Down - but not out!

Submitted By Jonathan Porter

Thursday 24th June - up early, checking the satellite images and forecasts as Audry was coming up from the city to meet with the ladies of Battorkope by Amphibian and to set up a series of health education events.

ll looked good, but there was a growing breeze. Whilst waiting for Audry the crew set about some additional engineering works we had decided on for the aircraft (3kgs of lead on the tail and some other tweeks). Once fitted and checked I took AD to the skies with Morgan Thomas, a French Survey pilot. As soon as we got airborne it was clear that the 'breeze' was more than that at altitude. Undaunted we set out to the practice area for splash downs.... and did we splash.... the chop on the water was more than expected and we got a lot of buffet as we touched down in the Volta River near Senchi. It was not a dry experience.... As we added power to get airborne the bow waves grew and the chop broke rhythmically against the rapidly accelerating floats. It was even more wet in the cockpit... We waited for flying speed and was glad to be separated from the wet stuff.

Landing back at Kpong Field, the test flight was a success - the machine was much less heavy in flight and more controllable in the, albeit shallow, flare - but now I had to brief Audry that we would not be landing in Battorkope - safety measures such that if the chop were to increase, the flight would be outside what I would accept for a first time passenger to go into a remote area.

Disappointedly, she accepted that we should carry out a land plane flight over the area - and at least encourage the community on its work on the landing area for the land planes. We crossed the ridge and Audry could not stop smiling (pictures to follow)... as we flew around the village the people were excited, but we were disappointed on two counts; 1) we could not land with the float plane due to choppy water - which was far worse now and 2) the community had done no more work on the land landing area.

We flew back and landed, using the remaining time to carry out valuable planning for forthcoming events.

Rosina and Patricia both spoke to the senior people at Battorkope, explaining that just because we COULD land on water - we would still prefer a land plane for operations. We wondered whether we had made a false start.

Then, on Saturday during the GFT for Marcel (who passed, congratulations) we routed over Battorkope, with him unaware that I would simulate an engine failure to see where he would choose... As we descended I started to see people on the runway area - over 100 of the village folk were clearing and cleaning that strip. Marcel carried out a good 'alternate' selection and we flew on with the Test. My heart felt as though it was smiling as we climbed back over the hostile terrain. The people of Battorkope did not let us or themselves down. The 'non-event' due to weather sparked the enthusiasm to clear more areas and prepare for regular land plane visits. It may sound tiny - but this no small thing - this is real progress of a whole community.

On Sunday Paul J and I flew over - to see people washing their clothes on the sides of the runway bisected peninsular. As they saw the plane they waved the clothes in their hands - as if they were Marshalling us down to help them with their lakeside activity!

Let us hope for better weather for float plane operations, and speedy approvals for the use of the landing area at Battorkope! Another mission is planed for later this week - taking in some children's library books - probably to start the library!

Well done Audry (who even came with a change of clothes in case she got wet wading ashore - NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT!!!)

Mission Accomplished

Submitted By Jonathan Porter

We are pleased to report that MoM's first Humanitarian Aviation Mission has been accomplished. Not only that, but history has been made.

At 11:00 on Thursday 17th June 2010, 9G-ZAD beached at Battorkope, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, carrying gifts for the school children and to arrange further flights of medical education volunteers.

Capt.Yaw, Chief Pilot and Rosina Matey, Safety and Community Relations Officer, left Kpong Airfield at 10:30 after being dispatched by Mary Adjei Bram, Patricia Mawuli and Ann Amponsah.

The aircraft climbed slowly to 2,500', weighted down by floats, we flew over mountains and valleys and the aerial views were beautiful. In under 20mins we were ready to descend over the village where there awaited a large crowd.

Once a suitable landing area had been identified from the air, a first pass was made, looking for debris and trees in the lake. On the second pass a motorized canoe cut across the landing area and a go around was initiated. This is all part of the safety procedures for this type of mission.

On landing, or rather splashing-down, the water taxi was challenging due to undercurrents, floating debris and tree stumps sticking out of the lake. Nonetheless, careful use of power, drift and water rudder allowed for a safe beaching in front of the waiting crowd which grew suddenly to around 800 rural community folk.

The crowd was jubilant as they waited to welcome us - the young, the old, men and women, boys and girls, all impatiently standing at the river bank for the first landing of an amphibian aircraft at heir village. History in the making!

After shutting down the engine and removing shoes and socks, Rosina and Capt, Yaw threw ropes to the crowd to be tied to 'stick' quay posts on the bank where the impromptu gathering had occurred.

