View Full Version : Club trip to Dakar (Senegal)
I was reading Aussie Andy's post on his planned trip to Barcelona, and I, too would like to benefit from any advice, view, comments you may have.. .. .We are taking 5 DR400 from Bernay (LFPD) to Dakar (Senegal) over a couple of weeks in June. We'll be following the Aeropostale route, going through Toulouse, spain, Tanger, Marrakesh (Morocco), following the western part of Africa all the way down to St Louis and Dakar in Senegal. We may be coming back up cutting through the deserts in Mauritania (but I am told that the Viz over the desert at this time of year can be quite bad).. .. .Would any of you have any tips, comments, views???. .. .Anyone has done the trip?
Aussie Andy
7th Mar 2002, 22:27
No, but I wish I had!. .. .Looking forward to reading of such experiences! This is the route of Saint-Exupery, and there was an excellent article in UK Pilot magazine about a group of French fellas who flew this route not so long ago... maybe someone remebers this edition?. .. .Andy
Chuck Ellsworth
7th Mar 2002, 23:41
I flew the flight that you are refererring to in October 1998 in a PBY. It was surles traces de L'Aeropostale, Toulouse - Santiago. We had a crew of eleven, ten Frenchmen and me.. .. .If you wish advice on the route I can give you some just e-mail me.. .. .For anyone not familiar with N.W. Africa there are some important things you must be aware of. The most important is Sand - Dust storms called the Harmatten that occurs during winter months in the Sahara. It is extreemly dangerous to be caught in this weather phenomenon as it can wipe out thousands of miles of Northern Africa. However it is predicitable and avoidable when you understand what it is and when it occurs.. .. .St-Louis and Dakar are no problem however there is a lot of inhospitipal territory in between Spain and Dakar and fuel can be a problem.. .. ............ . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 07 March 2002, 19:43: Message edited by: Cat Driver ]</small>
bluskis
8th Mar 2002, 01:38
My experience as far south as Sidi Ifni is now 20 years out of date, but some things probably don't change.. .If using Gibralta as a transit stop, flight plan to Tangiers and divert. It kept the Spanish happy.. .. .Take lots of lose change to give to the various Morrocan officials, about four varieties of official at each airport.. .. .Take your own European water for survival.. .. .We found it necessary to relay radio calls via airlines when flying along the coast of the Sahara. Not sure what would have happened if the motor had stopped,but it made us feel better.. .. .What topos are you going to use? Ours consisted mostly of the note 'not surveyed'.. .. .Cat Driver, I would like to hear your much later experiences. Please post them.Thanks.
Dan Winterland
8th Mar 2002, 03:19
Dakar - tips.. .. .1. Take LOTS of dollars, everything has to be paid for in hard currency - including bribes.. .. .2. Try to avoid carry large ammounts of cash!. .. .3. Don't drink the water - don't even clean your teeth with it as it carries Hepatitis A.. .. .4. Get lots of jabs b4 you go, Hepatitis and meningitis included.. .. .5. Don't go out at night, stay in the hotel.. .. .6. Stay in a good hotel.. .. .7. Don't go in the first place!
Cat Driver - I saw a beautiful book about an Aeropostale trip in a PBY with, amongts other pilots, Patrick Baudry. Are you saying you were on this trip?. .. .I any case I'd love to hear what you have to say about such a trip.
