My 6,700 mile African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152

[Elric1st]

A African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152.
King Shaka Intl to Morocco. Roughly 6,700 miles.

Pilots (Captain’s) Log
Day 10
Leg 2
Nouakchott (GQNN) to Akjoujt (GQNJ)
Distance: 152 miles

After sitting around contemplating my next move for 3 hrs, and hoping the weather to the north will improve.
Now with my original second leg flight pan well and truly down the pan. for the second time on this African Bush Trip.
With my original flight plan which would have taken me from Oumtounsy, up the coast and into the Western Sahara. Where I was to land at Dakhla. with a on route fuel stop at Nouadhibou, for a fuel stop. A distance of 400 miles.

So with that scuppered, and the chances that I could be stuck here for days? I opted to fly east to Akjoujt, a small village just to the west of the part of Mauritania, where it’s advised to stay clear of due to dangers of terrorism, kidnapping and other nasty things.

With the planes tank topped up and a plan, I started the old girl up and headed out.

Powering up I set off for a short flight away from my destination.

Soon in the air I left behind the bad weather and headed into the desert.

By was this place barren! Mile after mile of nothing but sand lay ahead.

As I climbed, the temp was reading 28c, and the oil temp was just inside of the red.
I was beginning to think if this had been a good idea?
If I was to have engine failure and went down out here. The chances of me surviving out in this landscape would be a Big ZERO!

As I climbed the oil began to drop. By the time I got to my cruise alt’ of 8,000 it was almost back to normal.
I could breath again and relax.
With the course set I hit the AP.
Mile after mile, after mile, nothing but sand.
Off to the left, was what appeared to be a lake. Or it may just be the shimmer from the heat?

Just for a brief minute, below appeared to what looked like a track?

The relentless sand continued on.
I was now 30 miles out.

Now 23miles out, tracks. They were definitely tracks. Finally signs of life!

Now 16 miles out. Distant mountains appeared out of the heats haze.

I was now 6 miles out, and directly in front was my destination. A oasis sitting there like a green emerald, surrounded by a vastness of nothing.

As I neared I peered out looking for signs of the landing strip.

I could now see it, sitting just above the speedo. A slither of tarmac.

But that wasn’t my assigned runway. I had been assigned the grass strip located running along the top edge of the village.

Bringing the old girl round I lined up. Though at this point, I was hoping that I was lined up?

As I neared I could now just make out the strip. I was slightly off centre, over to the left.
Why O’ why didn’t they let me land on the runway that I could see?

I was down. Not on the centre line but who’s going to notice?

Turning about I taxied back looking for the fuelling station. with the aid of a member of the ground crew. I was pointed in the right direction.

After parking up close to the fuel point, I shutdown.
After sitting in the plane for half hour, just staring out trying to let the sight sink in that It may be green. It’s in the middle of nowhere surrounded by sand moment… I decided I was going to spend the night here and continue on in the morning.
Time to put the tent up, then sit back with a very warm beer, and enjoy the sunset.

Day 10, Leg 2 complete (Sort of!)

[Elric1st]

A African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152.
King Shaka Intl to Morocco. Roughly 6,700 miles.

Pilots (Captain’s) Log
Day 11
Leg 1
Akjoujt (GQNJ) to Gueltat Zemmour (GMGU)
Distance: 309 miles

After spending the night in the middle of a desert, where all you can hear is the pulse thumping away in your head, in between the rustling of the tents flysheet. I woke to the continued stillness and silence feeling fully refreshed.
After doing myself a coffee and breakfast I began to pack away my gear.
When all stowed away in the back of the plane, I gave the old girl a check over. Taking one last look at my tranquil surroundings I climbed aboard and began my pre-flight. All happy, Tank was topped up, jerry cans full, I closed the door and powered up.
The wind direction was the same as yesterday, so it looks like I’d be using the grass strip the same way as I arrived.

I taxied to where I thought the end of the strip was, and opened up the throttle.

With a strong headwind the old girl was soon up, and climbing.

I was now leaving behind the small quiet village and heading back into the vast desert.

Leaving the dunes behind, I would soon be leaving Mauritania, and entering the Western Sahara.

I was now entering the Western Sahara. Marked by by long ridges carved out by wind blown sands, resembling giant serpents swimming through the ocean of sand.

The desert below was now almost flat, resembling a wind swept beach, and completely void of signs of life!

As I flew on and neared the ridges, the desert floor began to resemble a huge slab of slate.

Many miles on, and the desert below once more looking sandy. Off to my right I spotted mountains on the horizon. At there base is the town of Fderik. A town built up around the Iron Ore trade.with its railway iron ore hop-on point

After mile upon mile of what seemed like endless sand, I was finally nearing my destination, and the end of the first leg.

With just 42 miles to go, I was now looking forwards to finishing.

Just under 28miles remaining, and somewhere in that dark patch on the horizon was my runway.

Gradually I continued to decrease my altitude.

Now only 18 miles to go. I reduced my alt to 3,500ft

My landing site was finally in view, and the end of this leg was almost upon me.
Time to ready for landing!

