View Full Version : The Great Survey Charter
Back at Boeing and getting the DC3 prepped to go.
"I'm going now Herbert, keep in touch there's things going on. Put Barney and Diane on high alert and as soon as you find out where the old man is let me or Bonez know. Bonez is heading for Concrete in his Piper Arrow/Archer/thingo so we can get to where we are needed during the survey. I'm going to deadhead to Arlington to load up the survey equipment and crew then on to Concrete. If I have to do two go arounds then we'll camp at Israels Farm until we can get in. Got all that??? Good. Did you load some good coffee in?...excellent!
KBFI-3W5. DC3. some good coffee (hidden). deadhead to Arlington then ferry survey gear and personnel to Concrete Muni. $5.00 for 38nm then $15 for 27nm =595.00. Weather is overcast with building storms to the north (oh great). I'm carrying contraband coffee. Argument is strong (just) roll..5. How about that, its a goer.
"Wind er up and lets rolllllllll"
PIREP
The flight to Arlington was bumpy and to the north I could see the building storms. The old DC3 roared along happily. Looking over the newly renovated panel I took the time to fiddle with some more knobs and switches to see how it all worked. The landing at KAWO was a good one..should have filmed it... and I taxied over to a big pile of equipment and some acedemic looking public service types huddled out of the wind. The two heads of the Lands and Survey Department Messers Gilbert & Sullivan were also there to see us off.
After supervising the loading I got the crew of 8 settled in, shook hands with Gilbert & Sullivan who wished us well and we roared off from R16 bound for Concrete. (gives me a chill saying that).
The weather was not really conducive for surveyors and within 6 minutes the first sick bag was opened. It was a rocky ride, visibility was intermittently fair and I could see lightning in the clouds ahead over the ranges. About 4 miles from the waypoint Israels Farm the rain started. Without the new GPS installed it would have been difficult. I steered left of the first hill until I got a glimpse of the river then turned righ to follow it to Concrete. Israels Farm was clouded over so did not see if any aircraft were parked there.
Decending to 1500 I followed the river and got a glimpse of Concrete airport 6 miles ahead to my left. I dropped to 1000 and decided on a left downwind, big turn up against the valley wall and hopefully a no go round. I noticed that Concrete is on a plateau.
It was a dicey landing. Lots of power changes, full flaps and plenty of pedal work. Touchdown was hard, a big bounce and some frantic braking but the wheels were more on the runway than off and I managed to stop just before a big tree. The survey crew scrambled out as soon as I shut down and opened the rear door.
After telling then to unload all the gear they would need here I set out to see if Bonez was here and work out our next step.
As I sat relaxing in the plane I heard the radio squawk on the company frequency.
"pssshhhttt..Concrete..asghfga...clear skies...asakoewyouoy....come over...psshhhht"
I guessed that Darby must have made it into Concrete in the old Goony bird so I decided to get over there ASAP and get this charter under way.
Concrete to Lost River
Lost. Now theres a word I have become familiar with since flying with PGA. It has taken a couple of days for the survey team to complete the Concrete stage. Bonez and I spent the two days at the pub having a miserable time polishing up on our snooker technique. Anyways the gear is being loaded into the DC3 and its on to the next leg which will take us to Lost River. Hmmmmmm river. I better make sure my flyrod and lines are ready and the hooks are sharp.
3W5-W12. DC3. Survey charter. 51nm @ $15.00 = 765.00. Weather is very pleasant, what a pleasant surprise. Roll 4.
Thank you gentlemen, if you would take your seats please!
Hey there Hub Cap, you left me at the bar when you left to go to Lost River. Sure I was the one in the corner chatting up a rather attractive jukebox, closely followed by passing out, but you could have left me a note. Oh and I told them to put the bill on your tab. The cleaning bill is a shocker.
Anyway, I'm awake now and I finally found the keys to the plane, I'll shoot over to Lost River and make the next run for you.
