New Caledonia is a slice of France in the South Pacific and this became very apparent with our first radio contact; the controllers' instructions were in French…! Our five aircraft arrival at La Tontauta International Airport was a little bit undignified but full marks to the person on duty in the Control Tower. He remained as cool as an ice-block as we descended on his airport speaking in english to us then switching back to french for the local traffic. Due to a departing IFR flight we were all required to hold a few miles clear of the aerodrome circling at various altitudes. With the IFR traffic out of the way each Comanche was given a clearances to join the circuit and land. All together a great bit of controlling and bi-lingual dexterity.
With quarantine and immigration formalities complete we were back in the air again for the short flight to Magenta airport where our Comanche's were to be parked for the next three days. Magenta Airport is also home to the Aero Club of New Caledonia and the reception waiting for us was hugely humbling. A large contingent of members and their families were on hand to greet us and the cold beers were plentiful. Apparently a touring group of five airplanes and aviators is an uncommon event….!
Day one down, day two agenda was to check out the town. That done it was back to the Aero Club in the evening for a BBQ reception and the comerede of aviators where language ceases to be a barrier to friendship.
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