OV-10's in S.America

[avbug]

A Squared,

Yes, I meant T-65's (for the PT6 dash number on the thrush)...I said T-56, because I have terminal Herc on the brain (T-56 powerplants). Like I said, alzheimers. Don't tell the FAA. They don't like me, as it is.

 

[flint4xx]

When I lived in Colombia the UH-1H's and 212's flew alongside the spray planes for protection and search and rescue should one go down. On the same base, but with a different mission were the Colombian police aviation ships. Sometimes they would work together, but the real excitement went to the CNP. They live in a camp in the jungle outside one of two towns that are in prime drug growing land. (that may have changed since I was last there) It was hot, humid and boring as hell. The guys that worked for that organization weren't allowed to leave the camp, lived in a crappy little room with other dudes for two weeks until time to go home. They worked and endured for their money. If you want photos send me a PM, and maybe I'll get around to scanning them when I get a chance.

 

[capnflyright]

Do they have the pilots that are rotating back to the mainland ferry the airplanes? If not, who does the ferry work? Have they found out anything about the plane that disappeared last year in the Caribbean that was being ferried back to Patrick?

 

[TurboS7]

All I can say is that if you do get shot down you are in COLOMBIA not Columbia(as in South Carolina) that is very important.

 

[RFtech]

great point.

thanks for sharing.

 

[avbug]

Aircraft don't get ferried back and forth much. The missing aircraft/pilot has not been found.

Rotating down is done commercially, then you're airlifted for a forward operating location.

 

[capnflyright]

Are they still looking for an MEII(s) with Garrett experience? What are the using the Casa 212s for down there? Does anyone know what Evergreen Helicopters Casa is doing in Panama? Thank you for any info.

 

[avbug]

MEI's with ag experience, yes. Also prefer military IP time in OV-10's (obviously).

 

[The_Russian]

This is my dream job. I would give anything to fly that plane down there in the mountains.

 

[pilot141]

I command this thread to RESURRECT from the dead exactly ONE YEAR later!!!

Ah, well, within one day is pretty close!

A buddy of mine from my C-27 days in Panama (Ralph Ponticelli) was killed in one of the crashes last year.

The flying is very dangerous but also very lucrative. Just like the security jobs in Iraq now. You can make big bank, but you can also die. Whether or not this is for you is entirely dependent on your personal situation.