Jan and I took the 20 minute walk to the airport from the hotel and before you know it I was sitting in what will be our aircraft. She´s absolutely beautiful.
Santiago and another member of the Portugese Aerobatic team were taking two Extras (a 300 and a 330) to the World Aerobatic Championship in Hungary so I spent not much time with Santiago. They had a long way to go in planes that were not designed to travel long distances (max endurance circa 2 hours so many hops between Spain and Hungary). But Isabel was kind enough to stay with us to finalise everything.
Also in the hangar was a Yak 52 owned by Jorge to take aerobatic joy rides for unsuspecting punters. His mission this morning was to take an about to be married buck for a ride at his mate´s expense. A way better idea than a weekend in Vegas. It was great to watch the low passes and the beat ups in the classic Russian plane.
The rest of the day was dedicated to tasks preparing the plane - removing the EC-JIA decals and replacing them with SMY. Blocking up Baffles. Generally checking stuff out.
The stickers I bought from Signarama in Bankstown. The sticking process is challenging and I can´t say the job is perfect (sorry Don) but it isn´t too bad. When I asked the Signarama shop owner whether it was easy to apply the stickers, he told me that he doesn´t do it unless absolutely unavoidable. I think it is a task best suited to the well practised. Anyway, it should get us home.
We think DGAC has done everything now. I have submitted the forms to CASA on the basis that they have. But just in case, we pushed our Start Date back one day.
Isabel took us for dinner to the Porta Del Sol which is on an old castle that, since the 70s, has been buried deliberately in sand for preservation since the town had no money to restore the castle. That will make for an interesting excavation in a 100 years.
Today will be more preparations. GAMI injectors, fuel tank, paperwork and the like.
It sounds like Isabel is very kind and taking good care of you. Tried to google the Porta Del Sol but, as you can imagine, there are many. I was trying to visualise if the castle is still buried or the restoration has begun and where exactly you ate. I just hope you are taking lots of photos because that is usually my job.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the weather forecast like for your take off day? You would love the weather we have had this weekend - perfect flying days. Not to mention that it is also ideal for walking on the beach and Saf, Mum and I took a long walk this morning from Ettalong to Ocean Beach and back.
ReplyDeleteAll sounds good, Ton.
ReplyDeleteHave you found out how many acrobatic hours the plane has done, Ton? Actually, the plane doesn't look particularly appropriate for aerobatics, writes he hopefully,the passenger cabin looks far more suitable for serving champagne or a good coffee.
Decal looks fine in the photograph. Maybe you took the right side!
Spot me puts you at the Santorem airport two hours ago. I see the Jardins des Porta del Sol and the Dom Luis bridge right opposite.
I can't work out Spot me's time. It is 7pm here, thats 3pm Lisbon and two hours ago its 1pm. But Spotme has local time at 9.50 pm. It's not even Aus time. Not to worry!!!
Go well!!
A few people have seen those drink holders and mentioned champagne. I'll have to upgrade my flight attendant quals.
ReplyDelete