Red's Cape-to-Cape Snowbird Adventure

[RedGreen]

First off, you may be wondering, why call it a "Snowbird" Adventure. Well, here in Michigan we use the term "Snowbird" to describe residents who go south during the winter months and come back north for the summer. And seeing as how I'll be spending most of my time going north, it seemed appropriate.

I'm about ready to depart Cape Town for Johannesburg in the Rockwell Turbo Commander. Fans of Bob Hoover may be disappointed that I plan on having both engines going during the entire duration of this race, but the civil aviation authorities from South Africa to Sweden have been understandly relieved to hear this news.

And it's time to go!

[RedGreen]

The Turbo Commander is fast, but does she ever go through her fuel quickly! Even with very favorable tailwinds it required a bit of fuel management to get her into Johannesburg safely. The approach wasn't too difficult, the weather was as good as could be asked for, and the landing was acceptable on this one. However, one has to wonder if this bird's lack of fuel mileage will be an Achille's heel further on into the race....

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...DOtPhQ2ufNdmbE

[RedGreen]

It didn't take long into this race for the Rockwell's fuel guzzling to become an issue. Seeing as how Zimbabwe is closed for landings, it took away my optimal route north. I was thusly faced with three unenviable choices: Make short flights and extra landings that would hurt in the reference race, go for an extra long leg and pray I didn't hit headwinds, or deal with the government officials in Mozambique. I finally decided on the latter choice being the least of the evils. Do not fear though, readers. I'm bringing along three essential items that should prove invaluable on this next leg....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw

Now departing FAGM for FQCH, in the quaint little town of Chimoio.

[RedGreen]

This was overall a pretty smooth and nondescript flight. Literally the only challenge on the descent was a 4100 foot knoll directly in my flightpath that both the GPS and FSNav inexplicably failed to indicate ahead of time. Let's just say I'm glad I made a heading change a few degrees to the west before coming upon it!

With that obstacle behind me however, the rest of the approach and landing were cake. Calm winds, unlimited visibilty and a gracious 8000 foot runway made for an easy conclusion to the flight.

Now for the really difficult part. I see some men in fatigues approaching with AK-47s slung over their shoulders. Not sure they're altogether happy to see me.

(I hereby accept a 30 minute penalty for landing in Mozambique.....unless the aforementioned lawyers, guns and money I carried somehow mitigate that sentence!)

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...aSRryhstwydnv0

[RedGreen]

Well, our experience with the Mozambique authorities didn't turn out too awful bad. They gladly accepted our "presents" in the form of greenbacks and firearms, and our lawyers even managed to get themselves prime positions in the national governemnt. (Crooks look out for other crooks, it would seem.) However, there was one major loss in this escapade. No, I don't mean the 30 minute penalty. While searching the plane the authorites found our generous stock of alcoholic beverages and promptly confiscated it for themselves! Off all the barbaric things!

So it's with great pleasure that we leave Mozambique behind us and continue our way to Karonga, Malawi. (FWKA)

[RedGreen]

If nothing else, the short range of the Turbo Commander is certainly giving me the opportunity to explore little-seen parts of Africa. I observed some thunderstorms off to the west over Lake Nyasa before I landed at Karonga International Airport. For an international airport, it would seem like you would be able to pick it out of the landscape from a little farther away than four miles. Yet, that was I close I was (in very good conditions) before the runway finally presented itself in full view. Anyway, I did some reading up on this place after I landed and it turns out that there's a uranium mine near here....

Now where did I put my lead underpants?

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...2UUS1OxuvtBfq8

[RedGreen]

While sleeping near a uranium mine may be disconcerting, we've run a geiger counter over the plane and ourselves and are confident that we won't be glowing in the dark anytime soon. So today we push on to the checkpoint at Nariobi, home of a thoroughly modern airport with a runway long enough to handle a strategic bomber. So naturally, we must land instead at an airport five miles away with only a third the runway length and not even its own NDB to speak off.

(I'm starting to think Ms. Murphy is something of a sadist.....)

Upward and onward!

[RedGreen]

Well, this flight proved far less painless than what I thought it would. Had a nice view of a canyon going through Tanzania, and weather conditions were ideal in Naroibi. Not that the conditions were would have been ideal had I arrived a little bit later. I was definitely satisfied that I managed to get the Rockwell into town before the thunderstorm to the northeast managed to move into the city. So far, the weather's been on my side; no headwinds and clear visibility on every landing. Makes me wonder how long it will be until nature decides to unleash her fury on me....

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...nWULbjQ8LDhd1k

[RedGreen]

Well, here's a leg where fuel mileage won't be an issue: a short 150 mile hopper over to Kisumu. I don't believe I've ever flown in this part of the world, so every mile's a new experience so far.

[RedGreen]

Made it to the shores of Lake Victoria! One moment Nariobi was a mere speck in the distance, and not long at all afterward the shores of the mighty lake became clear on the horizon. What also became clear were some onimous dark clouds and fog down below that seemed more than a little forboding as I approached. Visibility didn't prove to be a hinderance however, and I made a solid landing. Now, off to check out the Museum in Kisumu that everyone tells me I have to see while I'm here.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...SWsNrGnNfnC98E

[salt_air]

Looks like you are faring rather well.

Fine choice of aircraft Red ... Best of luck on your way!

[RedGreen]

Next stop: Kisangani, DRC. This leg is a bit of a conundrum for the Rockwell. It's too short to justify breaking down into two smaller legs, but it's just enough at the edge of its practical range that a headwind could prove to be a major headache. We'll see if the weather spirits are with me on this leg.

[RedGreen]

This has assuredly been one of the most breathtaking flights in my travels so far. From the expanses of Lake Victoria (which reminded me of the Great Lakes of Michgian) to the mountain range in the middle of my flight (which brought back fond memories of the Rocky Mountains) to the building almost right in front of the runway threshold (which had me wondering if the guy who built it wanted an airplane to crash into it); this truly was a memorable flight. I even made Bob Hoover proud by touching the right landing gear down before coming back up and landing cleanly on the main gears. (It wasn't intentional, granted, but I'm still proud that I pulled it off.)

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...67w6BAlFpKuPJ8

[PRB]

That's a sweet looking ride, RG! Nice run too.

[RedGreen]

Thanks PRB!

Next stop, Lisola. A short leg...but a gravel runway? What, was this race just not exciting enough as it was?

In all seriousness though, I've never tried landing the Rockwell on an unimproved surface before, so I'm not sure what's going to happen when I touch down. Although it does seem to handle being put down on one wheel well enough....