TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER
CIRCLE OF FRIENDSHIP & PEACE, Report 2
January 15, 1991
Dear Friends:
All of us were delighted when we learned that Valery Shelkovnikov and his colleagues had reached Moscow safely on their return from their portion of the "CIRCLE OF FRIENDSHIP & PEACE - USA and USSR CIRCUMAVIGATION" flight.
That historic flight from Moscow, USSR, to Seattle, Washington, USA, by Valery and his 16 Soviet colleagues was an epic accomplishment. The logistics of moving seven Soviet civil aircraft and 17 Soviets across nearly 20,000 miles of daylight VFR formation flying over unfamiliar terrain with 75 landings represents a remarkable feat. And all of this was done in complete safety. We will see more of these accomplished Soviet pilots and friends in the future!
Once the Soviet flight was completed, it was time for me to think seriously
about returning to Moscow to retrieve the ARNAV R-50i Loran-C which had been
installed in their lead AN-2 Soviet aircraft.
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT TRIP
A week after a beautiful daughter's wedding on September 15th, it was possible to focus on a second, quick "courier" trip to Moscow to retrieve the R-50i Loran-C "loaner" from my Soviet friends.
In thinking about the short Moscow trip, I wondered if Walt Dean might be able to break away and make the trip with me. Walt had approved the "loaner" arrangements at ARNAV, but family obligations had kept him from meeting the Soviet group when they were in Seattle.
I called Walt and suggested the idea. His primary concern was the national convention of the "Wild Goose Association" on the West Coast starting on October 20th. Leading Loran-C specialists in the States make up this organization, which is named for that magnificent bird with the "built-in" capability which allows it to navigate the world with unerring accuracy.
As a director, former president, and one of the originators of this organization, Walt's responsibilities had been scheduled many months earlier for the October sessions.
This offered a tight time frame, since obtaining Soviet visas, making travel arrangements, and lining up all Moscow needs is remarkably time consuming.
However, a number of compelling reasons justified the effort required.
First, my prototype R-50i was the first such unit operated within the Soviet "Chayka", or Loran-C, environment. During my flight within Soviet airspace in June I recorded Soviet transmission values as accurately as possible, but knew these values really needed to be viewed personally by an expert engineer such as Walt.
Second, Soviet "Chayka" specialists would attend the October 20th sessions of the "Wild Goose" group in the US. My good friends who direct the Soviet satellite program, those who verified TEN ROMEO's proximity to the North Pole in 1986, could surely arrange for us to meet Soviet "Chayka" directors, a linkage which Walt might find helpful to the "Wild Goose Association".
Third, ARNAV, through Walt Dean, had become one of my first sponsors some six years earlier. When I learned of Walt's prominence in "Wild Goose", I became a member of that group. Through "Goose" publications I followed US attempts to gain information about precise locations of "Chayka" transmitters. Were there locations still in doubt to be obtained? Perhaps.
Fourth, I thought a Soviet trip might provide a change of pace for Walt that he might appreciate.
My logic won the day, and Walt agreed to a Moscow sojourn!
ON TO MOSCOW
After nearly 40 trips to the USSR, one might think the process of clearing Soviet paper requirements would become easier with practice. NOT SO!!!!
If one plans a Soviet trip three months in advance, visa and housing may slide into place easily. My trip to deliver the Loran-C was, however, under time constraints to get the "magic box" to Moscow for installation before my Soviet friends departed for Seattle. Now, once again, time constraints loomed as a formidable obstruction.
But, as a result of constant FAXING, use of Federal Express and other timesaving techniques, the slow bureaucratic process was overcome, and all required paperwork cleared.
Walt and I met in Helsinki on October 15th, had a restful night at the HOTEL INTER-CONTINENTAL, and departed Helsinki the following morning for the 24-minute flight to Tallinn.
We arrived in Tallinn an hour and twenty minutes before our scheduled Aeroflot flight to Moscow. Careful communication with Shelkovnikov had led us to understand that we could pick up our complimentary flight tickets at the ticket counter in the Tallinn airport, so we moved quickly to the counter.
Imagine our surprise when we discovered that the ticket counter was closed, with no expectation of opening until the clerk returned from an hour-and-a-half lunch.
We watched our aircraft arrive and depart without us. We then went to
the center of town, bought two overnight train tickets to Moscow, and called
Moscow to adjust our arrival plans.
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS IN MOSCOW
We were met at the Moscow rail station by Oleg, one of my pilot friends who had flown a YAK-18T to Seattle. (Oleg had "kidnapped" my copilot, John, in June resulting in a memorable evening of friendship bonding and vodka intake.) He took us to our hotel where we checked in, and used the telephone to confirm our revised two-day schedule. We had lunch with Elena at Izvestia headquarters, then went to Chkalov field where we fired up the R-50i with a car battery supplying power, and Walt read firsthand the "Chayka" transmission values with great satisfaction. It functioned well.
