Saturday, March 04, 2006
Peru - Ayacucho - heli-base 2005
To operate a helicopter in Ayacucho there was a lot to learn. I had to make sure my spanish was up to scratch, in order to deal with maintenance, the client, the control tower, the passengers....
We had one helicopter operating from this base and another in maintenance - to keep the boys busy.
Taxying out to the runway, for a sortie.
Ayacucho and the airport from the air.
One of many long days drawing to a close.
We had one helicopter operating from this base and another in maintenance - to keep the boys busy.
Taxying out to the runway, for a sortie.
Ayacucho and the airport from the air.
One of many long days drawing to a close.
Peru - Ayacucho - city 2005
The Ayacucho plaza de armas from the air.
Ayacucho from the hotel window looking towards the Mirador.
Demonstrations are a common sight in Ayacucho.
The "plaza de armas" is one of the prettiest in Peru.
Myself in front of the statue of General Sucre.
Peru - Ayacucho - tourism 2005 (continued)
Some tourist activities in Ayacucho. It was difficult to get away, but I did manage to visit the Wari (pre-Inca) ruins.
Gastronomical tourism. I did not really take to the "Cuyi" (basically fried guinea pig).
The monument to commemorate the battle of Ayacucho (9 December 1824) when the last battle was won against the loyalist armies of Spain.
Signing the surrender.
Gastronomical tourism. I did not really take to the "Cuyi" (basically fried guinea pig).
The monument to commemorate the battle of Ayacucho (9 December 1824) when the last battle was won against the loyalist armies of Spain.
Signing the surrender.
Peru - Ayacucho - flying 2005
Ayachuco is in the mountains of Peru, the terrain is rugged, the weather variable. To fly there in support of the Camisea Gas line maintenance was a challenge.
This is PS3, one of the pumping stations. PS3 located in a valley to the east of Ayacucho at 11,000 ft AMSL.
Crossing the ridge line near PS4 at 14,000 ft AMSL.
Heading east we are here "Crossing the Cordillera" inbound to Ayacucho and entering controlled airspace. (We have about 20km to go).
Joining the circuit, Ayacucho airport with the city behind.
This is PS3, one of the pumping stations. PS3 located in a valley to the east of Ayacucho at 11,000 ft AMSL.
Crossing the ridge line near PS4 at 14,000 ft AMSL.
Heading east we are here "Crossing the Cordillera" inbound to Ayacucho and entering controlled airspace. (We have about 20km to go).
Joining the circuit, Ayacucho airport with the city behind.
Peru - Ayacucho - flying 2005 (continued 1)
This is the really high and barren country to the west of Ayacucho. Like the moon?
So I occasionally had to fly very high.
Sometimes the work here involved flying for 200km on low level inspections, and other times simply carrying inspectors or trades people to work sites for maintenance.
My highest ever landing at the antenna Calabrayocc 15,500 ft AMSL.
So I occasionally had to fly very high.
Sometimes the work here involved flying for 200km on low level inspections, and other times simply carrying inspectors or trades people to work sites for maintenance.
My highest ever landing at the antenna Calabrayocc 15,500 ft AMSL.
Peru - Ayacucho - flying 2005 (continued 2)
Antenna maintenance at about 13,500 ft AMSL. PS3 is visible in the valley in the back ground.
Local community support. I visited the Tocata primary school a few times.
Gas leak! We are downstream of the leak, checking the water for contamination. The other helicopter is a military BO 105.
Gas leak, community support. It was difficult at times to keep the inquisitive ones away from the machine.
Gas leak. Many a long day was spent at PS3. Here I am being joined by Hector (operating from Kiteni).
Local community support. I visited the Tocata primary school a few times.
Gas leak! We are downstream of the leak, checking the water for contamination. The other helicopter is a military BO 105.
Gas leak, community support. It was difficult at times to keep the inquisitive ones away from the machine.
Gas leak. Many a long day was spent at PS3. Here I am being joined by Hector (operating from Kiteni).
Peru - Iquitos 2005
Iquitos, the largest city in the world that is not connected to another by road. Far from anywhere, deep in the Amazon jungle. And I had to go there and pick up a helicopter! It was seriously hot and humid, and the 'moto-taxis' are the most common form of transport. Here we are enroute from the airport.
The 'plaza de armas' (main square) of the city of Iquitos.
The amazon river.
We found the helicopter! Now just to get it ready, and sort through a few other obstacles of the beaurocratic kind.
The flight was long, and generally featureless. There was a lot of jungle, a lot of green, and the comfort of the river nearby.
The 'plaza de armas' (main square) of the city of Iquitos.
The amazon river.
We found the helicopter! Now just to get it ready, and sort through a few other obstacles of the beaurocratic kind.
The flight was long, and generally featureless. There was a lot of jungle, a lot of green, and the comfort of the river nearby.
Peru - Kiteni 2005
I spent some time supporting the Gas line at a small and remote town called Kiteni. This is the main street.
This is the nearby airstrip, complete with control tower!
Me, and the AS350.
This is what the gas line looks like from the air, and it goes for 700km!
The heliport at Malvinas. Can you identify the helicopter types?
This is the nearby airstrip, complete with control tower!
Me, and the AS350.
This is what the gas line looks like from the air, and it goes for 700km!
The heliport at Malvinas. Can you identify the helicopter types?
Peru - Peruanita 2005
I spent August 2005 in Peru flying a Squirrel AS350 B2 on a long line seismic project. We were located quite remotely, all the cargo was delivered to the site by boat. For heavy items the helicopter was required to assist. Here I am lifting drilling rigs from the craft.
The terrain was gently rolling and jungle covered, broken by the Urubamba river. A typical day began with a reasonable fog.
Helicopter preperation for the day.
Just about ready to get started, some GPS programming to be done first.
The terrain was gently rolling and jungle covered, broken by the Urubamba river. A typical day began with a reasonable fog.
Helicopter preperation for the day.
Just about ready to get started, some GPS programming to be done first.
Peru - Peruanita 2005 (continued 1)
A typical morning lift from the main base camp at Peruanita.
This is my perspective.
Enroute with cargo beneath.
A pleasure to be flying.
This is my perspective.
Enroute with cargo beneath.
A pleasure to be flying.
Peru - Peruanita 2005 (continued 2)
While airborne, coordination was necessary with the other helicopters. The Squirrels were generally used for long lining (external load cargo only operations) and the Bell 212 for passenger carrying operations. This photo shows the Bell 212 on the ground at one of the field heli pads.
Time to really concentrate to put the load down gently.
Delivery to drop zone 56E.
Back at the base for an on-the-go briefing.
And this would continue (weather permitting) for most of the day. Hard work and satisfying.
Time to really concentrate to put the load down gently.
Delivery to drop zone 56E.
Back at the base for an on-the-go briefing.
And this would continue (weather permitting) for most of the day. Hard work and satisfying.