With a headwind all the way I circled round.

Lined up, I went in.

I was down.

Leg 1 complete

[Elric1st]

A African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152.
King Shaka Intl to Morocco. Roughly 6,700 miles.

Pilots (Captain’s) Log
Day 11
Leg 2
Gueltat Zemmour (GMGU) to Plage Blanche (GMAT)
Distance: 330 miles

This leg would take me back towards the coast and back to civilization.

After parking up, I checked the plane over and filled up the tanks.
With my jerry cans now empty, I was praying that I would be permitted to land at my destination?

taxiing back to the end of the runway I had landed on. I once more gunned the engine and headed out.
With a near 22knot headwind, the old girl once more, and hopefully for the last time today took air.

With the airfield falling away behind, I continued to climb up and over the dunes.

Below, Once more an endless, lifeless sea of sand

.

Eventually the signs of civilization. Below me was a road, the N5

I follow this for a while until it veered off to the left…

… and once again it was gone like it never existed!

As I continued my flight over the Sahara. I was starting to see signs of ancient trade routes, with small villages, trading posts spread out along its trail. Now very rarely seeing the great caravans of yesteryear, turned to dust by the forbidding sands of time.

As I flew further north over the relentless sea of sand. Another road. The N14, to ship goods that the great caravans once did.

With its twin bridges passing over a dried up river that’s longing for the the rains and the flow of water along its path.

With 75 miles to go. The sun was starting to head for the horizon. I just hoped that with these 22+ knots I would make it?

As I flew on, off to my right I spot another road.

No, it’s not a road it’s a railway.

As I followed it, off to my right another old trade route no longer in use.

A few miles on with the railway gone off to my left and the old trade route going off to my right. I
was flying over what the Sahara is famed for. Its great sea of dunes!

As I flew over the dunes, they eventually gave way, and to my left the dried river bed of the Elkhalona river.

I was now only around 40 miles out, and with the sight of clouds ahead I knew lay the ocean.

I was now entering cloud. Clouds how I’ve missed you!

Now only 12 miles out. Somewhere ahead lay my destination, and sun was now closing in on the horizon,

7 miles out. Still no sign!

I flew on…

There! Just on top of the ridge. Surely that must be it.

Finally with the runway confirmed, I circled then took the old girl in.

Bringing her round, I lined her up, and took her down for the final time today.

I taxied to the general parking, but instead of parking on the tarmac I pulled her onto the grass.

I was too tired to bother going to look for a runway. So I unpacked my gear, set up camp. Then sat back with a warm beer and enjoyed the sunset.

Leg 2 Complete
Day 11 Complete.
Now only one day left, consisting of 420 miles. The end of my epic journey is almost at the end.

[Elric1st]

A African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152.
King Shaka Intl to Morocco. Roughly 6,700 miles.

Pilots (Captain’s) Log
Day 12
Leg 1
Plage Blanche (GMAT) to Al-Massira (GMAD)
Distance: 175 miles

It was a beautiful morning and the temperature was already climbing.
It was day 12, the day of my journey’s end had arrived!
Ahead lay just 430 miles.
Though I was looking forwards to it, deep down I was saddened that this great adventure was coming to a end.
An incredible journey that started 11 days ago on just a whim whilst sitting under a star lit sky on the side of a mounting 7,000 miles away!
That whim, that spirit of adventure led me from South Africa all the way up here in Northern Africa.
Travelling over, and staying in 13 different countries.
The sights of vast open plains, tropical jungles, great rivers and forbidding deserts.
And all done in an old Cessna 152. The old girl has had her moments, but with gentle persuasion she has kept going.

With the tent packed away and stowed in the back, I drank down the last drop of coffee then climbed aboard.
I did all my pre-flight checks then closed my door. I gave her dash a gentle pat, and powered her up.

I taxied to the runway, lined up, gunned the engine, and headed off to journey’s end.

Heading out over the desert once more, I began my climb and brought the nose round to put her on course.

I was soon over a long high ridge of dunes. and nestled on the western side the town of Labyar

Continuing north over the sands below, the river Noun with villages spread along its banks.

As I neared my waypoint, down below me more towns and villages spread out a cross the desert floor, surround with fields arid and dry, waiting for the welcoming rains.

I was 80 miles into the leg and below my waypoint. Covered in a cloud of mist, the town of Guelmim (tooked at the end of what looked to be either a mountain or a giant dune?) ,with it’s airport Porte de Guelmim.

This led me to a huge range of mountain size dunes, with the mountain road P1305 running along its spine. Sideroads spurring off to the towns and villages towards the coastline.

Even though the part of the world looked hard and rough, It certainly had a wonderous beauty about it!

With its lonely mountain, the town ld baidari

I now had just 60 miles to go, and I flew by the village of lghboula up ahead on the horizon was not looking good. A huge bank of mist hung over where this legs destination lay!

Heading for the fog and praying that I could land, I passed over the large twn of Tiznits.
I was now 50 miles out.

Following the N1 main highway I decided to radio the tower. With a huge relief I was given permission to land.

