The Mighty Muse This was our 9th Silversea cruise all previous being on Spirit and Shadow, so we were keen to sample the Muse. We stayed in Fairmont Waterfront pre-cruise, and exceptional hotel, top tip, choose a harbour view Gold floor room. It was a mixed experience on the Muse. The new Musification decor and the ship did not disappoint, a stunning ship and much improved over the older ships. The crew as always were superb, always friendly professional and a delight. However, we for sure noticed a slipping of previous standards. The main points we noticed, all small, but it's the small detail that counts: This was an Alaskan cruise, with the spotlight on the scenery and wildlife, previous Silversea cruises always had binoculars in every cabin, wow, not any more, when I asked the reply from the Cruise Consultant was, it cost too much as guests steal them, a lowering of standards. I was surprised to see on the open forward deck, Zodiac...

Guardian angel Aviation is always challenging in many ways, and most of us have had some experience when we think, wow that was close I won’t do that again, and from these, we learn, and learn to look for threats to avoid, keeping us safe. However, whatever your experience level sometimes fate takes a hand and you look back, thanking your Guardian Angel, for making it back safe. This is such a story. I first meet Ed just before Christmas 1994 when he joined our airline and it was my job to guide him through learning the ways of the Fokker27. Ed was from the light aircraft air charter world but having previously spent many years in the RAF as a fast jet pilot. You would not have realised his military background, as his manner being humble, but also showing a fast mind and sharpness when in the cockpit. It was not long for me to see that I was not going to have to work too hard with Ed. Ed must have in his previous flying life encountered his Guardian Angel before, but he n...

The adventure of Mathias Rust Look at the route above, do you think you could do this? It was, in fact, the route taken by Mathais Rust between 13 th and 28 th May 1987. It’s a route that would challenge any pilot, but Mathias was just 18 years old with only around 80 hours flying experience, and the aircraft was a rented Cessna 172 D-ECJB. Mathias had learnt to fly in Germany, and had convinced his father to fund a trip to build his flying hours towards obtaining a CPL, not only that but he managed to hire the Cessna 172 with the rear seats removed and long-range fuel tanks installed. His original intention over the two weeks was to make the final legs Helsinki to Stockholm and then back to Hamburg. However, during the trip, Mathais decided he wanted to create an "imaginary bridge" to the East and he has claimed that his flight was intended to reduce tension and suspicion between the two Cold War sides ...

Anchorage the Last Frontier Every aviation enthusiast has a must-do bucket list, Oshkosh, Duxford etc if you haven’t yet gone to Anchorage, PANC, its one to add to the list. Anchorage is not the easiest place to get to from Jersey unless you’re a long haul 747 freight pilot but start by taking a few days exploring Vancouver and the Islands with Harbour Air, then fly from Vancouver taking the daily Air Canada Airbus northwest to PANC. The jewel in Anchorage Ted Stevens International is the lake at its centre and the Lake Hood Seaplane Base and airfield PALH. Before heading for the lake and leaving the international terminal to take some time to look around to get the feel for Alaska aviation, stroll over to the Ravn Alaska desk, it used to be Era Aviation made famous by the TV series Flying Wild Alaska and run by Jim Tweto. They have a huge network serving remote Alaska towns, you will see the locals checking in with all sorts of hold and hand luggage. Before leaving ther...

A hero amongst us Josef Řechka The Jersey Aero Club has seen many famous pilot members over its history, some lived in Jersey all their lives and some came for a few years then left, some were well known and stood out whilst others were unassuming and kept their heroic past to themselves, Joe was one such pilot. I first meet Joe when I joined Intra Airways in Jersey flying the DC-3, it was my first commercial airline job and first commercial aircraft. I was aware of Joe before this as he worked for Intra, and as a club instructor I would often see Joe in the clubhouse. Joe was a very quiet and modest character, he had an infectious smile that seemed to say don’t worry, all will be well. Flying with Joe was an experience, first, he was such a lovely man you always felt he was not only a colleague but a friend. However, he kept us rookies busy as he would often change heading or altitude without waiting for ATC approval leaving us F/Os to catch up and rapidly approve it wi...

Christmas Story It was Christmas Eve and as the only instructor on a duty I was hoping to finish early, however, this was not to be, as about 15.00 Liz the secretary came in with a request for a trial lesson, the weather was not to bad and Cessna 150 G-AZID was outside so let’s do it. The student duly arrived shortly after, he was French with limited English, he was tall and very slim his hair was short with a weathered tanned face and intense dark eyes. Whilst completing the paperwork Jean Francois said he had flown once when younger and just wanted 30 minutes flying as it was Christmas Eve. When we arrived at ZID I showed him around and opened the port door for him, without any delay he jumped in when I arrived around to the starboard door, he had already fastened his harness and as ZID was an Aerobat fitted with a full harness, so this caught me by surprise. During start and taxi out Jean Francois was quiet and said little, he was looking around and seemed relaxed ...