At the Martini Airlines I heard about an airline company working at the Tropics, Barbados, Caribbeans, wherewer sun shines and you would like to go on holiday.
Being a Martini Airlines'pilot, I was very curious so I immediately went there on holiday, I got to Tropic's counter and I found a gorgeous stewardess ready to show me the new buildings built up in the neighbourhood of Adams Airport. From Barbados Tropic Air flies to all the islands and little isles near and far from that area, with different kinds of airplanes, perfect for that hot weather and the not always reliable strips. At last the kind stewardess told me that I could find the President on the beach. Yes, the President was there, lying on a deck-chair, relaxing and enjoing the tropical sun. He was having a snack and watching all the surfers and the bathers who, as every Sunday, had been meeting since the early morning.
After a very friendly hello and an accurate lunch, we went back to office and he introduced his company in every detail. He showed me the different flight plans and he explained me that he had succeeded to introduce himself also in Internet. (I tought that was interesting, so everybody could stay in touch from home). He then told me that the Tropic Air pilots were all special because they were still ready to take any risk. Airport there are difficult, small and shattered. The fuel you take aboard is not always pure, so instruments problems are very frequent. In a word, Tropic Air pilots must be prepared for every eventuality. Futher, it's not true that it's always nice weather. The President offered me to carry out a flight that corresponded to an exam a pilot has to take to enlist and work for that fantastic company. I immedialety accepted!
You can see some interesting parts of the flight and of the flight plan.
The situation is terrible the day after, a torrential rain and a very
poor visibility.......A hurricane? No, not so serious,.........But
today at Barbados it's raining.
I then line up, but the rain is ceaseless.
I take off and I need several minutes before the Company's SHORT360
can gain height, but at the end I can spring out of the clouds and
turn towards the first prearranged point in the route. I need a 180
degrees turn after the take off,....but I can just see Bridgetown,
capital of Barbados.........
I go on with my flight over the Antilles. I fly to Saint Vincent at
about 270 degrees and when I am over the island I turn to south. In
the meanwhile it seems that weather is getting better........
12000ft over Saint Vincent
The flight goes on, even if it doesn't seem that speed can be considered the best quality of the SHORT. Neverthless the aircraft answers well to the weather changes and, considering the landing I expect, I'm happy I have this aircraft. In the meanwhile a scorcing sun is heating the nacelle.
while down there........
Finally, at Carupano, on the Venezuela coast, it's time to turn, 7000ft. The weather report is not fantastic, but it's not raining and the ground visibility seem good.........I'll go on descending. Landing will be visual.....No help from ground.
I fly over a forest that, because of this plane, seems endless, but finally I can see the strip. It looks like a small spot at the bottom, but I'm happy to see it.
I gently land on Rio de Agua strip (Venezuela)
A friendly greeting to the Tropic Air President Franco Mazzotta, I'm honoured I could try and feel a bit an adventurer in that brilliant section with a very nice company........
Pascal Rivoir