Flight Log: Kampala HUEN -- Arusha HTAR 13.11.2010

Distance: 481 NM
scheduled Flying time: 4h 01min
Filed Route: LABAT IMLAK
ATIS Kampala: 0520 rwy 17 wind 190 07kts 9999 -TSRA Fewo23CB temp 28 QNH 1014
Clearance: Left turn climb VFR 7500ft FIR Boundary
Take Off Time: 05:55 (UTC)
ATIS Arusha: 1020 rwy 09 wind 080/12kts CAVOK temp. 29 QNH1013
Landing Time: 09:45 (UTC)
13.11.2010 Kampala/Arusha: When we were leaving the hotel, Kampala revealed a very attractive side. Gazing out of the window, we saw a wonderful sunrise on the equator.

We had allowed about an hour for the drive to the airport. Due to heavy traffic, it really did take that long too. At the airfield, everything went to plan. The handling agent managed to guide us through passport and customs controls.

After paying the landing fee and handing in the flight plan, we sat in 'Marie'. We taxied to the runway, passing several UN planes. Our stormscope showed that there were signs of thunderstorms in the Kampala area. And the sky told us the same thing. After taking off on runway 09, we headed over Lake Victoria first. Then we got a change in the flight plan, from the IFR to the VFR flight plan, because otherwise an altitude of 100 flight area 150 would have been necessary. However, we preferred to fly at 7,000 feet flight altitude. First of all we have to fly over a major thunderstorm over Lake Victoria. From the plane we could see lightning and very heavy rain showers. As the thunderstorm was isolated, it was very easy to observe. Blue skies were obvious in the background. They were to accompany us to Kilimanjaro International. After leaving Lake Victoria, where we could see lots of little fishing boats, our plan was to fly off the authorised route to the south. The reason was that we wanted to fly over Serengeti National Park.

After about 1.5 hours we actually arrived at the start of the National Park. Because of the altitude, we were only 2,000 feet above ground. Then we dipped to about 800 feet and flew over the Serengeti. Martin noticed a few herds of animals that we couldn't identify at first. But then we were able to pick out gnus, zebras, giraffes, elephants and buffalo. Martin took some pictures of a few of these animals with his camera.

After about an hour's flight, we headed towards Kilimanjaro International. On this course, more and more cumulus clouds gathered in the sky at high altitude. In the end we had to ascend to flight level 180, so to about 18,000 feet or just under 6,000 metres. At this altitude, we wanted to leave the cumulus clouds behind us and fly at constant horizontal and vertical visibility to Kilimanjaro in order to see the mountain from the top. After we had had no radio contact for at least two hours, we eventually managed to contact Kilimanjaro International. Our round trip was approved without any problems.

However, the closer we got to the Kilimanjaro, the clearer it became that it was enveloped by a huge cloud. The summit was also invisible. After another 15 minutes, we had to admit that the mountain was completely covered in cloud. So we turned round to fly to Kilimanjaro International. At the same time, we tried to fly a few large circles to reduce our altitude from 18,000 feet to about 6,000 feet in a relatively short time. As Kilimanjaro Airport is located at about 3,500 feet, after this descending flight we were very close to the ground - about 1,000 feet. We got landing permission for runway 09. We then showed our passports, handled all the formalities in order to take off again immediately for Arusha.

After just under three quarters of an hour, we landed there and met our handling agent. Everything else went very smoothly. Then a taxi took us to the hotel in Arusha.