MISSION 209 - ROMA / BRISBANE / ROMA

Read the letter Angel Flight received from the McKnight family.

SUBSEQUENT TRIP REQUEST (2nd & 3rd Angel flights)

Thirteen year old Craig has Metabolic Disorder with a complex multiple physical condition. This trip to Brisbane was again to visit various specialists to monitor and investigate a number of matters. The family are on a disability pension and car/bus travel is not a suitable option.

You can read about a previous mission for Craig (M194).
Appearing in The Western Star, 25/01/05.

Bill Bristow - Pilot

Jens Meinecke - Co-Pilot
(Previous missions for Jens - M37 AF2, M44 AF1, M77 AF2, M98 AF2, M194 AF2.)

Angel flight 1 by Bill Bristow
Previous missions for Bill - M4 AF1, M6 AF2, M22 AF1, M37 AF1, M132 AF1, M214 AF1, M228 AF1.

Angel Flight pilot Jens Meinecke was not long airborne when his fuel flow gauge and other instruments indicated something was amiss. Abandoning the intent to go on, Jens headed back to Archerfield however he still had a role to play.

Read Jen's in-depth review of the flight and uncover the mystery of the fault.

"All Angel flights are a moving experience for me but to bring Craig and his parents in from Roma to Brisbane was a powerful experience. Craig is 13 years old yet weighs only 20 kilos. He has no use of his legs and limited use of his arms and his head. He cannot speak but his parents tell me that he has normal hearing and thought processes. Jens Meinecke came with me as co-pilot and among other things wrangled the 3D jigsaw puzzle that is Craig's wheelchair into the front locker of the Malibu.

The flight back from Roma to Archerfield was suberb in the late afternoon - smooth, and with a polite tail wind we were on the ground in just over 70 minutes to be met by Peter Riachi doing Earth Angel duties. Craig sat back in his special seat and watched the Darling Downs drift by under the left wing with a soft smile that never left his face. But the memory that will stay with me is of Craig holding his left hand toward me as his father held him in his arms. "He wants to shake your hand", his father advised. I shook Craig's hand and he pulled my hand to his heart and smiled. The most spectacular thank you I have received to far.”

Comment by Peter Riachi, Earth Angel

"Beaut late afternoon mission - not without it's initial challenges though.

Jens Meinecke called just after lunch to announce that, notwithstanding his best endeavours, the "flying banana (VH-FWL)" could not participate this time due to its fuel pump refusing to communicate with other working parts of the aircraft.

Jens' despondent demeanour was short lived, for within 20 minutes Bill Bristow confirmed that he would 'step up to the plate' and invited Jens to accompany him on VH-NGG.

It was great seeing Craig again. He seemed 'full of beans' with huge smiles for everyone, and what a 'chatterbox'. I'd love to know what Craig was trying to say - maybe it would be something like, "Wow the flight was awesome ..... really cool views dude!  Thanks so much for the help. It really takes a load off mum and dad."

Craig, Leonie and Graham were safely delivered to their accommodation at approximately 07:00 pm. After 'tramping' their luggage and Craig's wheelchair up the now all too familiar huge flight of stairs at Reg Leonard House, I had the privilege of carrying Craig from my car to his unit."

Angel flight 2 by Dave Laughton
Previous mission for Dave - M187 AF2.

"The day dawned with weather a little uncertain following a night of storms, the last of which were visible from our cosy bed, lingering just to the north of Toowoomba. Come departure time for the first leg to Archerfield, things had improved and an uneventful flight had us (wife Rae and me) arriving on time. A call to Earth Angel Peter Riachi to check progress was rewarded by advice that he was only 40 seconds away, and spot on time he arrived with his precious cargo, and very capable, helpful and cheerful assistant Angel Jordan (Peter's son).

Finally the rest of us boarded and after a few tense moments cranking the hot engine and getting nothing, it burst into life and we were on our way.

Weather clear, traffic light, we climbed to 6500 feet tracking back over Toowoomba and onto Roma. Craig slept most of the way and the rest of us gazed down at territory more often seen from the highway. In no time at all we were on descent to Roma, running into a few potholes as we descended below 5000 feet. With people watching, the pressure to make a great landing was on, and I actually thought the third one was the best, and if not, at least it was the last. How is it that the greasers are always pulled off when no-one else is there to appreciate them.

Back on land, Craig's sister, along with a reporter from the local paper and Adrian Bucknell, the pilot of an Angel Flight to Roma earlier that morning (M261 AF2), were all eagerly waiting. More tense moments as we manhandled all of the luggage and four people into a car clearly not designed to double as a station wagon, and few farewells and the mission was completed.

A good day for all of us."

Peter Riachi - Earth Angel
(Peter's 6th Mission)

Jordan Riachi -
Earth Angel
Assistant

Comment by Peter Riachi, Earth Angel

"Special thanks to Leonie for putting up with the 'paparazzi' ..... again!

My son Jordan [8] performed Earth Angel support duties - his maiden mission.

I had briefed Jordan prior to pick up to be prepared to 'tramp' luggage down a 40 step staircase. Jordan had been in training for a mission just like this and was 'pumped' and ready to get into the thick of things.

I turned the car into Clarence St leading to Reg Leonard House while the soundtrack of 'Rocky (one)' primed us for the athletic feat we were about to undertake ...... and then we saw them. Graham, Leonie and Craig were happily sitting at the foot of the stairs with luggage ready to stow - God love 'em.

So as not to waste our pent up energy, Jordan and I made quick work of loading luggage and passengers on board, then 'high-tailed it' for Archerfield Airport.

Craig looked really good and he was clearly pleased to meet Jordan and the boys were quickly engrossed in the latest "Incredibles Movie" picture book.

Leonie and Graham was kind enough to 'fill me in' on the week's events. Leonie said it was jammed packed with information, nothing that a couple of Panadol won't cure, and they'll receive the full 'multiple page' report shortly. The major outcome was the decision to operate on Craig's hip. The procedure will be conducted later this year, after the conditioning of Craig's body with medication and a diet of some nice fatty foods as he'll have to put on a couple of extra kilos.

We met Dave and Rae at gate one (lovely people). Dave had his Cherokee Six all prepared with its centre row of seats removed for the comfort of passengers (and luggage).

Finally in the words of my son Jordan - 'Gee Craig really is a lovely boy.' "