Post by okami on Feb 3, 2010 16:48:16 GMT -5
It's 1959, and Flight Check 119 has just received permission to lign up with runway 4R at Honolulu International.
Moments later, 4 DA-3s rumble in unison as the colourful Connie takes off on its mission - this time to check Honolulu's IFR approach.
Buzzing past the terminal, Flight Check 119 changes frequencies to the approach, and requests permission to remain in the circuit.
As she commences her turn to the left, Approach warns to keep a lookout for a C-124 on a runway 8 approach.
And while she completes her port turn, Ford Island comes into view.
Climbing to a hold of 4000 feet, Approach warns the crew again, this time for a C-121 in the hold pattern. It's promising to be a busy day...
Pulling out of the turn, the flight engineer keeps an eye on the engines, while the pilots look out for the traffic Approach warned them for.
And as they pass Ford Island, the co-pilot spots the Connie, passing about 3 miles ahead at one o'clock.
With one worry off their heads, the co-pilot prepares to level off. Catching a glimpse of Wheeler to starboard, the F/O can't help thinking: "has it really been 18 years...?"
But he dispells the thought. There's work to do, and now's not the time to muse. Especially with traffic around. With the MATS Connie now just a speck to starboard, there's still a Globemaster around. It's now radioing in that it's on the approach, just off Barber's Point - somewhere in front of the Connie.
Crossing the approach to runway 8, the F/O spots the Globemaster at two o'clock, some 4 miles off and 2000 feet lower.
But now Approach warns Flight Check 119 again, this time for a C-118 and a JAL DC-7C in the pattern. There's too much traffic. Our crew decides to change course, the runway 8 approach can wait for now.
Instead they set course for Koko Head VOR.
Leaving Barber's Point behind them, and passing Honolulu, our crew think about the long day's work in front of them. Hopefully there's a gap in traffic later on. Maybe it's better if we leave them to their work for now...
Moments later, 4 DA-3s rumble in unison as the colourful Connie takes off on its mission - this time to check Honolulu's IFR approach.
Buzzing past the terminal, Flight Check 119 changes frequencies to the approach, and requests permission to remain in the circuit.
As she commences her turn to the left, Approach warns to keep a lookout for a C-124 on a runway 8 approach.
And while she completes her port turn, Ford Island comes into view.
Climbing to a hold of 4000 feet, Approach warns the crew again, this time for a C-121 in the hold pattern. It's promising to be a busy day...
Pulling out of the turn, the flight engineer keeps an eye on the engines, while the pilots look out for the traffic Approach warned them for.
And as they pass Ford Island, the co-pilot spots the Connie, passing about 3 miles ahead at one o'clock.
With one worry off their heads, the co-pilot prepares to level off. Catching a glimpse of Wheeler to starboard, the F/O can't help thinking: "has it really been 18 years...?"
But he dispells the thought. There's work to do, and now's not the time to muse. Especially with traffic around. With the MATS Connie now just a speck to starboard, there's still a Globemaster around. It's now radioing in that it's on the approach, just off Barber's Point - somewhere in front of the Connie.
Crossing the approach to runway 8, the F/O spots the Globemaster at two o'clock, some 4 miles off and 2000 feet lower.
But now Approach warns Flight Check 119 again, this time for a C-118 and a JAL DC-7C in the pattern. There's too much traffic. Our crew decides to change course, the runway 8 approach can wait for now.
Instead they set course for Koko Head VOR.
Leaving Barber's Point behind them, and passing Honolulu, our crew think about the long day's work in front of them. Hopefully there's a gap in traffic later on. Maybe it's better if we leave them to their work for now...