LEG 11: PHUKET, THAILAND to MUMBAI (BOMBAY), INDIA |
Date | Distance (SM) | ATE | Identifier | City |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mon June 17 | 1866 | VTSP - VABB | Mumbai (Bombay), India |
Dick filed this report:
Departed Phuket after only about a 15-hour visit. And this is the place where we wanted to spend at least three days. Maybe next time around. Our departure took us across the Bay of Bengal to Madras and across the Subcontinent to Mumbai (Bombay). We were cleared at a minimum altitude of 10,000'. We were heavy and high and Monsoon weather for most of the water crossing. In and out of hidden rain showers with moderate turbulence. ????? at heavy weight the stall warning was blaring as we were keeping wings level and riding the 400 to 500 foot excursions. With fuel burn off the problem was less severe. It was a solid four hours of hard IFR. We arrived in Mumbai after dark and had to make an ILS approach to a wet runway and high humidity. The monsoon season had started that very day. Our ground handler Atul Jaidka took us to Bombay's best hotel, the JW Marriott. He called it a seven star hotel. I believe him. Out next day was interrupted with a message "No Avgas in Mumbai". Here we go again. Atul was able to scrounge up 150 liters, enough to take us 250 miles North to Ahmadabad to make a fuel stop and then proceed to Bahrain from there. We ???? our departure time to 7 AM local with hopes of making Bahrain before dark. It's nice to arrive at a strange destination in daylight. We will meet Atul that evening for final preparations for tomorrow's new adventures.
See pictures below.
Click on pictures for high-resolution version.
Pascal Landi, Manny Higazi | Monday, June 24, 2002 |