ONWARD TO CATANIA, SICILY
We all leave the wonders of the ancient world for Catania, Sicily. Another beautiful flying day and a bit of longer one for some. The group will still be a bit scattered due to the TBMs heading to Tarbes, France, to the TBM headquarters, via Heraklion, Crete, for a tech stop and Salerno, Italy for an overnight. All others are heading to Sicily - the CJ3 direct from Luxor, the CJ3+ direct from Crete and the Citation Mustang via Heraklion, Crete.
The 2 TBMs are visiting the Daher Factory to have the EDM system (Emergency Descent Mode) in their aircraft checked over since both experienced an uncommanded EDM in flight from 31,000 feet during the Journey.
Once we arrived in Catania, we were notified that refueling on arrival was denied due to our departure out of Sicily being more than two days out and that our departure was to a non-EU country therefore VAT taxes needed to be assessed. Only the CJ3 was fueled on arrival and all others were expected to fuel on departure. Catania is known for its fuel delays due to the frequency of aircraft into the airport - thankfully, we continuously checked the fueling schedule with our handler as the days passed in Sicily and I was able to find an afternoon window for the two other planes to get fueled. I would not accept the option on fueling on departure knowing our history at this airport. All fueled, all happy.
The 2 TBMs are visiting the Daher Factory to have the EDM system (Emergency Descent Mode) in their aircraft checked over since both experienced an uncommanded EDM in flight from 31,000 feet during the Journey.
Once we arrived in Catania, we were notified that refueling on arrival was denied due to our departure out of Sicily being more than two days out and that our departure was to a non-EU country therefore VAT taxes needed to be assessed. Only the CJ3 was fueled on arrival and all others were expected to fuel on departure. Catania is known for its fuel delays due to the frequency of aircraft into the airport - thankfully, we continuously checked the fueling schedule with our handler as the days passed in Sicily and I was able to find an afternoon window for the two other planes to get fueled. I would not accept the option on fueling on departure knowing our history at this airport. All fueled, all happy.
we have a new pilot in N420CH
out of Crete
birdseye view of Crete
today's routing for the CJ3+
Mount Etna covered by clouds as we approach Sicily
We have arrived in Taormina, Sicily
Belmond Villa Sant' Andrea - our home for the next 3 nights
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