Dusty Cairo and First Pizza
Our Journey to Cairo took us from Iraklion in Crete, Greece via Borg Alexandria, Egypt, and today was my first intercontinental crossing. The mid point and hence the intercontinental crossing point was PAXIS. So a moment I need to remember and savor. At PAXIS we had to be at FL085 for the crossing, which we duly achieved with a slow climb en-route. During this climb and eventual cruise the weather slowly deteriorated such that on occasions we were VFR ontop. However at all time we could see a clearing ahead. Eventually we came up on Alexandria and coasted in over the port. ATC routed us around to the south of the airport set us up for a long final.
On the ground we carried out our usual routine of filling the helicopter up with fuel and sorting out our gear for the next trip. This next trip was to Cairo. Before that though we had to clear customs and immigration. At Immigration they would not accept my Irish Passport so I had to give them my UK Passport. We also had to purchase a $25 Visa for entry.
Back to the helicopter through security some 60 minutes later we boarded helicopter and set of to Cairo. On route the haze began to thicken and forward visibility reduced considerably. Crusiing at FL085 we requested a descent to altitude 6,500 and then 4,500. At the later request they then asked us to climb back to FL095 to expect vectors for the ILS. We promptly declined but did accept vectors for 23R. Visibility was only 4,000m so we asked for a short final. They stated that we could have a six mile final instead of the usual 10 and then they proceeded to fly us 10 miles out. Intercepting the approach path by use of the GPS CDI and remaining to the right so as not to encroach onto 23C we guided ourselves to the runway maintaining 2,000ft AGL until we had it in sight. After a perfect approach we where giuded to our parking spot outside Hall 4. Here we refueled. unpacked and wrapped the Helicopter, using the engine and tail rotor cover for the first time. Our refuel was so fascinated in seeing us that her spilt over 5 liters of fuel while refueling and then proceeded to try and charges for a further 5 liters of more fuel.
Eddie Gould from GASE greeted us at the airport and took us to the Fairmont Hotel. Abdooullah was our driver. After a quick wash (body and clothes, clothes were put in a bag sen to to the hotel laundry) and a quick planning session for our next flight in two days time we headed of for a well earnt beer and dinner. A Pizza at last!
On the ground we carried out our usual routine of filling the helicopter up with fuel and sorting out our gear for the next trip. This next trip was to Cairo. Before that though we had to clear customs and immigration. At Immigration they would not accept my Irish Passport so I had to give them my UK Passport. We also had to purchase a $25 Visa for entry.
Back to the helicopter through security some 60 minutes later we boarded helicopter and set of to Cairo. On route the haze began to thicken and forward visibility reduced considerably. Crusiing at FL085 we requested a descent to altitude 6,500 and then 4,500. At the later request they then asked us to climb back to FL095 to expect vectors for the ILS. We promptly declined but did accept vectors for 23R. Visibility was only 4,000m so we asked for a short final. They stated that we could have a six mile final instead of the usual 10 and then they proceeded to fly us 10 miles out. Intercepting the approach path by use of the GPS CDI and remaining to the right so as not to encroach onto 23C we guided ourselves to the runway maintaining 2,000ft AGL until we had it in sight. After a perfect approach we where giuded to our parking spot outside Hall 4. Here we refueled. unpacked and wrapped the Helicopter, using the engine and tail rotor cover for the first time. Our refuel was so fascinated in seeing us that her spilt over 5 liters of fuel while refueling and then proceeded to try and charges for a further 5 liters of more fuel.
Eddie Gould from GASE greeted us at the airport and took us to the Fairmont Hotel. Abdooullah was our driver. After a quick wash (body and clothes, clothes were put in a bag sen to to the hotel laundry) and a quick planning session for our next flight in two days time we headed of for a well earnt beer and dinner. A Pizza at last!
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