Flying a Maule from Brussels to Cape Town, live!

Sam Rutherford · 15th Dec 2008, 07:23

Dear All,

On the offchance this is interesting, we are presently flying a Maule on a trans-Africa.

You can see more at:

Trans-Africa - Dec 2008 - Never Say Never | Facebook

And live in-flight tracking is at:

www.guardianmobility.com/capaxis
User-id: guest
Password: welcome1234
A map of the world will load. Click on "View route" and select the routes you wish to see and play with the map like on Google maps...

Safe flights all, Sam.

Radar · 15th Dec 2008, 10:46

Sam,

Just last night I watched the final part of Long Way Down on the Beeb and got to wondering how you were doing. Have a great, safe trip ...... and Merry Christmas / Happy 2009 while I'm at it!

Sam Rutherford · 23rd Dec 2008, 06:12

We arrived in Cape Town yesterday - what a great trip!

More than happy to help anyone with similar ambitions! It's easier than you think!

Safe flights all, Sam.

miket67m · 24th Dec 2008, 07:50

What an amazing trip and one that I have planned in my mind in the past. It's still on my list of things to do. Spent 2 weeks in Zambia, Botswana and SA on an organised flying trip last year. Are you planning to publish an article on the back of this. It's the sort of thing Pilot mag in the UK might be interested in.

Mike

IO540 · 24th Dec 2008, 11:57

Sam - a great trip!

Someday, can you write something about the logistics? For example did you use an overflight agent, etc?

magvelda · 11th Jul 2009, 09:01

Hi

www.whiteroseaviation.co.uk

Sam Rutherford · 24th Jul 2009, 10:55

Hi All,

go with Mike at White Rose - he is absolutely great!

It's that simple...

for the rest, just spend some proper time on your planning (lots of google earth, jeppesen and lonely planet!). Our biggest headache was Sudan, but we still managed to track down an avgas source at Khartoum, and Mike sorted the clearances...

What I would say, is that it is MUCH easier than you think. Also, perhaps of interest, 1 Maule and 3 pax Brussels-Cape Town cost approx GBP18K over 20 days (this in an owned aircraft, no servicing/running costs calculated).

Safe flights, Sam.

jxc · 24th Jul 2009, 20:55

Quote:

1 Maule and 3 pax Brussels-Cape Town cost approx GBP18K over 20 days

Is that £18k big ones or £1,800 if big ones thats alot of money yes alot of fun but alot of money

Sam Rutherford · 25th Jul 2009, 15:31

About GBP300/person/day.

The northern half is expensive (200L of avgas in Khartoum is USD1000, Egypt and Ethiopia are even more expensive), but costs drop off appreciably once you get half-way down through Kenya.

It should perhaps also be noted that we stayed in okay/good hotels (plus 2 nights in a private lodge in Okavango etc.), we visited the local sights, ate well etc. etc.

By doing the trip in fewer days, back-packer style, with a non-STOL aircraft you could probably knock 30%+ off this cost.

Safe flights, Sam.

PS was it worth it? Oh yes!

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