iscover
Siwea strip claims another victim, P2-MJL, circa January 1980. (Rick Hession)
Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits
0 comment
For many Australian airline pilots, New Guinea was the key to their successful flying careers. Rugged conditions, unforgiving weather and a never ending supply of ‘cumulus granite’ honed the early skills of an entire generation of present day airline Captains. In this article, F/O Rick Hession relives some of those unforgettable experiences.
Hell! It was raining again. It came as no surprise really. The weather had been foul for the last six weeks as the moisture-laden winds swung up the gulf to pack their menaces into the mouth of the Markham Valley. The wet season had hit Lae with a vengeance as if apologising for the months of good weather the province had been granted earlier in the year.
He lay there trying to wake up, the scene weakly illuminated by the feeble old lamp. None of the conditions that met his gaze were conducive to instant mobility. The two Gekkos sitting silently, clinging to the chipped green painted ceiling, were also attached to the mood of the lethargy as prescribed by the still dark morning. Thick, everything was thick. It was impossible to escape from it here in Lae. Even the rain had vicious tendencies as the large droplets left the sky to churn down gutters and ooze off the foliage. The atmosphere was drunk with heat and moisture; it was a continual part of coastal life, one wore it like a wet, old overcoat.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
