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| Just the two of us |
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| 12 pax on the way back to Kajjansi |
Friday 8 December 2017
Karamoja collections
Another run up to Karamoja today with stops in Kotido, Kalongo, Pader and Lira. The only passenger out of Kajjansi was Benard, our Logistics Manager, but after collecting passengers at each stop I had a full aeroplane for the final leg back to Kajjansi.
Thursday 7 December 2017
Moroto
And here's today's picture, the 'office' en route from Kajjansi (our home airfield) to Moroto.
Moroto is in the north east of Uganda, close to the border with Kenya, and is a regular stop on our daily Karamoja Shuttle.
Moroto is in the north east of Uganda, close to the border with Kenya, and is a regular stop on our daily Karamoja Shuttle.
Moyo and Adjumani
So, let me try to get back into this blogging habit. I'll try to start with a picture a day.
Here's a picture from yesterday, flying up to Moyo and Adjumani with our Ops director, Keith, in the co-pilot seat. We fly regular shuttles up to the north west of Uganda in support of the work being done in the many refugee camps up there. These camps host hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees who've fled the violence of their home country.
And one more picture, 5X-SCO on the ground in Moyo.
Here's a picture from yesterday, flying up to Moyo and Adjumani with our Ops director, Keith, in the co-pilot seat. We fly regular shuttles up to the north west of Uganda in support of the work being done in the many refugee camps up there. These camps host hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees who've fled the violence of their home country.
And one more picture, 5X-SCO on the ground in Moyo.
Friday 7 July 2017
12,000 solar radios for South Sudan
Yesterday I flew a ton of solar powered 'fixed tuned' radios up to South Sudan. The flight was for Every Village (http://everyvillage.org/radio), and the radios are pre-tuned to the frequency of the Every Village Christian radio stations in Mvolo, Tonj and Malualkon.
My load was made up of 56 boxes, each containing 100 radios, so in total I had 5,600 radios to deliver. Dave, another MAF Uganda pilot, was in another aircraft with a further 64 boxes of radios, and we set off from Entebbe International Airport here in Kampala soon after sunrise (having left home at 5am to prepare the aircraft before first light!). After routing through Juba we delivered the radios to each of the 3 locations mentioned and then made our way back down to Kampala, arriving late in the afternoon. It was a long day, but very rewarding to be playing a small part in the work which those radios will enable.
Each of these solar powered radios will be given to a family (averaging 7-8 people) and will mean that the whole family, whether literate or not, will be able to receive the message of the Gospel in their own language. Now that's something worth getting up early for :)
My load was made up of 56 boxes, each containing 100 radios, so in total I had 5,600 radios to deliver. Dave, another MAF Uganda pilot, was in another aircraft with a further 64 boxes of radios, and we set off from Entebbe International Airport here in Kampala soon after sunrise (having left home at 5am to prepare the aircraft before first light!). After routing through Juba we delivered the radios to each of the 3 locations mentioned and then made our way back down to Kampala, arriving late in the afternoon. It was a long day, but very rewarding to be playing a small part in the work which those radios will enable.
Each of these solar powered radios will be given to a family (averaging 7-8 people) and will mean that the whole family, whether literate or not, will be able to receive the message of the Gospel in their own language. Now that's something worth getting up early for :)
Friday 5 May 2017
Another catchup
So maybe getting two weeks behind on the blog wasn't so bad. This time it's been nearly twice that!
A quick summary of the last four weeks: four flights to South Sudan, one with an overnight in Tonj; four Karamoja shuttles; three charters within Uganda; one flight to Bunia in the DRC; one flight to Nairobi and a 6 monthly Base Check.
Good news on the licence front, I now have my Ugandan pilot licence so I can fly the MAF Uganda aircraft at last. One of the last remaining hurdles is an Instrument Rating check flight and I hope we can get that done next week...
Monday 10 April 2017
Catch up
I've got a little behind on this blog so here's a catch up for the last two weeks. I've been up to South Sudan twice, once all the way to Yambio and once to Maridi, flown 2 Karamoja shuttles and one charter to Adjumani. Stops have been in Arua, Juba, Maridi, Yambio, Entebbe, Moroto, Kotido, Kalongo, Pakuba, Adjumani and Kaabong and passengers have been a mixture of missionaries and NGO workers.