Chuck Ellsworth
8th Mar 2002, 23:24
CBG:. .. .Hi: I see you fly from St Martin?. .. .Yes I was the pilot in charge of the Aeropostale flight and because the airplane is Canadian registered I had to fly the complete trip.. .. .If you read "Un vol de legende sur les traces de L'Aeropostale" you will see several pictures of me with the rest of the crew.. .. .I flew with Patrick Baudry for two years and gave him his PBY type rating. Patrick in turn gave me the Airbus A320 course as I was working as part of the Airbus team at that time. . .. .I also was the pilot in charge of Project Okavango for TF1 in 1995/96.. .. .The airplane is Canadian registered and owned by Franklin Devaux of the French Flying Ledgends fame. Our next project will be a trip around the world due to start sometime near the end of this year.. .. .Hope that answers some of your questions. . .By the way even though I have been flying in France for about seven years my understanding of French is limited.. .. .I am basically just a brain dead pilot, so don't expect to much.. .. .All the best: Chuck Ellsworth.. ............... . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
senkrcha
10th Mar 2002, 20:14
Dear DW, please don't scare the people too much. This would be a great trip and their destination, Dakar, is a great and friendly city.. . . .1. Dollars are accepted yes but not necessary. Normally everything is paid for in CFA. Tips/bribes are always welcome and get things done a little faster but F CFA 3,000 to 5,000 (€ 4.50 to € 7.50) is always enough and normally not required. Things work OK without bribes and especially at the aeroclub, Aeroclub de Dakar where all the staff, French and Senegalese could not be more helpful. (tel: 8200-412). .2. Good advise in any city in any part of the world. .3. Good advise for Africa but not a big worry at the moment here. .4. For a short stay not everything is required, one should seek proper medical advice - yellow fever is mandatory.. .5. Dakar has a great nightlife - GO OUT! There is so much to do and see and the safest city I have ever lived in. Great restaurants (big French influence of course but there are other genres) and the bars are lively and open to the early hours.. .6. Recommend the Meridien President close to the airport : Tel.: 820-1515 or of you want to stay downtown the Terranga: tel.: 823-1044. Both reasonable cost-wise but there are many cheaper smaller hotels.. .7. Go to Dakar, so much better than Conakry, Abidjan, Bamako or Douala!. .. .Right now sand is a problem due to the wind, normally steady between 15-20 kts but no shortage of gusts upto 25 kts and the viz. is normally below 10 kms best - I understood it is worse further north from St. Louis to Nouakchott.. .. .CBG - am envious of your trip. Wish you a safe and fantastic trip. Good luck..
Hi,. .. .I agree with Aussie Andy, there was an article on just such a trip in the UK magazine Pilot, by Bernard Chabbert, their French correspondent. But I can't find which issue! He made the trip as part of an annual pilgrimage to celebrate the "men of the line".. .. .CBG, do you have an e-mail address? I would like to drop you a line.. .. .Skua. . . . <small>[ 10 March 2002, 19:41: Message edited by: skua ]</small>
Hi Guys, . .. .Many thanks to all for your replies. . .. .I fly from Bernay St martin in NW France. It's a small and nice "popham like" (for those of you who fly in the UK) grass airfield where the Mudry aicrafts (CAP10 and others)were built. August Mudry is still a member of the flying club. We also have a Tiger Moth (in full RAF colours). . .. .Cat - I'll go get the book now!. .. .As far as our trip is concerned, we are normal guys (and a couple of gals) trying to do an interesting trip in your average PPL aircrafts. I am planning to keep a diary of the trip. If the trip happens to be worth talking about, I'll post something.. .. .Cat, a trip around the world? This I want to hear about when it's done!. .. .Cat Driver,Skua (and others), I'd really like to hear what you have to say about the route and other things. My e-mail address is
[email protected]. . .. .As far as brain dead pilots is concerned - I thought that one had to be brain dead to become a good pilot!!
BEagle
14th Mar 2002, 00:11
Ahhh - Dakar. Has the synergy resulting from the French flair for organisation and the African sense of urgency!. .. .Food in the restaurants is fine - but take bottled water and be VERY meticulous with jabs, medical requirements. And AVOID the approaches of the 'ladies of the night' who may well prowl the corridors of your hotel.....however, you'll find the locals friendly and happy enough if you treat them with civility.. . . . <small>[ 13 March 2002, 20:13: Message edited by: BEagle ]</small>
CBG, what a marvellous plan, to travel in the slipstream of St Exupery. I hope to take my aircraft back to see its dad at Bernay later this year. I'd love to hear how your trip goes.
