Tim's 747 Story
“As a new Second Officer in 1986, I spent only a couple of years on the 747 Classic and would not rejoin the 747 ranks until 2006, when I was lucky enough to enjoy the pleasure of flying the 744.
There were many highlights in the 6 years I spent on the fleet beginning with a demonstration of the placid nature of the jet following an engine shutdown on just my 4th line sector on OJP through to a windy, wild ride into Narita on my second last.
One flight stands out amongst them all though. On my 50th birthday on 6th February, 2011, I was lucky enough to be the Captain on an Antarctic charter on OJL.
It was a ‘daylight’ trip, leaving Melbourne in the morning for a clear passage down over Tasmania. This particular flight we transitted directly over the magnetic North Pole; enthusiasts with their compasses very excited as the needle swung from south to north in a matter of seconds.
On reaching the Antarctic coast we turned right and headed west towards Casey station. Initially the weather was quite poor but quickly improved as we weaved our way along the coast. In transit we spoke via sat-phone, with our passengers listening in, to Casey base and towards the end our time over the ice made a series of figure-8’s over the base at 10,000ft while the staff below gathered in a group and waved back. There was something immensely satisfying in being the Captain of a Qantas 744, over an Australian Antarctic base, so far from home, yet bringing so much enjoyment to those onboard and down on the ice.
I will forever be glad I got to fly the ‘Queen of the Skies’.
