BYRD-001_FZOA-XDRA

Goma, Congo DRC, 19.5.2004

Reporting back to Goma

After delivering the generator and wind turbine at the Kindu hospital we were asked by 'Byrd Control' to report back to Goma, our headquarters I believe... Sorry, I just arrived and still nee to find my way around here :-)
Anyway, before leaving we contacted the local UN office and checked with their needs, trying to fit our schedule to their needs. Our planning calls now for 2 stopovers enroute to Goma:
The first would be at Shabunda; carrying 15 pax and baggage from Kindu to that place. Most the passengers are UN personnel (or from affiliated organizations), either moving to their new work location at Shabunda or on short leave and headed fro Goma.
The second stopover is at Bukavu Kavumu, close the SW shore of lake Kivu. We're leaving Shabunda with 14 passengers on board; again some of them headed for Goma and some on work rotation to Bukavu Kavumu.
Third and last leg of the journey will take us to Goma, with 17 passengers on board.

Starting from Kindu very early in the morning, at about 06.00, should have us landing at Goma well before the midday weather change, the daily 'rain and wind show'.
At this time of the day (morning) the looks pretty fine; scattered clouds at approx. 3000 ft agl, dry and sunny with winds of 6 to 24 kts at 188º.

Part 1 - Kindu FZOA to Shabunda XDRA

A smooth take off and ride to Shabunda, in the early morning light.
Coming in to Shabunda we found it hard to get the Bou on the ground; must have been the warm and humid air...
First we found ourselves flying just a bit too high over the town; first time we fly into this place, so we just settled for a low pass to check the runway for traffic. Turning left 180º and flying along the river, passing the town and bridges again, another 180º and fly the 1st approach to land.
On final we felt the plane floating steadily and still too high for a touch down and went for a missed approach. The dirt strip is not that long and not very wide for a larger aircraft. This time we did a right 180 and flew back past the town, over some shallow hills, before turning for a second approach.
This time we set for a lower approach, low and slow, and pushing down just after passing the main road. Landed safely and backed the plane up into the parking area for loading and unloading.

(click on the snapshots to enlarge)