Where no plane has been before...

This is the first flight to Laryi, a new airstrip in Papua, Indonesia.
The runway is less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) long, curved, and situated on a narrow ridgeline at above 6,500 feet.
The people of Laryi have been asking for a pilot to open the runway for months, and it just so happens, that I am in the area...

[@helibob2367]

They worked on that strip for 7 years, believing that someday an airplane would actually land on it! The faith that that would take! Amazing. I flew Bell 205s for National Utility Helicopters off an island about 30 miles south of Sorong back in the early 1970s, so I really enjoy seeing everything that's happening in the country today. Thank you so much for the video.

[@mapsedge]

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hats off to you for flying in this area before GPS and all the things that aviation so much safer and stress-free! You guys paved the way for the rest of us!

[@helibob2367]

@@mapsedge Actually, it wasn't all that hard, because we didn't know any better! LOL!

[@jaimeesmith2061]

They actually said it took 3 years but the pilot thought they said 7 years. Still a long time and a lot of work!

[@incbluesail3080]

True Faith

[@incbluesail3080]

If China comes, roads will be in abundance

[@IAmNotARobotPinkySwear]

This is probably the coolest aviation video I've ever seen, no camera setting up tricks, just genuine reality. edit: apparently they took 7 years to build this runway, mad respect to these people like holy shit I don't think I or my neighbours could ever do something like this w/o modern equipment.

[@johnarnold893]

That is silly, 225 kilometres to the east of here is a town called Tabubil where the people live that work in one of the biggest copper mines in the world. The topography looks just like this and they had to haul the equipment up there in pieces at the beginning. I've been to a bunch of little villages with runways not much bigger than this one. And I have videos to prove it.

[@IAmNotARobotPinkySwear]

@@johnarnold893 What exactly was the point of your comment? "HURR DURR THIS IS ACKSHUALLY REALLY EASY YOU GUYS, I HAVE PICTURES TO PROVE IT" - you, a retard.

[@SanoyNimbus]

This made me cry! Beautiful video, you can really see the happiness in the villagers eyes. Hope their effort to prepare the airport will give them blessings, and save lives when needed. All you pilots working in environments like this are my heroes!!!

[@mapsedge]

Thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed it

[@mr.ajayjose]

Its a feel good video - what about it made you cry though?

[@tonyhussey3610]

I felt the same, feeling what this runway means to them.. also having the faith to build such a project without heavy machinery.. and with no guarantee that a plane will ever land.. that's having faith in your idea.

[@realityextractor1956]

+1 really put things in perspective when we in the 1st world complain that the newest cellphone isn't available at launch or something similarly entitled - these people built a runway on top of a mountain with just hand tools and all they had was *hope* that a plane *may* come. The human spirit is strong with that crowd!

[@Velocity_Exyl]

As an Indonesian, I am really proud what you did and the village did there!

[@ArguingOnlineTouchGrass]

Shouldn't be part of Indonesia, It belongs to the Papuans

[@Velocity_Exyl]

@@ArguingOnlineTouchGrass Yes I agree too, the people are just doing corruption. It should be Indonesia but the government is bad so I feel like Papuans too

[@TheRibbonRed]

​@@ArguingOnlineTouchGrass look at what New Guinea currently is & you have your answer to why some parts of Papua remains with Indonesia. Oh and Western (mostly Australian) calls for "liberation"? East Timor still lives as an example of "out of the frying pan, into the fire". Very nice of the Timorese to let +80% of their natural oil & gas be extracted for Australian companies, huh?

[@paullogan8329]

yeah what do you know@@ArguingOnlineTouchGrass

[@bee2k01]

​@trulskarinsson5711 you're conveniently forgetting that most of these flights and some of the airstrips are subsidized and funded by the Indonesian Government

[@asharma9345]

Respect to Pilot and deep congratulations to Villagers and their hard work.

[@toursinnepal]

A huge, Hearty respect to the such a brave Pilot ❤ from Nepal

[@tejajcv3391]

What an incredible video! The fact that you truly understand these isolated people and appreciate their gratitude for you is really heart warming!

[@nealrcn]

I have lived where a $1 could change how a person's year went. The way the people welcomed you was amazing and proves out the point the ones with nothing give the most.

