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Discovering the wrong side of Serendipity!

 
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:28 pm    Post subject: Discovering the wrong side of Serendipity! Reply with quote

'WRONG SIDE OF SERENDIPITY?'
When we talk about 'the treasures of the Serendib', we think about the
beaches of Bentota, the hills of Nuwara Eliya, the leopards of Yala, the
elephants of Minneriya, the whales and dolphins of Mirrissa and
Trincomalee, the history in Sigiriya, Kandy and Anuradhapura, the tea
gardens and a lot more! Oh yeah, planes taking off over you in Negombo!
Of course, its all beauty that I have mentioned. 3 years ago, Sri Lanka
concluded a long and difficult battle against the LTTE. We often forget what
happened in the north: Jaffna & Killinochichi.
Its a project Dad is involved in, where they supply money for the
rebuilding of the houses which were lost in this battle. This is not a political
post, therefore, we should all stay away from that.
This TR is by Dad. I didn't ask him to write any texts (yet), I will be
updating the same over time.

DOMESTIC IN SRI LANKA? INTERESTING!
2 ways to get there: Expo Air or Helitours. Naturally, 'Helitours' sounding
very helicopter-ish, Dad opted for that. All I asked him to do, was to take
a few pictures and videos. What he did was something way beyond my
expectations, which then proved to be enough for this!
A brief explanation of the the airline: commercial arm of Sri Lanka Air
Force.
In high hopes of a Bell 412 or a Mil Mi-17, he set out for the domestic
airport in Colombo, Ratmalana.

Check in was smooth, although there wasn't any flexibility in changing
seats, seats being allocated at booking. Because of the aircraft size, we
had to be weighed with along with the bags. It was a long wait in the not-
so-comfortable waiting lounge, but the charms of the Ratmalana Airport
were clearly visible. Through the glass windows covered with grey film, I
managed to take images of SLAF aircraft. Sensing that a discovery of
events as they happened would be more exciting than asking questions
about which aircraft, how much time, etc., I stopped being inquisitive.
Meanwhile, it was well passed boarding time, and a short while after that,
well past ETD. I could sense there was only 1 flight leaving (ours), and I
could not understand why people at counters would not change seats (we
were 2 travelling, seated side by side, both of us wanted window). About
30 minutes after ETD, we saw about 15 SLAF personnel (2 of them
possibly with family) head straight to the Xian MA60. 5 minutes later,
boarding was announced, we made our on the short apron to the aircraft,
a 60 seater.


Apologies if the pictures are bad, Dad is a bit handicapped with the Black Berry and the Nikon Coolpix cameras.

Ratmalana Airport terminal.

Ground activity.

Helitours is the dominant one!

The aircraft for the day's flight: 4R-HTO, a Xian MA60 would be flying from Ratmalana to Palaly via China Bay (okay, in easier terms, Colombo to Jaffna via Trincomalee.)

View out of the window..

Aircraft was jam packed and truly there was very little chance of a seat
change. I pulled seniority and decided to sit on the window, allocated for
my colleague. I was rewarded with a whole bunch of amazing pictures!


Cabin of the Xian MA60.

Safety card! I have never taken pictures of these!


Start up HD (points of interest included): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB-xCFt3Gu0

Take off HD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGAyAKNrvtM

My sense was we would be flying northwards, and frankly I could not
reckon which direction we were flying in - I was hoping to see the western
coast of SL, but between the clouds, I knew, we were flying over the main
land. In about 45 min, we landed at China Bay, Trincomalle, a complete
surprise. Sitting on the port side, I could not at all figure out the
Trincomalee Bay (stupid of me, could have followed the sun!). What a
complete surprise! China Bay is where all Air Force personnel deplaned,
and now there were only 15 passengers for Palaly, Jaffna.


En route to China Bay

A typical road in SL: Narrow.

Although, highways are coming!


Oh, there we go! Dad has done his job in a brilliant way! Thank you! Very Happy


Cabin during service.

Very helpful!





A turnaround...just 15 minutes!

Legroom!

All set to go!

My colleague on whom I had pulled seniority was very happy, as he
found a vacant seat up front, and now I shifted to the starboard side, just
next to the propeller fins. Rest was standard flying for the next 45 mins or
so. Till we landed in Palaly. A word about the runways: soft heeled fliers
like us would baulked at the sight of the runway with cracks and fissures,
etc, but not so the able planes and pilots, of the SLAF. Generally smooth
landings & a very very pleasant experience indeed. Legroom was about
the same as any cattle class commercial airline, service was as maybe
expected from employees of an air force (since we don't know what that
is, everything was pretty much was good) no surliness, and a packet of
snacks & soft drink, served very efficiently as was the demonstration on
safety features. Sorry, no trip to the loo, therefore no comment!




