We were flying Kenya Aw for the whole trip and our first sector was on B777 5Y-KYZ which pushed back just 5 minutes late and taxied out to runway 09R (past the Ugandan G550) and we were airborne at 10:51 for an 8 hours and 3 minute flight to Nairobi. Although this is the newest Triple in the fleet, the IFE system still has gremlins and I never did see a film all the way through. Kenya is 2 hours ahead of the UK so it was gone 21:00 when we cleared customs and found our local guide. Coaches then took us to the Holiday Inn in downtown Nairobi.
Sunday was a touristy day and we did a morning safari at the National_Park . We were taken round in a fleet of minibuses and it was a wonderful experience, never to be forgotten.
Monday was back to work with a full day at Wilson (Kenya's biggest GA field) where we were guests at the East Africa Aero Club where a buffet had been arranged. They also served a nice chilled Tusker lager here. Our ramp tour was delayed as the President was departing in Dash 8 304 and we weren't allowed on the ramp until there was no chance of him turning back. Once we got the word, we were bussed to the main gate and passed through security. A complete walking trip of the field was then undertaken. An interesting assortment of types here, the Congo registered Buffalo probably being the biggest followed by Dash 7, Fokker 50/F-27s and Dash 8s. 3 of the 4 Kenyan registered biz were seen. Good to see the old British types, 748s, Skyvans and an Islander.
Pics at www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1761502.html
Tuesday saw us back at Wilson for another walk round. Met one of the crew of Turbo DC-3 N467SP who was happy to let us view the cockpit. Lunch again at the Aero Club before we headed for the main airport for our next flight. A ramp tour had been arranged but were told no photos. Once on the ramp we pulled up behind 748 5Y-BVQ and were asked which side we wanted to take our pictures. The sunny side of course which enabled us to shoot a few others. We parked up further along to shoot a DC-9 and were nearly run over by F-27 5X-FFD that had just arrived. Thought we'd blown it at this point but our tour continued and we were dropped off opposite the active ramp. We were then taken to the terminal to check in. Spent until it got dark at a window taking pictures without any hassle. Then had to find a bar where another Tusker beer was enjoyed. Our flight KQ764 to Jo'burg on B738 5Y-KYC pushed back 15 minutes late and we were airborne at 21:04. The flight lasted 3 hours 47 mins. South Africa is only 1 hour ahead of the UK so we gained an hour arriving at 23:51 local in the pouring rain. The terminal is much bigger than my last visit, presumably beefed up for next year's World Cup.
Wednesday was a drive to Lanseria which took about 2 hours. There is plenty of construction work going on everywhere so the road network in a year or so should be really good. Lanseria is said to be the busiest GA field in Africa and there are certainly a good proportion of the ZS registered biz jets here. The airport allocated a security guard to us and he ensured that nearly every hangar was visited or at least peered in to. Also here is a large facility that works on Boeing 737s and Fokker F-28s. A China Southern A-300 (B-2329) dominated the long term parking area. Believe this has since gone Iranian. Like Wilson, a large number of Beech 1900s were seen so a very popular type in this part of the world. Most of the hangars are on the terminal side and when completed, we adjourned for lunch on the nice terrace for a toasted sarnie and a cold drink.
After lunch, we took the bus round to the other side and continued to look round the hangars. A few closed the doors when they saw us coming but most people are happy to chat when you show an interest. The visit finished with a walk round to the dumped aircraft area but must confess I was wilting by this time and didn't go the full distance.Thursday began with an easier start so went on the roof of our hotel (Southern Sun) which had been arranged to be opened at first light for the duration of our stay. Good views over the domestic ramp and the nearest runway. First stop on today's coach trip was Grand Central where the highlight for me was Jetstar 2 ZS-ICC. We then continued to Rand where we were met by a fireman who took us round the whole field. Less stored machines than my last visit although there is now a museum, dominated by SAA 747s. DC-3 ZS-NTE is being prepared for flight while An-32 sits outside a hangar containing an An-24 that I managed to miss. Carvair 9J-PAA is still here. Got back to JNB for a few hours in the domestic observation area where reasonable pictures can be taken. Good to see my first Angolan B777 depart and we stayed on until it got dark and the arrival of a Mozambique E190.
Friday was a comprehensive tour of JNB starting with a visit round Denel Aviation. We were shown a pair of Cheetah fighters and the helicopter maintenance facility. Before leaving, we had a look at the area where they break up airliners. A SAA 747 was being broken up as we watched. Several B732s looked likely to be next. We then moved on to Safair and were shown their whole ramp where many old 737s and MD-80s look like they will end their days here. A good view over the departure runway from here so sometimes difficult to know where to look. Saw my first Arik A345 go (CS-TFW). We then got on the ramp at Federal Air and then in the hangar of Anglo American which contained several biz.
Some of the group then took the bus down to Lanseria for a couple of hours. A slightly disappointing visit with just a few new biz going in the book. Back to JNB to wait again for the Mozambique after dark. A B732 this time but ex Braathens. Dinner these evenings were taken in the terminal which kept expenses down.
Saturday was our last full day in South Africa. Our bus today first took us to Wonderboom. A complete walking ramp tour was done here. Mainly light aircraft but a few goodies scattered about. Before leaving, we were taken in groups in the back of a fire truck over the runway where a pair of Convair 340s of Rovos Air are parked along with a dumped UN F-27 and a pair of Gulfstream 1s. We then moved on to Swartkop for the museum which has a comprehensive collection of SAAF machines. A few active aircraft here as the nearby SAAF field is closed for runway maintenance. Again, we finished the day in the viewing area at JNB for an hour or so.
SA pics at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1762047.html
Sunday was checking out of the hotel and checking in for our flight. Good views from the gates so still taking pictures. Our flight to Nairobi (KQ761) was on B738 5Y-KYB which pushed back 15 minutes early. The flight lasted 3 hours 29 mins. It was spitting with rain when we deplaned but this didn't last long. A couple of hours at the same window until it got dark. Then retired to the bar for a beer or two and watching the cricket on TV between England and SA (which we won but missed the end). Our final flight was B777 5Y-KYT (KQ102) which pushed back 9 mins late and took off 5 minutes after midnight. Flight lasted 8 hours 11 minutes and didn't get much sleep. Landed Heathrow on 27L at 06:16 and taxied to Terminal 4. The IRIS scanner was working which just means you wait longer for your bag.
No comments:
Post a Comment