[@MichaelCarrPilot]

When I retire from the airlines, I decided this is what I want to do for the rest of my flying years. Inspirational video, especially the impact it meant when you landed and the connection it meant to the outside world.

[@jerrypolverino6025]

I was a career airline pilot all of my life, now retired, and I’ve never seen anything like this. This is the best aviation video I have ever seen on KZbin. Beautiful people in a beautiful place. What an honor for that pilot.

[@mapsedge]

Thank you! It was a pretty cool experience

[@sensei121]

Hat off to you sir....that was quite a touching moment and I feel privileged to have witnessed that landing and the people greeting you and honouring you...

[@soujrnr]

Absolutely right!! Wonderful video!

[@tcveatch]

The remote mountains of Papua are famous among linguists as fertile ground for innumerable languages. When a visit to the next village is 5 days of jungle mountaineering, travel is minimal and isolation of villages is maximum. After 1000 years, there comes to be a language in every valley and mountaintop,and that explains why there are said to be hundred or a thousand languages on that one island. It is in that deep historical context of eternal isolation from the outer world that the excitement of the welcoming crowd must be understood. This is a historical transformative moment for them, if hardly more than symbolically, to be finally in some kind of real-time contact with the outside world. At the same time I see baseball caps and smart phones in the crowd so they are not actually hermetically sealed off from the world. But what an achievement by them, and an expression of optimism and love for us, they worked that hard wanting to connect with the rest of us on the outside. So so touching and beautiful.

[@doonhamer252]

I was near there in 70s, and our troop had several Ausie or NZ linguists because of that .. each trained in the basics of 1 or 2 dialects.. No doubt one of the toughest areas I ever worked in, either as a soldier or later as a prospector ..

[@cessnapilot5905]

What a Blessing for the pilot and everyone. One of the most moving video in KZbin

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

My feelings♡ exactly. 🤝

[@Nurse_Diesel]

Its great seeing villages team together for mutual prosperity and friendship!

[@leadsolo2751]

I understood what both, U & he said, Perfectly !! I'm Malaysian :)

[@ashJayden06]

Such a pleasure to watch. Hats off to you for taking the risk. Watching your interaction with the villagers was so wholesome 🙏

[@101akar]

Ricard - you are truly amazing - that narration was absolutely fantastic ! -The energy ,the feeling of first landing and the thankfulness of the locals who built the runway for 7 years - this is just out of this world

[@yukeazboczad]

Terima kasih banyak telah melayani dan mendampingi saudara -saudara kami di Papua. God Bless You.

[@afrotraveller3768]

What an emotional moment! You Sir live a life that is not only fulfilling but also enriches others. No amount of money can compensate for that. Wish you health, joy and more life.

[@edwinviterelli5443]

I think the biggest think about all this is the amount of appreciation they have for you pilot.....stay doing what you do and stay humble with them...

[@keisham]

feels good to see them so happy. Huge respect to you for taking up such a risky task.

[@user-kb1nd8yy8w]

I flew 40 years in northwest ontario bush as a minnow trapper. Some of my lakes were under 300 ft. But qhat i just watched had me on the edge of my seat. This guy is good.

[@willsjaime]

This was inspirational. You can't forget the joy and hospitality of these villagers or the bravery doing this landing at all!

[@Noodlyk18]

Wow, I've been watching aviation videos for a long time, this is one of the best videos I've seen. I don't know why but it made me cry. That's incredible.

[@deevog]

I'm in stock world connected with 1st world but I realized happiness is different when saw these peoples smiley faces with full of Hope. This is true life. Nice commentary and shots

[@757Church]

Thank you for serving those beautiful people with your skills and humility!

[@sarahporter9541]

My folks were missionaries in East Africa. And one f the stations they lived at in Ethiopia was just shy of 8000 feet elevation. The airstrip where they used was very similar to this one...and on occasion had cattle ranging on it. So the pilot would have to scare them off before landing. What a life! Amazing! Gotta have grit to be a bush pilot!

[@MrFlyingguy]

Do you need a separate plane to carry your balls mate? your skills both piloting and with people make me very happy that the most talented people in this world do actually use their skills for the benefit of the world. I am humbled by this.

