Saturday, May 22, 2010
Claude and I had a superb dinner of suckling pig. It was my first time to try this Argentinean specialty, but Claude had enjoyed it for many years while living in Tahiti and it brought back good memories for him.
I reviewed the weather early and saw there was no way of getting to Eric before Tuesday. If I did that, the weather for my return was then turning bad. So, I had to turn around and head back now. I was very disappointed. I was so much looking forward to taking Eric and his friends flying around their local area. I know how much Young Eagles enjoy their introduction to aviation in the US and I wanted to bring that enjoyment to Eric’s host families and friends in Coronnel Suarez.
I caught a taxi from downtown Buenos Aires to San Fernando airport. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t know the way and kept asking. We were in a very bad part of town, he even reached over and locked my door. Finally we arrived. I think we were both relieved. I knew my way around the airport, so filed the flight plan first, with plenty of time to spare, I allowed two hours to get everything done. I checked weather, sunny and clear in Iguacu. I managed to get through security and didn’t bother with customs and immigration as I was staying in the country. At the hangar, one of the mechanics ordered the gas truck for me. Unfortunately, I had to pay with my precious remaining dollars, but it was better than not getting any. Now I’m ready to go and have an hour to wait. It’s not every day that things go so smoothly.
I’ve decided to do this in two steps, rather than trying to do everything in one day. With customs and immigration paperwork in two countries and a six hour flight in between including a night arrival, I think it would be too difficult. So, I’m only going to Iguacu, Argentina today. Stay overnight, checkout tomorrow and into Brazil at Campo Grande or Cuiaba. Then I’ll have two days or so in Brazil during my trip home.
It’s with a heavy heart that I’m flying at 9000 feet northbound. I didn’t reach my goal of seeing Eric and his Argentinean friends. I didn’t get to take them flying. But, looking at the vast sea of white below me and knowing the conditions at the airports this morning, I’m sure I couldn’t have flown to his town or the alternate. So, I’m headed home.
It’s supposed to be good weather in Iguacu for a few days; but the headwinds right now are 30 knots on the nose and I only have a groundspeed of 116 knots. It’ll take an extra hour and fifteen minutes to get there. The communication is much easier today. I know what to expect, what reporting points they are going to ask for and can prepare everything ahead of time.
After two hours of flying over a solid undercast, I think I can see a break in the clouds in the distance. As I get closer, I can see that yes, it’s finally clearing. There is still a big mass of clouds to the west, but north is clear and I can see the ground again. What a nice change.
After four hours of flying the ground is much greener, it was very brown down south as it is supposed to be during the dry season. Unfortunate for me that the only rain in the past several months came the weekend I planned a visit and stayed for more than four days.
Should land around 5pm and get to the hotel for dinner. I’ll see how many of the formalities I can complete this afternoon and leave the minimum for tomorrow morning.
Well, that didn’t work. There isn’t a hotel room available in the whole town. I’m finally in a hostel; at least it’s cheep. I’m tired, so I’ll sleep ok. Just got an email from Eric. It rained all day and is supposed to rain all tomorrow; so it seems that I wouldn’t have made it anyway.
Into Brazil tomorrow. Off to find a beer right now.
Claude and I had a superb dinner of suckling pig. It was my first time to try this Argentinean specialty, but Claude had enjoyed it for many years while living in Tahiti and it brought back good memories for him.
I reviewed the weather early and saw there was no way of getting to Eric before Tuesday. If I did that, the weather for my return was then turning bad. So, I had to turn around and head back now. I was very disappointed. I was so much looking forward to taking Eric and his friends flying around their local area. I know how much Young Eagles enjoy their introduction to aviation in the US and I wanted to bring that enjoyment to Eric’s host families and friends in Coronnel Suarez.
I caught a taxi from downtown Buenos Aires to San Fernando airport. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t know the way and kept asking. We were in a very bad part of town, he even reached over and locked my door. Finally we arrived. I think we were both relieved. I knew my way around the airport, so filed the flight plan first, with plenty of time to spare, I allowed two hours to get everything done. I checked weather, sunny and clear in Iguacu. I managed to get through security and didn’t bother with customs and immigration as I was staying in the country. At the hangar, one of the mechanics ordered the gas truck for me. Unfortunately, I had to pay with my precious remaining dollars, but it was better than not getting any. Now I’m ready to go and have an hour to wait. It’s not every day that things go so smoothly.
I’ve decided to do this in two steps, rather than trying to do everything in one day. With customs and immigration paperwork in two countries and a six hour flight in between including a night arrival, I think it would be too difficult. So, I’m only going to Iguacu, Argentina today. Stay overnight, checkout tomorrow and into Brazil at Campo Grande or Cuiaba. Then I’ll have two days or so in Brazil during my trip home.
It’s with a heavy heart that I’m flying at 9000 feet northbound. I didn’t reach my goal of seeing Eric and his Argentinean friends. I didn’t get to take them flying. But, looking at the vast sea of white below me and knowing the conditions at the airports this morning, I’m sure I couldn’t have flown to his town or the alternate. So, I’m headed home.
It’s supposed to be good weather in Iguacu for a few days; but the headwinds right now are 30 knots on the nose and I only have a groundspeed of 116 knots. It’ll take an extra hour and fifteen minutes to get there. The communication is much easier today. I know what to expect, what reporting points they are going to ask for and can prepare everything ahead of time.
After two hours of flying over a solid undercast, I think I can see a break in the clouds in the distance. As I get closer, I can see that yes, it’s finally clearing. There is still a big mass of clouds to the west, but north is clear and I can see the ground again. What a nice change.
After four hours of flying the ground is much greener, it was very brown down south as it is supposed to be during the dry season. Unfortunate for me that the only rain in the past several months came the weekend I planned a visit and stayed for more than four days.
Should land around 5pm and get to the hotel for dinner. I’ll see how many of the formalities I can complete this afternoon and leave the minimum for tomorrow morning.
Well, that didn’t work. There isn’t a hotel room available in the whole town. I’m finally in a hostel; at least it’s cheep. I’m tired, so I’ll sleep ok. Just got an email from Eric. It rained all day and is supposed to rain all tomorrow; so it seems that I wouldn’t have made it anyway.
Into Brazil tomorrow. Off to find a beer right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment