Angola fly B747-300 mostly out of JNB D2TEA and D2TEB The crew seem ok from an ATC point of view not realy that different from other african airline crew, However sometimes they bly a B737-200 and that crew is totally disasterous. But they havn't flown for a long time that I know of. The umbo's I think are maintained by SAA cause they seem to get towed to the SAA Technical area about once a month or so for the day. But thy could also be going there for a wash only.
Not forgetting of course the/a B732 of TAAG was involved in that midair with C404 V5WAA near Windhoek last year. After nearly completely severing the vertical stabilizer of the 404, continued on to Luanda without returning to Windhoek to inspect the Aircraft.
Not only did the B732 carry on its flight after the midair, it stopped at Lubango to pick up more pax before continuing to Luanda! The 404 pilot made a miraculous escape..
TAAG 747 JNB-LAD and is maintained at SAA. Plenty of trips there and no real probs. 737s different story... had the dubious pleasure of pax'ing on them once- i recommend heavy duty rosary beads. Adding to the story above- when in Lubango they saw that part of the wing tip was missing and even STILL continued on to LAD...
Do you ever wonder why the pax cabin normally erupts in applause after touchdown on these airlines..?
TAAG comander on inspecting the aircraft in Lubango:
"Eeish, baat boing builts strrong ecrafts"
C404 pilot after landing at Eros:
"Somebody goet me new under-jocks!! Quick!"
Peronally find the jumbo crews good. Here them in Europe from time to time and no probs there. The fluffy crews are special, but the guys flying the twin caravans are the best
Top tip for the weekend, find the beach at Cabo Ledo, about 2 hours drive south of Luanda. You need a 4x4. There is a great restaurant by the fishing village. Fresh lobster, beers, overnight accommodation (tent) and breakfast set us back all of ....... $30
Who do you fly for? Watch out for our Russian "Tango" collegues - they love to lie about their distance in order to get cleared to a lower level....
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,028
Cole Face, Bom Dia and welcome to Luanda.
Some other places woth checking: Masulu, Miami, Barra do Dande. A couple of good restaraunts along the Marginale and Iilya (spelling?)
Also, there is a new South African supermarket which has just moved into the old Supermercado a short distance from Intermarket. Thank god I can finally buy some decent tucker in this place.
pm me if you'd like to get in touch. Perhaps we can organise the first ANGOLAN PPRuNe Bash!
enjoy the stay, 
