AOC Suspended - Kenya
Thread Starter
AOC Suspended - Kenya
Just chatting to friends in Kenya and seems like an operator there has had their licence suspended for illegal flights into Somalia.
Should be interesting to see what happens as Kenya has serious security regulations regarding Somalia following the Kenyan military operations in South Somalia and the constant threat of terrorism from Somali based Al Shabbab militants.
Should be interesting to see what happens as Kenya has serious security regulations regarding Somalia following the Kenyan military operations in South Somalia and the constant threat of terrorism from Somali based Al Shabbab militants.
Last edited by KiwiNedNZ; 3rd Aug 2013 at 20:02.
Any clues?
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Things are going to get worse before they get better.
Al-Shabaab have funds and some local operators/pilots don't care what they do as long as they've got money in their pocket.
The situation in Kenya for "whites" is becoming increasingly fragile in certain areas so my guess is for some interesting times ahead!
Al-Shabaab have funds and some local operators/pilots don't care what they do as long as they've got money in their pocket.
The situation in Kenya for "whites" is becoming increasingly fragile in certain areas so my guess is for some interesting times ahead!
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Has just been confirmed by them on their Facebook page:
Ouch.
This is to inform you that Tropic Air is currently assisting the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) with an inquiry following a recent flight in Somalia.
The KCAA has requested that we do not operate until such time that this inquiry is satisfactorily concluded. All current bookings and commitments are therefore being sub-chartered to reputable air charter companies with whom we have long standing associations and whom provide the same quality of service as Tropic Air.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to resume services as soon as possible.
The KCAA has requested that we do not operate until such time that this inquiry is satisfactorily concluded. All current bookings and commitments are therefore being sub-chartered to reputable air charter companies with whom we have long standing associations and whom provide the same quality of service as Tropic Air.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to resume services as soon as possible.
Ouch.
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Certainly one of the best operators we've around here. Tropic are not known for cowboying so probably some misunderstanding and a knee jerk reaction by KCAA. Fingers crossed; because EA authorities just loooove to take their time in these cases 
Last edited by Hawkeye0001; 5th Aug 2013 at 18:44.
Thread Starter
Not a lot of operators around there from what I understand.
Tropic Air
Lady Lori Helicopters
Everett Aviation
Plus couple of single machine operators I think.
Tropic Air
Lady Lori Helicopters
Everett Aviation
Plus couple of single machine operators I think.
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Plus couple of single machine operators I think.
Aberdair Aviation
Air Kenya
Phoenix Aviation
Sicham Aviation
and among private owners
William Kabogo
Peter Kenneth
Ephraim Maina
Gideon Moi
Simeon Nyachae
and if we are listing operators then among the non-commercial
Army Air Cavalry
Air Force
Kenya Power and Lighting
Police Air Wing
Wildlife Service
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And ALS. And HCEA. And a couple other lesser known ones in Kenya and the other 5 EAC countries. It might be a generally small community with very few well known established operators but there's a surprising total of some 50 civilian helicopters operating in Kenya alone.
It's probably just that the top 3 you listed above are the ones that understand the concept and value of proper marketing strategies
It's probably just that the top 3 you listed above are the ones that understand the concept and value of proper marketing strategies
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I know what Tropic Air, Lady Lori and Everett operate - what do the others operate.
Most of the remaining civvie ships are AS350's and B407's. Private ships include B206/L.
Thread Starter
AE - Last time I was out there was a couple of years ago. The only operators I know or who have contacts with are Everett, Tropic Air, Lady Lori and met the guy who used to have the 407 that ended up in the crater lake.
Sorry but dont have any contacts with any of the others. Feel free to PM me some POCs and will make a point of visiting them when I head back that way in a few months.
Ned
Sorry but dont have any contacts with any of the others. Feel free to PM me some POCs and will make a point of visiting them when I head back that way in a few months.
Ned
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Aoc withdrawn
The story that I hear is that:
The owner of tropic air landed with several Somalis on board, landed in
Nanyuki air strip. The aircraft stopped at the end of the runway and without shutting down the engine, the pilot disembarked the Somalis who crawled through the tall grass as the pilot removed the sticky tape that covered the reg number and than taxied back to the apron.
If this is true that is extremely serious
The owner of tropic air landed with several Somalis on board, landed in
Nanyuki air strip. The aircraft stopped at the end of the runway and without shutting down the engine, the pilot disembarked the Somalis who crawled through the tall grass as the pilot removed the sticky tape that covered the reg number and than taxied back to the apron.
If this is true that is extremely serious
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Latest info coming from out of Africa say they are in real trouble. Rumour has it they went to Mogadishu in their B3 to rescue hostages and were asked by Amisom troops to shutdown the helicopter and discuss what they were doing there. Instead they started up and flew away without permission. Seems the Kenyan Govt is very pissed off because its caused stress between the African troops there and the senior Kenyan soldier is in the ****e with Amisom commanders in Mogadishu.
Some interesting times ahead by the sounds of it.
Some interesting times ahead by the sounds of it.