Flying with MAF in Haiti

MAF’s 23-year history in Haiti and knowledge of the land, culture, and language are proving invaluable to outside groups providing aid.

• See Norwegian TV 2 flying with MAF in Haiti.

MAF has established a satellite communications center at the Port-au-Prince airport, allowing relief agencies to effectively communicate with those in and outside of Haiti. The MAF hangar has become a logistics point for aid organizations bringing food, water, medicines, and other relief supplies into this devastated country. MAF relief flights transport teams of medical and relief workers to remote areas.

See how you can contribute immediately at MAF.no (Norwegian) and MAF.org (English).

DISASTER IN HAITI.
HOW YOU CAN HELP IMMEDIATELY: [MAF Norway] [MAF US]

Finally flying NAG home

A swift trip to Torp for ferry became a full day venture. The journey started before sunrise by train, and I made it back to ENKJ as a third of the runway had been covered with afternoon fog. A few minutes later landing might have been rather difficult.

Good people at Helifly Maintenance changed the starter relay after our failed attempts of starting LN-NAG Saturday, Sunday and Monday. They did not, however, actually start the engine before I came Friday morning. And while the starter turned the engine, it did not fire, and it turned out that the left magneto was dead.

A few hours later I could finally leave Sandefjord - with a bit bigger bill.

Third strike

NAG co-owner Per tried all the tricks in the book, with no success. A crew of four did a third attempt of starting the frozen LN-NAG at Torp, Sandefjord, yesterday. Per, Bjørn, Ulf the teddy-bear, and myself flew LN-ULF from ENGM via ENKJ to ENTO. The trip was successful in two ways: (1) We had a beautiful view flying on top over freezing fog, and (2) my five-year-old son were exited about Ulf flying ULF for the second time.

When it comes to LN-NAG, the plane is still at Torp. Today the professional technicians takes over. Tonight we will know the diagnosis.

To be continued...

Leaving Sandefjord, never easy

The plan was a great start of the new year, flying to ENTO for Saturday coffee and waffles at the flying club. It all started well. A smooth flight, great waffles, and fun meeting old friends. The problems started when attempting to leave Sandefjord.

Temperatures in the blue teens (celsius) gave Lars and me only three attempts of starting the engine before the battery was out of power. Recharging, propeller swinging, and good advice from all experts present gave no results. We had to leave LN-NAG behind and hitchhike the 130 km home with a flat battery in our hand luggage.

After a night of recharging, I returned Sunday in LN-DAH with co-pilots Anita and Tore, armed with a full aircraft battery, external power supply, fan heaters, blankets, and lots of determination. We had a great flight in spectacular winter weather. However, LN-NAG is still at ENTO. Tomorrow a new attempt will be made.

To be continued...