The port.





Ah, the window frame shot again!




Jaffna is getting closer!











Do you know what is interesting in this picture? Maruti Suzuki SX4! God I
miss racing in that with my friend in Mumbai! (Yeah, he also had a SX4,
we used to race from school to home, 1 km only. And yeah, drivers were
driving, not us!)

Palaly Airport, Jaffna (an air force outpost) is about 15km from the city
of Jaffna. Civilian transport is generally not allowed there. Transport to
Jaffna is provided by the SLAF. After collecting our bags, we boarded a
small bus, that took us to the Jaffna bus station. Not before profuse
apologies from the staff saying that's the regular transport is an ac bus
which was on that day out of service. It mattered little. Just to be in an
area of violent civil conflict only about 3 or 4 years ago was an
experience. On the way into Jaffna, there was evidence of the conflict with
several bomb blasted buildings. We were actually headed for a place
called Killinochchi at one time the HQ of then LTTE. At the Jaffna bus
stand, we were met with our van and driver, and drove to Killinochchi
through areas of wetlands hosting a lot of avian life. The highway to
Killinochchi, although not divided (like in most of SL) was excellent. We
made quick progress and reached the office of the UN Habitat in quick
time. As is the case with most of the island, there was a profusion of
courtesy including that from the colonel of the SL Army introduced to us
by a person - now retired - who raised a crack team of SL
Army commandos during the conflict. 2 days of official work, and time for
us to head back to Colombo. Our civilian transport was allowed to go upto
only a certain point, and so we timed ourselves to reach that place about
an hour in advance. On the way back through the same delightful
highway, replete with avifauna, we reached Jaffna and we could spare the
time for a short visit to a Temple and a quick lunch of chicken chow mien.
Things got a little more challenging after that since the driver had no idea
of where to head, except in the general direction northwards. We found
ourselves in narrow lanes in sleepy villages celebrating a religious function (Hindu, Buddhist or Christian, I don't know).

Alright people, reproduction of the following images is prohibited, without
prior permission.
I think the pictures will tell you everything that had happened for those 30 years.




Its just immense. They just put a bomb at the end, and the end result is this.

18 bombs.


A graveyard of motor cycles used by the LTTE.



In a sense, we were lost, and we had just about half an hour to make it to the point where the SLAF bus would pick us up, and make the final lap to
Palaly airport, but wonder of wonders, after about 5 interactions with people on the road, completely incomprehensible for me and about 20
minutes of elapsed time, we were at the point! The inquisitive
photographer in me was clicking away when a member of the SLAF
politely reminded me that photography was not allowed. Another 5
minutes the Air Force transport was on hand - this time, the committed AC
vehicle - and we were on our way to Palaly. No major incidents, same
airport, some of the same passengers who had come on the way in, and
we were seated in a comfortable AC hall with TV, to await departure. Only
as I was looking for the 60 seater Xian that we traveled in our way in,
there was no sign of it. Perhaps, I thought, it's on it's way in and shall be
with us shortly. But no, we were taken in a small little van to the smallest
aircraft I have flown in my life, standing on the tarmac, a Harbin Y-12.
That such a vessel, can actually take wing, is a mystery to me, but glory
be to Bernouillis principle and the Wright brothers, this jalopy
actually flies. Entry into the vessel revealed a 1 - 2 configuration of
seating and an open cockpit. Wow. Boarding was all of 3.5 minutes and off
we were through the cracked and fissured runway of Palaly and on our
way back home to Colombo. We flew over the northern coast of SL,
beautiful it seemed from up there and then, in a direction, I could not figure because of the clouds. I had asked my car to be available at
Ratmalana Airport at a certain time, and the twists and turns of the aircraft
told me we might reach well before time. But pleasant surprises awaited
us, and as I saw the coastline on the western side fade away into clouds
and mainland, we dropped in altitude with an enormous amount of
buffeting, we were in China Bay in about an hour. Formalities done,
we took off in time and went up in the clouds after glorious views of
Trincomallee bay.
Buffeting that was reminiscent of aggressive roller coasters was
experienced right upto our landing in Ratmalana. The cockpit door was open
and one had a clear view out of the wind shield. I have not mentioned the
kindness of the pilot, name unknown, who turned back at China Bay for a
picture. I asked him what aircraft this was, he was the one who mentioned this was a Harbin Y-12.
Well from the Eastern Coast at China Bay back to Ratmalana was over the
main land, over West Coast and then a 180 turn over the Indian Ocean to
land in Ratmalana. One was busy trying to capture all the landmarks en
route and what did one see? A collection of old diesel locomotives in a
place, I still don't know where, but between Ratmalana airport, and West
Coast (hoping to discover, in the landing video). We landed back at
Ratmalana, with a smooth landing, and a big congratulations to the pilots.