[@lasanbangpraxay7592]

well said. that pilot got big balls

[@pumpkinflipper5751]

Jesus Christ Loves You

[@whotube88]

Big balls, even bigger heart.

[@VIRGONOMICS]

The Plane should have a Pair in Gold, swinging from the Tail section.

[@osmantunc07]

A fantastic video... The camera angles, the smooth and informative narration in the background, the ideal duration, and the wonderful communication with the villagers. Everything has been done just as it should be. Thank you!

[@mapsedge]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@christianbroadie8719]

The way the men greet him all lining up eagerly to shake his hand shows how much respect and appreciation they have for this man and it’s beautiful to see

[@cageordie]

One of my coworkers back in the 80s, Phil Woods, started out with Field Aviation who sent him to Papua New Guinea. He did aircraft maintenance for them there for several years. He was flown into fields like that to repair aircraft that broke down on or before landing. A few times they had to leave aircraft for months because the fields were too bad to fly out of with the larger aircraft. They had something small that could get out with two people, but he hated flying in them. One time they had to get out, so the locals covered the muddy start of the runway with small tree trunks to get them going. He said it was the ultimate washboard runway, but it got them out with the patient and the doctor. I wish I had paid more attention at the time.

[@TWCobra]

I flew the RAAF Caribou into many strips like this in PNG. The people are fantastic. Once, a Hercules got bogged on the side of a runway, so they got a long and strong rope, tied it to the Hercules, and the local people, hundreds of them, dragged the Herc out of the mud and on to the runway. The only difficult aspect of the whole operation was trying to get them to STOP!

[@mapsedge]

I know exactly what you're saying! They really want to help and can too enthusiastic at times. It must have been wild flying around in the caribou

[@tukangfotokeliling]

Wow... amazing.. Thank you for putting happiness to my brothers in Papua.

[@5mxg]

What does it take to go and live with You for a few weeks?

[@maheshnarayan6440]

Wow, the landscape and the people living there - it looks like an Indiana Jones story just came true !!

[@stevenwortrich6014]

What a rewarding job, for the saints who fly these routes..Bravo

[@TheTanman412]

That greeting from the tribe was straight out of Indiana Jones. You’re a legend mate.

[@soujrnr]

Simply amazing!!! Wow. The challenges of landing there look almost insurmountable, but your skills really shine!! I laughed out loud as you described your attempts at conversation, but you sounded fluent. I think that the point was made to them when you landed that regardless of what was said, you were there to help, and they very clearly loved that you were there!!! Great work, sir!! Great work, indeed!

[@darrenhuestis9648]

That is a great video Rick. Awesome flying skills. The pilatus is such a cool bird.

[@nanoukabomve9421]

Really appreciated, may God blesses you and your team for the love of that community and generations for seeing a plane 🤗💐💓 it gives them hope to see again and maybe someone will study and do great work to themselves one day 🙏

[@tonyallison1115]

When you did that flyby I thought " heck no way " , and then you put the plane down neatly 👏🥇. Just brilliant - amazing to watch 🙇‍♂️. Thanks for vid and WELL DONE .

[@fredstork]

Great film! Keep them coming, this is good stuff ! I like the understatement that “this will never become a major airport”. You got yourself another subscriber!

[@mapsedge]

Thanks. I'm happy you enjoyed it

[@ShadowKSG]

great video, to see the people react so happily that their runway was finally used, a great feeling

[@hansvetter8653]

I am so impressed! You do great, important and meaningful work! Hope you & your plane are always secure & safe! Keep up your great service to the people!

[@Pertusetian]

Well that was downright touching. Hats off and blessings upon you, Flyer!

[@DoglinsShadow]

This is such an incredible, heartwarming video all around. Thank you for sharing!

[@mackie_p]

Good job on capturing this moment. Thank you!!!

[@joergwiesmann4261]

....sooo nice and impressive Video !! BIG COMPLIMENT for the Peoples they build the Strip and BIG COMPLIMENTE to the Pilot(s) operating in and out !! wish You all a safe OPS and sky clear !! GOD bless You !! Kinde regards from a former PORTER Pilot from Swirzerland !!

[@notwhereyouthink]

As a fellow pilot, I don't think I'd have even attempted that, but the first thing I'd do is get someone to knit a windsock.

