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The Grumpy Gang The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch |
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Home > On Tour > Tour 2002 > Mutxamel Spain |
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From Portimao (Portigal) to Mutxamel (Spain) |
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Since once again we were instructed to arrive back in Spain via an 'Airport of Entry' we made diverse plans - some would go right round Gibraltar, others would route straight across and others would take a more meandering scenic route, stopping off at a convenient airport to make it all legal. Our ultimate destination, a small airfield on the Mediterranean coast of Spain called Mutxamel or Muchamiel depending on which book one reads!. |
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The flight for most of us was beautiful and probably unforgettable. For those that went the inland route there were 7/8000ft mountains and gorges, miles and miles of terraced hillsides for vine and fruit. |
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For the sea routers there was even more magnificent coastlines of Gibraltar and North Africa (Morocco - It was the closest we got). |
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It was also memorable for the mix up with Air Traffic Control (again). This time it was Faro. Now Faro is a moderately busy tourist airfield, loads of heavy mechanical budgies carrying package holiday tourists to the sun-drenched, sangria swilling fleshpots of Faro etc. The Controller was soon confused as to what to do with 6 small Grummans who had had the temerity to invade his airspace - After initially routeing at least two of us into the path of an approaching 757 and mixing up who was where and in what airplane, he lost his cool. Who can forget his immortal words - "Britannia 123 - I have been invaded by many small airplanes - do a 360." And the incredulous (but semi-calm) voice of the pilot, "WHAT!! - I'm on a 7 mile final approach and you want me to do a 360!!!?". I would have liked to meet that pilot in flight briefing and to have had the chance of a chat!. |
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Once past the Faro area of chaos it was a reasonably easy trip to Muchamiel. We dull ones (in 'RB' and 'PV') went via Seville to do the 'Airport of Entry' business whilst others caught sight of North Africa in the form of Morocco and that bastion of Britishness (but not Spanish - yet!) Gibraltar, on their way to meet the legal entry requirements at Almeria. AGAIN we were flabbergasted to be asked "Why didn't you go direct to Muchamiel? - You don't have to call in here!". Much gnashing of teeth ensued. |