And quickly, the return flight..






















That will be all.
Apologies if the language is shaky, the iPad isn't the best with auto correct.
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Last edited by jbalonso777 on Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Theairplaneguy4ever
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, this was a great TR. Very nice pictures too.

Really nice insight into Sri Lanka.

How do you actually book flights like these. I mean, does the army have a website or something?

I'm really surprised that you actually get food too!

Once again, a great TR and looking forward to more from you ( & your dad!)

Theairplaneguy4ever
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finally a response!
Thank you sir!

Yes - these have a surprisingly efficient booking engine.
Helitours have their own website (www.helitours.lk), the same with Expo Air and Cinnamon Air (although they are opening bookings from February)

Well, I cannot guarantee a proper trip report before the date given below, although, I will try my best to produce one!

I cannot view your TR sir, my internet limits have been exceeded.
I will read it in due time! Smile

Regards
Jish
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jishnu, I was away in your `home base', Calcutta, and I really missed quite a bit. As you may have figured out from my replies on other threads, I am gradually trying to catch up with the goings-on, again. It was a mixed experience, my first Duronto trip, 8 hours late, missing my appointment, missing yet another Dream)liner trip this time with the small family unit, but getting a fabulous A332 ride back.
Thank you for yet another superbly crafted trip report.
The preamble is an excellent introduction to the place, the surroundings, the history, and the report, and puts things firmly into perspective. I admire how your father is as much of an aviation buff as you are, and a superb photographer - you had shared his pictures with us before, too.
What sets this trip report apart is not just the exotic locales, the exotic points of service, it is the equipment as well! I recall only one report on the MA-60 on A.net (Suryo Akhmad?) before. A Harbin Y-12 to boot! What a superb in-depth description of a flight on board these exotic Chinese craft, along with some very nice videos, with the shots with the shadow of the plane being my favourites. You caught the excitement of the traveller, the reader, as well as the pathos of the surroundings, and the sad history - all into this trip report, leaving us yearning for more. Please do add to this, and tell us the points where you have made the changes, else it may be a bit hard to figure this out, at times. given the finesse you put into your first iteration itself (which itself for many like me, is beyond my meagre capabilities). The MA-60 looks like a very smart re-incarnation of the age-old rough An-24, how did it feel to your father, as a passenger? The general handling, vibrations, take-off, landing, sound, how do the P&W Canada engines compare with the old earthy growl of the smoky Ivchenko AI-20 variants of the An-24, how was the finish of the aircraft interior, and the like? Ditto for the Harbin Y-12 - you may remember that I had written about seeing the Harbin Y-11, the predecessor to the Harbin Y-11, in the second part of my three-part report on a trip to China, where I saw this one in the Datangshan museum north of Beijing:
20. No Panda-monium: Beijing, 2011 Part 2
http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/airlinersindia-ftopic12389.html
Jishnu, you write very well. Please do not get disappointed if some of us get lazy, or a bit late in reading your gems, and replying to you. The sheer number of hits should give you an indication of their popularity with us readers, on this forum! You have really taken out the time to craft such a wonderful report - please keep them coming!
Cheers, Sumantra.
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Nimish
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow Jishnu - please thank your dad for this excellent TR! The new things I learn, and the ability to share in the experience (though we're not there ourselves) are some of the best parts of this forum, and this TR really exemplified both aspects!

Hmm - I wonder if the IAF can start an airline in India, would be much easier for me to fly out of HAL than BIAL Smile?
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shivendrashukla
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Jishnu,

Excellent TR. Btw I see a lot of SLAF personnel in this TR. Is this airline run by them?? Say thanks to you Dad for this TR.

Nimish, if you want to travel by IAF An-32, go to Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh Smile

--Shivendra
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shivendrashukla wrote:
Nimish, if you want to travel by IAF An-32, go to Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh Smile

What An(-32) amazing coincidence - the Vijayanagara empire's remains are around Hampi. From the Arunachal Vijaynagar, one can cross The Hump!
Cheers, Sumantra.
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Theairplaneguy4ever- Another TR from Dad coming up in about 2 weeks!

