What could be more satisfying than a disparate group of friends who together share a spirited outlook to fly through the air and enjoy life as much as possible. This is the story of “Comanche-5”, a name first appended to a formation of five Piper Comanche airplanes and the associated fellowship of ten aviators who came together in 2011 for a 10-week flying safari through the Coral Sea group of South Pacific Islands. http://bazflyer.blogspot.com/2011/08/run-to-new-caledonia.html
Comanche-5’s formative journey began on Norfolk Island then meandered exploring the Southwestern Pacific countries of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Radio communications along the way required HF equipment that was not ubiquitous to all of the five Comanche airplanes. A work-around solution was for one of the aircraft to assume responsibility for all HF radio communications and thus the international call-sign “Comanche-5” was born.
Since then members of the group have reconvened on a number of occasions for extended flying adventures even if this had to be “Comanche-3” or “Comanche-4”. What was the catalyst that initially brought the ageing aviators together and cemented such a strong fellowship? They all own and fly Piper Comanche airplanes.
Bazflyer in Outback Australia with Piper Comanche ZK-BAZ
Comanche-4 (2018)
Following a unanimous decision ZK-BAZ remained at Jandakot Airport in favour of a road trip from Perth for a few days at Margret River.
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