You get to know people well, and get well known yourself too, with a long-term relationship like that. They have flown us to some rather "off the beaten track" places over the years.
I was talking to the owner recently and he informed me they still have not been able to beat the travel story I told them when I got back from the Solomon Islands years ago.
We were on a flight from the capital from Honiara to Kirakira in the Makira province. The flight is usually around one hour. I was accompanied that day by my good friend and national pastor Fredson Fenua.
The plane was what was known as a Twin Otter; a twin-prop aircraft that loads passengers in from the back door. For me personally, I have never thought 'Twin Otter' to be a particularly clever choice of name for a plane!
Some 15 to 20 minutes into the flight the young lady co-pilot turned us ninety degrees to the left, which caught my attention.
Moments later after another ninety-degree turn, I figured we were heading back to Honiara. Watching her hand on the 'hammer' I realised she had accelereated some, so I knew we are now in a serious hurry.
My friend, who was seating in 1A just behind the captain, had nodded off to sleep. I woke him to tell him we had turned around and were headed back. One of the locals on board came and tapped me on the shoulder, asking me "What's happening?" I replied, "We are going back to Honiara". To which I was asked, "Why? What's wrong?"
Of course, I could only guess, so probably best if I don't do that ight at this moment! With no PA system to inform us what's going down here, all was left to our imagination.
My friend Fredson was doing his best to try and hear what they were saying to each other up front in the cockpit.
Finally, he turned to me and said, "I think it's the engine - we might be going into the sea." I still clearly remember my immediate reply to him was, "Well... this will be interesting!"
I had not heard either of the engines sputtering and both props were still turning; all still seemed to be 'normal' to me.
With the runway in sight, I quickly realised we were going to land at the end closest to our approach, which also happened to be with the wind. We had taken off from the other end.
The captain was happily letting the co-pilot do all the flying, so the landing was a little rough! We sped up the runway and round to the domestic terminal. Before we had actually stopped, the captain ripped off his head gear, unbuckled his seat belt and reached for his gullwing door. As the aircraft came to a halt, he leapt out and sprinted for the cover of the terminal. Yep, he was gone!
We passengers did get to wondering, should we do the same, break out the back door and run for it too? Well, the co-pilot calmly stayed in her seat, flicked all the switches and shut the plane down. Then, standing in the cockpit doorway, with a big smile said: "Ladies and gentlemen we apologise for emergency landing. Captain, him got diarrhea!"
Did fear come sweeping over me at any stage you may wonder? I can honestly report no, not at all. I just knew deep inside me all would be OK.
Keep well and God bless.
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