Our weather information isn't exactly precise but after a close review of the satellite images and other websites, we decided to make a go of it.
First up was refueling at the local flying school if Karachi called Schon Air which is owned by an ex airforce pilot and run by his London and Richmond, VA legally educated son, Manu.
Jan decided it was a good time to change the oil in the plane and we took a good look at the engine at the same time, which was a bloody good thing. The newly installed Gami fuel
Injectors had worked a little loose and needed tightening. This was accomplished under the watchful eye of the chief engineer of the flying school while I talked music and politics with Manu.
We departed on a standard dangi 2 alpha departure and were quickly in cloud in which we remained for most of the flight. Light showers rained on us from time to time but it was generally free of turbulence or other troubles.
Nagpur is a wonderful green oasis compared to the desert we have been staring out at. It is humid but pleasantly cool. The local handlers have been friendly but the refueling process, which we were told would take 45 minutes, actually took 3 hours. The pump they had was firstly absent. Then it came but it was broken. The repair involved torn plastic being wrapped around the thread of the old pipe to make it fit the thread but not until greasy rag, and other assorted materials were first tried.
Having paid $1200 to buy the fuel, I was not leaving without it.
Now we are sitting in Nagpur immigration office. This has taken 1 hour of unbelievable questioning, passport analysis, and discussion. Karachi did not stamp our passports on the way in or way out. The fact that we have gen decs stamped saying that we were there appears not to matter. I would say that the pages of my passport have been turned on no less than 35 occasions by three different blokes.
Any rate, we are here now.
Approx Track Miles: 725
Hobbs time: 5.3
Fuel Added Karachi: 200 litres
Cost per Litre: USD$3.50
OK - there are some things I am not missing:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday for tomorrow Tony.
DeleteBe careful and come back to us safe.
xxsheldon
Flying in clouds must be interesting, Ton, at least for the first few minutes! I'm wondering how you navigate without ground sightings? dead reckoning? Do you have wireless direction finders picking up beacons at major centres? How low does the cloud go?
ReplyDeleteI think those gami injectors need locking washers or locking tabs?
And I'm wondering what your future route may be. Made up as circumstances dictate, I guess. But it looks as if you intend to give Colombo a miss. But Nagpur to Phuket looks to be more than one days flight, and there isn't a lot in between?
Don't worry about answering questions. On reflection that means don't worry about answering!!!
My understanding is that they are stopping somewhere in Bangladesh on the way to Thailand then Singapore, Bali, Broome, Uluru, Horsham.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Don.
ReplyDeleteI see they are on the way: left about thirty minutes ago.
"The repair involved torn plastic being wrapped around the thread of the old pipe to make it fit the thread but not until greasy rag, and other assorted materials were first tried. "
ReplyDeleteTranslate trouble with your fuel pump with server problems at BHP Billiton . . . thats what I had to deal with daily except you were probably more accommodating than BHP were!
About one hour from Chittagong, I'd say. Flying over those magnificent Bangladeshi Deltas into which flows the Brahmaputra River all the way from the Himalayas. I hope its clear and cloudless!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you forgot to leave immigration officers a tip!
ReplyDeleteHeard you guys on the COM's, around DOSAT and OPONI..... VARP went bonkers,to hell with his radial serprations, must have been pretty crappy down there at 090.We crossed you overhead,N-S, in the ATR.
ReplyDelete