Across the USA or across the Australian desert or across the sea or across the world somehow or other I seem to attract flight dramas. Some of these events are recorded here.
Dreadful Dragon rideDuring my time in Darwin it still enjoyed its reputation as an outpost of society in Australia. Progress was very slow, particularly in regard to transport. No trams, no trains, few buses but many bicycles, private cars and taxis. In the air the same conditions applied. Private operators were still able to use aircraft that would never be tolerated down south.
For instance, one operator had a de Havilland Dragon Rapide that he hired out to government departments. The first Dragons were built in the 1930’s and this type of twin engined bi-plane with its elegantly tapered wings was used extensively in WW2 for short-haul commercial and passenger purposes. Australia used them in Northern Territory for the Royal Flying Doctors Service in the 1930’s & 40’s. Was this operator using an ex-RFDS plane or was it the one that had been flown all the way to Darwin from London in a 1934 air race? It had certainly had its day and should have been retired. He didn't appear to maintain it well and how did he source parts? While the senior executives declined to fly in his old Dragon, those of us that were lower down the order were required to use him as his quotes will lower than the competition. It was my misfortune to travel in this ancient aircraft for a 45 minute flight to an aboriginal settlement. Despite the calm weather the trip was anything but comfortable and this was the last time I flew in that plane. If the execute staff weren't prepared to use it, nor was I. Earlier this year (2012), I was surprised and sad to hear of one that was still flying. The sad part of the story was that it crashed and killed its pilot and passengers. |
Hanging by a thread - of wire!In my role as Director of Aboriginal Affairs for Victoria, Tasmania and the southern Riverina, I needed to travel to all manner of interesting places. The more out of the way the place, the more interesting the transport.
On a visit to Tasmania, I hired a pilot to take me from Flinders Island to Cape Barren Island. The flight was only about 20 minutes but when I arrived at the airport the pilot had the engine bonnet up and was working on the motor. To my surprise and not a little concern he was actually using a piece of fencing wire to tie parts of the motor together. He explained that he was the senior pilot training officer for the Aero club and I should have no concern whatever as he would make permanent repairs on his return to the mainland. All went extremely well for the trip to Cape Barren Island. It was from this island, that the aborigines treated the mutton birds on Dog Island, which were their livelihood. To see thousands of mutton birds being treated in what appeared to be a big steam house permeated with an overpowering smell of fat. It was here that I saw the only totally white Aborigine that I ever saw. He was an albino. The return journey was something totally different to the forward trip. Five minutes after take-off the weather turned nasty and the plane was thrown around like I have never experienced. Nonchalantly the pilot leaned over to make sure that I was tightly strapped in and turned his attention to dealing with a raging headwind that slowed us to a crawl. Flying over water in these circumstances is not very encouraging and it was a relief to see Flinders Island spreading out below. With a comment that we were running short of fuel, the pilot descended and landed on an airstrip on Flinders Island. He taxied to the end of the runway and helped himself to fuel drums at the side of the runway. He told me that they belonged to fish spotters whom he knew well and he would arrange to repay them. Refuelled, we took off in less severe weather but were still buffeted during the next 15 minutes in the air to the main Flinders Island airport at Whitemark. |
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Mayday Mayday!Australia Day, 1967 was a day that I will not forget in a hurry. Completed covered by clouds and flying in a mountainous area with the pilot calling “Mayday Mayday”, did not inspire much confidence in my survival of this flight.
The day had begun normally in my Aboriginal Affairs office until I received a telephone call informing me that a contractor, preparing foundations for a building in Mildura, had uncovered what appeared to be an aboriginal burial site. Concern was expressed that the builder intended to go ahead with his work the following day with total disregard for what he had uncovered. In view of the emergency I arranged to hire a plane to fly to Mildura and investigate. The senior social worker in the Department was a pilot and offered his services to fly me to Mildura. I accepted his offer and we left the Moorabbin airport in a single engine aircraft in reasonable weather. The weather did not remain reasonable for long, and as we approached central Victoria the weather closed in completely, and we were flying blind, with the pilot attempting to work his way through the mountains. The Maydays did little to calm my nerves. After a rather terrifying 10 or 15 minutes we came out safely through the clouds. What a relief it was to see the landscape below us. On arrival in Mildura, we hired a car and drove to the area, where the contractor had been working. Enquiries at a number of shops and offices resulted in a total lack of any knowledge of this event. I was puzzled, where on earth was this place? I rang my office in the hope of getting more definite information. However, the result of that call was anything but puzzling – it was infuriating! The office informed me that a caller had rung in to say “Happy Australia Day, we hope that you enjoyed your trip”. It appears that the news of my departure for Mildura had soon reached the ears of the various aboriginal groups in Melbourne, including the guy who had planned the deception. |
Rescued by the MountiesDuring a worldwide trip on behalf of the Victorian Government to see how indigenous peoples had been treated by various nations I spent time in Canada, and in the north-west Territories of Canada. At a place called Pangnirtung not far from the Arctic Circle, the weather closed in and the amount of snow led to the township being snow bound. No planes could land or take off. However a small baby became seriously ill and the Royal Canadian Mountie’s were called to rescue the child with their special aircraft.
