Heck… weather issues are what they are… the greater evil is airports with non-grooved runways.. especially during pre-monsoon rains.

FIR boundaries used to be the big issue of days of yore. Being creative… what to do to avoid those nasty fines for not being able to make contact with the next country’s ATC. Still, I make it a point to initiate contact with the country about 20 minutes prior to reaching their FIR Boundary. Back in the day, for example approaching New Guinea FIR, Port Moresby would not respond. So we’d contact Perth Radio to advise Port Moresby to tell the we are knocking on their door. Saved lots of $$$ in trespassing fees. Now a days, one has many options… 123.45 for other aircraft in the area… Contact company via Sat Phone… Brisbane or Perth Radio… etc. It’s a lot easier today, to avoid these issues. Newbies who’ve flown solely across the Atlantic need additional education about flying in other parts of Planet Earth. Not hard to learn. A couple of trips with seasoned crews should do the trick.

US $$$$ is still king when the airport authority conveniently loses your landing/ground handling permits, customs/immigration, notification, even with copies of stamped approvals in your folder. It’s an inconvenience, but its also part of the cost of doing business. Makes the job interesting…. Just go with the flow. Remember US $$$$$ is king.

How many are old enough to remember MPS, Octas, Metres… etc?