Now only 30 miles out and still following the N1, I passed the river Oued Massa.

Now passing over a mass of fields I began to enter the mist

It was time to prepare for landing. Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seatbelts, as thi may be a rough one?

8 miles out and somewhere in front was a airport!

Now 4 miles out, and still no sign.

Then I glanced out of my side window and there it was.

After circling I went in.

With just light winds from the west I was down.

On leaving the runway on the next exit I taxied to the fuel point, as this was only going to be a fuel stop and a quick coffee, as I was going to depart straight back out.

After shutting the plane down, I filled her up, checked her over. Happy I made a coffee and sat in the doorway.

Leg 1 Complete

[Elric1st]

A African Bush Trip in JPLogistics Cessna 152.
King Shaka Intl to Morocco. Roughly 6,700 miles.

Pilots (Captain’s) Log
Day 12
Leg 2
Al-Massira (GMAD) to Tit Mellil (GMMT)
Distance: 254 miles

Coffee drank, and I was back on board going through my pre-flight checks.
With everything looking good I powered up and radioed for taxi clearance to depart straight out.
Permission granted, I made my way to my allocated runway.

Once on the runway, and for the last time I throttled up and head out.

Pulling gently back on the stick the old girl took to the air once more. The final leg of the final day had began.

I brought her about to put her on course and began to climb.

Ahead of me was mountains so I needed to get up to 7,500ft to clear them.

Keeping a nice steady climb I should be up to altitude no problem?

At 5,200ft, as I approached the Barrage Dkhila Reservoir all hell broke loose!
All of the electrics went down!
Garmin was dead, autopilot dead, coms and nav radio’s dead!
Whilst trying to keep control of the plane I began the checks.
Alternator and battery on? check.
Fuse Breakers. Keeping the plane as level as I could, I leaned forward and began checking the fuse breakers. Sure enough, they was at fault.
The Alt, Instruments, Radio’s, AP and DME had popped.

Finally everything was back up and running. I just hoped that they will stay that way.
With the peaks of the mountains looming nearer. I opted to gain the needed altitude to clear them by circling.
Passing over the Barrage Dkhila Reservoir once I headed on.

Finally passing over the mountain tops I was greeted by the sight of Lake Khemis De Biaoudine.
Surrounded by mountains. I was really not expecting it! It was an incredible sight.

As I left the lake behind I came across a small village nestled on the side of one of the mountains, and below that the A3 road, which I would be following for many miles to come.

As I followed the A3 I was flanked on both sides by mountains. I was approaching 8,000ft and they were still higher that me.

With the mountains now way behind me, I was flying over a almost flat plateau, With its almost sheer 1,000ft drop down to the A3 below.

The A3 with what appears to be a service station for weary travellers.

As I head towards the distant town of Douar Oulad Brahim, the A3 changes to the A7.

A few miles on I reach the town of Douar Oulad Brahim with its green fields set in the dry bed of a river.

After leaving the A7 behind, and passing over a desert landscape with scattered towns and villages, I was now 120miles out, I was now crossing over the Oued Tensift river.
Soon I would be entering Casablanca.

I came upon a strange sight. It appeared to be a dried up river bed, but all along it in the sand is what looked like streets. From the air, it appeared to be an old town built on an ancient river bed, and now like the river it also had got consumed by the desert. It was at this point that I was radioed and transferred over to Casablanca control, and that was such a joy to hear.

With just miles to reach my journey’s end, I was passing over the area of Douar Lahrach with it’s green fields and villages.

This lead me to the river Oum Er-Rbia

Over to the right, sitting on the horizon is Lake Kenidlat. The lake is devided across its length by the Marrakesh-Safi, Casablanca Settat border. The border that I was now crossing.

Finally I was in Casablanca with just 70 miles to go.

As I flew over a patchwork of ploughed fields, ahead shrouded in mist was my destination…

… and behind me over 7,600 miles of an incredible journey, made by an incredible little plane, the Cessna 152.

With the arrival of my final waypoint set just north of the Mohamed V airport it was time to prepare for landing.

Just 10 miles out, and it looked grim.
I radioed my request for a full stop landing, and to my relief it was granted.

I soon began my approach.
As I made my decent off to my left at the 10 o-clock position, my destination appeared through the mist.

Time to land, and time to complete my Epic African Bush Trip.

Finally down and parked up, I shut down this incredible old girl. After just sitting thuere for 15 minutes. I climbed out, locked her up then kissed her on her hot bonnet. With one last look I headed for to find a taxi.

At my hotel, I looked at the recorded data on my ipad.
Engine health was down to 66%, and considering that I had only topped up her oil twice in 7,670 miles.
That’s not bad for the old girl.

In a few days I will be heading back home to the UK, and the Old girl will be de-winged and put in a shipping crate to be shipped back to the UK, where I will then take her to a small airfield.

As I sat enjoying an nice bottle of claret on my hotel balcony over looking the ocean. I had a thought…
240 miles North lay Spain , then France and finally the UK and home, England.

Hmm! Now I wonder. Jet or Cessna?