FNG, . .. .I'll post updates of the trip.. .. .Let me know when you plan to fly down to Bernay. It's always nice to have G-regs at LFPD!
Toulouse-Saint Louis du Senegal is I believe a yearly event and it is organised by Air Aventure, a "association" based at Toulouse Labordes.. .About year ago we had been contacted to provide the air assistance with our 208. So far they had used an AN2 but the guy who few it more or less graciously could not make it because of the very high cost incurred by such beast.. .The journey begins sometimes around September the 1st and last 2 weeks.. .I was then in contact with Pierre Jarrige and I am sure if you contact him, he won't mind helping you.. .Try to call the "Association" or email me as I do have his number (if it is still valid).. .. .-Cat Driver:. .I was in Bostwana between 96 and 97. Saw you in Maun but I actually ended up talking quite a bit with the co-pilot since we found out we were from the same area (2 miles door to door).. .Lovely sister he has as well <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .Anyway it was great to see the PBY in the area and only a few months later, I saw it again in LSA.. .. .Bye all
Chuck Ellsworth
16th Mar 2002, 23:31
AMEX:. .. .Do you live in Grenoble?. .. ..................
Rob_L
16th Mar 2002, 23:49
I think the article by Bernard Chabbert about his participation in the Toulouse-St.Louis rally (St.Exupery route) was in December's "Pilot", but not mentioned on the cover because it was under "letter from France" or something. I seem to remember the trip to the Canaries (also interesting and relevant) was in the same edition.. .. .PS. Yes it's definitely in December. . . . <small>[ 16 March 2002, 20:10: Message edited by: Rob_L ]</small>
Letter in the box <img src="http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/Gif/WBSylv.gif" alt="" />driver
CBG, have you made the trip, or are you about to leave (or already en route? ( in which case, bon vol).
Yes, we just came back. It was awsome!
I kept a diary of the flight and I'll post something here once it's finalised.
For a start, many thanks to all the Ppruners who gave me tips, sent me plates (ATAR), etc.
In a nutshell - 14 of us in 5 aircrafts (3 DR400, 2 HR200). experience: from the 20 hour student to the 5000 hour chief pilot. Most people in the 200 hour range. All PPLs or students. No IR rated pilots
Day 1: LFPD to Perpignan. We "visited" the Loire Chateaux on the way.
Much talk and jokes on our "company" frequency: 123.45
Day 2: Perpignan - Almeria (fuel stop). No problem flying down Spain. The controlers don't want to talk to you unless you are 50nm from a major airport.
One of the DR400 lands in Almeria without clearance. Big bollocking!
Take off to Tanger. No Problem
Breakfast in France, lunch in Spain, Dinner in Morocco!!
Day 3: Tanger - Agadir (fuel stop)
We fly the VFR route around Rabat. One of the HR100 misses one of the reporting points and gets too close to Mohammed V airport for confort. Another bollocking and 123.45 gets very quiet!
We cannot raise Casa Radar. Our calls are relayed by an Air France flight
Agadir - Laayoune (2 hour flight)
Bummer. A temporary military restricted area put in place above Tan Tan. Would mean going far out at sea. Low ceiling.
We take off and follow the coast. the ceiling comes down to the top of the hills. We cannot go inland. We decide to fly the leg all the way at 500ft along the coast. Straight through the P zone, no radio, no transponder, etc. (they must have been wondering what those 5 low flying aircrafts were up to!)
We fly past Cap Juby (where St Exupery was Aeropostale's representative. No wonder he wrote all these books. There is not much to do there). We look for the Tarfaya airfield, we cannot find it.
We get to Laayoune (south Morocco) without problems. Laayoune is full of UN troops - they all drive brand new huge 4X4. Waste of money these people!
3 russian UN Antonovs on the tarmac.
Day 4: Laayoune - Nouhadibou (fuel stop)
Flight over desert. really beautifull. It gets quite hot in the planes
Nouhadibou - St Louis
Great flight over flamingoes and other wildlife.
