Page 110 - Demo

110operational scenario was challenging, to say the least, despite complete familiarity with the aircraft, as general handling exercises and practise emergencies were not top of these pilot%u2019s priorities . A somewhat more relaxing, but nevertheless unique, experience was flying out into the desert in a pair of Skyvans one late afternoon, the cargo consisting of two dustbin sacks of empty beer tins, two jerry cans of petrol, three rolls of 4 %u00d7 2 and three hot8locks full of curry. We set down in a suitable flat bit of desert, unloaded the cargo and set about pacing out a landing strip marked by the empty beer cans. These were then filled with petrol and strips of 4 %u00d7 2 were inserted to act as wicks. We then settled down to eat our curries, sitting under the wings of the Skyvans as the sun set. Once it was dark the beer can flare path was lit, the aircraft started up and we proceeded to fly night circuits in the inky darkness of the desert, far away from the brightly lit busy international airport at Seeb, the Skyvan squadron%u2019s home base. When the last of the flare path flickered out we returned, crossing the Jebel Akhdar massif, to land at Seeb in time for a night8cap (non8alcoholic) in the Officer%u2019s Mess. It was a unique experience. The regular and close liaison between the RAF, CFS and SOAF, which still continues, has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the Preparing to lay out a beer can flarepath in the desert.