Sumantra sir- Wow, A332 on a domestic flight, A343 on an hour long flight..this TR has a lot of things coming up! Thank you for your kind words! I will be editing this in a few days time, and yes, I will inform you of the same! Indeed, I have read those TRs of your trip to China, interesting indeed!

Nimish sir- I really hope airlines launch flights from the unused airports, HAL in BLR, Juhu in BOM, Behala in CCU..etc. It would be interesting to see what can be done from there!

Shivendra sir- Like I mentioned before, I have one more TR to post on his behalf!

Rgds
Jish
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Spiderguy252
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sweet, this is a rare set of shots!

Thanks for the share.
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sabya99
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jishnu, I was late in reading your TR. But from the pictures I got an idea of death and destruction during Sri Lanka’s civil war. How civilian Tamil’s survived such destruction?
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shivendra sir- Sorry missed one part; yes, Helitours are owned and run by SLAF.

Varun sir- Lots more of SL to come, but I guess this is pretty much untouched by tourists!

Sabya sir- They survived and won. Its amazing how they managed to stay (and still continue to) in these conditions!

I have uploaded ALL the HD videos of this trip, please check them out when you can!

Xian MA60
Landing in Trinco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ODrvWE9EF0
Start up at Trinco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faL82dyzUYo
Take off from Trinco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyN4_VuPDJo

Harbin Y-12
Sort of cockpit view of take off from Jaffna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvNyuabhKaA
Arriving Trinco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCn8Q3ggBjk
Take off from Trinco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_UMfOpakYc
Approaching Colombo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKZs52FZddI
Landing in Colombo, note the railway locomotive wrecks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ux_6jXqNM






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sri_bom
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting. You must be lucky to fly these exotic Chinese aircrafts.

Sri_Bom
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ameya
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PostPosted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The window looks as big as the Shatabdi windows !
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sri_Bom sir: Yes, indeed. Its not easy to find these Chinese aircraft anywhere close to India, other than SL of course! (Or am I missing something?). I haven't flown on these yet, although the Xian MA-60 resembles the DH8, while the Harbin Y-12 resembles the Twin Otter.

Ameya sir: I think this is the first time you have posted on any of my TRs?! Anyways, yes, the Harbin Y-12 windows do look very similar to those on the LHB rakes in India!

Rgds
Jish
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jbalonso777 wrote:
Its not easy to find these Chinese aircraft anywhere close to India, other than SL of course! (Or am I missing something?).

This is a rather interesting comment Jishnu, since if you also consider their military cousins, you will find them all around India's borders in all the four directions: Pakistan, Nepal (which has the Y-12 as well, I think), Bangladesh, and of course, China itself.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello everyone!
Re-popping this post as promised, the TR now complete with Dad's experiences written.
The things which I have written are in standard font, while the details given by Dad are in Italics. Therefore, an advice which I would give, is to go through the whole TR again. It was biting cold in Nuwara Eliya while I was writing this, along with the iPad auto-correct, so apologies if there are any errors! Speaking of Nuwara Eliya (and Sri Lankan domestic flights!), I present to you, a few pictures of one of the 2 air taxi aircraft found in Nuwara Eliya.













They aren't of the best quality, because firstly I compressed them quite a bit, and secondly this was my first time using the Bazooka Sigma lens along with Dad's camera, so I had to be extra cautious!
Rgds
Jish
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Nimish
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PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow - what am amazing experience to read a TR from your dad - now expressed in his own words as well. As earlier - please thank your dad from bringing this unique part of the world alive to us!

And that floating air-taxi is so incredibly cute! Reminds me of a little playful puppy Very Happy...
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh Jishnu, we now know that brilliant writing and photography is in the blood. Please convey our thanks to your father for taking the time off to write his personal experiences (he also has a lovely narrative style of writing), and clicking lovely pictures. Thanks for the pointer to reading the entire report again - it put the entire trip in a new light. The last picture of the smiling Y-12 captain was wonderful, a nice personal touch. These are exotic places and planes which very few of us would ever experience, so it was all the more wonderful going through the report again. The seaplane pictures were superb. We hardly have anything like it here, and the Twotter is one beautiful plane. The hill station looks extremely inviting, with pristine nature all around! Thanks once again to both you and your father for posting this.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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