Walt, on the left, reading "Chayka" values. General Yuri is on the right.
With the R-50i retrieved, we adjourned to a restaurant for a delightful evening of warm fellowship, good food, and hangar flying focused upon the remarkable feat of the Soviet phase of the "Wings of Friendship and Peace" flight.
Following our party Walt and I were invited to Olga's apartment where we relaxed over brandy as we discussed plans for the following day.
We decided our departure from Moscow would be by train, a process we could handle ourselves and thus avoid Flight Safety/Aeroflot involvement.
Walt would depart the next evening, October 18th, on the overnight train to Helsinki to meet his "Wild Goose" schedule. My departure would be October 19th on the overnight train to Tallinn.
Relaxing in Olga's apartment. Olga located a car for our use in Moscow.
We spent the next morning obtaining Walt's train ticket, and then went to Izvestia to visit and have lunch.
As I had expected, my friend Yuriy, of North Pole days, knows the director of the Soviet "Chayka" operation. He arranged for a 2:00 p.m. meeting at satellite headquarters.
I felt deep satisfaction as I saw Walt, a leader in American Loran-C, meet the leader of the Soviet Loran-C program. These two were soon lost in mutual professional interests as they jointly examined the R-50i and discussed "Chayka". Yuriy and I visited about personal happenings since we last met.
Walt needed the precise coordinates of the two Soviet Arctic Loran-C chains, and arrangements were made for these to be available to me the following morning. I delivered Walt to his train.
The following morning at 10:00 a.m., at the prescribed street corner, the
carefully prepared latitude/longitude notations were handed to me. Elena's
FAX machine sent them to the States in short order, and I took Elena and Olga to
lunch at the Intourist Hotel.
EXCITEMENT IN TALLINN
When I flew TEN ROMEO into Tallinn in June, Ludmila, my approach controller, indicated there was a move afoot to establish a flight organization to be called the ESTONIAN AVIATION ASSOCIATION (EAA - sound familiar?). I expressed my desire to be a member of this organization, and offered to be helpful in its organization. Ludmila responded, "What a good idea! I'll be your Prime Minister and help bring that about!"
Ludmila mentioned my interest to President Kou, who wrote to thank me for my interest. He also sent me information on his plans for EAA.
Valery Shelkovnikov has been providing my Soviet business visa, so while in Moscow I discussed the possibility of helping EAA. He had no objection.
I had a pleasant meeting with Kou and his delightful assistant Tina, who was a stewardess on my R-50i delivery flight to Moscow via Aeroflot in July.
We blocked out three specific assignments where I could be helpful. First, I would act as liaison with the Canadian ultra-light aircraft company with which they hope to establish manufacturing rights. Second, I would attempt to locate a US flight-training school where three Estonians could earn their private flight tickets by reciprocal flight-line work. Third, I would structure their organizational desires into a viable document.
We located a "Latin" typewriter, and after concentrating for four hours had a document, entitled "DECLARATION OF INTENT", which laid out objectives, procedures for reaching objectives, and a business structure for operation. (In time, this document was accepted by the EAA Advisory Committee. I am told I will become the first foreign member of the Advisory Board.)
This was my first Tallinn visit without the pleasure of visiting with my
friends, the Kesas. However, they were in the States with Ruth on their
second visit with us. Their plans were in place before the R-50i project.
EPILOGUE
This was a fabulously successful trip. Walt, in viewing "Chayka" values, confirmed the validity of ARNAV engineering. The R-50i unit was safely retrieved. Precise locations of the two Arctic "Chayka" chains were obtained, and a solid document was put in place to serve EAA.
In addition, my friendship with Walt Dean deepened. Walt's wife of 44
years died while our Soviet friends were in Seattle. A new country, new
friends, and perhaps even a new market for ARNAV helped to take Walt's mind off
his loss during a difficult time. As I gave Walt a hug at the Moscow train
station and said good-bye, he said, "You're a good kid, Mil".
High praise from this quiet, kind, delightful friend!
MECHANICAL DETAILS
Our mailing list has grown to 650. We never drop anyone off our list for fear of losing a member of our cheering section, but after seven years, it's time to verify our list. Soooo - please be sure to return the enclosed confirmation card. I'm fortunate beyond imagination in the friends and sponsors who help me in my efforts. Both Tom Whitehurst, the sponsor who prints the reports, and Roger Hannay, the mailing cost sponsor, say, "We'll handle whatever size list you have, Mil. The reports are important and exciting!"