GC2B8MT White Airport (Multi-cache) in Eastern Cape, South Africa created by iPajero

This cache has been archived.

iPajero: Last found in 2015. Making space for a new cache. Thanks to all who took the time to do this multi cache.

GC2B8MT ▼

A cache by iPajero Message this owner

Hidden : 7/3/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

An easy two-part multi cache that takes you for a quick look at Bulembu Airport and then westerly along the N2 for a few kilometres. Security is tight so we had to place a cache away from the airport, but there is no restriction to drive by and view the building. READ THE LISTING CAREFULLY FOR HELP WITH THIS ONE.

At the given coordinates you will see two numbers and nine letters on the main airport building, which is to be used to calculate the final coordinates. (If this is missing from the building then Google Bulembu Airport and what Aircraft Maintenance school is based there). The first number will be “A” and the second number “B”. Then allocate a number to each of the nine letters using example A=1, B=2. These numbers will represent “C” to “K”.

The cache can be found at:
S32 (F-14)(J/3).(H-3)(C-1)G
E027 (G/3)(E-10).(A+1)(D-4)(H)

This airport, with a run-way of 2.4km, was built in 1988 by the former Ciskeian regime and was opened by the former Ciskei President, Lennox Sebe in February of that year to fulfill the homeland’s dream of having a gateway to the world.

For 20 years the airport was hardly used and was finally decided to upgrade it. The airport’s latest upgrade was completed in 2009 at a cost of R68 million after it was started in March 2007. The main intention was to increase the emergency capacity of the airport and improve its grade from two to four. It is used by the SAPS air-wing and a training school.

Here is a Link we found regarding "airport-has-not-taken-off" by always inverted, which gave us a chuckle or two. We urge you to read it. It makes for some good reading. It’s a sad history but we enjoyed reading it! Yet another white elephant and a stark reminder of our apartheid era!

The Convair 880 has been relocated to a farm on the Kei Mouth Road where various forms of transport are displayed.

Another extract from the same website from James Ozzie had us smile…..
A pal of mine in the glass industry told me of the very expensive high specification laminated reflective glass used on the sides of the terminal building. There were frequent unexplained failures of the glass. Careful investigations by the manufacturers revealed nothing wrong with the specifications or installation method. Eventually, one of the investigators saw what was happening - a Billy Goat was charging its reflection in the glass and cracking it!