A short time later their aircraft landed safely and we were told to board the plane for immediate departure. Sadly, the baby died during the flight. |
Aboard Air Force OneDuring this same trip I was invited to lunch at the Australian Embassy. After the meal attended by several prominent Americans, including the wife of the NASA Director, Mrs. Fletcher. She said that her husband would be honoured if I would accept an invitation to visit and observe the launch of Sky Lab. When I replied that I was too busy to fit it into my schedule the ambassador, Mr Plimsol, interrupted & said, “Mr Worthy will change his plans and thank you very much for the invitation”.
I'm not too sure whether I blurted out something then but I realized suddenly just what a good ambassador can do for our country. Unknown to me an invitation of this nature was a rare honour bestowed upon very few people. In fact there was only 12 people invited as guests of the director to see the launch. I had a call the next day from General Hull of US Air force who advised that a car would be sent to pick me up and take me to Andrews Air force Base. By now I was beginning to understand something of the magnitude of this invitation. A personal call from a general and an army limo! There was more to come. An elaborate afternoon tea with the other guests and various dignitaries was consumed before we're again transported to board Air Force One, the President’s plane along with 11 other invitees & flew to Cape Canaveral in Orlando. The aircraft is really only called Air force One when the President is aboard, but it is the same aircraft. There are two or three of them that have been especially fitted to use as an emergency office for the President should the need arise. |
Air War over QueenslandPrime Minister Fraser and Joh Bjelke Petersen were at loggerheads over Aboriginal affairs and Joh was the only premier to refuse to give authority for Aborigines to Canberra. Full details are related "In Racial Conflict". However I must tell you about the air war between the two of them with me in the middle.
Mr. Fraser decided to visit the Torres Strait Islands and speak directly to the island leaders about the issue of the border with PNG. Millions of dollars of oil was at stake and Fraser was determined to resolve the issue. Joh was equally determined to prevent Fraser from discussing the matter with the island leaders. How did he propose to do it? Simple. When I rang Kit, the owner of the planes used around the islands, he informed me that unfortunately he was booked out on the days planned by Mr. Fraser. After consultation with Canberra I was given latitude to obtain dates that would be available. Surprise, surprise, each series of dates that I discussed with Kit, none of them was available. This was impossible as the Queensland Government and I, for the Commonwealth, were the main clients. Kit then told me that he had his instructions from Brisbane and he dare not disobey them. Another phone call to Canberra and I was told to solve it. How? There was no marine solution. So it had to be in the air. I rang Defence in Canberra and had a successful discussion regarding using the Nomad plane that could land on the very short air strips on the two particular islands concerned where others would gather. On Badu Island the air strip began at the shore line, ran for a few hundred yards on the only flat ground available and ended at the other shore line. No room for error here. I informed Canberra of the arrangements and attempted to organise dates. In the meantime I rang Kit about another matter and told him of our plans. Lo and behold, two hours later Kit rang to say that planes had become available if I was interested. The Fraser visit never occurred. In his place the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ian Viner came a few weeks later. |
Mercy Flight
Returning on a flight to Thursday Island the pilot received a distress signal from an island and diverted to that island. A fisherman had caught his hand in the gears of his outboard motor and crushed his hand. He was in dreadful pain as I sat with him on the flight.
Earning my wingsQueensland is a vast stretch of land whose size can only be appreciated from the air.
After a visit to the western border of Queensland and the Northern Territory we took off in the hired twin engine Cessna aircraft and headed for Cairns. Shortly after reaching his desired altitude, the pilot asked if I would like to take control. What an invitation. For the next two hours, I enjoyed myself to the full. Occasionally, the pilot would give me heading directions, and what to do to keep the nose of the plane up. As we approached Cairns, the pilot instructed me to descend, level out then descend further and level out. By now, we were flying at about 500 feet, and I could see the Cairns airport on my right hand side. After instructing me to make a right turn, remembering to keep the nose up, the pilot said “I think I had better take over now”. How right he was. |
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