With the community Health volunteer and Rosina acting as animators and interpretors for Capt. Yaw, the gathered mass of enthusiastic faces were eager to learn the names of the four forces of flight, aircraft part names and how the airplane flies.

Later the elders had a small meeting with the MoM crew and expressed a great desire for further flights, as well as promising to work to increase safety on the site.

Capt. Yaw looked at progress on the land area for future use and informed them about the necessary finishing touches to the cleared area by removing stones, termite mounds and tree stumps as well as encouraging that cattle should not be grazed on the new area.

When presented with the gifts, including pencils, erasers and coloring books courtesy of Liebherr, the whole community expressed their heartfelt thanks and expressed that they were happy that Battorkope was becoming famous!

The people of Battorkope are predominantly farmers and fishermen and they speak Ewe and Krobo. Grateful for this first visit, they assured MoM and its supporters that they will do all that they can to enable flights to reach them safely.

The whole crowd waved as one as we got wet pushing back on the water! Then, after one aborted take-off, a better run area was identified and the return flight completed in 25 minutes - compared to well over three hours by road - or much more after a heavy rain!

This report is jointly prepared by Rosina Matey with Capt. Yaw - who are both thrilled to have made history for MoM, for Battorkope and for Ghana - for this is the first time a Ghana registered amphibian aircraft has been approved for operations in over four decades - and the plane was built and engineered in Ghana, by Ghanaians, assisted by Capt. Yaw. Thanks go to WAASPS for their support as well as to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Maritime Authority for their approvals.

Dear Friends of MOM...

Submitted By Jonathan Porter

On Tuesday (8th June), a group of MoMmers met with the representatives of Battorkope, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Maritime Authority. It was a fruitful meeting with much active discussion and a passionate heartfelt presentation from the girls (text below). For the authoriiteis it was the first time they had to meet face to face the people 'with need' and the people 'wanting to help' who were being seperated by the lack of approvals. It all comes down to understanding, encouragement and working together....

The regulatory authorities were fantastic and very encouraging....As a result, on Thursday the 10th June, WAASPS were presented a letter allowing Amphibian operations, at last! Only 8 months since the first demonstration - safety always being the catch word. Sadly, during the 'grounded time' the battery has failed on the WAASPS Amphibian X-Air Sparrow, but the girls are working on fixing that right now as I write (the new battery is a different size, so a new battery cradle is being made too, then we will need to add balast to match the weights). We are so blessed to have such dedicated young ladies who see the bigger picture!

Of course, this is not the end of the struggle, we are still working on approvals for humanitarian strips that can be established without massive fees and long delays... but this is a big step forward. You can also download the PDF of the new MoM/WAASPS operations booklet, which you may pick up the 'sentiments' as to how we are working towards solving problems within a regulatory framework that is very different to Europe and America!!! Clay will be adding the pdf to the new MoM public site too.

Text from Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and Ghana Maritime Authority Presentation

MoM/WAASPS operations booklet (pdf file)

People Power...

Submitted By Jonathan Porter

Those who read about the trip to Battorkope recently will be pleased to hear that the village took its own initiatives and proved once again that people are what make nations great - PEOPLE POWER RULES!

Last Friday, James, the village Health Rep from Battorkope arrived at Kpong Field and said that the Chief would like to have a clearing that could be used for medical and other services by air. He asked for Capt. Yaw to come the next morning to meet him. Unfortunately, with a 7 hour round trip by road and a loaded weekend of flying that was not possible.

However, Capt. Yaw did fly over the next morning (30 minutes round trip in a small aircraft) and, assisted by Marcel A. flew past Yogaga (the mountain), over the ridges and then dropped two flour 'bombs'. Small bags with flour (or oats or cassava flour or anything like that) are used to mark the begining and the end of the proposed clearing area. With a bit of practice you can get quite good at the technique! Our best hit was about 2m off of the targeted termite mound!

We flew back after after a brief air-ground phone call (Kasapa network covers the area) and thought no more of it.

On Sunday, Paul J and I flew out to the site to find an entire village excited and jubilating at the sight of an aircraft. People standing in their boats, people jumping, farmers waving and ignoring their crops, cattle boys climbing trees to get a closer look at the aircraft as their cows wandered across the fields. In short the term People Power took on a new meaning - and raised hope that there are still people out there who will invest themselves for their children's future..

