Adventures of a Bush Pilot

by Bill Odell

Punta Arenas to Barrow in a Turbo Otter

Part One

Punta Arenas to Tijuana

Had been flying around Halifax and Eastern Canada for a while thinking of somewhere else that would be a flying challenge. An answer to an email with Allan Lowson, a great friend in Scotland made up my mind. Allan had mentioned that he was flying the Pancake Fly-In but with a different route that some how or other got him from Africa to the east coast of South America. I have flown the east coast in a DC-3 several times, didn’t want that again but had made some research on the west coast of South America and came up with from the southern most city in South America, Punta Arenas to Barrow the northern most city in North America. Since I had flown the Turbo-Otter on the Blueberry Pancake fly-in I would use the Twin Otter. After the first day flying up through Chile I saw all those big beautiful lakes and rivers, the Turbo-Otter should have been my choice. So after flying the first several legs I went to the DHC3T – Super Otter (loaded version with the canoes, great for fishing along the way). Now if you want to fly BUSH, here is your opportunity to fly just about every type of Bush flying imaginable, so if you said yes, lets get going. I have been made aware of the fact that if you are flying FS 2002 or 2000, there might be a problem with airports in South America and Central America, either name changes or airports not shown. If you know where the airport I am using is located and it is not represented, just use the closest you can find. No problem! I have decided to leave the season and times to you, caution though, remember it gets very dark at either end of this journey in the winter. So I suggest the period of June through September.

Chile

Studying my charts and maps I came up with Carlos Ibanez Del Campo Intl, Punta Arenas, as the starting point. Wanting to keep the legs at no more than 2 hours, more like one hour, the route for the first day is as follows:

SCCI Carlos Ibanez Del Campo Intl, Punta Arenas, Chile.

An interesting flight that you might want to make sometime would be from here to SCIP, Mataveri Intl on Easter Island (It is over 1200 miles though) I plan on just going to the island itself and fly around to see what FS has done for it scenery wise).

SAWC El Calafate

SAWP Perito Moreno, enjoy this nice little Dirt strip.

SCBA Balmaceda

SCTE El Tepual Intl., Puerto Montt

My flying time for the first days flying was 5.18 hours. Don’t try to duplicate any of my flying times as by now you should know I wander looking at interesting spots, maybe landing at some small strip just for the challenge. In other words I simply enjoy each leg to its ultimate.

The second day has us flying to Santo Domingo, Chile. We will be making several stops along the way. Our route then is:

SCTE El Tepual Intl.

SCTC Maquehue, Tameco, Chile

SCIE Carise Sur Intl, Conception, Chile. Try following the river at 2000’

SCSN Santo Domingo, Chile. That’s 2625’ just plain dirt.

Flying time was a little over 3 hours. About 40 miles out of Conception, I made a right turn off course to pick up a river about 20 or so miles away. I followed this wandering river at 2000’ to Conception, a very interesting flight; I only mention this as an example of my wandering around to enjoy what is there. On the leg to Santo Domingo, I headed to the left and picked up the water for my Glenlivet, no- no-no, it is the coastline and tucked it under my right wing to the airport. It breaks up that straight line flying that I know you all set the AP for and then sit back, must be boring. Oh yes, did I forget to mention that Santo Domingo is a 2600’ dirt strip?

Now the next leg, I was wondering if you noticed at that dirt strip that there was no fuel. Now how do we get on with the trip. Well I have that figured out, as the next stop is just a short hop to Quintero. With that outlined for you, here is our next series of flights:

SCSN Santo Domingo

SCER Quintero, we only stop here, as we need fuel for the rest of the trip.

SCQT Las Tacas, hug the coastline for this leg and land on the water adjacent to the strip. You are flying the Turbo Otter with floats aren’t you?

SCLL Chacalluta Intl.Vallenor, your choices on departure– go over the mountains – fly the hills and valleys or take the coastal route. My choice is going to be the coastline.

After leaving Chacalluta we will be flying over the Atacama Desert for just about the remaining portion of Chile. Because of this being a long and probably very boring flight, which I feel assured you will make Iron Mike fly while you watch TV, I have added many stops along the coast, several of which you will be landing on the water. The coast is so beautiful that you probably will want to make additional landings along the way, why not?

SCHA Chamonate

SCRA Chanarel. We will land on the water, which is adjacent to the strip.

SCTT Las Breas

SCMB La Chimba. An excellent location to land on the water instead of the airstrip, radioed ahead and they will deliver fuel at waters edge.

SCBE Barrilus, a suggestion for this approach, since I fly low (4500’) and this airport is at 3475’ heading along the coast, when almost abreast of the airport turn to 90 degrees and a nice angle for your approach without having to lose altitude.

SCDA Diego Arsenti Intl. Off the end of 36 is a nice bay or cove and that is where I made my landing.

