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Across Russia — in a helicopter
Thierry Thys, a pilot from Oakland and retired businessman, flew halfway around the world in this Russian Mi-2 helicopter. Thys’ helicopter is in Medford for repairs before it goes on to roost in Brookings, where the helicopter’s co-owner lives. An improbable long-distance flight By Melissa Martin Thierry Thys’ pale-blue helicopter doesn’t look like anything special, now that it’s tied up with a dozen Cessnas near a hangar at the Medford airport. But the Cold War-era Mi-2 twin-turbine aircraft has a story that no one can beat after carrying Thys, a 69-year-old California pilot, and his two-man Russian crew on a risky journey from the desert of Kazakhstan, across the Siberian ice fields to Nome, Alaska. Thys, the former owner of a metal parts company called Precision Founders, ended his 8,000-mile trip in Medford, where the helicopter will be serviced by Mac-V Aviation. Thys is in Medford in part because of the reputation of Mac-V Aviation, and also because the helicopter will be hangared at the Brookings airport, said Kelly Sievers, co-owner of the helicopter and a Brookings resident. What started as a retiree’s dream of flying halfway around the world turned into a cross-continental Russian trek in a helicopter designed to go no faster than 108 mph for no more than 300 miles at a time. Thys and his Russian co-pilot and mechanic spent nearly three days in the air but 140 days on the ground because of fuel shortages or KGB-like interviews from state police. "There were many times when I had the option of becoming a Russian or losing my helicopter," said Thys, who was in Medford last week to consult with his mechanic. It took 57 days for Thys and his crew to fly 5,000 miles from the desert of Kazakhstan, where temperatures approached 110 degrees Fahrenheit, to the Arctic Circle, where temperatures dropped to minus-38 degrees. By comparison, it took only five days to fly 2,700 miles from Alaska to Canada to the Oakland International Airport. They were stopped frequently and for many reasons in Russia. In Barnaul, officials wanted to make sure Thys wasn’t trying to smuggle out the military heirloom that he paid $18,600 for in Kazakhstan. He spent another $40,000 making it fit for flight. A similar nine-passenger helicopter in Medford recently sold for $2 million. Moscow officials reluctantly gave him permission to fly, but imposed impossible restrictions. No flying over water, at night, with instruments, with too much weight, to noninternational airports or lower than 5,000 feet in flat country. And don’t take photos from low altitudes, they told him. "We would violate all of these rules during the course of our trip," Thys said. His closest call may have been in Ulan Ude when he arrived at a small airport at night, flying over Lake Baikal, breaking all the rules. Five aviation inspectors happened to be there and monitored his conversation with the tower. "I started planning what to do with a stranded helicopter in the middle of Siberia," Thys said. But they bribed their way out by giving the officials money for cognac. Another close call was in Anadyr, where they found themselves stranded with 80 airline passengers in a terminal so cold they could see their breath. "Apparently, there was fuel on the field, but there was a political struggle over who could distribute it. In this area, control of fuel is more powerful than money," Thys said. He found fuel in Zaliv Krista, a restricted town on the Arctic Circle 110 miles away. "The scenery is stark — black, white and blue," said Thys, describing his view from the cockpit. "Ice stretches from the shore far out to sea. There are only three hours of daylight." On Nov. 29, they crossed the frozen Bering Sea. Thys admits he thought about the possibility of an emergency landing on an iceberg. But there was no icy greeting when they landed in Nome. A friendly immigration service agent quickly stamped the Russian passports and even drove them into town in his pickup. "Yuri and Vladimir (the Russian co-pilot and mechanic) didn’t say a word. They just looked at each other. This is clearly not what they were expecting," Thys said. "We are in the United States." It’s a wonder Thys survived the journey, according to Rogue Valley artist Semyon Bilmes, a former resident of Azerbaijan. "It’s huge territory, it’s very cold and besides that, it’s extremely dangerous," said Bilmes, former owner of Bilmes Art School in Medford. "You have to deal with local governments, which are extremely corrupt and hostile. They could have confiscated his helicopter." It’s also a wonder that Thys made the journey in a helicopter, said Doug Vetch, owner of Mac-V Aviation Inc. in Central Point. His shop will convert the gear boxes so the engines will accept domestic grease and oil. They will also paint the Russian-built aircraft, which is distinctive because its rotor blades and windshield are heated. "Helicopters are not long-distance vehicles," Vetch said. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail mmartin@mailtribune.com |
