In the last issue I wrote about the challenges of flying in Bali with the active Agung Volcano.
The next out-of-the-ordinary experience came during our flight from Sri Lanka to the Maldives.
We have not been to Sri Lanka before, nor the Maldives. When you view these islands on a map they look like they are far away from many destinations. But it turns out that our vision of a map is slightly different than reality, and the distance from Mattala in the south of Sri Lanka—which by the way was a beautiful, exciting discovery and stay—to the island of Male in the Maldives is only 550 miles.
This Air Journey group was made up of six airplanes flying the same route on the same day and at around the same time. I was sitting right seat on a Citation CJ3 as the leader of the Journey.
After an uneventful takeoff from the Mattala airport we were cleared to our destination via the filed flight plan at a cruising altitude of 43,000 feet. We talked to Indian ATC before we were switched over to ATC in the Maldives. We listened to ATIS, which gave us light wind, Runway 18 and the ILS. ATC directed us to do an arrival and then intercept the ILS. That was what we expected to fly.
As we were in the descent and getting closer to the destination, we were told that, because of the unusual amount of traffic, we should expect a hold and our landing time was now 12:25, about 20 minutes away.
So we descended to 5,000 feet, set the plane up for a 15-to 20-minute hold, reduced speed, and enjoyed a hold with a view of blue, the beautiful island popping up from the ocean, the barrier reef, and the coral. Keeping an eye on the instruments, our eyes were outside most of the time looking at that unique scenery.
After a longer hold than expected (about 30 minutes), we were cleared for the ILS approach, which started at 3,000 feet. We intercepted the glideslope and started down, following the localizer. As all of that progressed we heard the airport tower controller screaming to a Singapore Airlines on the roll to aboard the takeoff, with no explanation given.
We looked at one another, and continued down the approach.
We were the first one on the approach, and ATC came back and said to hold at 3,000 feet. As already noted we were established on the approach and descending on the glideslope. So we asked, “Is that for November Four-Two-Zero Charlie Hotel?”
“Affirmative.”
“Sir, we are passing 1,800 feet.” The clearance came back to climb to 3,000. “What heading?” “Take a ninety-degree left, heading zero-nine-zero,” the controller responded. OK, here we go: 90-degree turn and up to 3,000.
Next we were told to turn to a heading of 360 degrees. I had to request a couple of light deviations to avoid some rain showers. Then we were cleared back up to 5,000 with a heading straight north. No more explanation from the tower, no traffic on the frequency, nobody landing, nobody taking off, and we had two other Air Journey airplanes holding behind us and talking to approach control.
After a long straight run to the north, nearly out of Maldives airspace, we were told to come back to re-intercept the ILS and land. Total time between first communication with Male approach and landing was about 1 hour 15 minutes, most of it holding and approach flying. The good thing about flying an airplane with plenty of fuel on a leg of 500 nautical miles is that fuel was not an issue. But if it had become an issue there were at least three runways not far away from Male that would have accommodated the CJ3.
What had happened to cause all of those changes in the original plan?
The Maldives are one of the most stunning sites in the world with a unique concentration of amazing hotels. (Unfortunately, the Maldives would be quickly affected if the oceans start to rise.) Our setup for four nights was the One and Only Reethi Rah. I must say that the name is more than appropriate for this unique hotel. This is the best resort hotel experience I’ve ever had. Imagine your own bungalow on stilts over the azure blue of the Indian Ocean, and a staff ready to fulfill any request you might have: massages out of this world, your own bicycle to visit the island, a barber, a dive center, a private Twin Otter on floats, and on and on…
I will be back. The Maldives is a must-go destination, and the possibility of flying your own aircraft over there is amazing. Stay tuned for more stories on the adventures to be had when flying your private airplane around the world.
Air Journey founder Thierry Pouille has visited 172 countries and landed in more than 95 in his airplane.
