Flight Log: Lilongwe FWKI -- Livingstone FLLI 18.11.2010

Distance: 589 NM
scheduled Flying time: 4h 30min
Filed Route: LABON IXALU NESAK GESUD TIMAX AVOMU
ATIS Lilongwe: 0600 rwy 14 wind 090 10kts CAVOK temp 26 QNH 1013
Clearance: right turn climb 8500 ft
Take Off Time: 06:20 (UTC)
ATIS Livingstone: 1020 rwy 10 wind 170/10 kts CAVOK temp. 33 QNH1012
Landing Time: 10:55 (UTC)
18.11.2010 Lilongwe/Livingstone: Once we arrived at Lilongwe Airport, the first thing I did was to update the Garmin 1000 Glass Cockpit; both the navigation and the map data were out of date. In the hotel I had actually been able to download the data from the Internet, although it did take me over two hours.

While I was loading the update, our handling agent had checked to make sure that everything was okay. Our tanks were already filled with aviation fuel and the agent had also ensured that there were two bottles of water on board for the crew. We had taken the small catering pack with us from the hotel.

The take-off was straightforward and we first had to climb to 8,500 feet. We then decided to climb further to 10,500 feet and fly at that altitude because the upward air currents were jolting the aircraft considerably. But on the whole it was an unspectacular flight. A couple of times we tried to register our position by radio - unsuccessfully. We then contacted airliners who relayed our transmissions to the ground stations. That was, as always, very helpful.

On this leg of the journey we came close to the Zambezi and flew along the Zimbabwean border in the direction of Livingstone.

About 50 miles before we reached the airport in Livingstone we requested permission to fly in a wide loop and circle over Victoria Falls. Permission was granted without any problems and we were told to fly at an altitude of 6,000 feet. When you think that the airport itself is at an altitude of 3,500 feet, then 6,000 feet actually translates to about 2,000 feet above the ground.

We were able to photograph the waterfall from all sides and actually crossed into Zimbabwean territory while doing so. Once our sightseeing flight was over, we contacted the tower again and subsequently landed on runway 18. We were amazed that we were even able to fill up with aviation fuel at BP using our BP Card! Incidentally, the handling agents had organised everything for us very professionally and we reached 'The Royal Livingstone Hotel' not long after landing.