Not quite in the same vein as the above ones - but some may be interested in this one I heard in the mid sixties - I was en route from the Simpson Desert to Alice Springs when this was heard on HF. This was before aircraft had the range they do now, and before towns and airports had the facilities they do now. (Conversation from memory)
FS Alice Springs: Alitalia XXX, Sydney now has four hours holding due weather. Please advise your intentions.
Alitalia XXX: Can Alice Springs accommodate a DC8 61?
FS: Runway length and pavement strength OK. Need to hold passengers on board for two hours for customs and immigration availability. Fuel is available.
Alitalia XXX: Is accommodation available overnight for 230 passengers and crew?
FS: Not a hope.
In the event, the aircraft refuelled and continued to Sydney, as the weather improved there before the crew ran out of hours. At the time, the only airports in Australia that could land this aircraft were Darwin, Alice Springs and Sydney.
John
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
			
				John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
			
			
		 
	
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