Dakar GOOY do's and dont's?

[Abri_Beluga]

Hey guys,

I'm supposed to go up to Dakar to do a maintenance test flight and ferry for a helicopter to a yacht in the next few weeks.

Having never flown in Senegal before, what are some pittfalls and things to keep in mind when flying there?
What are the ATCs like?

Thanks!

[Trim Stab]

Dakar is a paradise compared to the rest of west africa - I've ferried various aircraft few a couple of times. Nothing complicated - nice easy ILS, plenty of parking, good ATC. Most aircrew stay in the King something or other hotel on the beachfront - I'm sure you can find it googling.

The only issue I had was that the local ground handling people were trying to insist that the aircraft wasn't safe parked on the south side of the apron at night, because the locals would come in through the fence, and "advised" that I should pay for a guard. Usual african rubbish...

[Abri_Beluga]

Great! Thank you very much for the info.

[new_era]

Smooth operation, watch out about the strong wind + shift on final RWY 36 and also birds strike due to birds concentration from the discharge around the threshold. Many hotels around the airport but sometimes noisy because of the night club and casino (Airport hotel,..) Onomo hotel is also at 5mn from the airport.

[Katamarino]

Onomo hotel was good, I'd recommend it. We went to the airport for a "dry-run" the day before departure to figure out where all the different offices were to pay fees, file flight plans and so on, like much of Africa it's not at all obvious to the newcomer. Fees were very reasonable.

[Trim Stab]

Onomo hotel was good, I'd recommend it. We went to the airport for a "dry-run" the day before departure to figure out where all the different offices were to pay fees, file flight plans and so on, like much of Africa it's not at all obvious to the newcomer. Fees were very reasonable.

Best to use Jetex flight support in Africa. Saves not only massive of time but works out cheaper because the locals know it is not worth scamming Jetex. If they park the fuel truck in front of your plane and refuse to move until you offer "something for the boys" then you just call Jetex and it is sorted pronto.

[Basil]

About fifteen years ago stuck with no fuel available in a B747 in Banjul so drew a circle on the map and went to Dakar.
Memory hazy but don't recollect any problems so guess it was OK.

Just looked at log - also went Lagos - Freetown - Banjul; totally forgotten that.
About '63 went into Dakar on banana steamer to drop sick sailor - wonder how he got on . . .
Sorry - rambling :\

[4runner]

Bangui? Your stories sound like my Fathers'. Keep rambling please.
About fifteen years ago stuck with no fuel available in a B747 in Banjul so drew a circle on the map and went to Dakar.
Memory hazy but don't recollect any problems so guess it was OK.

Just looked at log - also went Lagos - Freetown - Banjul; totally forgotten that.
About '63 went into Dakar on banana steamer to drop sick sailor - wonder how he got on . . .
Sorry - rambling :\

[where ever what ever]

I'm based in Dakar and can recommend the Onimo Hotel. It runs around $100 a night with the usual free bus to the airport 5 mins away

ATC is good by Africa standards. It does have radar but still unable to vector ( all radials and DME )

There are a number of other Helicopter operator working out of Dakar, we share our hanger with two how support the oil platforms of the coast.

Check out the official ( French ) site for local charts and the helicopter hold points which you will need to know

AIS ASECNA (http://www.ais-asecna.org/en/index.htm)

Most aircraft are parked on Golf apron for the night, there are a number of Biz jets and military aircraft parked there so security not an issue

Its cold in the mornings so bring your fleece

Cheers