David and Boblo had been busy with the paper work for a few weeks and eventually a date had been set for the trip, Friday 19th June 1998. Kenny, an old friend of David's was already on the flight crew and complete with video camera was going to document the trip on film. I was a late comer to the crew, as a friend of Bobs I expressed my eagerness to go along if there was a chance of a seat. Weight was a premium, especially given the back was packed with C337 spares, life rafts and all sorts of odd bits and pieces David kept for his plane. After completing detailed checks I was invited to join the crew but told to keep the baggage to a minimum,

The principles were simple, keep the flight over the open sea to a minimum, land were there was fuel and from David's point of view, minimize the expense. Flying via China and Vietnam was ruled out, private flights into China were rare but had been accomplished, however Vietnam had to many unknowns and obtaining AVgas was very uncertain. It was decided the route would take the plane to Clark in the Philippines, previously an American air base, abandoned when Mount Pinatuba erupted, it was now a fledgling international free port complete with a large runway, custom facilities and well priced fuel. It was also located near Angelese city where we were sure to find a bed for the night and the town had a reputation for bars and good entertainment, but that's another story.

The great day had arrived, I awoke at 6.00 am, the weather was not in good mood, I pulled the TAF's and METAR from the web page, it still didn't look to good. I checked my back pack, it was light, a  GPS195, a camera, note book, a change of underwear or two, a couple of tee shirts and a wash bag. I wasn't to bothered about dress code at this stage, it was summer, warm and we had no plans to drop in at a 'black tie' do. With wallet and passport in the back pocket I was ready to go. A cab ride later and I arrived at the Club, which opened at 7.00 am every day for breakfast. I ordered a full monty and waited for the rest of the guys who began to appear shortly after my arrival. David and Bob checked the paper work again while I organized their tea and toast. Breakfast was swiftly dispatched and we moved out to the plane to ready her for flight. The first problem encounted was a low pressure tire, a battery and portable electric air pump soon had it fixed. A thorough walk around was completed without any further complications and the bags were stowed.
 

David and Boblo were waiting at the apron on stand 24, it was time to board but they still hadn't got the final clearance, there was apparently some surprise at the filing of an international  VFR flight and the weather was still looking gloomy. Kenny and I got in, we waited and waited and waited. To pass the time we rehearsed the evacuation of the plane in the event we went down in the sea, sitting in the rear, it was my job to throw out the dingy and swiftly follow it.
 

It was 11.40 am, clearance had just been received, 2000 ft to Green Island, squawk contact ..etc. etc. A request was made to start which was swiftly  approved. Mag’s on, key to start, a brief turn of the prop and then nothing. Disaster, we had a flat battery, we had been sitting around for so long chatting on the radio that  we had managed to flatten it. 'Ground' was advised and a request went out for an external power truck. I was beginning to think some one up there didn't want us to go. The ground crew were great, HIAS appeared within a few minuets and the HAECO power truck turned up 5 - 10 mins later. After checking voltages, cables and connections etc., we were plugged in. It took a few minuets to make sure the batteries were taking the charge and at the rear engine roared into life. As she settled down T's & P's were checked, minuets later the ground crew waved their farewells and moved away as the forward engine was started.
 

Bob ran through the check list, and with permission to taxi granted we moved out to follow a Dragon Air Airbus to runway tree one. By 12.15 we were lined up, throttles forward and we roared down the runway, we were airborne and turning back on ourselves as we headed back towards the harbor. With a right turn we were now flying down Victoria Harbor at 1000 feet passing my office in Central on the left and I couldn't help but smile. At Green Island we turned left for Hong Kong south, passing Aberdeen and Stanley to our left, we slowly turned headed out to sea in a shallow climb. 30 minuets or so later we were now at 4,000 feet and tracking 134. The sky is clear save for a few scattered fluffy clouds, the sunshine beamed down and below we saw the occasional  oil rig and ship. We were going to have a great trip I thought.