Hak's TWC PIREP
N° 5


Fairmont Hot Springs, Friday 26th January 2002

When I arrived at Fairmont Hot Springs, all I wished was a peacefull evening, maybe a relaxing
bath in the hot springs, a stiff brandy and a small amount of the Waterpipe's isolation material...
But as you maybe expect by now, things went differently. First of all, I noticed at the postflight
checks that the radial engine of the Waterpipe is much more oil thirsty than one might think.
So it was no hot spring bath, but a lengthy walk&deal session to find some suitable oil.
I wished Cpt. Sunflower would be here and spend me some sunflower oil...

Finally I found enough oil to proceed to Cranbrook, but not farther. So, Sir Brick agreed to fly ahead
and organize more oil at Cranbrook. THis left me with the chance to finalize the new online systems.
Luckily the remote session to Lago Espirito IT Center was stable and fast - hhe day was not lost.



In the late evening, I was contacted by a hotel official and asked if I, since I looked like a pilot, would be able to perform an emergency cargo transport to Cranbrook. I happily accepted the job as it seemed to be well paid. So, early in the next morning, around 5:45, I prepared the Waterpipe for the flight to Cranbrook. The cargo - dialysis equipement - was loaded and strapped tightly, and I had one of these little climaxes again, when the engine started to chocke and chuff, and filled my world with that distinct, unforgettable sound... Anyway, I left Fairmont fully loaded and with minimum fuel for a rather short trip to Cranbrook, where Sir Brick hopefully was waiting for me with a barrel or two of the finest oil of west Canada...




Climbing steadily, I reached 5000ft and configured the Waterpipe for cruise. You won't believe me if I say that you almost can't hear the engine at cruise speed. It's just a pleasant rumbling, not an engine noise, if the rpm are back to 1500. It's as smooth as a flying carpet floating on helium bubbles...



While cruising along the beautifull scenery, I was always watching out for suspicious objects or activities on the ground, but I am still not used to the scale of the landscape compared to the little islands of Archipelago Esperides (where they are still working on details about our new, independent country).


Then followed a nice, easy and straigh approach and a safe landing. Even after years of intense contactwith my old lady (Waterpipe), I am amazed at her slow approach speed and the extreme STOL capability. More on that later...


Taxied towards the FBO and looked out for the cargo recipients...



No one was visible on the tarmac, so I shut down the engine, left the Waterpipe
and searched for my customer in the FBO. There I found an official, who was handing
me out a notice from Sir Brick. He had to leave, and could not wait for my arrival.
Luckily, he found at least enough oil to bring me all the way to Castlegar in one leg.
The dialysis equipement was no longer needed in Cranbrook, I was told, because the
medical field station had to move to a place near Creston.



A quick calculation showed me that I can easily deliver the cargo to the field station and arrive at Castlegar before the night falls over us. Then followed a couple of phone calls with the cargo owner and the medical field station until we arranged to prolonge the contract and have me delivering the cargo directly to



After a couple cups of coffee, I prepared the Waterpipe for the next leg. Take off was
smooth and again I enjoyed the beauty of the Canadian landscape, underlayed with the
sonore sound of the radial engine...


The landing at the field station - on a grass runway- went as smooth as the flight did.
The cargo was unloaded and I hurried to get back in the air, so I reach Castlegar in time.



I came in a bit too much from the south west, so I had to perform a slope around one of
the mountains to pick up the approach path for Castlegar. For such approaches, the Waterpipe
shows again her extraordinaire capabilities in flying steep curves, flying very slow yet stable
and nicely controllable. It's almost floating like in a balloon... Thanks to the slow speed, around
55 to 60 kts, I managed to get ready for the final approach and put down the Waterpipe
safely at runway 15, shortly after 17:35.


The ground crew took a picture of the Waterpipe and me, shortly after touch down.
As you can see, I picked easily the first taxiway. I'd say the landing took place in about
120 ft.


Taxied to the hangar and left the Waterpipe in the hands of the ground crew. Now I'm
tired and need some sleep. Tomorrow I will probably do some more instruction flights
with Sir Brick, and then I'm available for mission related jobs, if Sir DW requires me to
do so.

Clear sky!
Hak