Rainy season is definitely here and has also arrived in South Sudan, so that adds another dimension to our flying environment. Remember our colleagues up in South Sudan who not only have to deal with the thunderstorms themselves but also some very soft airstrips.
Rainy season is definitely here and has also arrived in South Sudan, so that adds another dimension to our flying environment. Remember our colleagues up in South Sudan who not only have to deal with the thunderstorms themselves but also some very soft airstrips.
Thursday 23 March 2017
'Rescue' flight to Kaabong
Yesterday was going to be a quiet day catching up on office work, no flying because I had a head cold and wanted to give that time to clear before getting airborne again.
Plans changed just before lunch time when I received a call from Ops asking if I could do a 'rescue' flight to take an MAF engineer up to Kaabong, in the Karamoja area, where another of our Caravans had suffered a partial brake failure during landing. I changed into my uniform and headed down to the airfield at Kajjansi as soon as I could and prepared another aircraft for the flight.
It's an hour and a half flight up to Kaabong and we arrived mid-afternoon to find the pilot and 5 tired pax waiting for us at the airstrip with the aircraft. We transferred the passengers' bags to my aircraft and I took them on to their final destination, Kalongo, about half an hour away while Matt, the other pilot, and Geoff, the engineer, remained to sort out the brakes on the original aircraft.
Considering my five passengers were now about 4 hours late I wouldn't have been surprised if there were only a few people to welcome them in Kalongo, but there were hundreds of people at the airstrip and they were welcomed like celebrities! (see the video below)
Matt and Geoff were able to fix the brake problem and we all arrived back at Kajjansi at about 17:30 in the evening.
Plans changed just before lunch time when I received a call from Ops asking if I could do a 'rescue' flight to take an MAF engineer up to Kaabong, in the Karamoja area, where another of our Caravans had suffered a partial brake failure during landing. I changed into my uniform and headed down to the airfield at Kajjansi as soon as I could and prepared another aircraft for the flight.
It's an hour and a half flight up to Kaabong and we arrived mid-afternoon to find the pilot and 5 tired pax waiting for us at the airstrip with the aircraft. We transferred the passengers' bags to my aircraft and I took them on to their final destination, Kalongo, about half an hour away while Matt, the other pilot, and Geoff, the engineer, remained to sort out the brakes on the original aircraft.
Considering my five passengers were now about 4 hours late I wouldn't have been surprised if there were only a few people to welcome them in Kalongo, but there were hundreds of people at the airstrip and they were welcomed like celebrities! (see the video below)
Friday 17 March 2017
Karamoja shuttle
MAF Uganda fly a shuttle service to the Karamoja region in north eastern Uganda every weekday. This week I flew the Karamoja shuttle on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday so I have had a good introduction to MAF Uganda flying :)
During the week I've landed at Moyo, Adjumani, Gulu (twice), Pader (twice), Kaabong, Kotido (three times), Amudat, Moroto (four times) and Soroti (twice). I've carried 55 pax but I won't try to name all the customers who have been served by the shuttle since it is a rather long list, including a variety of NGOs and Christian Missions.
During the week I've landed at Moyo, Adjumani, Gulu (twice), Pader (twice), Kaabong, Kotido (three times), Amudat, Moroto (four times) and Soroti (twice). I've carried 55 pax but I won't try to name all the customers who have been served by the shuttle since it is a rather long list, including a variety of NGOs and Christian Missions.
What a week!!
Last week I spent 6 days in South Sudan with a mission group called Every Village. A team of 8 people was visiting from the USA and I accompanied them as they spent time in 3 different locations to see the work being done and to encourage their colleagues who are based out in the field.
Our first night was spent in Malualkon in the far north west of the country, followed by 2 nights in Tonj and another 2 nights in Mvolo. For 3 nights we slept out under the stars (and a mozzie net of course!) and for the 2 nights in Tonj I had the luxury of a room in a small house.
