TestenGOLD- Free

INDIAN OCEAN ISLAND ODYSSEY (OR FIASCO)

SA Flyer Magazine|November 2023
Before the South African political transformation, a group of diving enthusiasts wished to extend their diving experience to the more northern reaches of the Indian Ocean.
- JEFFREY KEMPSON
INDIAN OCEAN ISLAND ODYSSEY (OR FIASCO)

THEY WERE AWARE of the Coelacanth discovery near the Comoros Islands, and the proliferation of exotic fish and turtles that enjoyed the warm waters surrounding the French dependency of Mayotte in the Comoros archipelago, which featured one of the largest lagoons on Earth.

The fishing club chartered a Douglas DC-6 freighter from Inter Ocean Airways at Lanseria. The freighter had been converted to passenger status by installing several rows of seats.

Whether the aircraft carried passenger oxygen outlets, a galley or other normal amenities found on passenger aircraft, I don’t know. These items are normally removed from freight aircraft to reduce weight to increase the cargo capacity.

The installation of the seats and other passenger amenities took a few days longer than expected, so the passengers had to seek overnight accommodation. Some slept on seats at Lanseria airport and some in the squash court.

Once the aircraft was nearly ready, a Belgian pilot arrived to command the flight, aided by an American DC-3 Dakota owner and operator (Captain Fantastic in an earlier story) as co-pilot. The Belgian used to be a flight engineer and he sported a worn-out navy blue uniform with faded gold braid which made him look like a head waiter.

Once the DC-6 was deemed more or less ready for flight, work was suspended to allow the pilots to familiarise themselves with the aircraft during daylight hours. Then cosmetic finishes to the passenger installations were continued during the night.

During the afternoon the two pilots and a flight engineer started the engines. When the normal clouds of thick grey oil smoke cleared, they taxied out for a familiarisation flight watched by several passengers who had hoped to have been in the Comoros a couple of days previously.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2023-Ausgabe von SA Flyer Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2023-Ausgabe von SA Flyer Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS SA FLYER MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS
SA Flyer Magazine

PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS

THE FUTURE IS HERE!

time-read
10 Minuten  |
March Edition
LIVING THE DREAM-HEADING OFFSHORE
SA Flyer Magazine

LIVING THE DREAM-HEADING OFFSHORE

I dearly miss the mountains of the Western Cape, but I'm soon reminded that my \"office\" offers one of the best views, regardless of where I happen to be located on this planet. Today is no different, as ocean, clouds, and sunrise all conspire to produce a breathtaking vista while we settle down in the rhythmic gallop of the big Sikorsky.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March Edition
CANADIAN C152 spin
SA Flyer Magazine

CANADIAN C152 spin

Jim’s Note: The SACAA seem to have lost all but the newest and oldest accident reports. This is not a bad thing because I have found Canadian reports are excellent and have selected this one, because it deals with issues very relevant to South Africa – particularly density altitude, spinning, and post maintenance test flight

time-read
6 Minuten  |
March Edition
SPECIAL RULES AREA CHARTS
SA Flyer Magazine

SPECIAL RULES AREA CHARTS

Imagine a chart that doesn’t rely on batteries that unexpectedly let you down. Imagine one that covers a large area in detail, yet that weighs a few grams.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March Edition
FLIES ON THE CEILING
SA Flyer Magazine

FLIES ON THE CEILING

Allow me for a moment to explore one of the great mysteries of aviation with a subject that has been around ever since Immelman rolled his Fokker rightway up at the top of a loop over the shell-holed killing fields of World War 1.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March Edition
INTERESTING AVIATORS I HAVE MET
SA Flyer Magazine

INTERESTING AVIATORS I HAVE MET

I remember back in 1960 being in Nairobi West (where Wilson Airport is situated) standing with my mother watching a train pass by, filled with refugees from the Belgian Congo. The train was full, with many of the people dressed in pyjamas, or whatever they could find to wear in their haste to leave.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March Edition
EVACUATOR
SA Flyer Magazine

EVACUATOR

I have had a lot of fun during this past few years of flying. I have sneaked a Twin Otter out of Algeria, over Libya, to Tripoli and thence, across the Mediterranean, to the historic twinkling jewel box of Malta, at night.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March Edition
WHY AIR POWER IS KEY in the Ukraine War
SA Flyer Magazine

WHY AIR POWER IS KEY in the Ukraine War

There is evidence that with 'borrowed' F-16s and the recent arrival of French Mirage 2000s, improved Ukrainian air superiority may be the deciding factor that brings the Russians to the peace talks table.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March Edition
JANUARY 2025
SA Flyer Magazine

JANUARY 2025

The new year is off to a good start with 15 aircraft having been registered.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March Edition
FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS
SA Flyer Magazine

FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS

In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March Edition

Wir verwenden Cookies, um unsere Dienste bereitzustellen und zu verbessern. Durch die Nutzung unserer Website stimmen Sie zu, dass die Cookies gesetzt werden. Learn more