Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 It sounded like a terrific fun place to fly...short hops, picturesque islands...my pilot friend Brett told me all about the amazing world renown Westray/Papa Westray "shortest route" and after virtually months of haggling and paperwork, it was time for my check ride in the new competitors for the Westray Route..ExtraOrkney Airlines...I'm trying out for the first pilot job and the world's shortest workday in one flight. We have only been able to negotiate for the 2 mile leg, with larger aircraft than the old Islanders...moving up to DO228's, and I have one shot to nail my combination Check Flight in the DO228 and impress the local negotiators who are deciding if we get the contract. Midday check ride was patchy weather, a bit breezy, but nice. And a very promising check ride indeed. With an impressive Smoooooth landing to seal both the deals...BAM, we/I got the evening route. Later that evening...didn't Brett mention something about adding weather for even more fun? F'n Jerk. That 2 miles is a lot longer when it's "Fun". And the field is a LOT shorter...but we make it...OK this time. Phew. We'll see how the weather pans out for the morning run. Cheers, thanks for the idea Hifly (OP of the World's Shortest Airline route 1 mil pax post) and to Brett for his suggestion to try it out in some weather. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 looking great there - the dash could do with some TLC though superb shots, but I really dislike the nose on that aircraft peronal preference though obviously - good work tho mate Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted November 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 I am looking forward to smuggling missions in this Dornier DO-228...I found a dark green military skin for it, that i plan to use for them...bet I can pack a lot of drugs into that nose. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hifly 925 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 Now Matt, I know the Islander is old and that it would not win any beauty competition but that Dornier is just plane ugly. BTW, AFAIK the Islander was the UK's best selling aircraft. Thanks for the ride though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dodgy-alan 1,587 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 The DO228 is a great little aircraft, a worthy follow on to the DO28 Skyservant with which it shares some commonality. Ideal for the island hopping routes, though retracting and lowering the gear seems pointless on the shorter runs. If you get a chance fly up to Barra where you land on the beach! But be warned if it's just after the tides gone out the aircraft could get bogged down or worse! 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted November 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the comments folks... But I definitely have to comment on hifly's remarks. I think if we all took a long hard look at ourselves in the mirror we'd have to admit that judging airworthiness based on looks might have a lot of us sitting in the blocks, or worse, in the bone yards. I personally love the Dornier 228, and am happy to Catch the 22-Boxcar in any of my air hauler companies. I've long been a believer that pretty is as pretty does and the dornier does pretty damn good. Sure, it won't be on the cover of Playplane magazine... But a shapely hull is not a requirement in my air hauler companies...just a good attitude Edited November 3, 2016 by Captain Coffee Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,316 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Share Posted November 3, 2016 Glad you tried it out Matt, even if it was with a boxcar. Your pics are great, especially with weather added. Link to post Share on other sites
dolf8857 640 Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Stunning shots Matt! Link to post Share on other sites
wain 879 Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 great shots Matt......must be a nightmare with real weather up there.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted November 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Honestly...I'm putting a smaller bird on the short hop...the 228 is a bit too much airplane and expense for the tix return. It will be converted to cargo and profit making. Link to post Share on other sites
Quickmarch 488 Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 22 hours ago, wain said: great shots Matt......must be a nightmare with real weather up there.. How much trouble can you get into in less than two minutes? Link to post Share on other sites
wain 879 Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 @Quickmarch yeah I meant really with bad visabilty, personnally I think if I lived there I would by meself a boat..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Quickmarch 488 Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 I was joking - tongue-in-cheek mode. You CAN get yourself in a heap of trouble in less than two minutes in an aircraft. Or a car, or a skateboard, or a......... Yeah, the boat is a much better idea. But then, I'm seriously into boats. You can get yourself into a heap of trouble in less than two minutes on a boat, too. However, it's rarely fatal. Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted November 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 It's actually less than 2 seconds on a skateboard... That's speaking from the experience of a couple face plants so far... Link to post Share on other sites
ShrewsburyFC 215 Posted November 12, 2016 Report Share Posted November 12, 2016 Nice shots Matt! Sam. Link to post Share on other sites
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