DAY 2, LEG 9 - Lubumbashi to Bangui
This is the first night flight of the tour and the longest sector so far at 1200nm! With a flight time of over four hours it should have me arriving in Bangui around 2130 local time which seems a good time to call it a day. Bangui was chosen as the next destination as the DR Congo has very few 24 hour airports except for those on the west coast, so I decided to make more progress northbound towards Europe. It means flying the entire length of the huge DRC and really highlights the remoteness of this part of central Africa.
The CAR is one of the poorest countries in the world, and one of the 10 poorest in Africa. The informal economy and trade between towns is considered more valuable to the locals. A French colony until 1958, the CAR is now independent but has been plagued with military rule, mutinies, and political power struggles. The economy depends on the trade of foodcrops and cotton with exports to the Far East and Europe, but diamonds dominate the economy. Bangui is the national capital and economic hub. The airport and river port link the city internationally.
Leaving Lubumbashi at night. The elevation of the airports I have been visiting has slowly climbed since we left the west coast of Namibia - Lubumbashi is 4300ft above sea level!
Moonrise.
Very quiet night in the cockpit.
Approach to Bangui crossing the Oubangui River, the border between DR Congo and Central African Republic.
Getting the bags out for a night in Bangui.
FZQA - FEFF stats
Take off time: 1730
Landing time: 2123
Flight time: 03:53
Fuel used: 1574kg / 3463lbs
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