FLYING IN CAMEROUN

[JOB HUNTER]

ANYBODY CAN GIVE me any info about flying over cameroun ,the base will be duala for domestic trip in Cameroun. what about the malaria ,the life style , the navigation , I fly an ATR 42 and I got just a GPS .
thanks for the help (in advance)

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[DownIn3Green]

I did a 727 contract there for Cameroon Airlines in 96. It was a SAFAIR A/C and we flew Cameroon routes with their F/A's, dispatch, etc.

The operation was fine, typical African/(French) BS, and life in Duala was OK as well.

Try to stay at the Meridan as opposed to the one across the street (where we stayed).

Depends where you'll be flying as to what it's like. If you have no African experience and are a new Captain pray for an experienced ex-pat F/O. The locals may get you into a situation you don't want to be in.

Schedule doesn't matter to them. If the flight is 15 hours late, as long as it goes, you're ok.

Good luck, and enjoy.

PS-Free drinks as long as you're playing in the casino at the Meridian.

[JOB HUNTER]

Dear DownIn3green,
I thank you for the suggestions, I will fly as F/O and I try to go to the Meridian.
The problem is malaria.Our chief pilot got it since few days and i know he can not be back for visas problem.I have all the medicins for malaria but if I got it can I obtain the next year the first class medical?
I phoned to my collegues in duala and they told the same about Cameroon airlines people.but I am not scared to work but for my health.I never flown in Africa Is it enough a GPS to fly? Any navaid available and are they sure?
thank you.

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[DownIn3Green]

Job Hunter,

Don't worry about Malaria. Read the side effects panel on the malaria medicine. The stuff we tookin Angola 10 years ago gave the warning of male impotentence. With your hobbies (as listed on your profile) you may rather get malaria.

Seriously, I was in Cameroon in June and July, and Malaria wasn't considered a problem then.

As for a GPS, yes, that's fine, but African flying is sometimes unique. Navaids when available have always seemed ok to me. ATC is another matter, though. Don't expect vectors to final, be prepared for the full procedure.

[JOB HUNTER]

Dear Downin3Green,
thanks for the infos,I discovered this morning that i will go to sleep to the ibis hotel and i promise I touch NO ONE WOMAN!!!!
I prefer othe women !!!!
Seriously i am pretty scared to stay over there but It is the only way to fly even if I already got an interview with an Irish company to fly ATR42.
At the end of the week I will know more!
For the moment I thank you very much!!!!!!
FLY SAFE
JOB HUNTER

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[ZAZOO]

Job Hunter

There are some simple things you should form a habit of doing while in the camerouns, a lot of expatriates arriving for the first time to the west coast always take them for granted thinking the doctors pills would do the trick if ever!!!
As a kid I tagged along to the airport with my GP dad to catch a glimps of the europe assistance jet as it swooped in to repatriate
the malaria stricken expatriate back home!
Close your windows and doors early in the evening it helps to have mosquito nets on them , and wear long sleeve shirts outside in the night, the anopheles mosquito is encountered mostly when the sun goes down and
around standing water and on the beaches predominantly, most beer parlours and hot night spots in the town have a patio outside with the live band "Makosa Music" ;) ;) and is well favoured by guest, if the interior is well cooled then try and avoid it or find one with a band on the inside, hard.You can also purchase mosquito killing sprays locally e.g. Baygon, my favourite, and spray in the house when you go out in the morning and dont go walking around too much in the bushes :) :)
Try not to spend the night outside your house if you get what I mean and keep your car windows closed at night when parked.
Malaria is becoming resistant to so many drugs in the market now and the best advice most doctors will give you on the continent is prevention,and in this case prevention is better than cure!
Stay fit and take your multivitamins keep your immunity up, eat well its very important!Drink a lot of water not beer, its very humid and you might find it even more in the cockpit during turnarounds with the heat.
Finally, enjoy your stay in the camerouns, not a bad place to go and fly, the locals are fun, I am sure you will have a great time and free of malaria during your stay.

Regards
Zazoo
P.S.DownIn3Green is right we fly the whole procedure, you will love it!

[JOB HUNTER]

Thanks for all the infos I will try to take care. I hope to stay over there few months but I know It is enough one touch from anopheles to get malaria.
I am fu...ing scared to fly and to live in Cameroun but somebody told me I am too much professional to refuse to go.
I will buy several cans of Baygon and I pray it is enough to avoid mosquitos and then i have medicines to prevent malaria.
thanks to everybody and see you soon on PPRUNE web site.

BYE BYE GUYS

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