Since then we have met with James who insists that the strip will be reading in two weeks. Remember, they have no tractors, no mechanised tools - this is 100% by hand - there is not even a chain saw involved - just cutlasses, mattocks and muscles!

We are now organising a meeting for the District Chief Executive (like a Mayor), reps from the Health Service, PLAN International, Manya Krobo Queen Mothers Association, The Traditional Council and the Chieftency from Battorkope as we look at proposing that Upper Manya becomes an example zone of medical and educational aviation for the people - with Battorkope leading the way. (the meeting will be on the 8th June - and you are welcome too!).

The whole area is like a fluted cake - Asesewa lies on the top plateau and down each flute runs a dirt track, dropping about 1000' towards the lake. At the bottom of each flute lies a village - each village is agric-fishing and apart from the 'port' of Akatengh they lack much infrastructure. There are no transversal roads joining across the flutes. A fascinating landscape and an incredible people.

You really need to see first-hand what these people can mange without support, troubled daily by malaria, Bilhazia and, I quote, 'a lot of diarrhea' - everybody here is very excited and just hope that we can keep up the enthusiasm of this little village with great needs that has taken a magnificent stride towards self help.

If you would like to help us - we really are in need of funds - this very site is becoming a pay site soon - and we did not budget for it. So far, nobody at MoM gets paid for what they do - we all do what we do because we love what we do. We need to get sponsorship to have a full time doctor (Dr Zee is ready to do this, if you can help sponsor) - and we need practical support in so many ways. Being a part of MoM is so very exciting - if you find the story of Battorkope exciting - why dont you become an active actor in the changing of a community, and know that you are doing something magnificent as part of a worldwide team!

Field Trip - A long day to treat children - by road

Submitted By Jonathan Porter

First of all, I am not a doctor - so I hope that Dr Zee will add her usual incisive corrections to any medical errors in the following report.

As we are working towards setting up suitable village flying clinics around the edge the Volta Lake, we asked Manye Esther of the Manya Krobo Queen Mothers Association (MKQMA) to assist in choosing suitable locations. Consequently she asked us to join her on a 'special treatment' day in Batorkope, about 3 hours drive, or 15mins in a plane - and impossible to arrive at by road in the case of heavy rains...

We took our car to Assessewa, but were advised that it was best to use a 'heavily modified' Benz van to go the rest of the way. The Benz started life as a delivery vehicle in Europe. On arriving in Ghana it had windows cut in the sides and steel angle seats welded/bolted/held somehow to the floor. By local standards it was well done - but would never pass muster in any developed country as 'safe'. The suspension was coned, rubber added to stop the suspension actually working - which made for a smooth ride - NOT. The driver was excellent - and Rosina decided that he was the best driver in the world. To me he was the best driver for the road that ensued - for I would not have driven it!!! The ruts each side, the ruts across the road, the gulleys, the slippy bits, the slidey bits, were all rather un-savory as we descended the 600' drop from Asesewa to Battorkope. My bum hurt, my back hurt and all I could think is 'why am I not flying to this place?' - but a ground visit is necessary as a first step in setting anything up here. (But I wont be going back by road....unless I REALLY have to...)

We arrived to the most beautiful mud walled mansions with river reed thatch roofing village you could imagine - nestled amongst spindly trees about 300m from the waters edge.

People smiling, a harlequin arrangement of clothes of varying degrees of sun scorched fade, their shoes a wide spectrum of under and oversize-ness on the feet of the children who had shoes, but a welcome that would satisfy any Head of State or member of Royalty, and of course we did have Royalty aboard with Manye Esther - but this was the standard 'everyone' welcome that makes this part of the world sooooo special.

This is a pilot programme of dosing the children in the villages against intestinal worms and bilharzia. The designated treatment being very large and un-swallow-able tablets of Mebendazole (for pinworms, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whip-worms) - the generic of 'Vermox' that we take every six months - just in case... and also Praziquantel - to treat against Schistomomiasis - or Bilahrzia as we know it locally. The idea was a great one - fantastic, in fact. Supported by Plan (an NGO), in conjunction with the MKQMA, this programme will probably reduce infections and improve scholarity (Bilazia can impair growth and affect cognitive development). The children lined up with their shared beakers of water, unfiltered as it is taken from the rain-water trap on the school roof (better than drinking the fluke infested lake water, which they will probably drink later). The children came class by class - but not all of the children from the village. Not all of the children go to school - for a variety of reasons - and it seems that not all were aware that they could have the medicine - as we witnessed later walking amongst the fish preparation area of a small household, and hearing a woman calling for her child who was already urinating blood (a sign of infection) to come quick for some medicine.

