Originally Posted by satchip (Post 911830)

After having flown in all 4 theaters, South America and Africa do pose challenges that you don't see when flying to Europe and the Pacific. Lack of communications, reliable navaids and alternates, and in SA, critical terrain all make for potentially dangerous situations to the uninitiated or the casual international flier. While the Pacific is new to most Delta South pilots, I liken it to Europe in that the controllers are usually of a higher quality than your average Third World radio operator and the facilities are for the most part modern and well maintained.

I do remember some hairy experiences in Korea with Korean controllers, though. Not to mention the Manila Control person who tried to reroute us over Taiwan.:eek: Also, one caveat, I've never been to some of the island destinations Ferd has been. So if some of those destinations have unique pitfalls, I stand corrected.

Originally Posted by satchip (Post 911830)

After having flown in all 4 theaters, South America and Africa do pose challenges that you don't see when flying to Europe and the Pacific. Lack of communications, reliable navaids and alternates, and in SA, critical terrain all make for potentially dangerous situations to the uninitiated or the casual international flier. While the Pacific is new to most Delta South pilots, I liken it to Europe in that the controllers are usually of a higher quality than your average Third World radio operator and the facilities are for the most part modern and well maintained.

I do remember some hairy experiences in Korea with Korean controllers, though. Not to mention the Manila Control person who tried to reroute us over Taiwan.:eek: Also, one caveat, I've never been to some of the island destinations Ferd has been. So if some of those destinations have unique pitfalls, I stand corrected.

Originally Posted by Ferd149 (Post 911840)

Nope, things in the Pacific are really straight forward and no where near as complex as Europe. I agree with you, if you're Europe qualed then Asia, while strange, will be ok. The Pacific islands are no more difficult than any of the Hawaiian Islands. Just don't hit the mountain on Guam like the Korean Air boys did:(

Ferd

Originally Posted by satchip (Post 911860)

Don't remember ever seeing a mountain on Guam. All I remember is the runway at Anderson had about 30ft of elevation change from the approach end to the middle and back up the other end. You have to land on a runway that runs away from you and if you float it said runway jumps up and smacks you hard. Been there, done that.

The rooms always were musty and there were huge toads hopping around. Other than that it was just a place to drink beer between Hawaii and Japan.

Originally Posted by satchip (Post 911873)

Us Air Force guys never got near that end of the island. I knew there was and airport there because listed as an alternate sometimes but never saw it. Besides, we usually landed there at 2 AM and drank till dawn. We called it the sunrise service.

Originally Posted by buzzpat (Post 911876)

I resemble that remark.;)