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October 30th
2004
This story
really began on this day. About a month ago now, after I
had settled on the date of 31st of October for
the kid’s party, I heard about a week later I was to have
my flight test on the very same day, 31st of
October. I first thought that this would be a bit of a
problem in respect of not being able to concentrate on the
party while being concerned with my test. Then again I
thought to myself it would be a very hard examiner who
would fail me if he knew that I had been the one
responsible for the party for the Thai children. So I had
quite happily settled into the idea.
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Captain Phisut giving
his first humorous briefing on the kids arrival at the
CMT airfield. With young master Ou in
the foreground looking out on to the airstrip.
They where soon lined up in order of size for
there flight. |
The 30th
started in a normal way I had got up a bit earlier than
usual, at just after 3am, mainly because the previous
night I had been in bed early by about 8:30pm. Having
drunk my first giant mug of coffee I settled down to see
that Mr. Bin-Laden was after all still alive as I was
watching him on BBC World news. I had considered him dead,
probably at the bottom of a cave that had been
blanket-bombed in Afghanistan. Yes I had heard the
messages that had been supposedly sent by him in the weeks
and months since but them not being in the form of a video
that would prove he was still alive I considered them just
a rouse by Al Quieda. That done, I was into my e-mails and
by 7am I had finished and very much wondering what to do
with myself for the rest of the day. I had planned to have
my practice flight later in the day, the last one before
my test the following day but that was not to be till
around 3 or 4pm, in the afternoon. The TV was on blurting
out some Thai soap opera or other making it difficulty to
concentrate on the revision of my POH, Pilot Operators
Handbook. So I took myself off to the local airfield now
very much deserted having been closed after the death of
my friend, Josh, back in May this year. There I was, POH
in hand, in an empty hanger sipping at yet another coffee,
when Zenny the airport dog - pregnant yet again - paid me
a visit but for sure I was very much undisturbed and able
to give the task in hand my full attention. I had just
about finished reading through it again for about the
sixth or seventh time when one of Josh’s old friends
turned up on his small motor bike. A German man in his
seventy’s who visited the airfield on many occasions. He
was sad because he had just called at Josh’s home thinking
that it was strange for his truck to be outside his house
at that time of day. Naturally he had been greeted by Joy,
Josh’s widow, who had given him the sad new of Josh’s
death. The German had left Thailand for the European
summer just before Josh’s death so it was new sad news for
him.
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Captain Phisut on the far left
overseeing the children's safety. |
Satisfied
that I had done more than enough work to be able to answer
any relevant question that might be put to me about my
aircraft I left for home. A little concerned that I would
be tired later in the day and, much more to the point,
later the next day, I decided to go back to bed for a nap
before making the run to Chonburi airfield. I had just
about drifted off when I heard the ‘phone. Noi came to
shake me telling me that Booner was on the ‘phone. What
had gone wrong now I immediately thought. I was right, my
test date had been brought forward to today. Typical Thai
I thought, but nevertheless quite happy that the ordeal
would be over 24 hours in advance. I had visited Josh’s
grave in St Nicholas church yard the previous day and
asked him to give me a hand with the test so as I had to
pass the church because I had to get some cash from the
ATM on the way I updated him on the way past. Not that I
really believe in such things but whatever, it can’t hurt
and I had to pass that way, I can just see him sitting
there saying TIT: This is Thailand.
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Khun Suporn CEO of CMT
overlooking the whole proceeding in the foreground
with the yellow shirt. |
So money in
pocket I was on my way for the test. When I arrived, the
place was looking quite busy. I said hello to everybody I
knew there and was very soon ushered into the air-con
office not to my liking because I cannot smoke in there.
To my great surprise and relief the young Thai examiner -
well young my standard anyway - asked if I would mind if
he smoked. Mind; not in the least I said, as I produced my
fags also. He showed me all his qualifications and
credentials and we were off into the questions. To my
great relief I was able to answer all of his questions
straight off, except one which I explained was not
relevant to my aircraft and he accepted that. I had passed
the first part with as I thought flying colour’s and there
was only the flying test to do. Back out in the open air
the Captain, Captain Phisut, a recently retired 747
Captain from Thai Airways informed me that he was to be my
flight examiner. So as Captain Pesute is the main man at
the club I thought I had it made. Could I have been more
wrong? Doubtful. It was my turn to fly, pre-flight done
while being watched by the young Thai examiner, so not
only did it have to be tougher but it had to be seen to be
tougher. We were off into the bright blue Thai sky. Could
I do anything right? No, not at all. It was worse than
when I had taken my first driving test 35 years ago.
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Captain Oaks ( the jet jockey)
keeping them all amused while the younger ones are
either lined up for a flight or in the air already. |
I bounced
it, I lost height when I should have been level, I gained
height when I should have been level. Then, after landing
on what should have been a touch and go the accelerator
cable snapped but not only did it snap it stuck open. We
were heading for an early bath, there being a very nice
small lake at the far end of the runway 05. Cut the
ignition’s was my thought because the brakes under this
power were totally incapable of even slowing us down let
alone stopping us and so I did and even before the Captain
had thought of it. So we careered to an aircraft parking
space, with two bent landing struts and a broken throttle
cable. The Captain said that I must have been nervous
because he had seen me fly much better and I think he was
very grateful for my quick thinking avoiding an early bath
so he passed me but, for sure, based on my performance
that day, I should have failed. If it had failed in this
way while flying I would have had to bring her in like a
WW1 Sopwith Camel they had no throttle control either so
they were landed by repeatedly cutting the ignition to
slow the flight speed. Watch out for the skies.
