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Leg 48: Lusaka Intl (FLLS) - Seronera (HTSN)


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Having relatively covertly picked up the baton from Tim (as much as you can with an orange hi-vis bag - well, I did come from work!), it was time to find a set of wings to get out of here. Plan A was something fast and small, preferably single seat. I'm not the best of people to be around in a hot environment, more suited to the frozen wastes of Russia than the hot plains of Africa, Ah well.

Unfortunately, the plan failed. After scratching around for a week, the best I could come up with was a brightly-coloured PC-9

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I was to travel with the company test pilot who was transiting back to Switzerland after a sales tour. Me in the front seat as the 'trainee'. Engine turning and starting to get cool air in

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As a demonstrator trainer aircraft, a special "tail cam" was installed to give a view of all the aircraft

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Lined up on the runway, I pushed the throttle to the red zone

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Due to the altitude, it was a slow enough roll and rotation

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But we were rapidly turning onto course

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For the next three hours there wasn't exactly a lot to look at. An initial cruise of 15,000ft was selected, then a 'cruise-climb' at 100ft/min up to 25,000ft was selected.

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Eventually, with fuel getting lower, our destination was in sight, but 25,000ft below us. Time to go down!

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Breaking around the airfield

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Having flew along the length of the runway, the instructor was getting a bit worried as to what I was up to

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He was even more worried when I pulled the stick back, and half way around started putting the gear and flaps out!

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But in perfect position. Ish

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A good roll out

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And open up to the heat

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Now, if anyone needs me, I'll be flying the local 'club' aircraft

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Aircraft used: IRIS PC-9 and Just Flight Hunter

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Nice one Chuck. :icon_goodpost: "Instructor" got schooled on an new Approach.  :dance3: I have done that before...dash across hot, invert, pop the slow stuff at the slow top of the loop, roll it, float/slip down, and roll out....yeee haaaaa. :pilotic:

 

 

 

Edited by Captain Coffee
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