geodesic

It was a sunny morning when we took off from the Madurai airport. The take-off was southwards. As the plane veered clockwise above the hillock of Tirupparankunram, we instantly understood that the Captain wanted to show us a bit of the town. Soon came the announcement about the Meenakshi temple. As usual I was on the wrong side and missed all of it.

It seems that the Captain has to make a mandatory annoucement once during the flight. A typical statement would run as follows -- "This is your Captain speaking from the flight deck. Good day! We are cruising at an altitude of five miles from the ground, that is twenty feet above the Mount Everest. We are averaging an equivalent ground speed of 800 Kilo-metres per hour, a record that has been set only by the red line buses in Delhi. We expect to reach our destination around thirteen minutes past sixteen hours - that is four-thirteen p.m, Indian Standard Time. We expect to reach before the schedule -- thanks to a tail wind and the unconfirmable computer reports. Weather enroute is fine. There however lurks a possibility of encountering an unkindly air pocket - so we would advise you have the seat belts loosely fastened. I hope you are enjoying the hospitality of our ever smiling crew on-board. Thanks for flying Concordia. We look forward to flying you to other exotic places ..."

There are principally three types of passengers. Those who grab all the newspapers, magazines, and immerse in reading, beginning to the end. There are those peaceful souls who ask for a pillow and blanket and go to sleep the moment they drop themselves into the seats. There are also others who demand ice and soda the moment they gain entry into the aircraft.

There are few others who do not join any of these groups - like me for example. We used to pretend that the perfunctory demos are floor shows on board. Flight after flight, when they repeat, we develop a feeling of deja vu. We then discover the windows more interesting.

We suddenly find that the landscape down below agrees remarkably with the maps! So much of land can be brought under cultivation. There is so much vacant space waiting to be populated!

Geodesic Surfing aims in identifying as many landmarks as possible, from a height, while on a flight. It gives immense occupation to an inquiring mind. It is as interesting as a game of Solitaire or Monopoly! It is more absorbing than a crossword puzzle or a jumble.

One cannot be initiated to geodesic surfing just like that. Some preparatory work is indicated. You should be aware of the general direction of flying and the flight plan. Getting a window seat is not everything. You should get a window facing an illuminated landscape and be located certainly not over a wing.

You should also pray for a clear weather. The visibility following a brief spell of rain is excellent. A cloudy weather is the worst that you can ask for.

A study of the map of the locality is mandatory. You should be familiar with the roads, the rail lines, the hills and the valleys. You should also know the lakes and the rivers.

Flights to Madras prefer to approach from Tambaram while landing. The prevailing winds, often dictate so. You miss most of the city. However an immediate take off will put you right on top of the metro. When north bound there will be an anti-clockwise turn along the Munroe statue, Manali Refineries, Ennore and Gummidipoondi. While at Delhi you may normally miss the town while taking off -- but certainly get to see all of the Lotus temple while landing. So the moral one is -- you never miss an opportunity to play geodesic surfing, provided you choose an appropriate window after consulting the prevailing winds.

Locating Panagal Park, at Madras is easy and quick. If you cannot identify the park spontaneously you do not make a good student for geodesic surfing. You should recognise the three roads emanating east from the Park and reaching out towards the Mount Road. It is difficult to recognise Mount road readily, because of its serpentine winding.

Landmarks like the Central Station, Ripon buildings or even the Rockfort temple at Tiruchy need a watchful eye. There aren't big enough. It may be surprising, but true.

Railway corridor in Greater Madras is in beautiful shape. It is straight and wide. Tomorrow you can abolish the railways and lay a eight lane highway there, should you so desire!

Contrary to popular belief, West Mambalam is not more crowded than rest of the city. It is just as congested as Mylapore or Triplicane!

During night landing, the profile can be guessed only by the halogen lamps. Fortunately Madras is endowed with plenty of them. Spencer crossing for example, can be easily spotted, thanks to such illumination. Other roads can be recognised only if you have excellent knowledge of the local topography.

It is reasonable to expect an occasional spot of light here and there in the landscape down under -- unless there is a total blackout. Conversely, when you see no more lights, you need to infer, it is a cloudy night -- else, an open sea! Should you desire to feast yourself with a spectacular show of the land and water combo -- then plan a landing in Santacruz by night (and preferably take a window starboard). No matter how you land, you can not miss the beach or the creek.

As you take-off or land, around Madras, you are likely to encounter the Bangalore Highway near Sriperumbudur. Key features for recognition are the bypass, the receiving station of the Electricity Board and the temple with its tank in the immediate vicinity. When you are busy with Sriperumbudur, do not miss the imposing view of the Chembarapakkam lake, south of it.

Flights to Bangalore (from Madras) will show the twin cities of Katpadi and Vellore at the foot of the hills. Further, on the west, if you are watchful, you will be to locate another set of twin cities - Ambur and Vaniyambadi. Slowly move your eyes eastward, you should also be able to locate the ever busy Pachaikuppam level crossing. The road and the rail tracks will be seen with the river and the hillock on either side.

When your are lucky you also get to see the Madurantakam lake together with the toll plaza at the Kiliyar Bridge. Neyveli is easily placed, the moment you sight the cooling towers of the power stations, standing guard in the midst of nowhere. The two mines appear stamp sized. One cannot estimate their true dimensions or their depths during a geodesic surfing session.

Neyveli itself will be deliberately out of the line of flight. However, the runways at Ulundurpet cannot be missed even when the visibility is limited. These runways of the World War vintage can still be deployed for ferrying VIPs to Cuddalore, Pondicherry or Vellore.

Landing at Tiruchy is always along the Grand Anicut. For this purpose you need to recognise the Coleroon river in the north first and the Cauvery in the south. When you identify the formation of the island between the two rivers, you have located Srirangam. The island can be more easily recognised by the chord railway line crossing the rivers in quick succession. Rockfort will appear puny. The city in the east appears modern, demonstrating conscious town planning.

Grand Anicut itself will be seen thinner than a match stick because it is so small compared to the length and the breadth of the rivers across.

It is a good practice always to attempt to locate a railway line first. This is easy because it is likely to run straight. Even then, it is difficult to focus on the track proper from a height of some thirty thousand feet plus. A long embankment or a cutting can suggest an existing line. It is also difficult to differentiate between a road and a canal. The presence of moving bodies or the bridges alone can suggest which is what.