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March 25
Not a bad landing really .....well BA deposited one very rested, but obviously sun deficient, slightly crumpled MAF pilot, on the warm Entebbe tarmac last night. After a good nights slumber, the world looked an even better place. Today managed a trip up a hill to spot a local cathedral, enjoyed a swim in a local pool, played a couple of games of volley ball, rowed 2000m and had a tasty steak with good company, the Dungeys and Nasons.
March 26
What a storm last night, battle commenced at about 0200, sleep was impossible through the crashes of thunder, the bedroom walls lit up and the rain sounded as if a water fall had been built outside the bedroom window. Morning arrived, fresh and bright, good to go and worship at KIC this morning. Challenging word from John Willison, great to see a few old friends. In the afternoon had a MAF social, a Brai out at Kajjansi our airfield 20 mins drive from Kampala. very enjoyable. Though there were some very interesting sausages - some remarkably pink which made it essential they were served carbonised! Out to the office for 0630 on morrow to head up to Karamoja - NE Uganda
Light rain, somewhat overcast, the rising sun gave the sky a beautiful copper colour & chased the rain off. Visibility was good, the air lovely & cool, African mornings are divine. Lazily we climbed out of Kajjansi, and turn left heading east, Moroto bound, a pleasure watching Kampala's dust and traffic jams disappear into the distance. Dropped into Kotido and Kaabong before heading home with a very respectable 164kt ground speed.
At the hanger this morning, 5X-MSP a 206 is having a full body massage and strip down! Wings off and quite a few parts of the skin being removed to sort out some corrosion but guess the old girl is 30 years old now and whilst showing her age, it is nothing that cannot be solved with time, funds and skill and she'll be as new in another month (ish). Have my 6 monthly flight check in the morning.
The East African Cloud congress met overhead this morning at 0403 and rumbled along for a couple of hours. There were frequent flashes of inspiration from the participants, most providing considerable illumination to the point being made. The demeanour of most meant lots of growling. However a flurry of conversation would erupt, words coming down in torrents, twas hard to make an intelligent retort above the din.
Full power, aircraft accelerates wheels hit a puddle, feel the aircraft slow slightly, touch of rudder to hold ones track, mud sprays all over the place. Climb very steeply, max performance climb to avoid tall imaginary trees, engine looses power, pitch forward, really the choices for a landing are between not great and umm don't like the look of that. Recover and then smoke in the cockpit it's an electrical fire - touch drills only. Do an Instrument approach into Entebbe. Engine fails again looks like I can get into a dry bit of swamp miles from anywhere, (can you have a dry bit of swamp - is it still a swamp?) Position Hi-Key (lake is at 3,700ft so add 2,500ft, so that is 6,400ft on the altimeter) then low Key will I make it, bit fast but yes, so full power climb away ....it's base check time folks
Today was a non- flying day as the small MAF team needed looking after, hardly onerous as Liz and Roger hitched a ride on a Sudan flight and jumped on and off at Arua where (we refuel and clear customs here) they worked 38 years ago at Kuluva - memory lane for them. So I spent the day editing video clips. Out for supper, team head back to UK on morrow and I fly 8 folk over to the Congo, to Bunia.
Thursday ·
....had about 350kg of seed bags and a 30kg tombstone that weighed in at 85kg - almost needed help to load it in the aircraft seriously when I tried to move it, the stone just looked at me and laughed - thank goodness for Maurice, Richard and Jackson. All that effort in the gym wasted. A couple of pax could not make it due to major change in Visa rules in Bunia..... but sky was so clear you could see forever. Had full load of passengers back.
Sunday April 3rd
Good to catch up with a few folk at KIC this morning. So have cooked for half an hour in the sun by a pool. Just enjoying a few samosas washed down by a cold Tusker and a dozen chapters of Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society - thought should read, as got it for some US friends based in the Congo. Then its a couple of hours reading for my New Wine Training Partnership Essay (brilliant course) due in 2 weeks. Flying to Karamoja in the morning.
Monday April 4th
Leasurly jaunt up to Soroti this morning, glorious African morning, about 55mins flight then about 40mins more onto Kaabong, no flags flying on any vehicles at this remote rough airstrip, surprised just how strong the cross wind was. Nasty downdraft on finals, so had to add lots of power but placed it down rather nicely for a very nice bounce free short field landing. Then on to Patongo, tried to clear a cow off the strip it just looked at me mystified, as I whipped past its head at 120knots, then a selection of moronic goats wanted to join the party so they to needed chasing off but third time lucky....
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