3W5 W12 S52 Piper Arrow Captain Surveyors 50nm/20nm $5/$15 $250/$200 Very Strong 5
I shook off the hangover that inevitably comes with an Australian drinking session and wandered out to the plane. The plan was for a quick trip to Lost River, pick up the surveyors and take them out to Winthrop for their next round of whatever it is they are surveying. I wonder of it's one of those surveys that you get on the street by hyper-excited people?
The flight was easy and I picked them up at Lost River right on time. A short hop down to Winthrop and I found myself on the ground, surfing the internet on my wonderful little doohickey in the plane.
Hmm, check emails, spam, spam, spam, spam, bills, spam, porn, spam, more porn, WAIT A MINUTE!! That last one wasn't porn!
From: KISS@rockgods.com
To: Bonez@PGA.com
Subject: Pilot with technical Skills needed
Dear Tony "Bonez" Peaker
We were given your name by our tour crew in Australia while we were out there for our Kiss and The Symphony show in Melbourne. They informed us that you are a sound engineer as well as a pilot and this is a set of skills that we feel may benefit us in the near future.
We are planning some small shows around the San Francisco Bay area and rather than touring the full stage show we are looking for a small PA and Lighting rig similar to what most decent KISS Tribute bands might use. Our plan is to get back up to speed by posing as a tribute band, getting some time in local clubs, and hopefully just....getting some!
If you can provide a suitable aircraft and your services for the period of at least a month please let us know as soon as possible.
Regards
Gene Simmons
KISS
Holy Crap! My ultimate band with the ultimate offer! Hey Darb, thanks for the steak knives and all but I got a gig to get to back in SFO. Can you handle the rest of this charter?
3W5 W12 S52 Piper Arrow Captain Surveyors 50nm/20nm .58hrs $5/$10 $250/$200 $650 Own Plane
Note from Bonez...got a good gig KISS..California bound.....will send CD's...say thanks to the staff at the Pig & Whistle Hotel in Winthrop for me.....
OK where am I...better wrap up the fishing and get to Winthrop and ferry the surveyors to their next camp. Kiss. I remember that mob. Into makeup big time. Now, flight plan,flight plan
S52-KOMK-R49
DC3. Surveyor party with plenty of easter eggs. 62nm = $930. Some snow predicted and high altitude. Strong argument roll...5
Fly to Omak and drop off half the crew with their surveyor things on tripods and rations for three days. They will climb to a mountain summit. Fly on to Ferry County where the other half of the crew will also climb a mountain with their surveyor pole things and face towards Omak.
Note left at Hotel. Dear Manager. Thanks for a comfortable stay and for the gracious service of your esteemed establishment. We are suitably impressed by your professionalism. Our heartfelt apologies for the broken glasses, bottles and bar mirror but Captain Peaker would not have demonstrated the manic antics of an inebriated kangaroo had not the surveyors egged him on. I am sure the State of Washington will reimburse you for damages to your establishment during our stay in fact I overheard the foreman saying a cheque was coming. I am sure he meant a cheque as I am not aware of a Czech arriving to join the crew. Thanks again we will most certainly reccommend you to all and sundry. RGDS D Willcox (pilot)
PIREP
With most of the surveyors suffering hangovers I thought it best to take on a couple of plastic buckets in addition to the large supply of sickbags we carry. It was chilly with snow around and a brisk crosswind brought groans and curses from the back during takeoff. Luckily I could not hear very well as my ears were ringing and head banging anyway from a flu bug I had recently picked up.
The landing at Omak was no less turbulent but I could'nt hear the death threats as half the crew tumbled out the door to begin work. Turning around and taxiing back to the active I gave them all the cheeriest 'see you later' wave I could muster and then got airborne for Ferry Co.
Glad to get there, get rid of the other half of my passengers and shut down I secured the plane and went straight off to locate my budget hotel room. Once there I could take a panadol or three and mix up a large hearty hot rum toddy, garanteed to knock any flu bug right off its perch (according to my nana who lived to 97). Am now drawing up the tentative flight plan for the next stage of the charter. Hope the weather does not decide to deteriorate
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