FZNA / Goma DRC
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: schermoney and left front seat
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FZNA / Goma DRC
Hello,
has anyone been there lately ? Boss might wanna go there for possibly one night.
Any info appreciated.
has anyone been there lately ? Boss might wanna go there for possibly one night.
Any info appreciated.
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Kenya
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No, haven't been to Goma recently but was in Kisangani just before CAR blew up. The airport and bureaucracy was an absolute nightmare. It took us three hours on ground just for a fuel turn around. And it wasn't the fuel that delayed us...
Whatever paperwork you take, make sure it is absolutely perfect, with all the Is dotted and Ts crossed. Most of our time on ground was spent waiting while four different departments inspected all the aircraft documentation in minute detail - Airworthiness, Registration (where is the expiry date), Radio license (who is this that has signed it), landing clearances (we need to verify this by making a phone call to the issuing authority 100s of miles away on a phone line that barely works), Weight and balance (prove that the aircraft weighs what you claim) and so on.
Be extremely patient, use a handling agent even if they'd don't do anything useful, have lots of US dollars in small change (only year 2000 notes or younger) to grease the palms of everyone who claims to help, expect lots of hassling, don't expect anything to work the way it should, allow yourself masses of time to sort out the basic paperwork etc. You will probably be threatened with extras fees and fines even if everything is in perfect order and these sometimes can be intimidating. Triple check on fuel supplies before you land and don't cut your reserves.... Weather can be a real problem and you don't want to be anywhere near your minimum fuel when you land just in case there's an issue with the fuel truck and you don't get the fuel you need to leave again!
You will earn your pay in just getting though this nightmare night stop.
Whatever paperwork you take, make sure it is absolutely perfect, with all the Is dotted and Ts crossed. Most of our time on ground was spent waiting while four different departments inspected all the aircraft documentation in minute detail - Airworthiness, Registration (where is the expiry date), Radio license (who is this that has signed it), landing clearances (we need to verify this by making a phone call to the issuing authority 100s of miles away on a phone line that barely works), Weight and balance (prove that the aircraft weighs what you claim) and so on.
Be extremely patient, use a handling agent even if they'd don't do anything useful, have lots of US dollars in small change (only year 2000 notes or younger) to grease the palms of everyone who claims to help, expect lots of hassling, don't expect anything to work the way it should, allow yourself masses of time to sort out the basic paperwork etc. You will probably be threatened with extras fees and fines even if everything is in perfect order and these sometimes can be intimidating. Triple check on fuel supplies before you land and don't cut your reserves.... Weather can be a real problem and you don't want to be anywhere near your minimum fuel when you land just in case there's an issue with the fuel truck and you don't get the fuel you need to leave again!
You will earn your pay in just getting though this nightmare night stop.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: dubai
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Sounds like a complete shambles. Always was I think.
We used to fly cargo into there during the refugee emergency. Mid 1990's. They were very quick to charge and take landing fees, handling etc., and royalties for not flying the much needed aid into Goma, on their airlines. The truth was they had no cargo aircraft, or any for that matter. All paid for by the donor countries. Something that is never printed in the western press. Remember this was western government donated aid. As said all dollars. Whisky can also be quite a useful top up currency anywhere on that continent.
On one turnaround, some fat "General", self appointed probably, sat his backside on a chair in front of the nose wheel and demanded more fees from us. I said OK we'll stay here and block your taxiway and apron until you let us go. As there were a lot of flights going in and out of there, he soon relented.
Thank God they didn't really have the time to check our paperwork, as ours and most other aircraft that visited would still be there.
We used to fly cargo into there during the refugee emergency. Mid 1990's. They were very quick to charge and take landing fees, handling etc., and royalties for not flying the much needed aid into Goma, on their airlines. The truth was they had no cargo aircraft, or any for that matter. All paid for by the donor countries. Something that is never printed in the western press. Remember this was western government donated aid. As said all dollars. Whisky can also be quite a useful top up currency anywhere on that continent.
On one turnaround, some fat "General", self appointed probably, sat his backside on a chair in front of the nose wheel and demanded more fees from us. I said OK we'll stay here and block your taxiway and apron until you let us go. As there were a lot of flights going in and out of there, he soon relented.
Thank God they didn't really have the time to check our paperwork, as ours and most other aircraft that visited would still be there.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kinshasa DRC
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Current info on Goma.....
Ok His dudeness(Nice handle)...was in Goma the other day - nothing special 2000mts visual approach(No GNSS yet, VOR does not work) - caution when the runway is wet as it becomes like an ice rink - Parking on the main apron in front of the terminal is most likely....last taxiway on the right...at the end of RWY 36 - Fuel is available at $1.70 p/l - Plenty of nice places to stay (Ihusi $70-$200 on the lake or Nyira $60 in town opposite Coco Jumbo bar/resto) - If you need assistance PM me and I will put you in touch with with my ground ops manager to help...Great scenery for a night stop!
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Loved the place. When I was there the ramp in front of the terminal was only for MONUSCO helicopters as the taxiway and "half" of the runway was still covered with hard lava. For food, there used to be a very nice restaurant in town with delicious grilled fish fresh from the lake and grilled steaks. Forgot the name of it. Is it still there?
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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Hello Mobuto,
thanks. Are you one of the DC-8 drivers out of FZAA ? If stationed in FZAA, how have you ridden out the last troubles on years end ? We had the intention to go there in early January but skipped it when news were that the airport was overrun by rebels...
We`d need to go to Goma for Immigration following a flight FZAA to FZRF on the way home....
My worries are security for the aircraft and the guy in the mirror I see every morning... The nights stay would be in FZRF if a (somewhat) decent hotel is available, other wise IŽd reposition to Goma...
thanks. Are you one of the DC-8 drivers out of FZAA ? If stationed in FZAA, how have you ridden out the last troubles on years end ? We had the intention to go there in early January but skipped it when news were that the airport was overrun by rebels...
We`d need to go to Goma for Immigration following a flight FZAA to FZRF on the way home....
My worries are security for the aircraft and the guy in the mirror I see every morning... The nights stay would be in FZRF if a (somewhat) decent hotel is available, other wise IŽd reposition to Goma...
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kinshasa DRC
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No problems His Dudeness - I gave up flying planes that were built before I was born years ago so No I don't drive the Diesel 8's - The "Rebels" that attacked the airport were supposedly a bunch(33) of religious freaks armed mostly with knifes who were arrested(Shot) and dispossed of the same day without investigation(torture) or trial leading most people to believe it was just bad Shakesperian theatre organised by the government........As I mentioned if you need some help in FZNA I have someone who can help - Security for the aircraft is beter than for yourself - although this can be increased by not straying too far from the hotel and resisting the temptation to circulate at night - as for FZRF there are a few nice places to stay which I can get you some details from other pilots based in FZQA who stay there regularly as I only pass through from time to time - Cheers