This was a fantastic thing to do. But I have some observations, based on outside experience that may or may not be appropriate in this context - but here it is.

1. The nurse and health worker did not smile or engage the children. Simply stood them against the 'dosing pole' and gave them their tablets - mechanically, apparently obliged to be on a punishment duty of going from the town to the village, instead of seeing the privilege it really was. (we were later told that most nurses see nursing as an opportunity to move to the city or travel outside - so village work is not seen as attractive).

2. At no point did we hear or see any explanation being given to these children as to the reasoning behind their tablets or how to avoid infections. This MAY have occurred before hand - but there was no evidence of understanding, just compliance.

3. All these children lined up for extended periods, teachers 'free' to wander around. Nobody took the opportunity to arrange additional learning opportunities - especially with the few children from the 'non-schoolers' being in the vicinity. An apparent wasted opportunity.

4. The nurse carried less than 3gs of medication (easily transported in a plane), and did not bring any health care materials - leaflets or other to maximize the event. Perhaps a simple poster for the health 'post'

5. We met James, the designated village health rep. He is a teacher and is keen to help improve the village - they have two current campaigns - one is to wash hands with soap (we only saw people wash hands with plain collected rain water) and to avoid 'defecating in the open air'. He showed us his 'health post'. At first his ambitions raise eyebrows and create wry smiles or even chuckles - but this really is the basic need. This is why we sometimes. in half jest, refer to our concept of a basic flying clinic a 'Wash your hands, blow your nose, use a toilet, wipe your bum' event.

There are still mothers out there who do not know about wiping from front to back - and so many BASIC things that can save and change lives. Consequently we applauded the fabulous artwork about not 'pooping in the bush'. It is essential to break the cycle of infection - and it is not so very difficult - provided you can reach the people on a regular basis - and, frankly, SMILE when you deal with them. Much as I appreciate the work of the nurse and the health worker - they were miserable - they did not WANT to do their tasks - and that was clear from the very first minute we got on board our four wheeled trail blazing bus!!!

We left the nurses to do their thing whilst we looked for suitable landing areas - the water being a very obvious one. We also identified a short area of raised land that does not appear to flood and asked if it could be cleared and leveled by the community. James was excited and asked 'how much would they be paid', this is a sad reflection of the political approach to development. So many DCE's and other political figures use 'guru' or 'dash' or 'financial incentive' to get even the most basic jobs done. In the city they even pay people 'sitting fees' to go to workshops. We do not encourage or engage in such an approach. An air strip must belong to the people - they must prepare it, maintain it and 'own it' - if it is going to work. In some village it will fail. In others it will succeed - we will concentrate on those that succeed and hope that the others will review their approach to self help.

If Battorkope can clear the area, and we can get GCAA approval, we hope to start a monthly flight to the village. Early flights will be educative. How airplanes work - 'School on an Airstrip' - this is essential in developping the safety culture to make the strips work. We will provide some posters and basic materials (for example a model aircraft) to the school to help re-inforce the airstrip concept. Then the medical visits can start, and as each medical visit happens it will need more support around it - this is going to cost - and we do still need sponsors - really really do.

WAASPS is the fundamental sponsor of out activities to now, without them there would be no MoM - now we need bigger solutions - we have to employ a full time Doctor (we would love to find funding for Dr Zee to be full time) and a full time nurse (still looking for one with a sense of adventure!) - they will come and it will happen - because we believe in it.

If only I could get some of the influential people to Battorkope - they would be ashamed that they continue to promote football, pop-stars and oil barons as the way forward for the people of West Africa. In the mean time we will continue to promote education, medicine, agriculture and engineering as the way to a better West Africa and a sustainable solution in what was once called 'the White Man's graveyard'.

Alpha Foxtrot and I

Submitted by Jonathan Porter

Today is the 11th April 2010 - more than 20 years since that first infectious flight in a C150 at Sywell Aerodrome in the UK. I have flown more than 40 types, over cities, countryside, desert, lakes, sea, mountains, forests, rain forests and low level over more hostile terrain than I care to think about. But today was special.

