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My airport helper Mr Williams, was a second Ambrose, (Karawari man) charming and helpful. Yesterday he helped me with lots of things and without help when unable to speak French, it is very difficult. They want everything paid in US$ cash. And if you don't have cash, it is hard to get it. They would not take travellers cheques or Visa.
Mr Williams arrived by Taxi at 1:30 am as arranged. I find sleep the night before a big flight impossible. All sorts of dumb things going around in the head. So I was tired before I started.
Mr Williams helped me through the paperwork and I launched out at about 3:00am. By dawn I was very tired. My coffee machine worked overtime and a great gadget for such a trip.
Halfway across the Atlantic, now at FL100 the forecast cloud and embedded CB's kept me busy. In a way it was good exercise to get out of the auto pilot and use the feet. I kept thinking about Greg Goulding and his bout of DVT
The last 500 NM was stressful. I could not raise anyone on HF but I realised it was not just me. Other pilots could not raise ATC either. Eventually someone with very strong accent came up and I thought he said to contact "Quartro" on 5545.
| I said I cannot find "Quartro" on my charts. He said "Quartro, Quartro" 5545. I said OK! OK! I will call "Quartro" on 5545. He said yes, you got it right now. |
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By now the weather was lousy at 10,000 feet. I did not want to descend because I thought I would not see the embedded cells. At 150 NM out, I asked for surface conditions because I feared what I was in, went all the way to the ground. It took me ages to get someone to give me the TAF. It was fine and beaut. So down I went through the murk into F & B weather. I had been
battling away and could have descended into clear sky.
Over the city of Recife (they would not let me go to Natal as planned) and into a very large Airport shared with the military.
A helpful handler has brought myself and two Italian's flying an Aerostar into a very modern Hotel on the beach.
P.S. I forgot to mention that I have gone to Recife instead of Natal as planned. I always new that the authorities preferred entry at Recife but Natal was possible. Because Natal was slightly less distance and also closer to an emergency landing Island, I planned to amend the flight details in the air and ask for landing at Natal. As it turned out, the CB's looked worse in that direction, so I took the easy way out and went to Recife.
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Flight time: 13 Hrs 8 Mins Distance flown: 2,042 NM Fuel used: 551 litres Average ground speed: 155.5 kts Average fuel consumption: 42.0 litres per hour |
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P.S. I took a photo of my 4th Equator crossing. Guess what? Not much to see other than water. Also gained 3 hours making it a 27 hour day.
Friday 26th April, 2002
Spoke to Margi and Gerard Moss on the phone. They live in Rio de Janeiro and are experienced "Earth Rounders"
| I am impressed with Brazil or at least the little bit I have seen. |
I have enjoyed a big walk along the beach and a four hour tour of Recife and Olinda, drank Coconut milk and ate Tapioca.
RECIFE to MACAPA-BRAZIL
Friday 26th April, 2002
A nice leisurely departure at daybreak in fine and beaut conditions. (a little bit of IMC at Fotaleza) The country side below is very much like home and I could easily think I was
flying up the coast from Sydney. I found Recife to be very similar in lots of ways. The people are friendly and not expecting tips for bad service. No bribes either.
Great!
Approaching the mighty Amazon, I was in IMC again and a VOR approach to Macapa. On final, I noticed the engine ran rough and required quite a bit of extra power to keep it going. Then on landing, I found oil along the LH cowls and fuselage. A local found the rocker cover screws loose and declared all OK. But I decided to take the rest of the day off and test fly in the morning.
Another local, found me a nice cheap hotel. The Macapa "Palace". I decide that I will probably never be here again and to get out and see what I can. A short walk to the water and a jetty out to a cafe in the Amazon River where I really pigged out on the waiters choice of steak and salads. Almost no English is spoken and the menu is impossible.
MACAPA - Saturday 27th April, 2002
Test flew TYE over the Amazon and found that the rough engine on landing problems still
exists. I was very lucky to meet a local pilot who made it clear that I could
not get the plane fixed here. I will go backwards tomorrow to a GA airport at Belem/Brazil. Hopefully the problem is not too serious.
I had lunch with the local pilot (Floriano Waldeck)
and his family. A treat of shrimps and fish with vegetables overlooking the great
river.
BELEM
Sunday 28th April, 2002
An early start for the tricky arrival into Julio Cesar Airport and a sick
engine. This little airport is right under and alongside the International Airport and you must enter at 700 ft in a special corridor. Of course at 700 ft I had scattered cu below and I had to duck and weave to find
the airport.
I have made a good decision because a great little mechanic has found a broken valve cylinder and bent push rod. He thinks that it was caused by a stuck
hydraulic tappet. Now I have to find out what causes stuck tappet? All of this happened on the flight AFTER the big Atlantic crossing.
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Tomorrow I have three countries to over fly and a new one to
land in and no passport or copy. But it finishes good. A young pilot who has befriended me because it allows him to practice his English, has found the passport with the broken bits
from the engine. So I treat him and his friends to a great BBQ and too much to drink. I decide I need another day to recuperate. The BBQ restaurant is something I have not been to before. The waiters bring all sorts of BBQ meats and fish on skewers to the table and you just keep pigging out till you cannot move.
Great night and I really appreciated the
friendship of the Brazilian's and in particular Fabricio Schuber, my pilot
friend.
BELEM
Monday 29th April, 2002
This happened after I realised that I have lost my passport. Not to bother too much because the copy is in it's special place... Isn't it?? No it is not. I feel sick.
Catch up day. Planning for the next leg to Caracas