As I get older I’m thinking about keeping a boat down in Fiji. About a 6.5 hour flight from Honolulu. After a discussion with Mary on whether we sail there or buy a used boat already in Fiji, she asked if I could find a place for the R44 too. I explained that transporting a helicopter would be a monumental task for me. But, a small fixed wing i,e, Light Sport would make more sense.
I don’t have any political contacts in Fiji and would be starting my aviation quest at square one. Any comments or guidance would be welcome?
I will be traveling there and will start knocking on hangar doors to seek advice. Generally, I have found the Pacific Islands really friendly. But, protective to a reasonable degree as they should. In Micronesia a chieftain offered me wives, land etc. But, that was in the 90’s and already had DOD work in Hawaii which paid the rent. After sailing to Hawaii I was penniless and sold my only surfboard to eat. When I met Mary she also had coveted employment, Sometimes my mind wanders back and I think what would life had been like on a small island out there?
Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on hangers door…”
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:16 pm
Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on hangers door…”
Last edited by 8GCBC on Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT
Sun Feb 04, 2024 8:59 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
Sounds like a big logistical challenge to get an airplane or R-44 there and hangared. Now, if you overcome those challenges is it really worth it? Sounds awesome for a while but will you get bored with the limited places you can fly? I don’t know.
Kurt
Kurt
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:28 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
G44 wrote:Sounds like a big logistical challenge to get an airplane or R-44 there and hangared. Now, if you overcome those challenges is it really worth it? Sounds awesome for a while but will you get bored with the limited places you can fly? I don’t know.
Kurt
Kurt: That is a good point. For example: There are only (6) airports in Hawaii and after a while I kind of zombied out flying because it just was so routine. Then started flying tail draggers, floats and skis in the western states and Alaska — really felt good to not know where I was going every flight, the scenery was literally endless. BC and AK are the ultimate flying locations and have etched memories that are indescribable.
Maybe I drank too much coffee when I posted.
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT
Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:53 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
You could get a paramotor (powered parachute) and just leave it in a storage shed somewhere when off island. Low cost, easy to transport and it would provide aviation ya-yas appropriate to a small island community. You could fly at very low speed and close to the ground over the island peaks and maybe discover some overgrown historical sites.
Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:05 pm
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
Flyhound wrote:You could get a paramotor (powered parachute) and just leave it in a storage shed somewhere when off island. Low cost, easy to transport and it would provide aviation ya-yas appropriate to a small island community. You could fly at very low speed and close to the ground over the island peaks and maybe discover some overgrown historical sites.
That’s similar to the inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) and inflatable wing foils etc. Very popular with sailboat cruisers around the world now. Stores very easily and tight places. Airline friendly!
I’m glad you mentioned it. Pretty cool idea! My monolithic thinking needs to change!
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT
Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:18 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
8GCBC wrote:Flyhound wrote:You could get a paramotor (powered parachute) and just leave it in a storage shed somewhere when off island. Low cost, easy to transport and it would provide aviation ya-yas appropriate to a small island community. You could fly at very low speed and close to the ground over the island peaks and maybe discover some overgrown historical sites.
That’s similar to the inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) and inflatable wing foils etc. Very popular with sailboat cruisers around the world now. Stores very easily and tight places. Airline friendly!
I’m glad you mentioned it. Pretty cool idea! My monolithic thinking needs to change!
Not quite. Paramotor and powered parachute wings, while slightly distinct from each other, are both ram-air style wings whose structure comes from positive airspeed filling their cells. They are not inflated on the ground in any way to mimic a rigid wing.
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Mon Feb 05, 2024 8:50 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
Knocking on Heaven’s door…
Is there something you should be reporting on the MedXPress application?
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Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:43 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
Sailboat, water maker, quiver of boards, fishing gear, and sunscreen. Anything beyond that sounds like it will just get in the way.
But perhaps my pacific daydreams are different than yours. There looks to be a bunch of good grass on the islands near fuji. Would definitely be fun.
After the first few weeks offshore the daydreams are always the same: Pizza, Women, Surf.
But perhaps my pacific daydreams are different than yours. There looks to be a bunch of good grass on the islands near fuji. Would definitely be fun.
After the first few weeks offshore the daydreams are always the same: Pizza, Women, Surf.
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Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:59 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
Zzz wrote:Is there something you should be reporting on the MedXPress application?Knocking on Heaven’s door…
According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to Earth or incarnate and earthly beings can ascend to Heaven in the afterlife or, in exceptional cases, enter Heaven without dying.
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Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:10 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
SmokeyTheBear wrote:Sailboat, water maker, quiver of boards, fishing gear, and sunscreen. Anything beyond that sounds like it will just get in the way.
But perhaps my pacific daydreams are different than yours. There looks to be a bunch of good grass on the islands near fuji. Would definitely be fun.
After the first few weeks offshore the daydreams are always the same: Pizza, Women, Surf.
I see your point. Traveling light is much better. Logistics can create the monster that one is escaping.
Aloha.
CFII, MEI, CFISES, ATPME, IA/AP, RPPL, Ski&Amphib ops, RHC mechanic cert, RHC SC— 3000TT
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:43 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
8GCBC wrote:
I see your point. Traveling light is much better. Logistics can create the monster that one is escaping.
Aloha.
I recently came across the book "Hunting Lost Mines By Helicopter" by Erle Stanley Gardener (author of Perry Mason Novels) in an old book shop. It's a fun time capsule of 60's era adventure. But the size of the expedition was outrageous. Dozens of folks were involved in what could have also been a camping trip via helicopter(or at one point Pilatus Porter).
For some there is just as much joy in the planning as there is in the doing. (I find myself falling into this trap frequently!)
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- Hunting Lost Mines Via helicopter.jpg (277.26 KiB) Viewed 1194 times
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Mon Feb 05, 2024 11:46 am
Re: Fiji aviation scene “Knocking on Heaven’s door…”
SmokeyTheBear wrote:8GCBC wrote:
I see your point. Traveling light is much better. Logistics can create the monster that one is escaping.
Aloha.
I recently came across the book "Hunting Lost Mines By Helicopter" by Erle Stanley Gardener (author of Perry Mason Novels) in an old book shop. It's a fun time capsule of 60's era adventure. But the size of the expedition was outrageous. Dozens of folks were involved in what could have also been a camping trip via helicopter(or at one point Pilatus Porter).
For some there is just as much joy in the planning as there is in the doing. (I find myself falling into this trap frequently!)
Very cool! Looks like a keeper!
I remember the days when we would roll out nautical charts and develop plans and ideas on where to sail. “Swing” (adjust) our compasses with a sun pelorus. Plot LOP’s with running sun sights. Listen to WWV (Colorado male voice, Kauai female voice) for UTC on a $10 time cube from Radio Shack. That’s when we had to be tough and self reliant. No satellite telephones, no GPS (for most folks), no tracking etc. Just you and your mates, alone.
Fast forward: my little ship has (8) GPS receivers, (3) electric auto pilots, Hydrovane, (3) rudders, AIS in/out, InReach, Iridium etc.. I almost purchased StarLink (and may still), would need to add more solar panels however (power hungry antenna).
Seattle, Washington ready for San Pedro (Fred Meyers Fuel STC):
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