CH701 9G-ZAF, or Alpha Foxtrot was built for the Medicine on the Move flying doctors and nurses project, and she is beautifully crafted by the hands of young West African maidens - each rivet pulled with care and a love for the new skills learnt in the rural workshop. The soldering behind the panel is, in many places, the first soldering a young erson has done. Everywhere you look on Alpha Foxtrot you see the signs of loving and caring by those who have laboured over the birth of this baby. The seat is sewn locally by a seamstress who weighs in at under 90lbs (about 40kgs), and the wire-locking has been tied off with the care that a midwife would give to the umbilical cord, separating the workshop from the child. Every cotter-pin placed and secured as if it were an earing in the small girls ears. This plane is probably the most loved by the most people plane in the world.

The Rotax 912 engine has its rocker covers polished at every opportunity and discussion about fuel consumption, engine revs, fuel pressure and the vital signs on the engine instruments treated with the respect of a nurse checking the health of the most precious person they know.

Today I had the opportunity to carry out some tests on the aircraft before we send it into some pretty tough situations in the coming weeks. I fly a range of aircraft on a regular basis, and there was no plan to have a ;special flight' - it just happened.

As I settled onto the soft foam seat and flipped the necessary switches up, calling 'clear prop' at the same time, it seems quite possible that the engine came to life as the red and white aircraft sensed the lightest of pressure from my finger on the starter button. Rotax engines have a special sound - and this one sounds extra special. Rotax knew that this very engine would end up on a flying doctor aircraft, and listening to the purr of this power-plant I wonder if they added some TLC to the crankcase too?

Temps are in range and checks all done, I taxi over to the threshold of 19, wind is calm, air-on in the mid 30sC or mid 90sF, density altitude around 3,500ft. I am not wearing a a head-set so that I can hear the most possible noises from the airframe and engine on this run. As I increase the power the nose draws the bungee tighter until I release the brakes at around 4000rpm, even on the grass runway her nose is instantly off the ground - I let her accelerate a little with the wheels on the ground, then with the smallest forward pressure on the centre stick the mains are up and we can accelerate in ground effect. With the increased airspeed the climb is dramatic for a non-STOL pilot, but it still raises a grin on my face.

Climbing to 2,000ft in a matter of minutes I start to push the envelope. I watch the temperatures, and they are all well behaved. Full power, sustained straight and level (doors off) gives 85knots indicated, 5600rpm, 110C (230F) oil, 110C (230F)CHT, without changing the power setting i pull back to establish a climb at 40kts, Ts&Ps are stable as a table the machine is as well behaved and docile as the best trained Labrador guide dog. In fact it is almost as if the plane is guiding me as to what to do next - perhaps it is a puppy?

At 3,000ft we level off and the sounds of the airframe and engine are individually discernible with a cruise setting of 5000rpm giving a comfortable 70+kts. I expect that to be close to 75 or 80 with final trimmings and doors on.

We start to dance together, turning to the left and the right, a Tango at 3000ft. Everything is so sensitive, so responsive, the air, for once, is co-operative and the visibility over 25km (15miles), I let my hand out onto the strut and feel the smooth paint, looking down at the mud hut villages below, seeing the darker green of the river lines and occasional bamboo or raffia palm benefiting from the moist tracks of water that are bonus and not a right in this part of the world. The cattle boy looks up, a stick across the back of his neck and hands draped over it as it he guides his cows to find some water, he waves, and I wave with my hand as Alpha Foxtrot waves with her wings.

As we set up the descent, notice WE are flying, me and Alpha Foxtrot, for I am no longer an individual, we have become one, our thoughts are joined and our movements synchronized in the African morning sky. The cumulus clouds even seem to be moving away to enable this flight to be so special. I look down at the beautiful runway that just a few years ago was bush-land and an unimaginable location to start this project. I feel Alpha Foxtrot smiling with me, her engine beating as a heart beats, her warm exhaust passing underneath us she breathes. WE bring the power back to 4000rpm and find that we can turn left and turn right in large sweeping 360 degree turns without losing altitude if we keep the speed just below 50kts. We both smile and I am sure that Alpha Foxtrot even giggled at the fun we were enjoying in the sky. We reduce the power to 3500 and start a gentle descent in spirals to the left and to the right and then, at 300ft deploy the flapperons for a silky smooth landing.

A short back track and onto the apron. Before I could shut down, I had to take-off one more time - this time across the empty apron. Alpha Foxtrot almost whooped with joy as she leaped back into the sky for two circuits, each with a 'power-off' approach form 500ft abeam the threshold. Nose down, speed at 60kts, a sweeping descent onto a low short final with flaps deployed at 50kts for the smoothest simulated engine failures I have ever encountered.

