The Plane is Here!

Well the new plane has finally arrived!  Not without a few issues, but it is here.

The Staredown - Old vs New

The trip went quite well overall, a few minor issues along the way, but very well.

The crew reported that Ashgabat was an incredible spot.  Almost like the "Vegas" of Central Asia.  Very clean and nice city!

We spent the day doing the handover on the plane, unloading the new parts and supplies for the base, and loading up the old stuff before the plane left.

The incoming captain had to turn right around after a couple of hours and head back out.  We're playing "beat the clock" with getting this airplane back to Canada.  Due to circumstances it must be back by the end of the month, or it will be going back in sea containers.

Customs difficulties, and UN Inspection Later.   We're good to fly.  Just a few minor cleanups on some inspections, and some snags to resolve and we'll be on our way.   Though, we're not needed to fly until Thursday.

It's going to be a long week with nothing to do.

So Long 522 - Welcome 426

The new airplane is slightly different being a 202, vs a 202S.   The only difference is the deletion of the Ground Spoiler option.   This won't have any operational impact for us at all however.

Engine runs tomorrow for some testing and resolving issues, and hopefully getting the last of the stuff cleaned up so we can start flying.

Well, having said all that...   At least we're having better luck than the Italians...

C-130 Crash in Herat

We caught these couple of shots on a charter flight to Farah.  Interesting flight with a 5 hour hold in Farah.

It was HOT! +46.  The air conditioner in the UN building wasn't working either.

We had an ANP (Afghan National Police) guard that personally looked after the airplane while we were away.  I felt bad for him, because he had to stay with the airplane the entire time we were gone.  With it being Ramadan right now, he cannot drink or eat anything.   But, we gave him a few bottles of water.  He poured them over his head, and into his hat to try and stay cool.

He was really great, though he spoke no english, and I hardly speak Dari.  We got through a broken conversation about a few things as we waited for our passengers.   He was so kind and generous to us, I gave him a Canadian Flag patch I had velcro'd to my hat.   He was very appreciative.

Caught this guy flying around as we went to Farah.

B-1B flying over Shindad - Circling on Patrol

That's all for now!   More to come soon!