GSAAA Update #3 Panama City, Panama 1/7/96
1/1/96 Kevin and Paul didn't indulge in much New Year's Eve revelry. They
were tired enough that the meager fireworks in Salina Cruz didn't disturb
their rest. Neither were awake to welcome 1996.
Based on the takeoff the next morning, it's probably a good thing they got as
much rest as possible. To set the stage, the temperature at 8AM is about 85
degrees and very humid, the runway is short and has wires and some type of
tower at the end of it, in the near distance are a range of mountains between
the pilots and today's goal. After getting enough lift in the thin, hot air
to leave the airfield, the climb to get over the wires and tower put Kevin and
Paul near a stall. Prior to tackling the climb to get over the mountains, the
pilots circled an oil refinery and attempted to catch a thermal, they didn't
have much faith in their ability to make it over in a straight climb. The
flying conditions are certainly a lot different from those in Tekamah. Paul
and Kevin did get enough air under them to negotiate the mountains and
continue to Guatemala.
In Guatemala, Kevin and Paul landed at San Jose, a kind of battered and
run-down military airport. While there were plenty of military types around
there wasn't any red tape and the landing was pleasant. Paul and Kevin had
been warned by other travelers to promptly check in with the local equivalent
of the FAA (Lady Carmen) and to make sure that they were careful to follow
every rule exactly to stay on her good side. Since Kevin and Paul had failed
to close their previous flight plan to Guatemala City, they were immediately
on the outs and were required to write, en Espanol, a letter of apology to the
area commandant. Knowing what a complete grasp Kevin and Paul have of Spanish
-NOT- I'm sure the locals gave them a lot of help. Maybe the commandant won't
remember by the time Paul and Kevin return.
Both Paul and Kevin mentioned that the people in Guatemala seemed a little
more reserved and less friendly than others they had met during the trip. The
entire area seemed to have little economic activity and little happiness.
1/2/96 Flew to San Salvador, El Salvador. The pilots described the flight
and the city as absolutely beautiful; especially at night with a temperature
of about 70 and very few bugs. Kevin and Paul were assessed a landing fee of
200 dollars for not getting landing approval prior to entering El Salvador
airspace, usually they can talk their way out of penalties like this, but not
every time. They found prices relatively steep. Lunch for two was $30 and
the hotel room was $88. The exchange rate is currently 8.8 colon to 1 dollar.
The people in San Salvador apologized for the bullet holes, left from fighting
in 1992, in the public buildings and wished money was available to fix them.
Everyone mentioned that crime is still rampant and that almost everyone has
military training and access to a weapon.
1/3/96 Flew to Managua, Nicaragua. Paul is feeling a little under the
weather and blames it on the shrimp soup he ate in Tapachula. The lesson here
may be don't order the shrimp soup again. The plane is still operating
perfectly and shows that the extra effort in outfitting and preparation really
paid off.
1/4/96 Flew to Limon, Costa Rica. The airfield had no fuel available; Paul
and Kevin had to make two trips into town to buy and transport gas to fill
tanks.
1/5/96 Flew to Colon, Panama. They said getting there is half the fun.
While flying along the coast from Limon, the pilots hit a hard ceiling at 500
ft., forward visibility was "0"; to keep on course Paul stuck his head out the
window and followed the Golfo de los Mosquitos ( read Gulf of the Mosquitos,
not a very pleasant sounding place) coastline while Kevin kept the plane
level. This sounds like a nerve-wracking trip to me. It did clear enough to
permit a normal landing at Colon.
1/6/96 Paul and Kevin flew the length of the Panama Canal to end up at Panama
City. However, they found that the city almost closes down for the weekend;
nothing was open. Some advantages were readily apparent though, American
currency is used almost exclusively and a lot of the people speak English.
Paul and Kevin are still without maps and are hoping to get some in Panama.
The pilots are changing the flight plan and are planning to land at Jaque,
Panama, refuel in Columbia and land again in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. (Get the
maps out again.)
Once again it looks like Paul and Kevin have weathered some adventures in the
air and on the ground. The plane continues to operate perfectly and Panama
City seems like a good place to take an extra days rest. They plan to leave
Panama City Monday AM.
(Message for MultiService; contact Roberto Martinez of MILTAR Aviation at 503-22-72-264 or 503-22-71-997 to set up service at LLOPANGO Airport.)