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Getting ready for the first flight
of the day. |
By 7:30am
on the 31st I had the first part of my story
for this month in place. The main news on BBC World this
morning featured the American election and there was a
very good point made on a discussion program before the
main news by an American lady who said that her daughter
was in the UK and that people in Europe were very
concerned about this election because it was quite
possibly the first election ever that should be a world
election. This being because what happens across the big
pond on the 2nd of November will more than
likely affect the whole world, not just American citizens.
Yes this has probably been the case for most of the 20th
century but now there is a real fear that whoever ends up
winning this election may indeed make the wrong decision
at some point in the near future.
However
with much more pleasant thoughts in mind, it’s the kid’s
party and I will probably brew another giant mug of coffee
and enjoy that with some croissants and butter before
going down to Foodland to pick up the four big cakes I
have ordered for the kids’ dessert.
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All tucking into a jolly good meal
after the flights |
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The
morning of the 31st of October 2004
I have
just given Georgina a ring on her mobile at just after
8am to make sure that all the arrangements are in
place and all is good for the kids turning up at CMT
at around noon and they did. After the news and my
e-mails while watching the sun come up through the
palm trees in my front garden on get another perfect
Thai morning, my first job was to go and get the cakes
from Foodland. OK it was early but I hate to be late
and Foodland never closes so off I went. The young
girl who was attending to my order asked if I was
having a party so I told her what was going on. Then
off to CMT at Chonburi the roads were quite free of
traffic which makes a very pleasant change, so no
bother there. When I arrived all the pilots, the
Captain and staff where in place just waiting for the
arrival of the kids. The ladies doing the cooking
where beavering away and a very splendid job they did
too. My friend Booner soon to be an Airbus Captain for
Thai Airways had made a test flight in my aircraft
after my demolition derby type flying the day before
and all was good there. Mr. Wisoot the head of the
maintenance there had obviously been toiling away, I
will need to take a further few bottles of Scotch
Whisky with me on my next visit. In all the time I
have been flying I had never made a landing that
damaged the aircraft in any way but on my test I bent
two of the landing struts. Well that’s the way it goes
sometimes I guess.
The
kids arrived right on the dot of noon and where soon
settled down in the seats by the Captain and given a
short humorous briefing about their flights. Then
Captain Oaks who has been described to me as one of
the jet jockeys flying fighter aircraft for the Thai
military gave another briefing about the aircraft
there. All the kids listened intently to all that was
said. I just wish I could have understood just one
word. Soon after that they were lined up smallest
first for the order of flight. All was done with great
precision and efficiency everybody had their flight
with extreme care being taken for the kid’s safety.
Even one of the two Thai nuns went for a flight and
was very impressed with the different view she
received of the beautiful Thai countryside. |
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Commander Booner retired looking
just a little overwhelmed with the singing. |
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After
the marvelous Thai lunch we were all treated to a few
songs from the kids which everybody enjoyed. They were
in a semi circle in front of half a dozen large brown
boxes while singing their songs. Now I know they were
very inquisitive about the contents of the boxes and
so was I. After the singing was finished all was
revealed. They were full of very large white elephants
- in some cases larger than the kids themselves - and
they all had their very own one, along with a white
envelope containing 200 baht. This was a very generous
gift given by the owner of the CMT Company who
produces agricultural equipment. Now Bt.200 (about
US$5) may not seem a lot but to these children it was
like winning the lottery, quite possibly the largest
amount of cash they have ever seen in one place at any
time. |
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Captain Phisut presiding over the
present giving, all supplied by the Khun Suporn the CEO
of CMT Agricultural Equipment. |
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We all
then stood around for photos in front of the aircraft
Mr. Wisoot making sure that he was not seen by
standing directly behind me. I think he must be as shy
of the camera as myself or perhaps hiding from the
tax-man. Then it was time for the journey back, cake
to be devoured later. I know they will have enjoyed it
on the return to the orphanage I also have two cases
of crisps that were overlooked, to drop off there some
time this coming week. |
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Something new of there very own in
a lot of cases bigger than themselves. |
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They
had just left when my friend, Mr. Isaac, in U-P69 was
heard on the radio coming into land and so he did.
That rounded off the day for me, being able to have a
conversation in English.
Yet
another perfect day over in the Land of Smiles. I
returned home wondering just what I will do next.
Perhaps a sponsored Endurance flight around Thailand
in a Rotax 503 powered Quicksilver in aid of the
orphanage; well, we will see. My next task is to make
sure my very good friend, Mr. Ad, lives up to his
promise of a Christmas party for the kids at Doc Krai
in Mr. John’s hotel. The big question there is who
will play Father Christmas. |
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You can just see Khun Wisoot hiding
behind me from the tax man. Fr,
Siranon form the center on the far right unfortunately
Fr, Giovanni could not be there on the day as he was
in Italy at an HIV/AIDS conference. |
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On there way home after a lovely
day.
Top that Mr Ad.
I will be there just to make sure you do. |
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