[@wouterswanepoel5753]

Fascinating viewing all-round. Thanks mate.

[@murukwan1185]

Such a great video. Appreciate your hard work. Thank you 🙏🏾❤️

[@TheBillzilla]

I flew a Citation C550 in PNG for a while, much the same landscape and people -Amazing! We could not, of course, operate on small runways like that but I did a few passenger runs on Twin Otters to have a look around. It must have been a good feeling to open the runway for them, well done!

[@elgoog7830]

What an amazing experience! Both for pilot and villagers. I couldn't imagine being a villager, and then having such access to the outside world. I also can't imagine being the pilot. Exiting your plane and being praised and loved by thousands of villagers. Likely being treated like a king for your stay.

[@fritzbrand]

Amazing video! I can't believe you have so few subscribers, your work (and your heart by the looks of things) is great!

[@nengmoua9935]

This is remind me when I was a little boy in Laos 45 years ago and my dad died to protected all American soldiers so some them can come home. My dad put me my mother brother sister in the little airplane like the one you flew to the unknown villages and make me think to the past. Thank you love your video.

[@kitbaker8521]

Pretty isolated…but a guy taking pictures with his phone? Beautiful!

[@mikehibbett3301]

I hope you have those gifts they gave you on the walls in your home. What a wonderful experience!

[@benclayden8670]

What beautiful people and an amazing greeting. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.

[@mrdixioner]

Это было очень великолепно!!! Посадить самолёт на такой маленький клочок земли!!! И видеть счастье в глазах этих людей!!!

[@altarique123]

I simply loved the way they welcomed you .. ❤❤❤❤. Lots of love 💕 from Buffalo New York USA 🇺🇸

[@tenclosed]

love this video. Its a great reminder how hard life is and how youd be sing and dancing at the opportunity to make things easier for yourself and community. Awesome video

[@papics]

What an excellent reportage. Thank you for sharing!

[@LifeInMontana]

You are an expert at what you do! God Bless you!

[@jim5148]

Wow, good job! I was thrilled to hear the stall horn soon after going over the approach end of the "runway"!

[@cezarromeucastilho4799]

I'm a Brazilian pilot and I've worked doing missions taking supplies to indigenous tribes in the Amazon flying a Cessna Grand Caravan hydro and that time in my life was very rewarding.

[@eisirt55]

Fabulous video . Thanks for sharing .

[@blairguinea6811]

Fantastic vid Sir, thank you for your time

[@mrsako7223]

Truly magnificent, i love how the people welcomed you with open arms. You have a great set of skills, with that comes a great responsibility to help others. Well done and thank you From Melbourne, Australia.

[@jamesjohnson8661]

Bravo for your bravery! You gave these fine people a sense of importance and the knowledge that they matter in the grand scheme of humanity. You didn't just bring them goods. You brought them hope, pride, satisfaction and assurance. Thanks for documenting the adventure. Me and my family really enjoyed it. - a fellow pilot

[@margieulsh1969]

Made me homesick - I remember Wosi and Tagi airstrips being opened and now even Pyramid Station airstrip is no longer used because of the roads connecting them to Wamena!

[@mapsedge]

They actually opened up again so passengers could avoid having to pay for Covid screening in Wamena 😂🤣

[@margieulsh1969]

@@mapsedge I had not heard that - did they open all three airstrips?

[@mapsedge]

@@margieulsh1969 I haven't looked at pyramid yet but I just saw today that polimo was back in business. I haven't had a chance to go there yet so maybe some of the rules have changed

[@PaddyPilot]

Much better quality than mine Rick, keep them coming 👌

[@dashlama1936]

Oh my God! Truly inspiring. You're amazing.

[@sweatnosweat]

I'M sitting in my apparment in barcelona, can't belive what i'm watching. thank you for doing this and also recording and posting it. thanks,

[@mapsedge]

Thank you for appreciating it. I make the videos for everyone who isn't lucky enough to experience this kind of thing firsthand. Hopefully I'll have a few more videos out in the future for you to enjoy 👍

[@darioalvarez9172]

Great video, good job and great skills, fly safe and tail winds!!!

