Running rough

In July 1965, sev-eral Department of Civil Aviation Fixed Wing Testing Officers arrived in Darwin on their bi-annual visit. I was scheduled to do my Commercial Licence flight checks during their short stay.

At the time I was em-ployed as the station engineer for Connellan Airways, with a staff of five, maintaining DH Herons, Beech 18s and Barons. Being group licensed in all categories on GA air-craft and Bell 47 helicopters, I also ran my own mainte-nance business on the side, the only one in Darwin then. The added income helped pay for my flying but meant I worked very long hours. Because of this engineering workload, plus recent flying training, I was fatigued when the DCA examiners arrived. I also happened to be suffer-ing from diarrhoea. Not the best physical state to be in when facing important flying tests.