Watching Clouds Go By

It’s one of those indelible childhood memories. A hot summers day, lying on the grass, looking up to an infinite blue sky and watching the clouds go by. Nearly a lifetime later the skies never ending canvas of mesmerising images still holds a fascination for the Bazflyers. Such is the uniquely original artistry of clouds.

When it comes to clouds, nothing compares to the majestic presence of towering convective clouds, the variety that inhabit the tropical latitudes. The energy of these systems drive global atmospheric circulation which in turn transports moisture around the Earth affecting both weather and climate. Such clouds were out in force as the Bazflyers crossed the Equator in Comanche ZK-BAZ this time heading south, flight by flight closer to home. The distraction of navigating a flight path among the presence of these cloud mammoths even caused the Bazflyers to overlook the actual moment of crossing the Equator. Notwithstanding, the 1,150 NM (2,300 km) flight that commenced from Clark Airport in the Philippines ended 7.5 hours later at Balikpapan (WALL) on the eastern side of Borneo, and that is definitely south of the Equator.

The handling team at Clark Airport (RPLC) who made the bureaucracy go away and otherwise contributed to a pleasant stop-over.

Up so very high, looking out the window, watching the clouds go by.

Snacking courtesy of Bazflyer2 inflight catering...now if only there was a coffee brew to accompany this.

Oh, we are flying in an airplane, looking at clouds so high.

Cultivation patterns on descent into Balikpapan from an on route altitude of 11,000 feet 

Drum refuelling at Balikpapan, probably the last use of BAZ’s hand pump on RTW 2019.

Flight route returning back down-under the Equator