Ed Force One - GRU

On a very wet afternoon I arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I landed on RWY09. I got wet... very wet, however I was not mobbed on the runway like I was in Fortaleza.

Landing in Sao Paulo

(Thanks to Viracopos Cargo HD youtube)

 

 

I must be getting up there with Mickey Mouse with the number of
selfies and pics fans are taking with me. 

Ed Force One - FOR

I made the next stop on March 23rd. What can I say about Fortaleza. What a rowdy, unruly, and wild bunch. Iron Maiden fans were everywhere... and I mean EVERYWHERE!!! They breached the airport perimeter and were 'Running Free' all over the runway to get a close-up look at me. In the terminal they were packed like sardines.  How did so many Maiden fans get past the metal detectors? I was Losfer Words.

During this landing I snagged the ATC recording too. Unfortunately Bruce was resting his voice in preparation for the concert.

The Troopers came out in full force to greet Me

MaidenMania is the new BeattleMania

(Thanks to 0ShadowJake0 youtube)

 

 



Touch Down!

(Thanks to jrsmontagents youtube)



Fortaleza fans are Running Free on the runway to get a closer look at Me

 



Bruce preparing to depart Fortaleza for Sao Paulo

Ed Force One - BSB

My first stop after  SCL was BSB. I was so excited to see Bruce again that I'm sure I leaked some hydraulic fluid.

(Courtesy: Pedro Viana)

Brazilian Fans!

Loading tons of stage sets and equipment!

Ed Force One - SCL

As I flew out of Chile I pondered how close I had come to the end. March 12th was likely The Longest Day of the tour for Bruce, Iron Maiden, the Killer Krew, and all others that were impacted. After all, riding over the Andes by Bus probably sucked. 

 

Thanks to @_RafaGalvez_ for sharing the pics. 

 

 

Ed Force One - ER in SCL

So I arrived in Santiago without a hitch, however on March 12th I had a revelation… I was not as indestructible as I thought. I somehow ran over the tow that was taking me to fill up with jet fuel. Two individuals were injured… they probably saw that light… the one that’s brighter than a thousand suns… but thankfully recovered. My initial diagnosis was disturbing… I had lost my two port engines. While the Bruce and the band moved on the Argentina, I was stranded in innocent exile awaiting surgery.

On March 22nd I was given a clean bill of health by an expert team of Chileans, Air Atlanta, Boeing, and others. I immediately flew out to meet up with the band in Brasilia.





I was hurt... really hurt.... and a near death experience for two ground crew.



 

 

 

 

 

The expert team of surgeons that saved Me.





I looked good after the surgery.

The engine test

Ed Force One - SJO

Shortly after leaving SAL, we entered a crowded Costa Rican airspace. This was going to get a bit complicated. Bruce had to negotiate the mountains and a holding pattern but apparently oncoming traffic too. Bruce and the MROC controller were fencing a bit as Bruce wanted RWY07 and the controller kept directing RWY25. Once we were made aware there was departing traffic on RWY 25, it made sense to listen to the controller. After all, with my size I probably wouldn’t be nimble enough to win a game of Chicken... and I'm not sure Costa Rican's would appreciate a nuts and bolts shower.

 

 

 

 



Me landing on RWY25



 

 

 





 

I was allowed to leave from RWY 07

 





 

 

Ed Force One - SAL

El Salvador greeted me like a war hero while we made our first visit ever. Fans lined the fences to snap pictures of me. During the gig, Nicko even saluted one of their war heroes, a saint. (some still think I worship the fallen angel - and I sort of play along - I mean, look at the graphics on me)

Me in the parking lot?