SCAR Chacalluta Intl, Arica, Chile. Arica “The City of Eternal Spring” located on the northern tip of Chile.

Peru

We now leave Chile heading for Peru. I think I have come up with an interesting route for traveling the length of Peru. We will leave Arica and head for Copacabana and Lago Titicaca, then we will enjoy the Lake fly-ing around it then heading roughly 310 or so to Cusco where we pick up the Rio Ucayati which we will follow up toward Yurimaguas where we will turn west on the Rio Maranon as we head for Puerto Bolivar in Ecuador. Ought to be an interesting flight rather than heading straight up the coast. Unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the scenery for Lago Titicaca, which will not allow us to land on the lake, but there is no problem landing on the rivers as I made about 6 landings on the river between Cuzco and Atalaya. So here we go:

SCAR Arica

SPTN Col Carlos Ciriani, Santa Rosa where we tell the government about our plans and file our flight plan.

SLCC Copacabana, Lago Titicaca, Bolivia.

SPZO Cuzco, about 100 miles after Cuzco start looking for Rio Ucayati and follow it to:

SPAY Atalaya, here you can have a choice of landing on the grass strip or in the river, I chose the river.

SPCL David Ebenezer Rengifo.

SPJI Juan Jui, looked at the condition of the gravel strip and opted for a river landing, didn’t want to damage the floats.

SPPY Chachadoyas, I really enjoyed stopping here, wait till you see the airport site the only way in is by air or mountain climber.

SPJE Chumba, gonna remember this site for a future adventure a great location for the start of an idea I have.

SPUR Capt. Guillermo Concha Iberico

SPYL Capitan Montos, Talara. Peru. This is our last landing in Peru we leave from here to:

Ecuador

SPYL Capitan Montos

SEMH General Sebrano, Puerto Bolivar. Ok before departing you better check your oxygen equipment and supply as we are going way up from here. You will need to start climbing right away to about 14500’. Remember God only gives you one set of ears so climb slowly and descend slowly letting pressures equalize.

SELT Cotapaxi Intl. Watch your approach, as you have to come down to about 11200’ in a short distance. Pay attention to the valleys.

SEQU Mariscal Sucre Intl. Quito, Ecuador.

Columbia

SEQU Quito

SEIB Atahualpa. We start to thread our way through the mountains as we head for Pasto in Columbia.

SKPS Anunio Narino Airport, Pasto, Columbia.

SKPR Guillermo Leon Valencia

SKOD San Jacinto

SKUL Farfan

SKCD Mandingo

SKUI Carano

SKBS Jose Celestino Mutis. Excellent spot for water landing, just north of rwy 35.

MPJE Jaque, Panama. I played a trick on Ron here, landing in the water and leaving it on the beach. Guess he will get wet feet as he either does a water takeoff or taxis on the ground to the runway. So I will leave you here and let Ron take over.

Panama and Central America

By Ron Jorgenson

Ron Jorgenson who lives in the area and is more familiar with it than me has agreed to write the

Central America portion of this adventure. Other than a few format changes for continuity the following is Rons

Work.

MPJE Jaque, Panama. You will leave from Jaque (the braggart) in southern Panama on a 035 heading for El Real.

Z24Y El Real, Panama. El Real for a touch & go then NW up the inlet to La Palma (the palm). Here you will turn west to the Isla del Rey for one touch’ n go at Punta Cocos (Coconut point).

MPOH Punto Cocos, Panama. This is an old WW II strip now used by smugglers so don’t stop. Upon leaving Punta Cocos head 322 to intersect the ILS for Tocumen Intl 03R (110.70).

MPTO Tocumen Intl. You will spend the night here, as you will have a full day tomorrow flying over the locks of the Panama Canal. 185 mi

MPTO Depart Tocumen on a 210-runway heading toward Howard AFB. On your right side there are 3 prohibited areas (0 to 5,000') so navigate carefully. Turn right near the inlet for the Panama Canal and follow it northeastward to Sherman. After you pass the second set of locks you should see a large cruise ship perpendicular in the canal. How it got that way I know not but I bet the captain is looking for another job. You will also see on your right side after the ship another prohibited area covering the bridge for the Pan American highway. Stay clear. There are some hot shot jet jocks at Howard AFB who would love to buzz you if you wander. After you have finished taking all the pictures you can of the canal, head up to Chame where you will rest up from the many trips you made going up and down the Panama Canal. Please remember all the labor and lives that went into its making. About 200 mi

MP0F Chame, Panama. Depart Chame and head for Santiago. On top head 010 to the lake at Calobre which is at 1861'. After you catch a few fish then head for Enrique Malek International airport at David. Care must be taken to bypass the danger zone half way there. On top head 040/13 miles to the lake at Dolega. After a few water landings head NE to the next lake (030 @ 26 mi DAV) for some more fishing. Leave here and head for Puerto Armuelles. For a good night rest try the Gran Nacional Hotel. Please do not discuss the Chiquita banana problems here. About 250 mi.

