I happened to be out on the Chimo dock admiring their Norseman C-FJIN and Brick's newly restored CF-DRD when the owner Peter Hagedorn stopped and asked if I was interested in flying some guests out to the Algonquin Inn in his Norseman. He said he'd happily cover costs if I'd be interested. He was a little short handed at the moment with Cpt. Brick out of town and Cpt. Snidley busy working on some secret invention — something to do with chipmunks — he wasn't sure. Aside from offering me the opportunity to fly such a venerable old machine, he sweetened the pot by saying I could keep the fares. I ask you, how could I refuse?
The guests were thrilled at taking a flight in C-FJIN and didn't bat an eye when I told them the flight would be $260 each. "Damn!" I could have charged more. I hate when that happens. The plane was loaded and fueled, my passengers were aboard and jostling for the best seat and chattering like a pond of Spring Peepers but they fell silent when the big radial coughed into life. Once I had her set at her warm up idling rpm., I gave them the preflight briefing and filled them in on what little I knew of the history of the Noorduyn Norseman then slipped our mooring line and headed out into Howey Bay.
The sky was overcast with a ceiling of 5000 ft., not a breath of air rippled the water's surface which sometimes makes for a sticky take off but not for this Grande Dame. She was up and climbing almost as quickly as my Beaver and she trimmed out just beautifully. I wanted my passengers to enjoy the scenery so I flew low 'n' slow — 90 - 100 mph. With no wind there was barely need to touch the yoke to maintain our cruise altitude of about 2000 ft.
I struck a course of 329° which took us over Odin, Wagin, Kelly, Unnamed and Cairn Lakes. I pointed out the various outposts as we went (got to do my bit for local business) and before long it was time to descend to Algonquin Inn. The passengers could hardly believe that 63 nautical miles had passed by in what seemed like just a few minutes. The touch down was a thing of beauty. I was elated but I was soon to be humbled when I let her stray too close to shore and we ran aground. Thankfully she was not under power so no damage was done. The guests were so taken by the grandure of STOL Bay and the lodge they didn't even notice that I had to lower the gear and power off the gravel bar. If I thought they were chatty when we started, my head possitively swam with their blather when we docked and they got a close up look at Algonquin Inn. I was truly relieved when Esprit and Dee shepherded them off to sign in and do the orientation tour. Now I could go about readying C-FJIN for the return trip and enjoy the quiet.
I should tell you a bit about Algonquin Inn. It is dESPair's International Conference Centre. A totally neutral facility where we can bring international VIPs to rest, socialize and exchange ideologies with their counter parts without fear of intrigue or compromise. The only way in or out is by float plane or helicopter (main lodge roof is a helo pad) and all guests are fully screened by dESPair's security team in Archipelago Esperidies.
How this haven came to be was through the generosity of the Canadian Government. They leased the land to dESPair for 99 years for the princely sum of $1.00 CAN per year. There's more — the cost of design and building was also provided by Canada in appreciation for the fine humanitarian work dESPair does. The Inn is of course at the disposal of all our captains and when you visit you will find power is supplied by solar panels on each cabin's roof. The extraordinary view is through slightly tinted thermopane glass of the most advanced technology. There is no waste at Algonquin Inn —all byproducts of our habitation are recycled or treated using the most eco-friendly methods currently available. The Inn was built with the least possible impact to the environment, using only indigenous materials (with the exception of the cement roof and foundation pads). No trees were cut. All the wood used comes from logs reclaimed from log drives of the past. The boat motors are all 9.9 hp., 4 stroke to reduce water and noise pollution.
I must caution you, dESPair Lake and especially STOL Bay can be quite shallow so be sure to stay well out from shore when landing and approach the shore dead slow. Unless you are very familiar with the water approaches, night landings are fool hardy and not to be attempted.
The weather remains unchanged as I leave with 6 outward bound guests. This is such a beautiful, secluded place and it suits me to a T. I am always loath to leave.
Back in Red Lake, we pass over Sabourin Air Services on our way to Howey Bay.
Howey Bay is as busy as always and C-FJIN slips by a Twin Otter heading for the town dock. I am a bit on edge as I ease us down to the glassy surface of our landing strip. I don't want to mess this up because I know the eyes of the Norseman's owner and those of half the Town are critiquing my every move.
Touch down — it's a good one! I pull the throttle all the way back, get the flaps off her and coast toward the Chimo ramp. Killing the engine at just the right time I let C-FJIN drift in and the waiting docking crew take the last of the way off her.
Peter Hagedorn welcomes her home. Later as we complete the paperwork in his office, he tells me that I handled her like I'd been flying Norsemen all my life. "Take her out anytime you like." he says as he pours us a drink . I'm sure glad he wasn't on the Algonquin dock to witness our less than graceful arrival...
Respectfully yours,
Cpt. Troll