The 1st August was a quiet Saturday morning until Skyblue received a call from Total Pilot Solutions asking if they could help with the rescue of an ATR 72-500(F), potentially stranded on its way from the Philippines to Canada.
The aircraft had reached Ahmedabad when the co-pilot became unwell and was unfit to continue with the ferry flight. Captain Andy Foan was able to cancel engagements for the coming week and fly out to India the next day. There, he partnered with Skyblue instructor, Captain Dave Warren to continue the flight as far as Dinard where the aircraft was scheduled to undergo routine maintenance.
The route from Ahmedabad involved stops at Al Ain, Riyadh, Cyprus and Malta, avoiding trouble-spots in the Middle East. Apart from GPS blackouts due to military activity and some circuitous routing, the flight proceeded smoothly.
After Andy returned home on the 7th August, the aircraft continued with another relief pilot to Bar River, Canada where it arrived safely four days later.