Dear readers,

Welcome to my 2nd trip report. This will relate a daytrip we had between Lubumbashi and Kilwa, a remote big town at the shore of Lake Mwero, in the south-east of the DR Congo, near by the Zambian border.

BACKGROUND

A few days before the flight, I was informed that a plane was going to be leased by my company in order for some people to ship goods from one of our most remote branches, located in the town of Kilwa.

It only took me a few seconds to find a valid reason to join the flight and after a few phone calls, I was part of the trip.

I was a little worried because my passport was currently in Kinshasa for receiving the work visa, but I was quicly reassured by one of my experienced colleagues that we would skip all identitiy control as we would be directly driven to the tarmac. Not to mention that there was absolutely no security at our destination airport, so my mind was finally released

TO THE AIRPORT

The rainy season has really begun for a few weeks and it had been raining all night. When the minibus reached our home at 7.00 to pick us up, it was still drizzling and the sky was covered with heavy grey clouds.

The ride to the airport was longer than usual as the rain had flooded several portions of the main road and we often had to zigzag to avoid the mini-lakes forming here and there. We arrived at the airport a bit late but who cares, “our” plane would be waiting for us !

We took a right turn into a “service only” small road which was leading straight to the tarmac. After a wave from our
driver to some RVA agent, we were allowed in. It was really funny to drive on the tarmac, something we simple mortal voyagers will never have the chance to do.

We just drove across an Hewa Bora MD-82 bound to Kinshasa and ended up on a remote part of the airport where our bird was waiting for us.

Today we would be flying on a LET-410 (9Q-CMD) leased from ITAB. ITAB is a small Lubumbashi based company which is operating scheduled flights to Kolwezi (the mining capital of Katanga) and Kamina.

Before boarding

AT Macedonian Airlines (Greece)">INTO THE AIRCRAFT

The seat arrangement was 1-2 with 4 rows, thus making a 12-seats capacity (they actually remove 2 rows from the standard configuration, thus making excellent legroom)

Excellent legroom

Front Cabin

A few minutes after everyone had taken his seat, the engines started roaring pleasantly and soon the propeller was running in full speed.

Taxiing along the runway

Gaining speed (note the Hewa Bora MD-82 and Zambezi 737-500 in the distance)

AT Macedonian Airlines (Greece)">IN FLIGHT

A few seconds later, we were taking off from runway 07 over the lush landscape of this early rainy season.

After a sharp turn, we Crossed the N5 road, the aircraft heading to the north.

Getting higher

We soon reached our cruising altitude of FL095 and there was nothing much to do apart from sticking to the scene outside and of course taking pictures !

Safety Instructions

Big mining field on the way

Chasing our shadow over the low clouds

After a mere 40 minutes into the air, we started our descent into Kilwa. The views were amazing all along our descent. We flew alongside the Mwero lake before performing a U-turn and finally land on the dirt runway.

Overflying the suburbs of Kilwa

Alongside Lake Mwero

A few seconds before touchdown, mostly mud houses around Kilwa

After the brakes were activated the airplane gently touched down and finished his run in the middle of the “runway”. It’s the first time I’m landing on a dirt runway !

Touchdown

The aircraft was parked a few meters away from the runway and we all disembarked quickly

We were welcomed by a few officials as well as our local representative

A vehicle came to pick the goods from the plane (it seems to be the only vehicle in town !)

AT KILWA

Welcome session

View of the “runway”

It’s a big event for this town were no scheduled flight has been seen since the Anvil Mining company has left when the global crisis stroke hard the DR Congo.

All the village had heard the arrival of the plane and they were all converging to the site, it was very impressing, we felt like the Messiah. Such a shame we didn’t have much to give all those children, critically in need for basic things such as school material etc.

People coming to meet us

After a short walk we came to the center of the town where our branch is located

You can also reach Lubumbashi by road but it will be an 8 hours ride and, during the rainy season, it’s only accessible by moto.

After a few busy but pleasant hours in Kilwa, it was already time to head back to Lubumbashi
We took a walk back to the plane site (I refuse to call it an airport), followed by all the children looking forward to see the plane taking off.

Children waiting for the show

Terminal building  

Front view of the aircraft

This tire will soon hit the dirt ground before rising into the African skies

Our super-friendly pilot, Josef from Czech Republic, before boarding (with a colleague)

After paying the departure “tax” for which of cours there was no receipt, we boarded the plane and made ourselves ready for the return leg to Lubumbashi

The plane slowly reached the end of the runway, then turned 180° to prepare for takeoff

FLYING BACK

Cockpit view while turning around

The engines were suddenly put at their maximum and the plane slowly (too slowly on my taste) gained speed.
It can be something from my imagination, but I really do have the feeling we lifted off at the extreme end of the runway, just before the first mud houses.

Just after takeoff, the brilliant lake was visible on the left side of the plane.

The pilot had announced that there would turbulences due to forming thunderstorms but the flight was finally very smooth, letting us enjoy great sceneries along the way. This time, we were flying at FL125 (to avoid most of the clouds) ?

Developing thunderstorm

Rainbow over the rainforest

Tropical downpour

Mud road

Before landing in L'shi

Landing was smooth and we were parked at our initial remote stand 50 minutes after takeoff from Kilwa.

CONCLUSION

Flying to remote places on small birds like this is a great experience few people have been able to live. I guess this is part of the good sides working in such difficult environments as in the DR Congo.

I’m also actually surprised how simple and smooth the whole process has been. Some of my friends were thinking I was crazy to go for such adventures but honestly, it was a real joy and at no time (except maybe at takeoff time from Kilwa) did I get any feeling of thread.

This is off course mainly due to the good condition of the aircraft and the skilled, as well as friendly, pilots. [BTW Special thanks to Josef who has provided the flight tech data]

Thanks for reading this TR and feel free to post any comment you may have

Fasty

NB1 For those who missed my 1st TR, here is the link :
Leaving Lubumbashi With Ethiopian Airlines

NB Here are a few photos taken in Kilwa for those who are interested to have a better idea to what the place looks like

Haven

Pirogue on the lake

Market street

Dried fish

Palm Oil

Main road

This looks like actually the only vehicle in town owned by the local authoritites

Funny children

[Edited 2011-01-12 14:51:57]