MPOG Puerto Armuelles. Leave Puerto Armuelles making sure your documents are current. Pass Laurel (MRLE), Golfito (MRGF), Nuevo Palmer Sur (MRFI) then up the coast to La Managua (MNMG). Just south of Chacarita (MRCH) turn inland and track NDB 260 then shoot a ILS at San Jose 07/109.50. This leg is about 173 miles.

MROC Juan Santamaria Intl. San Jose. Depart San Jose on a runway heading (250) till clear of land then turn north to Carrillo (MRCR), Nosara (MRNS), Cabo Velas (MRCV), to intersections Elena, Imola then to Managua.

MNMG Managua, Nicaragua. 20 miles south of Managua is a Basaltic Shield-like volcano that sometimes emits smoke. You will pass right by it. Did not smoke for me. 221 mi

MS0A via Fanor Utroz (MNLN) & Int. TUKOR 124 mi. Lv MS0A, follow the coast to intersection Sedro then to Puerto San Jose (MGSJ). 180 mi

MGSJ Puerto San Jose. Leaving Puerto San Jose we will head up in the mountains to Quezaltenango.

MGQZ Quezaltenango. Leave MGQZ and head for MM21 – Tutla Gutierrez 2 (113.9) VIA MGRT and MMTP. This is a 196-mile flight. Spend the night. Watch your lift here as you are at 8,000’. You can pass over the mountains at 9,600’, but barely.

MGRT. Retalhuleu, Guatemala. This is a very narrow dirt strip so no Amphib’s here. Spend a couple of nights here in the clean, cool air. Very relaxing. 85 mi

MMTP Tapachula Intl., Mexico. Press on to MMIX the next day. It is only 113 miles more but after your last two flights you need the rest.

MM1X NAS Salina Cruz, Mexico. From MM1X it will be 156 miles to Z22W – Tlaxiaco, Mexico, via OAX (112.00).

Z22W Tlaxiaco

MMAA Gen. Juan N. Alvarez Intl., then on to the fun filled beaches at Acapulco, which is 121 more miles. Spend a day or two here. You will have to fly a few valleys unless you want to go up to 12K. ILS is 28/109.90

MMLC You are probably tired so just up to MMLC for today. 160 Miles.

MMZO Leave for the largest seaport in western Mexico (Manzanillo) MMZO. Stay at the “Pink Posado” which only has 23 rustic rooms. Sit under their palapa right on the ocean and have a few margaritas. There are many places to eat just down the road. Have been SCUBA diving and fishing here. A great place to relax. (Been there, done that) 150 mi

MMPR Sorry to say but you must leave. Head for the resort area of Puerto Vallarta. This is a fun filled place but maybe just a little expensive. This is only about 100 miles.

MMIH Isla Maria Madra. Leaving Puerto Vallarta, head for the “Isle Maria Madra” (Mother Maria Island) then on to Culiacan (MMCL) where there are many good hotels to pick from. (184 mi)

MMCL We leave Culiacan (MMCL) via Int. D083L to Los Mochis (MMLM). You can take a train west out of here to the Copper Canyon, which is bigger and better than the Grand Canyon in the US. Its well worth the delay. It’s usually a 2-day trip. 105 mi

MMLM Los Mochis. Out of Los Mochis head for El Fuerte.

MM2R El Fuerte. Make a couple of water landings just NW of there.

MM1R Alamos. Try another water landing just north of Alamos. From here head to Obregon then up to Guymas. Just west of Guymas is a small village called San Carlos, which has the best steak/shrimp dinner around. Good fishing also. A short taxi ride. Been here done that a few times. 211 mi

MMOY Puerto Libertad Norte. Leave with a full belly and shoot up to Puerto Libertad Norte. 148 mi

Leave MMOY and head across the gulf for Rancho Santa Ynes (MMOP) then north to San Felipe Intl. (MMSF).

Good fishing and SCUBA trips here. 179 mi

MMOP Rancho Santa Ynes

MMSF San Felipe Intl. From San Felipe to Ensenada you will have to cross a mountain range but about 1/3 of the way there is a pass you can slip thru then it’s a short hop up to Tijuana where you can shoot a REV ILS (27/111.50) 154 mi

MMES Ensenada Intl.

MMTJ Gen. Abelarao L. Rodrique Intl.

Get all your paper work ready for the border, as they are pretty through since 9/11. Check your plane over real well in case someone may have attached something to it. BYE!

Thanks a million and real nice job Ron, we will take over in Part Two on our way to Barrow in Alaska.