If the aircraft is going on the Gambian reg, it won't be permitted to come into the majority of European countries as Gambia is a Category 2 designated country - they regard Gambia as not properly exercising its safety oversight duties.
Ghana may well work, although there are serious questions being asked there about their lack of proper oversight of MK Airlines.
I hear that Hemus Air may well be the AOC that's being used ... Hemus of course have long been in the 'machine parts' business.
Given the length of time it has been sitting in the desert, it would be interesting to know:
a) what heavy check has been carried out on it?
b) has the rear web spar mod been completed - this is now overdue for all longbody L1011s; together with all other outstanding ADs and SBs that are due?
c) where was the maintenance/modifications carried out - and under what authority?
[This message has been edited by The Guvnor (edited 09 June 2001).]