Friday 19 November 2010

Lusaka to Lanseria

DAY 1, LEG 3 - Lusaka to Lanseria

The third and final leg of the day was to take me from Lusaka, Zambia to Lanseria, near Johannesburg, South Africa where the aircraft was to have stickers applied promoting Tanzania as a tourist destination and the hotel company that owns the aircraft.

I checked the weather for Lanseria before departure and it showed foggy conditions for the time of my arrival.  Johannesburg had similar weather but was suitable as an alternate as the approach lighting would be sufficient for an approach if a diversion was necessary.  Given the thunderstorms I had encountered so far during the day, the long flight time (the longest leg so far at 725nm), and the fog at the destination, I decided to depart with full tanks of fuel to ensure I didn't get caught out!

Climbing out of Lusaka towards the border with Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba and the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Over the horizon are the Victoria Falls which we will visit later on!  At this point the forecast tailwind had not developed so I was grateful for loading the extra fuel.

Thunderstorms over Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.  Our routing takes us overhead the airfield which will keep us just clear of the clouds, but not clear of the turbulence.  I slowed the aircraft down to avoid overspeeding in the turbulence and as we turned westbound towards the border with Botswana the weather looked clearer.

Sure enough, through central Botswana the cloud began to clear.

Passing the Limpopo River, the border between Botswana and South Africa.

Foggy ILS approach into Lanseria but fortunately the runway lights came into view at 350ft agl.

Parking at Lanseria for the paint job!

FLLC - FALA stats

Take off time:   0810
Landing time:    1045
Flight time:       02:35
Fuel used:         1076kg / 2367lbs

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