Every Village have set up Christian radio stations in each of those locations and also drill boreholes to provide water to the surrounding communities. I had the privilege of seeing how the Gospel message, broadcast on the radio, is impacting the lives of so many in those communities, as well as the difference that access to fresh water is making for the people.
Something which was particularly exciting to be a part of was when the team visited a witch-doctor with whom the missionaries had been sharing the Gospel over a period of many months. The missionaries believed that the man was almost ready to make a commitment to Christ and turn his back on his witchcraft, and while we were there he did indeed take the bold step to confess Christ as his saviour! Not only did he say that he was ready to turn his back on his old ways, but there and then all his idols and charms were brought out and burned in a fire!
It would have been quite remarkable to see that happening once, but on this trip we saw it happen again with another witch-doctor just two days later!! Please pray for these two former witch-doctors in Tonj that they will grow in their new faith and draw many others to Christ through their witness.
Our first night was spent in Malualkon in the far north west of the country, followed by 2 nights in Tonj and another 2 nights in Mvolo. For 3 nights we slept out under the stars (and a mozzie net of course!) and for the 2 nights in Tonj I had the luxury of a room in a small house.
Every Village have set up Christian radio stations in each of those locations and also drill boreholes to provide water to the surrounding communities. I had the privilege of seeing how the Gospel message, broadcast on the radio, is impacting the lives of so many in those communities, as well as the difference that access to fresh water is making for the people.
Something which was particularly exciting to be a part of was when the team visited a witch-doctor with whom the missionaries had been sharing the Gospel over a period of many months. The missionaries believed that the man was almost ready to make a commitment to Christ and turn his back on his witchcraft, and while we were there he did indeed take the bold step to confess Christ as his saviour! Not only did he say that he was ready to turn his back on his old ways, but there and then all his idols and charms were brought out and burned in a fire!
It would have been quite remarkable to see that happening once, but on this trip we saw it happen again with another witch-doctor just two days later!! Please pray for these two former witch-doctors in Tonj that they will grow in their new faith and draw many others to Christ through their witness.
Thursday 2 March 2017
Moyo
Yesterday I flew my first operational flight for MAF Uganda!
Moyo is a small town in the far north of Uganda on the border with South Sudan. Recent fighting in the southern South Sudanese town of Kajo Keji has seen huge numbers of refugees fleeing to the relative safety of Uganda.
My 9 passengers from the Embassy of Ireland were visiting the area outside Moyo where various organisations are working to provide for these refugees. The flight was a day charter which meant that we flew up to Moyo in the morning and returned to Kampala in the late afternoon.
Moyo is a small town in the far north of Uganda on the border with South Sudan. Recent fighting in the southern South Sudanese town of Kajo Keji has seen huge numbers of refugees fleeing to the relative safety of Uganda.
My 9 passengers from the Embassy of Ireland were visiting the area outside Moyo where various organisations are working to provide for these refugees. The flight was a day charter which meant that we flew up to Moyo in the morning and returned to Kampala in the late afternoon.
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| Passengers being welcomed in Moyo by WFP representatives. |
Monday 27 February 2017
Juba to collect an aeroplane
On Thursday last week I joined another MAF pilot on a flight up to Juba in order to collect one of the MAF Kenya aircraft and to bring it down to Kampala. Due to a technical snag my return was delayed until Saturday, but now I'm glad to report that I have an aeroplane to fly! Although I am still waiting for the CAA to give me an exam to get a Ugandan licence, I will now be able to play my part in the flying schedule using a Kenyan aeroplane...
Saturday 18 February 2017
To Juba, and beyond...
Glad to report that I spent a couple of days flying up in South Sudan this week.
I travelled up to Juba on Thursday morning and then took a load of food, medical and building supplies up to Keew and Jaibor for CMA. The medical supplies and food went to Keew, where I collected nearly 200kg of plumpy supp which went on to Jaibor along with timber and bags of cement.
It felt like a long time since I was last there, and looking back in my logbook I see that it was 7 months ago that I last landed in Keew and Jaibor, just one week before our evacuation from Juba.