We taxied back and parked, both satisfied that we had proven the worth of this aircraft for its forthcomin role of taking health care to the needy, and in doing so, we had both had a marvelous time.

Walking away I smiled more than the first time I flew, for the first time in many thousands of hours airtime. I now understand why the girls kiss these planes goodnight when they put them in the hangar - for they are our babies and together we are growing and having adventures that change our lives and those of so many others.

Alpha Foxtrot looked at me as we closed the hangar, if she had eyes they would have been wide and puppy-dog like, begging for just one more flight before going to bed... I told her that there would be many more flights to come - and that she should get some rest. The girls laughed - and so did I, but I know that we have something special, Alpha Foxtrot and I!

March 8th Event

Submitted by Jonathan Porter

The 8th of March was a busy day - and the end point to one chapter as well as the opening point of another, perhaps more exciting chapter. We set out to Launch the Flying Doctors and Nurses, introduce loads of girls to engineering and aviation and to fly 100 girls and women as part of the centennial of women pilots.

At Kpong Airfield Patrick and Martin flew the majority of intro flights assisted by Patricia and Capt. Yaw and the weather held good for most of the day.

Some wonderful comments came from the young aviatrix's (if that is how it they spell it) as they took to the skies, in most cases, for the first time. 'I want to do this again' was perhaps the most comment as well as 'I want more'. Only a couple of thegirls and women (estimated at over 90, subject to scrutiny in the next 48 hours) felt uncomfortable - and here were no 'scared' passengers or pilots all day! (I invite the pilots to add their favourite comments from the day below). The airfield recorded over 200 movements (take off or landing) - making a record which will have to be beaten.

The youngest flyer was 2 year old Isabella, and the oldest was her Grandma at over 70. Manye Esther, the Queen Mother, also flew early on to boost the confidence of the young people from Manya Krobo and the impact of the event grew and grew.

Patricia and Dr Zee did a couple of circuits to the delight of the crowds as they demonstrated a 'box-office' c onversion of the cockpit! The landings were text book and the demonstration of short fields ops took on a new meaning with four aircraft landing in under two hundred meters and taking off in under two hundred meters consistently and safely all day long - at one point it looked like a miniature re-enactment of the Berlin Airlift with the queue of aircraft landing and taking off in rapid, but safe succession. There were also no go-arounds required thanks to the vigilance and self-co-ordination of the crews.

Ground Operations were carefully managed by Cyril (doing walk-around and engineering checks every five flights), Marcel (loading and un-loading co-ordination), Bill (photography and hand holding), Paul (chief photographer), Ingrid (hand holding), Mary (hand holding and gopher), Rosina (hand-holding and MC), Pascal (crowd control), Maxwell (signing sheets), and all the others who are just as important and not forgotten. The bet part was the natural, inspired and self-managing aspect from the instilled safety culture at the airfield, a culture to extend to the rural communities. Martey and Daniel from GCAA made sure that appropriate oversight was in place and smiled incessantly as they witnessed a first for West Africa. Medical cover was provided by Franklyn Medical services, but they only had one case of a headache to spoil their enjoyment of watching events.

At one point it was hard to tell who was smiling more - the pilots or the passengers - as this day of aviation sharing injected enthusiasm and energy into the team on the ground and all those around. The event has made the news on all three major stations (TV3, Metro and GTV) and GCAA were happy with the safety aspects. A real team effort from all concerned and at all levels.

 

Dr Zee, Ghana's Flying Medical Doctor, made a speech from the heart, as she made it clear that the time for the flying doctors and nurses has come. Rural villages and remote communities can now make the effort to open a small strip and gain access to services not before imagined or achievable with the resources in the country. One visiting Doctor made a commitment to help and a retired ER room nurse has promised to give one or two weeks a year to help boost this initiative.

Twimea, the nearest village to the Techiman Airfield, sent a wonderful group of young ladies to the event and a 19 year old Juliette declared that she wanted to follow in Patricia's footsteps in a career in social aviation and engineering. WAASPS has agreed to give Juliette, a bright and incredibly well spoken young lady, a one week trial in the workshops to assist in the final stages of the build of the 4 seat air-ambulance there.

The time has come for all to join hands and to help push this initiative into those communities. There is no denying we have come a long way, but our resources have been stretched to get here - so if you know anybody who is interested in supporting the next phase of MoM Ops, please put them in touch - and send them an invite to the MoM ning (click on invite above).

Be safe and remember MoM is changing lives - one flight at a time, thanks to your support and encouragement.