Apr-Jul: I'll be in the South Pacific.
Getting from here to there
In my email newsletter two weeks ago, I mentioned that I did not yet have a flight from Sandaun Province back to Ukarumpa.
After I sent the message, I realized that my statement could have used some elaboration. Some of you probably wondered why I hadn’t just clicked on over to hotwire.com and booked my ticket already!
Actually, PNG is dotted with hundreds of tiny airstrips, most of which are never serviced by the major airlines. Flights into these airstrips may be weeks or even months apart.
Here is one such “bush” airstrip on a misty morning in Sandaun Province. Airstrips like these are often located in areas without powered mowing equipment, so the people living nearby cut them by hand with long knives. If you think that sounds like very hard work, you’re right.
To help make sure that we get where we need to go, SIL-PNG maintains a fleet of small aircraft and a high-quality staff of pilots, mechanics, and technicians. Since they have been such an important part of my work over the last eight months, I think they deserve special mention here.
I did make it back from Sandaun Province, thanks in part to Chris Bowers, who flew in to get me at a very remote and isolated airstrip late on Monday afternoon. The unpredictable clouds and approaching nightfall left little room for mucking about, but our safety standards are high, and I felt quite at ease with Chris at the controls.
Chris and an assistant refuel a Cessna 206 near Yabru village in Sandaun Province.
The next morning, Gavin Jones (a fellow LeTourneau alum) flew me and four others the rest of the way to Ukarumpa, after quite a kerfuffle about what to do with all our bags. The small planes we use are limited in the amount of weight they can carry, which keeps life interesting.
Some locations are not suitable for airstrips, like this flood-prone river village. In addition to six planes, SIL-PNG owns two helicopters, which are used to access villages like this one (note the small cleared landing pad in the upper right corner). I’ve ridden in the helicopter twice now, and I like it. The people in this village speak Yale, a linguistic isolate.
Aaaaand we’re off! I’ve flown to some of the remotest parts of the country in SIL-PNG’s planes, and I’ve consistently been impressed with pilots like Chris and Mark Wuerffel, whose presence of mind once saved me from getting stuck for two days in Daru! Thank you, pilots, and thank you mechanics, who work so hard behind the scenes to keep the aircraft safe to fly.
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Comments
Comment from Corey Adams
Time: October 18, 2006, 1:48 pm
Yah, the planes are quite fun aren’t they David. I remember 2005 and going to Folopa on the Cessna. Have the Kodiak’s come in? I heard most were going to come in, in 2007. How the is the supply of gas for the Cessnas going? Great pics once again.
Comment from Mark Wilson
Time: October 18, 2006, 2:39 pm
David, thank you so much for sharing your fantastic photos and your experiences in PNG. I was born in Madang (1964) and raised by SIL translator parents. I think of home every day and miss it very much. God bless, and keep you safe!
wantok bilong yu,
Mark Wilson
Comment from djr
Time: October 18, 2006, 5:30 pm
Corey: Good questions. I’ve posted a reply here: To build a better airplane.
Mark: Thanks so much for the note. I’m glad you’re enjoying The Translation Beat!
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