SUBSEQUENT TRIP REQUEST: 39th and 40th flights.

Forty-five year old Leonie from Merimbula NSW has a young family and has just received her second cochlear implant. Regular trips to Sydney are required to fine tune her new hearing device.

Read about a previous mission for Leonie (M2389)

Angel flight 1 by Peter Gibson
This is Peter's 35th Angel flight

Peter Gibson - Pilot

Ross Wilken - Earth Angel
(Ross' 8th Angel flight)

Justin MacIntosh - Pilot

Penellope Nelson - Earth Angel
(Penellope's 12th Angel flight)

Angel flight 2 by Justin MacIntosh
This is Justin's 26th Angel flight

Comment by Justin

"We departed Wagga and climbed to 9,000ft to fly over the mountains tracking Cooma to Merimbula. Thunderstorms were forecast for Cooma, but the area was clear whereas a huge CB cell lay between Cooma and direct to Merimbula.

I decided to divert to the north of the cell due to a Pirep that Merimbula Camberra track was clear, however the cell moved to the north east and as we commenced our RNAV approach into Merimbula from the north the cell was over the field and moving towards us and the east. I decided to reverse track back to Cooma and we landed.

You do not mess with thunderstorms. After half an hour we called Merimbula to find that the storm had moved further north east and was now just off the coast to the north of the field. We took off again and landed 25 minutes later in fading light and greatly diminished visilbility due to mist/moisture, but the runway lights guided our final approach to a soft and safe landing."

A LONG BUT SUCCESSFUL DAY
By Leonie Williams

The day begins at 7.40am with Rhys and I driving to the airport. The sky is clear, it's warm and the wind sock is limp. Perfect conditions for flying.

Peter Gibson our pilot and friend was there waiting for us.

On a previous occasion, Carly and I had a forced stopover in Sydney due to storms and Peter and his family very kindly put us up for the night and drove us to airport the following day for which we will be forever thankful.

It was good to see Peter again and to introduce Rhys.

We boarded the plane and lifted into the air on time, 8.00am.

Rhys sat up front with Peter.

I had my book but didn't even open it as the view was too good to ignore.

The horizon to the east was invisible as it blended in with the sea but even though there was a haze there was still plenty to see.

We flew over a big drop waterfall somewhere inland from Kiama, up in the escarpment. It was magnificent and very pleasing to think that there's enough water to create a waterfall.

Rhys was fortunate enough to take the controls for a time and enjoyed that very much.

Sydney came into view in what seemed like a short time; it was cloaked in an orange blue haze and the ocean looked the colour of a desert because of this.

We landed on time, weather fine and warm.

We thanked Peter and after he walked us to front of the Terminal we said our farewells.

We didn't have long to wait until our Earth Angel, Ross Wilken arrived. We introduced ourselves and enjoyed the trip to the Cochlear Center, once again with the assistance of the talking GPS.

Rhys and Ross talked.

We arrived at the Cochlear Centre with an hour to spare which was good, time for a cuppa. Rachel didn't keep us waiting that long as it happened, we were with her sooner.

So Rachel plugged me into the computer and we proceeded with the mapping update. Same procedure as last week, listen for the beeps and say yes once I hear them.

I then get to listen to all 22 electrodes one after the other to make sure they all sound as close to normal as possible.

We then go through some sounds, then words, then days, dates and months of the year. I get most of them right except the colours brown, grey and green. Still good result though.

We have a chat about a few minor problems then I'm done and it's time to leave.

It's midday so I decide we have enough time to catch the bus into the city as the bus stop is close by.

We catch the bus after a brief wait.

I really enjoy this bus trip as we cross two bridges, the Gladesville Bridge and the Iron Cove Bridge, both of which allow for some wonderful views.

Rhys and I both amazed at the size and shape of what we think must be a car transport ship. How it doesn't just tip over is beyond me as it looks top heavy and it's huge.

We get off at George Street and hail a taxi to take us to Newtown as time is against us so I don't dare waste time trying to find the right bus.

We arrive at the Medical Centre and Dr Besser's consultancy rooms at one o'clock. Lynn, his receptionist informs us we have four in front of us and the waiting room is full so if we'd like to go for a coffee, that would be good. That suits Rhys and I as we haven't had time for lunch.

We order a milkshake, which we share and get out our packed lunch. It's good to sit, relax and chat.

Up stairs once again and we have a short wait. The waiting room still is full so we sit on the floor in the hallway.

