Pole to Pole! The second try.
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 12:17 pm'Lo all!
A year ago; I attempted to fly from the most northerly airfield on Earth - CFB Alert, on Ellesmere Island - to the southermost: McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
An account of that disastrous journey can be found here.
The aircraft was C-GAQV; a lovingly restored Douglas DC-3. After the purchase of the bird; it took a great deal of hard work and money to restore her and prepare her for the flight.
What did I get out of it? A broken leg, several broken ribs and an aircraft lost over Venesuela. Fortunately; my copilot Charlie survived the bailout without injury; and was able to get me to the safety of a nearby village where we waited for rescue.
I still don't really know what happened; all I know is that one minute I was flying along; just past the equator, then there was this ruddy huge BANG right by my elbow. The port engine ripped itself off the wing - taking a large part of the wing itself - sending the aircraft into an uncontrollable spiral dive. Charlie and I barely got out in time.
The closest I can figure is the engine's crankshaft shattered - can't imagine what else it might have been.
(In real-life; I fell asleep at the computer and crashed. Oy vey.)
Anyway; the calamity almost bankrupted me - almost. I had enough to get back to Canada; then it was months of legal work and calling in assets and a ton of favours to get back on my feet.
Then out of the blue; I get a phone call. It's an old friend of mine; E.S. McGee. He's a Calgary oilman - very wealthy - with a passion for collecting old planes. He heard about my accident (who didn't?
) and made me an offer.
He has a DC-3 of his own; that once flew for World Travel Airlines. Since I lost by beloved AQV; he has offered me the chance to fly again - this time; with his Dakota; C-GYYZ.
The flight will celebrate World Travel Airline's (whom he once flew for) 60th anniversary. He can no longer fly himself; but will be coming along as copilot.
For the record; I did argue about that; most of the flight will be over remote and hostile wilderness - places not very wheelchair-accessible. But he was firm - his plane; his trip.
So here we are; back at Alert. Myself, Edward, one DC-3, 3624lbs of extra fuel, 300lbs of gear, 100lbs of food and one titanium wheelchair with plush black-leather uphostery made by Harley Davidson.
The servicemen and -women were pleased to see me back; we had an excellent reunion. As before; I collected a jar of water (snow) from the North Pole to pour onto the South if we get there.
The journey begins now.
A year ago; I attempted to fly from the most northerly airfield on Earth - CFB Alert, on Ellesmere Island - to the southermost: McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
An account of that disastrous journey can be found here.
The aircraft was C-GAQV; a lovingly restored Douglas DC-3. After the purchase of the bird; it took a great deal of hard work and money to restore her and prepare her for the flight.
What did I get out of it? A broken leg, several broken ribs and an aircraft lost over Venesuela. Fortunately; my copilot Charlie survived the bailout without injury; and was able to get me to the safety of a nearby village where we waited for rescue.
I still don't really know what happened; all I know is that one minute I was flying along; just past the equator, then there was this ruddy huge BANG right by my elbow. The port engine ripped itself off the wing - taking a large part of the wing itself - sending the aircraft into an uncontrollable spiral dive. Charlie and I barely got out in time.
The closest I can figure is the engine's crankshaft shattered - can't imagine what else it might have been.
(In real-life; I fell asleep at the computer and crashed. Oy vey.)
Anyway; the calamity almost bankrupted me - almost. I had enough to get back to Canada; then it was months of legal work and calling in assets and a ton of favours to get back on my feet.
Then out of the blue; I get a phone call. It's an old friend of mine; E.S. McGee. He's a Calgary oilman - very wealthy - with a passion for collecting old planes. He heard about my accident (who didn't?
) and made me an offer. He has a DC-3 of his own; that once flew for World Travel Airlines. Since I lost by beloved AQV; he has offered me the chance to fly again - this time; with his Dakota; C-GYYZ.
The flight will celebrate World Travel Airline's (whom he once flew for) 60th anniversary. He can no longer fly himself; but will be coming along as copilot.
For the record; I did argue about that; most of the flight will be over remote and hostile wilderness - places not very wheelchair-accessible. But he was firm - his plane; his trip.
So here we are; back at Alert. Myself, Edward, one DC-3, 3624lbs of extra fuel, 300lbs of gear, 100lbs of food and one titanium wheelchair with plush black-leather uphostery made by Harley Davidson.
The servicemen and -women were pleased to see me back; we had an excellent reunion. As before; I collected a jar of water (snow) from the North Pole to pour onto the South if we get there.
The journey begins now.
C-GYYZ ready for departure.
Takeoff from Alert.
Climbing into the frigid air of the Arctic.
Flying over the FS9 arctic - landscape on acid. I 
(Anyone wanna take a crack at 
More Arctic weirdness. Clouds on parade!
Very well written 'serious' story and great shots too, looking forward to the next edition!