Today, after 8.5 hours of flight time, I arrived in Santarém, Brazil (SBSN), a slight change in my original plan and positioning myself to leave Brazil tomorrow. But it wasn’t without its challenges.
The Limitations of Diana
Diana, my trusty plane, has an absolute maximum range of about 8.5 hours. To overcome this limitation, I planned a strategic stop in Alta Floresta, an airport I had visited on my way in, and roughly halfway to my destination.
Brazilian Bureaucracy Strikes Again
Despite my best efforts to leave early, Brazilian bureaucracy threw a wrench in my plans. My flight plan was rejected multiple times, with cryptic messages that took me a long time to decipher. Each rejection took 30 minutes, and phone calls didn’t provide much more assistance.
Amazonian Splendor
Once I finally departed, I was treated to the breathtaking landscape of the Amazon jungle. The lush greenery, majestic clouds, and bright sun combined to create a truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
Setbacks and Silver Linings
Upon landing in Alta Floresta, I encountered another setback. Despite submitting my flight plan with 3 hours of anticipation, it hadn’t been approved yet. The system was apparently overwhelmed, but thanks to the kindness of the local airport tower staff, I managed to depart, albeit much later than expected. As a result, I ended up flying the last hour at night, exposing myself to a bit more risk, but also enjoying the stunning views of the airport under the stars.
Tomorrow’s Plans
With Brazil soon behind me, I’m excited to embark on the next leg of my journey. Tomorrow, I’ll be heading to Grenada, where I’ll spend a well-deserved day soaking up the sun on the beach. A brief respite from flying will be a welcome treat before resuming my return journey.