My alarm went off at 4.45am, I had a big day ahead of me, 2 flights, a large water crossing, refuelling stop and to be on the ground in Cairo (Egypt) by sunset !
My flight wear has turned slightly more formal to help tame some of the adventures ahead of me.
Flying over Dia island just to the north of Crete, descending from FL085 to join right base runway 27 Iraklion (LGIR)
A great place to visit, everyone very friendly and great food !
Spiros Mavronas from Pandair has been a great help over the last couple of days helping me while I have been on the island and with my onward trip to Iraklion (Crete). I spent half a day at the Pandair office looking at various weather forecasts and routes to Iraklion. Although a lot of the weather has cleared there is still a band of thunderstorms lingering just north of Crete. My concern is running into these just before Iraklion and not having enough fuel to turn back. I decide to wait and hope tomorrow has a better forecast. Many thanks Spiros for all your help !!
The Egyptian authorities have requested that all aircraft entering Egypt require a disinfection certificate due to a malaria infection in Greece.
Handy I had my immersion suit on in case I drifted off centreline !
Coasting out from the east coast of Italy I was conscious of fuel so climbed to 6000 feet and leaned the mixture back to give maximum range. All was well then I noticed due to the reduced air pressure my immersion suit had inflated and it was becoming harder to move, I had become Mr Blobby ! At one point I was concerned if the canopy was to fly open I may float out ! It took several minutes for my brain to engage, realising if I pulled at the neck seal I could release the pressure, a near miss averted ! Next stop Kerkira (LGKR) Corfu
Storms cleared by mid day allowing me to depart to the south then turning east tracking over the southern tip of Italy heading towards the coast
Local Italian restaurant in Salerno with free help yourself red and white wine on tap !
