Planning a flight from central europe to south africa..

[roljoe]

Hello all,

as stated in the title, we could be faced to the preparation of a private flight inbound South-Africa in a couple months.

This will be the first experience for us down so far in the south..
I would appreciate any pertinent infos about this..
-specific procedures
-efficient station for tech.stops
-use of credit card
-visas
-vaccination
-etc..

The aircraft has a range of about 2000 nm

departure from Paris or Luxemburg, and crew european nationals.

Thanks a lot in advance

[BoeingMEL]

...but knowing the aircraft type would help! I always used a specialist flight-planning firm to arreange my planning, flight-plans, visas and overflight approvals... worth every penny! My suggestion is take the eastern route from Luxor or Alexandria..straight down the Nile. Whether you need Avtur or Avgas will influence your chosen route... WP airport Nairobi used to have both but times change. Oh, and take a few hundred US $$$ to ease your progress :* Done it 10 or 12 times in singles, piston-twins, a K200 and a couple of clapped-out turbine copters. Never regretted a moment. Good luck bm

[Doodlebug]

Hi

Just one example: Malaga - Bamako - Sao Tome - Ondangwa - Cape Town/Johannesburg. Examples of good alternates are Accra or Libreville. Avoid Lagos. Bring a satphone. A large float of USD is a must, big denominations. Be aware of who enters your aircraft, keep the door closed if you can. Try to make sure that the bloke claiming to be the handling agent actually IS the handling agent! Check all bills down to the very last letter. Get somebody who has lots of experience to set up your overflights and tech-stops. Stick to the broadcast procedures (126.9), consider off-setting and having your lights on, seeing as some aren't always where they claim to be and others don't broadcast at all. Wear very important uniforms, lots of gold braid. Have lots of copies of gendecs/flight plans/aoc/etc with you. In most places a good 'tip' will be expected. Once you're into Namibia/Botswana you're home free.

Enjoy, Africa's great! :ok:

[roljoe]

Thanks guys for that already...

one important aspect I forgot to mention is a mandatory stop in Bujumbura (Burundi)...so a most easterly routing have to be considered..
Anyway a big thanks for this..
Regarding the ac, this should be a Lear60 or a 45...or an Excell..

Thanks...

[ginopino]

Hadid International Services (http://www.hadidis.com/Services3.php)


.. for flight permits,handling, etc....:ok:

[DA-10mm]

for the most part, leave your credit cards at home, LOTS of US dollars will get you at least marginal handling

vaccinations: get all that you can

pay generously for extra security if you happen to overnight somewhere other than your ultimate destination

[Habari]

Would recommend Cairo - Bujumbura - Johannesburg.
Entebbe is a great alternate for Bujumbura, very cheap and fast turn around. No handling required.
Take US$ in small notes as well, as the usual African thing of "no change" is very common.

[EatMyShorts!]

And if you overnight, take the gear pins (steering) out and take them either with you to the hotel or leave them inside the locked aircraft. Otherwise you may have to buy them from the locals the next day ;)

[Pace]

Which ever side you go eat plenty of AVOCADO as it is miraculous and better than any spray at keeping the Moggies away.

AN AVOCADO A DAY KEEPS THE MOGGIES AWAY

No joke ;)

Pace

[dynamite dean]

I suppose there are a couple of ways You could do Paris - to Alexandria - Entebbe - JHB/Lanseria if thats the way down. As previously said make sure you take plenty of dollars as a float. Enjoy it , wish I was going with. Know those parts well consider SLOP if you wish. Stay at the Lake Vic hotel in EBB and goto bulago isaland if you have time!

I prefer gin and tonic for the mozzies.:E

regards
DD

[ukblue]

Bit of a thread drift but what the heck is the K200 machine that boeingmel flew down to SA? Must be a rare beast as no reference to it on Google unless it was the Japanese flying boat.

[roljoe]

Thanks to all for all these good advises.

"Dynamite dream", what do you mean by SLOP ?

Does anybody has an experience with a Tech.stop in Khartoum ?

Again thanks for your imputs.

[olgamayer]

Hello,
I was wondering what kind of aircraft you have.
If you need any help to prepare the aircraft or even fly ( I m not sure if you need a flight attendant), please don t hesitate to conatct me. I live in Paris.
Wish you all the best.

[fastjet45]

Roljoe

The term 'SLOP' is an abbreviation for Strategic Lateral Offset Procedure this is a technique used during North atlantic Ops to try and avoid wake turbulance, usually you offset to the right of track by 1 or 2 nm. From the aircraft you have mentioned using for this flight the FMS's will be capable of automatic offset programming. :ok:

[roljoe]

Thanks Fastjet45,

I remember now.

[sycamore]

Carry lots of small sachets of coffee,tea,milk ,sugar to give to the `handlers`,ie fuel,guard,caterer,flight planning;check fuel totaliser agrees with what goes in,and plenty of a/c disinsecticide on overnight stop,otherwise the boss won`t like creepy-crawlies,or slippery slitherers inside,or in the baggage/engines/ducts...

[MikeNYC]

ukblue - likely a KingAir 200...not a Japanese flying boat :}

[ukblue]

Ah, all is now clear, thanks misler.

[dc9-32]

If going for the FIFA World Cup, you'll need to follow the procedures to get approval to land etc. PM me for details.

[dynamite dean]

SLOP - its that stuff pigs eat isnt it?:E

[Didge]

Hi,

Give Flight-Assist Ltd a call they are a small Independant company that can arrange anything you want Flight planning route planning etc etc..