mutley 4,498 Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 NoTAM Just touched down in Ushahia Intl, Argentina, a very short flight being only 243 Nm, the shortest in this section. I have cut down the shots from 152 to just 60! and I am uploading them now but could take all night. Once I have filled out my PIREP and found the Baton (I'm sure it is in the cabin somewhere) I will post the shots tomorrow. Thanks to Martyn for connecting up with me at Puerto Natales under difficult circumstances. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 Early Morning. Last night I swapped a few stories with Martyn over an expresso in the Cafe, he passed the baton over but couldn't stay so there was not going to be any Night Fever for me! Once the DC10-30 was fuelled he said he had a FP straight to EGHH. I wondered why? But then I remembered he had a date with his fiancée as she was More Than A Woman erhem girfriend to him :wub So with Martyn gone I got an early night, my transport was on the way. My mate JT had some business in town for a couple of days and said I could borrow his "baby", anything to stop my Jive talkin! :dance: Have you guessed who my mate is yet! (No more Saturday Night Fever references please :roll: ..Ed) I took the company car for some off-roading in the hills. JT was only a few miles away and cleared for landing. Sure enough I saw the piercing landing lights in the distance. Just confirming it's him, yes it's JT's 707 and he's staying! So back in the Pajero I put her into drive and stepped on the gas, the nearest road wasn't too far away, I could hear the wildlife breathing a sigh of relief! On the link road. I could see the distinctive tail fin, we've had nothing that big in here since? .. since? Yesterday! I took the corner so fast I had to apply some opposite lock! JT's security guard was covering the gate, he let me through with a nod and a snarl. Yep this was him alright N707JT. Pulling up in front of the port P&W JT4's I love the commanding view from the cockpit, now vacant, JT is long gone. We've got clearance, taxiing out to the active. No mean feat considering it's width, we just turning onto the runway to backtrack. I'm going as far as I can, we are very light so runway length will not be a problem, they will have to refuel at SAWH. Just checking how many stripes I have... ..Compared to his!! That's Dave, he's been AWOL for a while, he had some story about a problem with his router. Now he's back it's time to get him working With the engine power tests done Dave's just ensuring everything is ready, flaps set.. etc etc.. The noise behind is unbearable as we spool up the engines.. 4.3.2.1 We're up with no problem, just saying goodbye to Chile. Chile? bloody freezing (Thanks John!) A picture from the local spotter, it's going to be quite some time before he see's one of these again. (Actually only a couple of days you mentioned it before :doh ..Ed) Another close up with his 1200mm lens! Leaving Puerto Natales I could hear a familiar giggle, it was Sharon! Now where's Dave gone? They were having a great time back in 1st class as we passed SCNT on our way south, as soon as I get her level I'm going back for some coffee and breakfast. Just like the Marie Celeste but with flashing lights and the odd click. Don't worry, Dai our FE for the day is keeping an eye out! Our tame spotter got one of us disappearing into the distance making a statement with our carbon footprint :sad: Meanwhile, back in first class I could hear Dai singing at the top of his voice "If I Ruled the World" I knew it was time to go back to the cockpit, once Dai started singing Harry Seacombe songs it was time to worry Having taken back control... .. It was time to make some procedural turns.. We are half way through our flight and the cloud has thickened, we cannot see the ground Luckily we are not flying VFR so this turn was planned. We are going to begin our descent soon, the weather is clearing. Now in Argentinian airspace, we remind ourselves not to mention.. You know .. Fray Bentos :rofl TOD Following ATC guidance Dave decides it's time to get back to the cockpit as he can tell we are descending Here he is back in his seat as though he never left. On the down wind leg we are going through our landing checks one-by-one. Now for my favourite manoeuvre the peardrop! A real steep bank and descent, I love it when we have no pax, all I can hear is the baton rolling around and Sharon falling off her seat! I over cooked the turn, having to pull it back in. Flaps fully deployed. In the cockpit, it's about to get a bit busy. After some fine adjustments she's back on course. Over the threshold. This looks more dramatic then it was. Just keeping the nose up to bleed off a bit more speed. In full reverse thrust. Spoilers as well but I know we have plenty of runway left. [Checks notes] "Turn right BEFORE the shrub growing out of the taxiway!! The shut down checks are on my lap ready to go as we slowly taxi to our parking. Engines shutting down. The JT4's have done an excellent job today. Just going through Dave's staff appraisal as I noticed he had a bulging wallet of fifties! Parked up. there's no-one around. I guess Simi's on his way in who knows what!! Welcome to Argentina I hope you enjoyed the flight. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 Beautiful shots Mut - loved the commentary too. That 707 sure looks like a great aircraft :-) Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 I get this awful feeling of deja vu every time you post on ATWC, Joe. But this time you used my favorite A/C and I'm speechless....... :dance: Just, well, fan-bl**dy-tastic, mate! Cheers - Dai. :sad: Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Excellent! Great choice of AC. I've seen that plane before. No, really! THAT plane. viewtopic.php?t=66 I couldn’t help noting the logo on the company car. Very smart looking. Nothing like a little free advertising. Those guys do get around, don’t they? I hope you didn’t scratch up the paint on the baton. Once again we’ve encountered a severe headwind while trying to fly across the culture gap. “Fray Bentos Link to post Share on other sites
wisemanp 0 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Wow :sad: Great storyline as well as amazing pictures Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Hi John, I expect the Fray Bentos comment went over most peoples heads as it is a reference to the Argentinian brand of Corned beef. (Historical shot) Although a British favourite, (Even more than Spam!) during the Falkands war people boycotted eating it and it was forced off some supermarket shelves! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
A320cap 0 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Extremely nice shots. You have a great imagination. Link to post Share on other sites
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