[@honeyonairraja]

Nice work caption,, Congratulation on the inauguration of the new landing strip ., really it's the gateway for the people of Laryi to outside world

[@pwnograffik]

Now THAT is a welcome party! Great video, thank you for sharing.

[@TeachAManToAngle]

You are leading an incredible life! Improving the lives of others. You must be proud.

[@bernadussiswantoro9563]

Damn i love Papua.. 😄 Thanks Capt. Rick safe flight..

[@Kikiyayazengardens]

it got me tears in my eyes when they start honouring you. Beautiful.

[@aushev]

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing!

[@lrparrish227]

I am a retired ATP and that was so impressive and unique. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@sachinborkar1576]

Thank you for posting this video.

[@eugeniohoyos6504]

Que ceremonia no?? Muy humildes los campesinos de aquella gran nacion del indonesia, para recibir al piloto, felicidades piloto. Saludos desde santa cruz Bolivia.

[@abdaziz4527]

Papua was never under Indonesian administration. It's an independent country.

[@maishouavang3096]

Oh goddess when I watched you landed on the narrow runway it’s sooo scary and unsafe for me to watch until these days but you are brave,strong, that’s why you became hero for them and you still do 😅god bless you for your kindness, I called a hero flying to the mountains 🍀

[@milindsawant9550]

Fantastic. You are indeed Blessed with a Lot of Good Karma in Your Previous Lifetimes to have Evolved to be of Still Greater Service in this Timespan too. Continue the Good Work Captain to Bring Greater Joy & Be a part of the Greater Peace of these Great Beings in the Valleys & Mountains. Bless You

[@Virtuoso242]

dude, i am very surprised you dont have more subscribers and views, amazing job with that landing, and props for how you handled the situation

[@mapsedge]

Thanks for the support! I'll just have to make more videos and try to get the algorithm's attention 👍

[@meukbox]

Great to see they haven't discovered TikTok or Instagram yet. They are still filming in landscape!

[@DogSpirit1]

Beautiful landing... phhheew 😁😃😉... I can feel their happiness, and get tears in my eyes ...they love you... Beautiful video 🙂 💐✨🌹🌼💖💝💖🌼🌹✨💐

[@APilotsHome]

An Absolutely Amazing Experience!

[@omling567]

How innocent and hardworking theses people are , to have spend 7 yrs to building something which had no guarantee that it would yield any fruit of their labour. But their faith and belief could not stop them and here's the result . Truly beliefs and faith can move the mountains.😊 And thanks to this brave pilot for not letting them down. God bless you. 😊

[@jacobwani7402]

Man you have incredible flying skills, I salute you for making these people's lives better

[@davidsakai786]

Good Job 👍. God Bless You.. capt. Ricard. 🙏

[@olgreywolf9688]

Ag driver for 20 years ... worked some of the narrowest, muddiest ... 'scariest' strips ... on rice in s. Louisiana. Thought I'd seen it all ... but THIS?? Holy sh.t!!!! Pilot better not have ground control issues here!! Great job bud!!! And great you can put those good skills to work for these folks. Has to be rewarding work ... !! Just hope you can make enough to pay your laundry bills for all the soiled panties!!! LOL

[@bryanreeme8584]

I've been in the back of Porters almost 1000 times, that strip is almost unreal, you're a badass 🙌

[@mntemel]

Incredible video, absolutely loved it

[@danielwood6784]

Awesome video Rick. Mantap capt 😁😁

[@BruceCarbonLakeriver]

This vid has all the bush pilot vibes it can get, insane hard runway on a ridge, excited natives throwing a party at the pilot (with the feather xD) and language issues haha, love it

[@IamMathenge]

the sacrifice, the beauty the hope, the culture, the beauty in those people gives me hope in humanity. They even gave you some gold to signify the opening ofthe runnway. perharps one day, he runnway will be made better. I fall in love with aviation everytime.

[@zhx012]

This is so so amazing. thanks for your video. The local people's time got reward. you (now also we) see the future come true.

[@bonnies.8699]

Heartwarming! God bless you.

[@SALESJALANAN]

You are the best pilot. God Bless You Capten🙏

[@marthenjelmau4308]

Thank you very much capt. You wanna flying for my people. God Blessing You❤❤❤