Mid November 2007

The intensity of the work continues. As I mentioned in my last blog, we had a VIP practice flight to Kabul last Sunday. After getting all the flight planning, fueling, overflight clearances, catering, and numbers of people set, we were off to Kabul in force (53).

I flew the left seat on the way up with C as a F/O. We did have some FMS problems on the way up, but nothing that couldn’t be handled. Basically Honeywell forgot to include airways and intersections on their download to our FMS. Who needs airways? At least we had approaches, SIDs and STARS.

There were probably 300-400 people to meet the aircraft on arrival into Kabul and all wanted to tour the aircraft. Unfortunately, we didn’t have extra stairs for the back, so we just had them make a complete circuit from the front door to the back and up the other aisle. The only other thing I can remember was that there were pictures, pictures, and more pictures. I think everyone there wanted a picture with someone in a Safi uniform.

There were numerous vans and private cars to take us to “downtown” to the Safi Hotel. The accommodations were as before, but it is very evident winter is approaching as fountains are covered and the nighttime temperatures drop to around 3 degrees centigrade.

The Safi’s put on a large buffet dinner for the crews, family and friends in the hotel. A & myself were at the head table with the Elder Safi, and his oldest son. A very strong point must be made here that I met about seven sons (two different mothers) and one daughter wearing a burka. Each one of these kids, fifteen to forty, was extremely well mannered and spoke excellent English. They all showed their sense of humor when they invited me to the rooftop to smoke the hubblie-bubblies. It was an honor to be asked, but I decided to pass!

I will have to mention that the car A, I, and K were to take to the airport was ready to leave on time and started backing up to only hear a loud crunch! Obviously WE hit a car coming out of the alley. The armed guards were there immediately for numerous reasons, and they did the talking. Not understanding Afghan, I presume the conversation went somehow “how could you get in the way of a SAFI car?” I think he was “asked” to drive his car away or they would shoot the tires out. Not once did they exchange insurance papers! Godfather comes to mind.

The next day Safi Airways had erected a large tent at the airport for the purpose of having all the VIPs. President Karzi was invited but his VP showed up. The entire tent, three hundred feet walking to it, and about two hundred feet to the aircraft was covered by oriental rugs. There will be pictures sent out and if you want a copy, please leave your email address on the comments section of the blog.

We started flying early the next week on a three-day schedule with a 0500 departure from Sharjah to Kabul, and returning to Sharjah about 1400. The flying is very pleasant and interesting, and daytime VFR only is not too bad.

The approach into Kabul is actually difficult. The Glide Slope is 3.5 degrees starting in the mountains. Even thought we’re sixteen miles or so from the airport, you must have flaps 20 and 160 knots at initial or you will not get down. So far everyone has made it in on their first attempt. I was asked to fly at least two flights with each pilot going in, so flight time is no longer a problem.

The Rs arrived about 2300 on Monday or Tuesday with me leaving for Kabul with a 0300 pickup that morning. We stayed up to talk for a while and then decided I needed to get to bed. I returned back to the apartment around 1430 only to find A and the Rs still in bed. I guess they were making up for the sleep I lost!

The first night we had dinner in Sharjah on a dhow on the water at a Lebanese Restaurant. The food was excellent and very inexpensive. They were even exposed to hummus. Since we had had happy hour while they met all the pilots, we used our best taxi driver, Muhammad. He dropped us off at 2030 and picked us up at 2230. Always on time!

All the touring will probably be covered on A’s blog, but some of the events of this fast week come out of the blur.

One of the first events I can remember is driving with A and the Rs to City Center Mall. Of course someone in the back wanted the air conditioner changed. New thirty-day car had arrived, so I had to look down to change it. And you guessed it, right into the back of a Toyota Camry! Of course I hit an Arab and they “never” have accidents, only expats. We now had two choices. One was to call 999 (same as 911 in the states) or the other was to drive to the police station and report the accident. We both agreed to drive to the police station for the report. Arriving at the police station, we walked in and were assigned an officer IMMEDIATELY. It took him about two minutes to assess the damage. I agreed I hit him and the report was written up in about five minutes. I received a one hundred dirham fine ($27.00) for hitting him from behind and the police time required. I then walked away! Since I had the full insurance from Avis, everything will be taken care of. In Dubai and Sharjah, INSURANCE IS GOOD!

Thursday night in the desert also comes to mind. The ticket price included transportation in an SUV (Land Cruiser) to the desert and back. Once again the traffic was bad, so the driver was late picking us up in Sharjah. We immediately knew why there were seat belts in the car as he reached speeds of up to 160 klicks trying to get back on schedule. If that wasn’t bad enough, we missed a traffic circle turn and headed out the wrong spoke. As all normal drivers would do, he made a U turn on a major highway and drove against and through the traffic to again drive into the intersection and then proceed on course. The only thing I knew is that it would be a quick demise.

Once we reached the desert area, we found we were with approximately ten other SUVs for the Dune riding portion of the tour. We played follow the leader at speeds up to fifty klicks on top of the dunes and almost rolling over (intentionally) numerous times. Very much like a roller coaster!

Dinner and a belly dancer were back at the main camp with the surprising thing—being able to get a rum and coke! The food was excellent for this type of event, which surprised all of us. I will definitely go back again (with a different driver)!

A separate note must be made at this time, “do you know which mother got a tattoo in the desert?”

Another event which comes to mind is the Ice Bar. This is in the Dubai section and this mall is called Times Square. After you pay the admission price, you are given a winter jacket, hood, and boots if you don’t have socks. The interior of the bar is kept at minus three degrees Fahrenheit at all times. The entire forty meters square is made out of ice shipped from Canada for its clarity. All the tables, bars, glasses, and food plates are made of ice. Three of us had hot chocolates and N ordered juice. His juice soon turned to a slushy in the ice glass and room temperature. Good music, so dancing was the preferred warm up method.

Another memorable event was on Friday when I presented N with his Afghanistan Visa and a business class ticket to Kabul for the Saturday rotation. Awakening at 0200 for a 0300 pickup, we noticed a little fog outside. This was the second day in a row so we thought it would burn off quickly.

Arriving at the airport we did find a few items out. The airport closed last night at 2300 and wasn’t expected to open untill later this morning (where was our station manager). We did learn a few things about the airport: (1) it has lost it’s Cat II and III certification due to construction; (2) fueling and catering cannot take place during low visibility operations; (3) we need to start parking over a fuel hydrant. We also learned that N and I were not going to make it to Afghanistan that day as we had to call out a reserve crew. The rest is a story for the lake (whichever). At least he got the Visa.

I will be in Atlanta for Thanksgiving, more on the Dubai Air Show next blog. Happy Thanksgiving!