leg 9 Groote Eylandt - Maningrida
well, the morning started nicely with coffee and a perfect breakfast, in the Groote Eyland Lodge, a wonderful place to stay more than a night,....but soon everything should turn..... and become tense and adventureous:
here you see our DC3 wide open for a not planned transportation .....
the deputy manager of the "Groote Eylandt Lodge" was in a little hurry to catch our departure and she didn't really watch the stopping car in front of her, so the two cars crashed and she hurt her leg at the dashboard and fainted shortly; as she lives near Darwin, we offered to take her with us, as Darwin is our target anyway....
so everything is prepared to lift her up into our aircraft,..stow the additional aircargo and organize the docs in Maningrida...
although she's feeling better the authorities insist in a medical examination with CT scan of her neck and brain, the knee and ankle,... and every possible treatment,..... she agrees to come with us.
Even the knee, neck and leg aches are getting better, but this can be due to adrenaline in her body,...so no choice: we've got a passenger and our stewardesses offer all her charm just for her!
after about half an hour, we're ready for departure....
it was always a dream, my whole life long, to be part of "Australian Flying Doc. Services",...so here we go: "Austrians" Flying Doc Service....LOL
I have a special feeling, that Urs, my friend had been here before, as all the sceneries are properly made, as if he was in his duty!
not only airfield scenery, but the environment was perfectly set up, you can see the construction works of the new airport road in the background
turning NW again
rain has stopped, ....a wonderful sunny day
smooth running engines with our "special guest" on board
bizarre shores down there
just enjoy the wonderful landscape towards East Arnhem Land
Walker River on the left
entering the 5th continent again....
everywhere some dust and damp clouds hanging around, as the rain was heavy the last days....
a little fog here and there
and huge water "ponds"
Annie Creek....
some of these "holes" must be old craters, as we read about "Liverpool Crater" a little up to the North,...but no way to pass over there, cause we are an "emergency aircraft"....
this must be Blyth River....
just the rest of bad weather clouds dissapear slowly as we reach YMGD ATC
some of therse water "spots" are really bizarre like aliens or ancient ghosts from outer space
descent,........landing lights "on"
masses of overflooded areas beneath, but airport in sight....
entering landing pattern with turn to downwind rwy 14
checking from left cockpit window
turning to final, flaps set, gear down, .....
just follow the landing sequence....
......
......
touch down......
soft braking.......
taxi back ...via radio the Australian Air rescue team was informed and flew in from Darwin.....so half way ours, the rest theirs.....
unusual parking situation....
"Royal Flying Doctor Service Of Astralia" what a wonderful feeling !!!!
paperwork, as usual....lol
transfer of "Miss Eylandt Lodge".....
everybody satisfied !!!!!!!!!!!!
kind of relief and peace, as they left for Darwin immediately.... aircraft parked for overnight's stay.....
although...ATC is busy....
airtraffic, four incoming planes..... alltogether comerades from the rally
first,...a Grumman Goose....
the second Goose....
the "crowd"...lol .......as awaited....
Cessna one and.....
...two
finally all quiet and peaceful,...let's say a prayer for Urs, my best friend!
Good Night!