Supply8

I was preparing to leave Anchorage and transfer to McGrath by ferrying the Let-410, when the call came from Snowboss. He was looking for a C-130 and crew to do a supply run to our base in Unalakleet. So the lady reporter had to run after me as we went looking to that C-130 that was just parked on the other hangar. It was a THC bird (Tradewind Hellenic Air Cargo) so the crew was happy to help me do the flight. The reporter, who I finally got to remember her name, Connie, loaded up her stuff into the Herk's spacious cabin as the bales and heet were being loaded thru the rear.

In no time we were ready, and right on time since it started to rain and we wanted to get out of here quickly. Of course that's relative since taxiing for takeoff takes forever as usual.



I managed to "gain access" to Connie's notes and here is what she wrote about this flight, she has some errors in her notes but it's good reading anyway...

"Capt. Castillo, Snowboss and all the other pilots are as good-looking as the other women that work the race have told me. No wonder they have a hard time concentrating on work when they are around. I have a hard time doing so too, but I must remain professional.

We have changed our plans, The leader of this group, Mr. Snowboss has requested an urgent flight to keep up the bales and heet stock in Unalakleet further to the northwest from Anchorage. Instead of the Russian Let-410 which is bigger than the Caravan i've been flown in so far, we are taking a huge airplane, It's called a Hercules C-130 , some call it L-100 and some just call it Herk. I know this plane from my reports in the war front. But this plane is a bit older. They are loading her up to the ceiling with straw bales to have the dogs lay while they take a rest. Heet is also being loaded, it's fuel additive but they use it here as stove fuel to warm up the food quickly, i haven't seen it work yet but i'm sure it's good.

It's nice to be in a roomy plane. I have a seat of my own and it's warm inside. But soon I realize it's also very loud. Loud enough that I feel the noise all over my body. It's a long flight to Unalakleet and even this plane is shaken up from side to side as we approach Unk, it's always windy here or so Capt. Castillo tells me as he radioes ahead to the TCAA ground crew that we are approaching. He looks like he's at home in this plane as much as he is on the Caravan. A man of many hats, much like all the rest of the TCAA pilots. No wonder they have to turn down pilots to fly for the race, Mr. Snowboos has his hands full as it is.



We touch down in Unalakleet and I step off to get a look of the place while they unload the cargo. Of course the ground crew is efficient too. They've done this before. They attack the plane in a ballet of forklifts, hands, pallets and bales. Soon we are refueled and as I finish up my cup off coffee (or pilot fuel as they call it) we are back inside the Hercules. The flight back is another boring one except for the magnificent views of the Alaska Mountains.

As we begin descending, I can see Mr Castillo wave hands and slap his forehead and I can almost hear him swear. I get a headset on, which is the only way I can talk to someone in the plane without screaming in their ear. I ask him what's wrong and he tells me that he was supposed to have landed at McGrath, midway between Unalakleet and Anchorage. Instead he flew on to Anchorage as was his initial intention. We are now too close to return. Instead he plans on landing and getting us a ride on some other flight going from Anchorage to McGrath. I ask him about the Let-410 that we were supposed to take to McGrath and he says it will have to wait as he is already talking to another pilot that is ready to take us back. Good thing I travel light because it's a small plane.

Landing was not simple in Anchorage, it was very busy and we had to go around the airport once before they let us down to land. Now I quickly say goodbye to the THC guys and run after Angel and the awaying plane for us to McGrath.

I'm writing this as we are calmly in the little Cessna 182. Mr Castillo has dozed off to catch some sleep while I again admire the closer view of the mountains. Simply Majestic.

These pilots remind me of another group of professionals that I've seen on TV. Hopefully I'll get to see more or their interactions and see if the silimilarities continue....."

Yeah..that was prety much the way it went.

PANC-PAUN-PANC Supply 8
Total flight time: 3 hours 15 minutes.
Aircraft THC C-130

Angel