried, I tried.

 

Stay out of trouble.    

[brett 2,315]

Thanks Geoff, that was the touchy point with the Judge.

 

Thanks for the comments folks.

[mutley 4,497]

 Thanks for an entertaining flight Brett, I loved the shots, very colourful and well commented.
 
It looks as though I may have to transfer you back to head office as my body guard! Oh, I keep forgetting, you keep getting beaten up   
 
 
Take a break and stay out of trouble, Micke wasn't that pleased with the price of that ticket! 

[stu7708 244]

What ticket... never saw that invoice pass my desk... it must have gotten lost in the mail  (I'll send the collectors your way when they show up Brett, I'm sure you can talk your way out of that bit of trouble too) 

 

Great shots, and one more very entertaining story added to the books... Good job sir!

[brett 2,315]

For the record, I do fight better when sober.

 

Invoice was sent via e-mail(7 times) snail mail(3 times) and by courier(2 times). I am starting to get the feeling your ignoring me Micke.

 

Thanks for the kind comments fellas.

[stu7708 244]

Hmm.. could have sworn I heard someone talking.... oh well, it was probably nothing important  

[Kasper 14]

Nice story Brett, but in jail? For long?  And Geoff, bribes?

When do you guys learn to call Sharon when you find yourselve in such a predicament? I never have to go to jail - as long as I have a phone in reach...

[brett 2,315]

I did 25 days and got off 5 days for good behavior. They are still looking for Geoff.

 

Me and Sharon have been on the outs Kasper. Before the start of my first flight with her, I was trying to quickly grab the baton off the seat before she sat down on it, needless to say things didn't turn out well.  She refused to fly with me. If you see her, please extend my apologies and put in a good word for me.