Last Days as First Officer

Last week I had my first full operational day on the Cessna Caravan. This, after almost 4 months of interrupted training, marks they end of my flying days as a First Officer on the Twin Otter. Though that last flight took place 18 January already I would like to give a quick reflection on the last two month of flying this truly remarkable airplane.
First, we flew a lot of building material into a community called Wobagen. It is only about a 30-minute flight (50nm) from the next bigger town, but the terrain makes it impossible to reach any other way. The building material was bought to build a new church, as the old one is falling apart it being build (as is usually done with houses in the bush) out of material found in the surrounding countryside.

Old church built from bush materials ...

... and new structure with milled timber and tin roof.

Plywood for flooring and inside walls

Second, we flew charters for an organisation called Rotarians Against Malaria, who distributes mosquito nets to remote communities and educates them on how malaria can be prevented. Load after load of bundled up nets were brought to places where malaria is prevalent, together with workers who were to supervise the distribution and run the workshops.

Bundles of mosquito nets for Edwaki

And thirdly, we had some medical evacuations that showed the hand of God guiding where we were unable to control. Find below an article published by MAF PNG and written by Richie Axon, my fellow pilot in Telefomin.

Click here to read the story as PDF

A Holiday to Remember

It is always encouraging to welcome visitors from Switzerland. We have realised that it is hard for most people to really understand how life in Papua New Guinea is, despite our efforts to explain. Once somebody actually sets foot on PNG soil, things are quite different than they imagined – but suddenly it all makes sense.
Because of that, we were pleased to have Madeleine's mother and her two sisters visit at the beginning of February. So, they had the chance to experience first hand what it means to live in Telefomin. And our kids had the chance to see their grandmother, aunts, and godparents in person. Obviously, we used this unique opportunity to do some special things, and then added some holidays at the sea.
Following some pictures:

Hiking in Telefomin

Training to become a selfie pro

Moser sisters with our local guide

Jungle as far as you can see

Destination: Wara Sol

Well earned rest

... and back through the jungle again

Travelling is easier this way: flying to Wewak

Wewak: view from our holiday home

Wewak town black

Waiting for the big wave

Holiday treat: coffee smoothy

Wewak Boutique Hotel: soaking in the pool

Travelling in the 9-seater pickup

Reading, reading, reading, ...

Relaxation pur

On the way back home: transfer in Tari

Caravan Training Revisited

February saw Irwin Hodder returning to Telefomin to continue with my Caravan Training. Irwin is an ex MAF, Qantas, and Australian Airforce Pilot and it goes without saying that I could learn a lot from him. We started with airstrips in the Western Province, so I had a chance to return to Rumginae for several days and meet up with a lot of MAF agents at the different strips. It is encouraging to see that they are excited to see me still flying in their area. And kinda weird if you get greeted with your name  in the middle of the jungle.
Now I have finished the first phase of the in-country training, with me being checked to line and theoretically ready to go on my own. However, there is first a time of supervised consolidation of what I have learned, before I am allowed to truly fly on my own. But before we get started with that we are enjoying a family holiday at the beaches of Wewak.

With Irwin in the cockpit of the Caravan MAF

Caravan MAH after our flight to Wewak for family holidays

Mike Alpha India

In July we told you about the big move to a single aircraft type for MAF PNG. This has now started with the arrival of MAI (Mike Alpha India) the first new Cessna Caravan out of six. And yes, we are excited. Read following article published by MAF PNG of the plane's ferry flight, it's dedication, and it's first operational day.

Click here to read the story as PDF