BAZflyer: Diversity on the Wing

Moderate turbulence on the approach into Vladivostok Airport and a stiff crosswind for the landing was perhaps an auspicious curtain-call that bought to a close the Bazflyer’s west to east flight across Russia. Eight stops over twenty-one days, 5500 nautical miles (approximately 10,000 kms). It could be described as unparalleled ‘diversity on the wing’ along with the awesome pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people. Yes, an aviator’s dream come true...!

The essence of on the wing diversity could not have been more in-focus than when the Bazflyers stopped off in the Southern Siberian city of Blagoveschensk. Located on the ancient Amur River, the eighth largest river in the world, Blagoveschensk stares across to the Chinese city of Heihe on the other side. A short ferry journey connects the two cities thereby facilitating an interchange of local inhabitants. Rinat, an English speaking local taxi driver seemingly appeared out of nowhere to dutifully ensure the Bazflyers had an educational Blagoveschensk experience. He explained how Russian locals go across to the other side of the river for shopping while the Chinese cross-over to Blagoveschensk to purchase, in descending order...gold, furs and ice-cream.

Flying from Blagoveschensk to Vladivostok once again exposed the vastness and diversity of the Siberian landscape. Gone were the forests of Autumn gold. Below and extending outwards to indistinct horizons on every side were intertwined river systems. Then as Comanche ZK-BAZ turned southwards over the city of Khabarov towards Vladivostok, the landscape abruptly assumed mountainous proportions, a natural barrier between Russia and the Far East.

Vladivostok perhaps personifies the diversity of Russia. A significant seaport. It’s harbour connects Russia to the Pacific Ocean and is on the doorsteps of Japan, China and North Korea. Similar to everything else about Russia, Vladivostok also challenged a Bazflyer’s mind image of what it should look like. It has the feeling of a city saturated with sea salt and wind, but is it Asian or European?

In typical fashion, an interesting story was waiting in Vladivostok for the Bazflyers. This was the memorial to Russian submarine S-56, the first submarine to complete a round the world cruise. Commissioned in 1941 she sailed out of Vladivostok harbour on what subsequently became a highly decorated wartime voyage crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans assisting allied forces. In 1954 the submarine returned to Vladivostok via the Arctic Sea.

Round the world in a submarine could not be more diverse than the Bazflyers own journey round the world in their trusty Comanche ZK-BAZ....however, perhaps a befitting finale to what has been an amazing on the wing diversity experience across the unique vastness of modern Russia.

Across the River Amur is the Chinese city of Heihe

History tour of Blagoveshchensk with taxi driver Rinat and his friend Natasha