Unfortunately, we were late, and Milyn and Tin can not be accomodated. Sponsors/ other passengers have to be accomodated by Capt Roa as well :). So we just decided to try our luck in the afternoon.
The original plan was Milyn and Tin flies with the balloon, Me, Princess and Mel flies to Pinatubo. I decided to fly Milyn first to Pinatubo but it will be on a longer route since the aerodrome will be closed for the next 3 hours.
Filed my very first flight plan on my brand new license, asked permission to exit via south quadrant to Subic then Iba. At first the controllers were hesitant to give me clearance, but after some time they allowed me to depart.
The winds were still calm the time we departed, visibility was clear :) We climbed to 2500' and headed 160 degrees for Gua Gua.
It was Milyn's first light aircraft flight. I tried to fly the little bird as smooth as I can, at one time I even allowed her to fly the plane :)
Enroute to Subic, an MD11 was about to Line up on Rwy 07. The friendly controller asked us to hold east of Sta Rita. I just confirmed that we will be holding and I have the MD11 in sight. Went straight to Castillejos, hometown of Milyn. Did a couple of buzzing over her house and proceeded to Iba.
Flying in the Philippines in clear weather is very very easy. There are times that I don't even have to look at my WAC chart to confirm where we were.
We departed a little early, so I have to spend a little ground time at Iba. It will be a good place to rest for a while, the aircraft is not equiped with auto-pilot. The usual mid-day winds greeted us in Iba, landing was a bit firm since I chopped power a little early than the usual. It has been almost two weeks since I last flew, give me a break hehehe.
The estimated re-openning of clark was at 01:40 Zulu. After a quick stop at Iba, we decided to fly back to Clark. Mel, Princess and Tin were waiting for us. We departed from Iba around 01:15 Zulu and headed to Bucao River Valley for Pinatubo. Winds were calm, but the visibility was a bit poor below 3000'.
Over Pinatubo we were asked to hold.... at first it didn't bother me and Milyn was enjoying the view of Pinatubo at 6000'. Unfortunately our hold was extended for 40 Minutes, because the PAF C-130 was doing massive parajumper drop over Clark field.... Now I'm starting to regret why I didn't take the additional fuel from Omni.
Time was ticking and so was our fuel.... Fortunately controllers did give us a go signal to descend :) The inversion layer somewhere below 3000' made the descent a little uncomfortable. This made Milyn dizy, and at the right moment where I was commited to land she asked for a paper bag. Having in mind that I am commited to land and can't afford to go around, I just have to let her relieve herself without a paper bag. We landed firmly on 20Right and taxied back to the South Ramp (Balloon Fiesta) to rejoin our friends.
It was fun-filled weekend. I even managed to hit 2 balloons on the balloon bursting event placing me third overall against the Philippine Navy and an aerobatic plane.
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