mutley 4,487 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Ah, ATWC leg 32 is upon us. We had now reached the antipodes and it has been an exciting journey so far.Brian had rung ahead to say Mandy was on board the Twotter and on her way back to her workplace at MT Cook Airlines. How can I avoid a situation between Mandy and Sharon who was here with me? Like a true coward I decided to keep a low profile and sneak the baton from Brian when they weren’t looking.We had filed the flight plan down to Invercargill via Pukaki and Queenstown as we had some errands to run in exchange for the loan of the Turbo Porter that had been dumped here by an ANZAC pilot last year.So I decided not to hang around, Brian can sort Mandy and Sharon out, he has a wonderful feminine side.With Molly the sheep and a couple of trekkers loaded, we were off.The Porter doesn’t need much encouragement to fly; it is she was born to do. Meanwhile, I can see Brian flat on the deck after a sneaky left hook from Sharon for missing the flight. I owe you one Bro’ thanks for taking that one for the team. We leave Mt Cook behind as we head straight for our next destination... But not there, Glentanner is like an outpost for MT Cook. Dolly was getting some fresh air as those trekkers were giving off a nasty niff. On final, Pukaki was in our sights, it’s like an oasis in barren landscape (According to FTX NZSI)With a 1049m runway we’re down with plenty to spare.Dolly is de-boarded, after a quick comfort break, we are off again, the trekkers are really starting to hum now, it’s quite a hot one today.We decide to fly overhead Pakaki, it really pees off the locals but we just wanted to pay our respects to Ma Baker on the outskirts of town, we always lodge there when in town.On our way to Queenstown we have some high ground to overcome, the air is much, much cooler up hear so I break open a flask, mostly coffee.This livery can look odd on the apron of a large airport, but here its camouflage speaks for itself.A steep descent the left turn puts us on base for runway 23.Queenstown is a major regional hub in the area with an 1888m runway, so I politely complied with the ATC.I should have landed further down the runway.We’re cleared to the commercial area.This is a major centre for helicopter sightseeing, that’s where we drop our passengers off today.We have a quick jaw with the propeller heads and have got clearance to taxi.Only a couple of kilometres to the active, that’s what I hate about these big places.I could have taken off on that taxiway!We’re away, over Frankton Arm and Lake Wakatipu.That was a thriving community, back to the wilderness.Back over the high stuff for the final time, we’re loosely following Highway 6, which ends up at Invercargil too.With the lowlands now in sight we can see Invercargill in the distance.A long run in to 22 sees our flight drawing to a close.Over the threshold we set the throttle idle and drift down.Parked up, I hear that Nigel is already in town?There is a vague smell of garlic and onions around here. Could this be Britfrog looking rather shifty? (No doubt we will find out later )De-fuming the aircraft, I grasp the baton for its onward journey.We welcome the baton to Invercargill!Thanks for viewing, over to you Nigel Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Strange sheep, that Dolly - first she's a Texel, then she changes into a SuffolkXSpecked-Face - excellent. And there were at least 2 screenshots where I couldn't see the 'plane! One of your better posts, Joe - thanks for the ride. Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,487 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Ha ha, well spotted Dai, I had to use two different images for Dolly and I knew you would spot the difference! It took me ages to find a white faced sheep for the grazing shot! That aircraft is well camouflaged and was in every outside shot! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Gee Boss, I could smell the stink of your passengers from here.. Best get a booking to Australia, as it will be on my shoulders soon.. Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Nice one, Joe! Link to post Share on other sites
SEATAC 400 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Great posting! Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Superb post Joe! Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,010 Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I can't figure out what happened to that poor sheep in the air. She sets off called Molly and lands as Dolly, did she have a personality issue mid flight? I was all set to enjoy a few bevvies with the girls but, just as I was about to mention a good little bar I'd heard of, Sharon plants a good one on my chin, resulting in a loosened tooth and a trip of some distance, to find a dentist. Cheers Joe. I won't forget that one in a hurry. You can bet on that. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,487 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 > She sets off called Molly and lands as Dolly, did she have a personality issue mid flight? That backs up Dai's comments Bri Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,285 Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Bravo, well executed PIREP. I bow to your skills, although your honor is now suspect. Thanks for taking one for the team Brian. Nice pic's btw. Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Ah boss.. I'm disappointed.. no stop at Deadmans Track nor Quintin as "promised" Great PIREP regardless though.. and I must agree with Dai that the camouflage is very effective in some of the shots, although I managed to spot the plane in all of them Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Nice post Joe. I feel sorry for any passengers flying with Molly/Dolly Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now