TRUSTY TWIN

I don't know if you are familiar with the workings of the De Havilland (Canada) Dash 6, otherwise known as the Twin Otter, but they're surprisingly complicated for what has become one of the classic bush aircraft of all time.

- HUGH PRYOR

THE FLAPS AND BRAKES and nose wheel steering, for example, are all driven by hydraulics which you would probably not expect to see on an aircraft that spends a long time away from the tender loving care of an engineer. Large airliners, yes. Warplanes, yes. But bush planes normally need to be as simple and rugged as possible so that they can operate in remote areas without sophisticated ground support.

The Twin Otter has a surprisingly "Big Aeroplane" feel about it and it is a tribute to the design that it has managed to build up "Big Aer such a legendary reputation for ruggedness and reliability.

We all, however, have our off days and here's one example I experienced when I was flying for the International Committee of the Red Cross, based in Huambo in the beautiful but dangerous Angolan Highlands.

My Co-captain, a charming and highly experienced Belgian called Philippe, had been born in the then Belgian Congo where his family had large acreages under cultivation before 'independence' ejected them and chaos took the helm in that benighted country.