On Friday I flew a charter for Tearfund to Motot, carrying mostly food supplies. On the return leg I brought 5 Tearfund staff back down to Juba with me.
It was really good to be back in South Sudan and flying again for our partners who are still doing such good work up there.
I travelled up to Juba on Thursday morning and then took a load of food, medical and building supplies up to Keew and Jaibor for CMA. The medical supplies and food went to Keew, where I collected nearly 200kg of plumpy supp which went on to Jaibor along with timber and bags of cement.
It felt like a long time since I was last there, and looking back in my logbook I see that it was 7 months ago that I last landed in Keew and Jaibor, just one week before our evacuation from Juba.
On Friday I flew a charter for Tearfund to Motot, carrying mostly food supplies. On the return leg I brought 5 Tearfund staff back down to Juba with me.
It was really good to be back in South Sudan and flying again for our partners who are still doing such good work up there.
Friday 3 February 2017
Nairobi again!
I'm glad to report that I've done 2 flight this week :)
They've not been operational flights but it has been very good to get back behind the controls again.
On Monday morning I travelled back to Nairobi in Kenya and in the afternoon I flew with another MAF pilot to 'brush up' on my rather rusty skills. On Tuesday I renewed my Medical with a visit to the doctor, and on Wednesday morning I did a flight test with an examiner in order to renew my Kenyan Instrument Rating.
With my Kenyan licence now valid for another 6 months, at least I will be able to support the South Sudan team with some flying, possibly even before I complete my Ugandan conversion...
They've not been operational flights but it has been very good to get back behind the controls again.
On Monday morning I travelled back to Nairobi in Kenya and in the afternoon I flew with another MAF pilot to 'brush up' on my rather rusty skills. On Tuesday I renewed my Medical with a visit to the doctor, and on Wednesday morning I did a flight test with an examiner in order to renew my Kenyan Instrument Rating.
With my Kenyan licence now valid for another 6 months, at least I will be able to support the South Sudan team with some flying, possibly even before I complete my Ugandan conversion...
Sunday 22 January 2017
Looks like it's time for my quarterly blog post again ;)
Although very little has happened on this blog for the last 3 months, a lot has happened in our lives! When I last wrote we were based in Nairobi and I was flying for the South Sudan programme from Kenya. Since then we have accepted a position with MAF Uganda and have now moved to Kampala where we are settling in as part of the team here.
As this is a blog about my flying with MAF, posts may still be a little thin on the ground for a while, at least until I get my Ugandan pilot's licence and can fly again! Part of the process to get a licence for a new country involves writing an exam and unfortunately I haven't been able to write my exam yet. I'm hoping to get the exam done in the next few weeks, God willing. Please pray that the aviation authorities here will be helpful in that regard.
I have been in the air a few times since our arrival here, riding along with other pilots in order to get familiar with the areas I will fly to and some of the airstrips. The work here in Uganda has 3 main parts: flying into Eastern Democratic of Congo in support of the MAF Congo team; flying in South Sudan; and flying in the north eastern Karamoja area of Uganda.
As a family we feel privileged to be here in Kampala and I look forward to being able to play my part in the work soon. Let's hope it's not another 3 months before I have a flight to blog about...
As this is a blog about my flying with MAF, posts may still be a little thin on the ground for a while, at least until I get my Ugandan pilot's licence and can fly again! Part of the process to get a licence for a new country involves writing an exam and unfortunately I haven't been able to write my exam yet. I'm hoping to get the exam done in the next few weeks, God willing. Please pray that the aviation authorities here will be helpful in that regard.
I have been in the air a few times since our arrival here, riding along with other pilots in order to get familiar with the areas I will fly to and some of the airstrips. The work here in Uganda has 3 main parts: flying into Eastern Democratic of Congo in support of the MAF Congo team; flying in South Sudan; and flying in the north eastern Karamoja area of Uganda.
As a family we feel privileged to be here in Kampala and I look forward to being able to play my part in the work soon. Let's hope it's not another 3 months before I have a flight to blog about...
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