We stay at the hotel de la poste in St louis (aeropostale hotel). Pictures of planes, signed pictures of Mermoz and St Exupery everywhere in the hotel. Pilot's paradise.
Day 5: St Louis - Dakar
That morning, Senegal won the World cup match. Madness to get to the airport.
One hour flight to Dakar. We decide to fly in lose formation along the coats at 500 ft. Great flight over fishermen's villages, etc.
On arrival in Dakar I realise I nearly ran a fuel tank dry. Would have been quite a show running out of fuel on finals after having come all this way!!
We taxi out of the runway and the ATC asks us to "hold position". Half an hour later we are still there: the President is boarding his plane to go to Korea for his team's next World Cup match.
Day 6: rest day
Day 7: Dakar - ATAR
Atar is in the middle of the Mauritanian desert. No following the coast there. The weather gets a bit freaky (hot, foggy). The viz gets pretty bad. ATAR is a military airport in a valley beetwen two rather tall mountains! Instrument flying for the last hour. I think this is the most difficult flight I ever did. I did not know what was coming.
The heat outside is crazy (45 to 50 Degrees C)
We end the day refuelling from 200 litter drums with a ridiculous little pumpt
Day 8: ATAR - Laayoune
The viz is real bad. We cannot see the mountains. We had soldiers guarding the planes. We will realise upon arrival in Laayoune that thoses bastards siphoned fuel out of the planes. This could have been disastrous.
The air force pilot do not think we should take off in this poor viz. I have mixed feelings.
We take off and decide to circle up into the overhead to clear the mountains. 5 a/c doing this is a bit crazy but we do it anyway.
We are stuck at FL95 with no viz. Sand storm below, heat fog above, no clouds on top. No bloody visual references. Two hours on the Artificial Horizon. This is no practice with an instructor sitting next to me and this is the worse flight in my life. The heat is almost unbearable. I am woundering why the hell I got involved in this trip!!
Two hours later the weather clears out. I give controls to the right seat chap ... and I fall asleep in the P1 seat. Never happened to me before!
Land in Laayoune without problems. We get shredded that evening!!
Day 9: Laayoune - Essaouira ( lunch, fuel stop)
Nice flight. airliners keep asking Agadir if there is and air race, because of the 5 F reg a/c coming on the frequency.
Essaouira - Marrakech
No problem except with these idiots in Marakech who won't take dollars or Euros in exchange of fuel. We waste two hours there.
Day 10: rest day
Day 11: Marrakech - Almeria
The controler ask 3 of us to line up. An airliner who is still a bit far complains and says that he thought landing A/c had priority over departing ones. The controler tells him to shut up, to take up the hold and wait. He did wait for a while!!!
FL85 over Malaga with lots of departing heavy iron passing underneath.
Almeria - Ampuria Brava (north Spain)
Boring flight. We chat to Barcelona control about the football.
Day 12: Ampuria Brava - LFPD
at FL110 on top. Thank god it clears up befor we get to LFPD.
Conclusion:
Too amazing and great to describe. 50hours in the log book over 12 days. How am I going to have fun now doing the 100£ run? I am going to have to take up aerobatics or something
Aussie Andy
8th Jul 2002, 10:38
CBG - awesome! Hope I am in a position to make this trip too one day!!! Thanks for posting! :)
skydriller
8th Jul 2002, 11:20
CBG - Sounds like an amazing trip, good effort!!
But the fact that someone supposedly guarding your aeroplanes would do something as potentially dangerous/life threatning as siphoning fuel from them just sickens me :mad: :mad:
Best Regards, SD..
SD, Aussie Andy - Thanks for your comments.
When I realised that we had fuel siploned out of the airplanes the only time when we had armed people guarding the airplanes, this reminded me of Skua's similar story: on the London/Sydney air race, the only time their planes was broken into was when they had people guarding the a/c at night.
The funny part of this story is that when the Laayoune fuel people tried to charge us for more fuel put in the aircrafts than we had calculated we needed, we gave then a real hard time, thinking they they were trying to rip us off. That was until we realised they were in fact right!