We eventually find spaces in the waiting room and then Professor Besser is ready to see me.

The best part about talking to Dr Besser is the fact that I can.

I've anticipated what the outcome of this visit would be, another angiogram only sooner than next year as he's concerned about the numbness incident and the continued sensations even when taking the blood thinning medication and it's been a year since having my aneurysm repaired.

Dr Besser would like the angiogram done in two weeks time but Lynn his receptionist isn't very hopeful of that being possible as there is obviously a waiting list for these delicate procedures.

I have to be back in Sydney to attend my next mapping on the 28th of November so I informed Dr Besser of this so that he may try and work around that date but who knows when it will actually happen?????

I think maybe I should take up residence in Sydney, it would be easier!

So I pay my bill and Rhys and I depart with 15 minutes to spare before meeting our Earth Angel, Penelope Nelson at the RPA entrance, which is a short stroll from the Medical Centre.

Penelope arrives a little late as the traffic is bad, she informs us. Penelope chat with enthusiasm on the way to the Bankstown airport some of which I am able to pick-up.

We arrive at Bankstown with five minutes to spare. Well done Penelope!

I see our fellow passengers waiting inside the terminal fence and we soon get their attention and the gate is opened for us by the pilots wife. Justin, our pilot is yet to make an appearance so in the meantime we met the young Mum from Wagga Wagga and her 3 month of daughter.

The three other passengers are tied to the fence and are barking and panting in the heat. Three very sleek Alsatian dogs all of varying age and size.

I haven't been able to catch any names or much of the conversation as there are planes taking off and helicopters whizzing overhead so I just wait for instruction to board.

Justin arrives and boarding commences, firstly Mum and baby followed by Rhys and I and then the dogs, Justin and the pilots wife who settles the dogs, two in the webbing at the rear and one behind the passenger seats and all securely fastened with harnesses.

I do feel for the baby and the dogs as it's quite warm in the plane prior to take off.

The sky to the south west is looking ominous with dark clouds and rain.

An hour into the flight we experienced quite a large, sudden drop followed immediately after with one of the same.

I was facing the back and had a clear view of the dogs and if it wasn't for the fact that everyone got quite a fright and the young Mum banged her head, I could have easily laughed to see those poor dogs flying in the air. They also got a fright and started to bark but they soon settled down.

A while later the young Mum was airsick but had managed, just in time to find something to be sick into. The pilots wife came back and helped her by finding something to wipe her mouth with and another bag.

As you can imagine being in a small confined space isn't the best place to be sick as the smell lingers so I was pleased with Rhys that he wasn't effected by the smell.

I have an iron constitution thankfully and was unaffected except for feeling sympathy for the young girl.

She felt better after that and made the rest of the flight without another incident.

Flying over all the pastures, crops and farms surrounding Wagga Wagga was a real pleasure. The meticulous, symmetry of the paddocks crops is a wonder to behold.

We landed at Wagga Wagga at around 5.00pm and paused only briefly to allow the young Mum and her daughter to disembark then off we flew, destination Merimbula.

We would have landed at Merimbula on time but the weather was against us and even though Merimbula was nearly in sight we were forced to turn back and land at Cooma airport.

A decision then had to be made, do we stay overnight and take up the very kind offer of Justin and wife to stayover at their home with them or to wait and try again in an hour or so.

To discuss our options was very difficult for me as I had trouble making out everything Justin said and I was very tired which makes concentration difficult especially when trying to listen.

The pilots wife and I walked to the toilets to give us all time to think about what to do next. The dogs, who had also disembarked where having a lovely time running and chasing each other but never going far away.

I tried to hear the pilot's wife's name as we walked to the toilets but as usual names are very difficult for me as there's no way I can anticipate what it might be so I still don't know what her name is.

Rhys had tried to ring David and finally got him and after telling him what had happened Rhys handed the phone to the pilot so that David could tell him what the weather was like in Merimbula now that time had passed.

David said it was now clear.

Justin said he was happy to try again right now so leaving the dogs and the pilot's wife at the airport in their car, Justin, Rhys and I boarded once again and took off, destination once again, Merimbula.

We flew in from the south this time and in twenty mintues we flew over Merimbula and came in for a safe landing just on dark.

We were all happy.

Justin had to refuel so we said our profound thanks for all his trouble and headed for the terminal hoping to find someone to let us out. We did and jumped in our car and drove home.

Another slightly longer but still successful Angel Flight.