Lubumbashi, Congo D.r.

[zaly]

Anyone who has any personal experience into Lubumbashi (FBM/FZQA), Congo D.R.? Who provides ground handling there and if they have the GSE like MDLs, Tail-stand, etc for a 747F? Can someone share their view?

[cforty7]

Good luck mate.

There used to be a 727 parked in the long grass which you can shove under the 747 tail but that's about it.

There is a FMC for cargo loading, but you'll need about 30 locals to push the cargo as only 2 wheels on the loader floor works...:ugh:

Good luck once again:\

[WhinerLiner]

Wanna know what L'shi is like? A bit like hell except they don't have any of the nice stuff.

Well, look on the bright side, it will be a trip you will never forget.

[zaly]

Sigh :{:{:ugh:

[diegrootwitbeen]

DONT GO TO LUBUMBASHI !!!!! it is like the africa toilet got flushed and all the sh*t ended up on the airport, next to the apron, you will see when you get there....and they wont have fuel so you win a extra week:yuk:

UAS is a company that can do all the nessesary clearances and handling, but no mechanical / automated unloading of a 747F, think the closest you might come right is Lusaka Zambia:} T.I.A.

[JTrain]

You'd have to be pretty light going out of there, as 800m of runway 7 is displaced (very rough pavement).

The biggest I've seen in there is a B767 belonging to Hewa Bora.

Transair and Hewa Bora, both DRC operators, fly DC-8s into L'shi. They almost always depart 25, even with a tailwind, as that gives them the 800m displaced area as "extra" runway in case they need it. Hewa Bora also flies in B707 freighters.

You can arrange for private ground handlers there who do the job reasonably well.

Lubumbashi is by far the nicest city in the Congo. There's good restaurants in town, and it is very relaxed compared to the rest of the country.

PM me if you need more info. I've been working out of FBM for the last three years. I'd love to see a 747F on the ramp one day - I've always wondered if one could make it in :-)

jt

[SoWhereToNow]

Going to FZQA tomorrow, there is a very helpful ATC called Shaka, will see what they can offer... J Train, whats a good place for dinner?

[BDB]

Agree with Shaka, only helpfull person around, unfortunately no contact nr at present, will do some searching. best moment in Lb. V1

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Is Shaka still around? Heard a rumour he was involved in an accident and didn't make it.

[Siguarda al fine]

Sharka passed away some time ago as did the one eyed ATC Mayumba

[Carrier]

Quote: "The biggest I've seen in there is a B767 belonging to Hewa Bora."

Small fry! Shortly before the last (first?) presidential election a couple of years or so ago I followed a gigantic Antonov in. I enquired about its cargo. It had come from Johannesburg and was full of election material. No wonder that election cost everyone else's taxpayers half a billion dollars! It was not its only visit. I was on the ground one day when it arrived. It was fascinating to see it kneel down and the nose rise to allow trucks to drive in to remove the cargo.
The apron is relatively small and having such a large aircraft caused some problems. I taxied out under its wing and tail with the help of some wing walkers to ensure not only separation between the aircraft but also that my wheels did not drop into the drains from which the gratings had long ago been stolen.

[MungoP]

SoWhereToNowGoing to FZQA tomorrow, there is a very helpful ATC called Shaka, will see what they can offer... J Train, whats a good place for dinner?

Park Hotel is pretty civilized...
Don't fuel overnight so as to allow a quick getaway... You'll likely be missing a good quantity by the morning and the oil lamps of Katanga region will be burning bright through Xmas :)

[sslut]

Hollybum's is a clean bed and decent grub. Beers are always ice cold and a fair selection available. The Belgian club just up the road does some of the best burgers in that part of the world. The polo club on Friday nights is always a good jol, think it was $5 for your meat and the salads etc are free. Good expat meeting place as well. One of the better ****holes of Africa!!!

[CJ750]

Lubumbashi Is Not Too Bad But Apron Is Getting Busy So Parking Might Be A Problem If It Is Already Full. As Stated Before First 800 M Of Easterly Runway Is Unusable And Lots Of Holes On The Rest Of It Around Centre Line. There Is A Very Good Handler There But As Far As Offloading , Etc Good Luck. Watch Out For The Night Fighters At The Park Hotel. There Is A Lot Of Better Accommodation In Town And Good Food At All The Expat Clubs. Fuel Is Also Sometimes A Problem. Ndola Is The Closest Airport To Lubumbashi As An Alternate For Landing Parking Etc.

Not A Bad Place Is Our Lubum But For Your Size Plane I See A Problem. Have The Number Of The Handler If You Want

:8