Hak's TWC PIREP
N° 9


Surveillance flight - Tim's -> Nort West Quadrant -> Tim's, Saturday 16 February 2002

It was one of these days... I knew Victoria busy and happy, and I hda done my share of cooperative work for the week. You know, there are times when you can't get close enough to Victoria, and then there are these other days. Sunday was one of these other days. The weather cleared up, and it looked like I could get airborne for a "mental recharger" flight. The plan was an easy one: flying corss country VFR in pleasant weather, looking out for busses and stuff. I also planned to perform a couple of high altitude pharmaceutical experiments with the isolation material of the Waterpipe, so I could combine work with pleasure. Don't ya agree that all signs were positive?



Shortly after 10:15, the Waterpipe and me were ready to lift off. The air was smooth, and the climb very calm. Almost not bumbs, good visibility and enough clouds to cover the sun, so one can see properly around. Cruising at FL90, I headed for Hector Lake. Why? Well, you see, I had enough time to think about the whole story, and I became more and more suspicious about the role of the Flying Elvi's. Couldn't it be that they were not kidnapped, but rather play a role in the EMP incident? They seemed to be a bit out of this world to me. Anyway, I thought, if they (whoever they are) want to operate ground vehicles and aircraft , then the best place in our search quadrant must be the Bloeberry valley, up to the Wildcat Collie below Mt. Baker. This place is near enough civilised spots that they can get some logistic backbone running, it is surrounded by national park area (only very low traffice there) and the nearest section of the Icefelds parkway is running almost straight, a perfect emergency runway! So, I planned to pass the Wapta Icefield, and do some circling over the green marked region on the map below.




After approx. 21 minutes flight time, I had visual contact with something that I could not identify. It was too far away and flying too fast. You can see the faint flash light on the digicam shot:


I notified the mission HQ about the sighting, and proceeded on my way. Last information shows that it might have been one of the stealth fighters flying aorund the area.



To my slight dismay, I found nothing on my trip so far. Not a single man made object. Not that I didn't enjoy the flight, but from my search mission view point, it was rather disappointing. Then, when I reached Glacier Lake, I saw very clearly two pretty big vehicles on the road ahead. Quickly analyzing my situation, I decided to simulate a simple approach to the Glacier Lake, just like on of the tourist air taxies. I performed a sharp right hand curve to get downwind the lake, and so I could do a left hand turn to get a closer look at these objects.



During the turn to align with the lake for a landing, I came near enough the objects to recognise they are two very bright bricks on the mountain slope! Ok, so there I was, observing highly concentrated two... bricks. I had enough for the moment, and decided to land on the Glacier Lake anyway. It looked so nice from above... and I will certainly come back later on with Victoria - the lodge at the end of the lake is a dream.
After half an hour rest, I brought the baby back in the air, and planned to slowly head home, following the Icefields parkway to watch out for eventual traces of aircraft landings or hidden hangars. Then, after a turn to get aligned with the parkway, something blinked at 3 o'clock. See the zoomed version in the pic below. It looked artificial enough to make me turn towards it. Not that I expected there to be something interesting. But it's our job, and so I do it thoroughly.






I couldn't see much, and it was only two seconds before I had to pull up very hard, that I saw the above object hooevering in front of me. I cannot identify it. Strangely, the view was very blurred around that object. It didn't move nor show other signs of activity. But my neck hairs were standing straight, and I decided that the Waterpipe is too good to become shot down by somethig I not even know it's name.
So, I applied full throtle, staying very very low, and left the place like a dog with his tail retracted...
Words failed me, and thoughts too. It was too hairy and spooky. I was praying: ohmigawdsavethesoulof
mybelovedwaterpipeandletmebringherbackassoonaspossiblepleasepleeeeze". The engine was roaring, and the ground was close enough so the grass could tickle my butt. I didn't spend a single look back.


I regained somewhat my consciousness, and began to mentally prepare for a steep descent towards Tim's lodge, as I came in from the north. The it happened again: suddenly, some physical parameters seem to go out of sync. The GPS showed 202 kts true airspeed! The vision got blurry again, and with my arms being as heavy as lead blocks, I hardly managed to get my fingers onto the camera activation button. Biting my tongue, sweat flowing down my face and in my mouth, giving me the feeling of drinking an ocean, I managed to take the picture below:



I think I don't have to describe my screaming, right? Full throttle, nose down, gaining speed and leave that areas asap! All I wanted is to get home safe, go back to my bed, hide under the blanket and ask Victoria to massage my muscles a bit. They must have been under highest tension for more than 20 minutes. I feel pretty raw now... Fortunately, the rest of the flight went well and with no new incidences.


Landed safely and managed to get to the FBO with my photo material. Then there is a black hole for about 20 hours. When I woke up again, Victoria was beside me, giving me some ugly tasting syrup. But after all, if one get's bitter tasting syrup, he can't be in heaven, right? So, I accepted that I am still alive and I am now trying to get on my feets again. Flying? Not as long as we don't know more about these strange objects!

Clear sky!
Hak