was October 7, 2010 in Luanda, the third African birthday in four years (2007 Rabat, Rio de Janeiro in 2008, 2009 M'Banza Kongo, 2010 Luanda chic ... that I am!) everything was ready for my return to Europe: October 14 flight to Portugal and small businesses while in office and relax at the home of Goofy.
but then, according to the classical unpredictability Angolan news arrives: the famous helicopter that had had so much help in Moxico and Kuando Kubango and that for various reasons there had never been too useful, is now available to us (and only us) to finish in the territories Mapa Health unreachable by land of Kuando Kubango.
Wow, but fantastic birthday present! hhahahahaha.
emergency task force: Goofy, Aran and I, the same night of the birthday, at 2:00, drive at a time of Huambo, where our helicopter awaits us! viaaaaaaaaaaaaa
In Huambo, arrived in the morning, we enter the helicopter mythical, legendary vehicle that often fails, and we head to Menongue (again!) capital of Kuando Kubango. I remember in
brief experience with the other two helicopters this year: 1-
Helicopter Moxico: flight over the jungle for an hour, breaking an engine in flight, return airport emergency basis to Luena. Helicopter broken, unusable. end of the support plane in the province of Moxico.
2-Helicopter Kuando Kubango: Arrival at Menongue the day that we had to leave by helicopter, I speak with the captain who told me to call the afternoon: "The helicopter has a bit of trouble." never be able to call that same day the helicopter is damaged in almost unreachable land Nankova. for 10 days the crew is stuck in that town hall waiting to be redeemed in some so by the government. stored air support in the province of Kuando Kubango.
but here! you can never tell! bell'elicottero now we have it all for us!
and in fact, suffered from "makasar" (= problems) to reach places where we must go bisonga to supply the city of Mavinga (already known to us by land ... even if the gateway is hell ) just Mavinga, the city joined to the rest of the world only through a rare and weak airlift, there are no refueling.
therefore expect that the plane is from the capital with fuel ... one day ... two days ...
the third day the aircraft is guaranteed: we move to Mavinga. There we find that the bins provided by the army are less than those required ... Okay we'll do what we can. fill the tanks and back-hour flight over desert areas and beautiful. The helicopter is definitely a spectacular means of transportation.
species of the 70 Soviet helicopters ...
but after a couple of days of work without "makasar" flying safely over rivers and savannas in the company of the legendary crew of the helicopter H-575, but also goats, chickens, rice bags, mattresses and various parcels, when it missed only a day or two after work in this province, that's the unexpected!
the morning at the airport ready to Menongue, all people and all the goods already packed in the helicopter, ready to leave ... the helicopter will not start.
impromptu repair attempts, screws and wires to repair the damage, groped, fuses that burn, smoke from the engine.
hours trying to repair yet another broken-down airplane ...
attempt to end the strangest I've ever heard: all the helicopter to push to get going, like a scooter! I never imagined, but at the end of course, always have motors, no?
the helicopter crew and military pushing to get going
nothing but (fortunately ?!?!??!)
new attempts, the engine fire, several firefighters. nothing: the engine power is unusable. it requires a new engine to the command center in Luanda that promises to send him to military aircraft the next day.
unfortunately my visa is to expire and I can not afford to wait any longer.
I also work in Luanda in ministry, then decided that I must return to Luanda using the military aircraft that after bringing the new engine should return to Luanda.
ok, no problem.
piston airplane, but in short, not you can be there to complain about everything.
but the day of the plane ... delays ... delays ... call to the central control: why not get the plane?
well, the plane carrying the parts to repair the damaged helicopter, is damaged and being repaired ...
okay, then Plan B: a journey of despair among cars and vans from Menongue night in Huambo and from there the next day, drive up in Luanda!
And finally here I am, with new funny stories to tell, ready for the return flight tomorrow morning, in one piece safe and sound and happy.
also completed yet another aerial adventure! have not been provided for the two days, but almost ten na, but finally the time has come to say goodbye Angola and to return to the mainland native! Europaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa arrival!
hope, however, that the plane did not come into failure! hahaha
hope, however, that the plane did not come into failure! hahaha
CIAOOO
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