View Full Version : East African Airways 2018 reunion.
Just attended the 2018 reunion of an airline that was begun in 1946 and ceased operation in 1977.
There were 57 attendees of a family that still meets nearly 50 years after it came to an end. Began operation at the end of the second world war with six Kenya born pilots from the RAF who were seconded to BOAC obtained UK civil licences and then flew 5 De Haviland Ex RAF Dominies or Dragon Rapides from the UK to Kenya.
The airline progressed through Doves, Lodestars, Howards, DC3’s, Argonouts, Comets, F-27’s, Comet 4’s DC-9’s and VC-10’s. With an extensive route network through Africa to the Europe, UK and the Far East.
Not so much an airline as an exclusive flying club and aviation family.
Little bit older grey hairs, lots no longer with us but a host of memories of times gone by.
To the pilots, engineers, flight engineers, hostesses and ground crew who attended, for a few hours we were young again and remembered.
Afrijet
17th Jun 2018, 02:25
I worked with one of the former Captains. I have ALOT of respect for every Kenyan aviator I ever flew with except one pilot who flew For the Kenyan AF, blamed everyone white for all his problems, was described by other Kenyans as a “war lord” pilot and was a horrible, petty and ****ty chief pilot during his brief tenure in that role. He was at East African airways, rwandair and last I heard, flying a Fokker in Somalia.
Afrijet
17th Jun 2018, 02:26
If you’re on this forum and reading this, former WB CP, kiss our collective mzungu asses.
cavortingcheetah
17th Jun 2018, 22:47
Many moons ago, in southern Africa, I used to fly booth a King Air 100 and a 200 with an ex EAA Captain, Richard C. He's probably dead by now but I remember him often.
Whenwe
18th Jun 2018, 05:14
I read your thread with an element of jealousy as I joined Central African Airways early 67 only to be broken up later into 3 airlines, Rhodesia, Zambia and Malawi.
It is a great pity that we never had a reunion............... great guys out there that I had the privilege and honour to share a cockpit with.
Many moons ago, in southern Africa, I used to fly booth a King Air 100 and a 200 with an ex EAA Captain, Richard C. He's probably dead by now but I remember him often.
Only one I remember with those Initials was Richard Carne/Cairn. A number of our guys were from ‘South’ Nick Methley was one who is still around but a bit poorly I hear. One Safair chief pilot was Ex EAA, not sure it wasn’t Lou Starling, and a few who went back after the break-up joined that outfit before moving on to Cathay.
cavortingcheetah
18th Jun 2018, 15:36
Richard Carne is the man. I last saw him in around 1982 in Johannesburg when he was flying King Airs. He had a lot more experience than the chief pilot of the operation, who was himself a very nice guy. Used to have lovely Sunday lunches at R's house. His wife always made my young wife and I very welcome.
He then left the company before I did, retired I think and our paths never crossed again.
When on the appropriate charter to Kuruman, he was apt to buy a whole butchered lamb and sling it all in the back to take home.
Jetjock330
20th Jun 2018, 08:24
I used to fly co-pilot too, and worked under the late John Winson a gentlemen, and what a character. His business card said 25000 hours on 4 engine jets! One unassuming guy said to him a Aero Club of East Africa bar , it cant be, the B747 came out in 1970, and he replied, I flew Comets and VC10's, real jets!
When EAA came to an end at the break-up of the East African Community of Kenya Uganda and Tanzania we were spread to the winds.
A wonderful collection of individuals as colourful as the county in which we lived drank and worked. Expats, locals, both indigenous and imported, we had a company that we were proud of, that had standards, routes and aircraft that were on a par with the best.