Libya Flying Safari "The Bush Pilots": 20 - 29th March 2009

Aeroplane Special Edition

Concept

Overview: We have been asked by a Belgian flight school to support a desert flying course.

The Safari starts and finishes at Pisa airport, where we extract as necessary.
Total distance approx 3000NM Pisa-Pisa

- Day 1 Pisa-Tunis
- Day 2 Tunis-Tripoli
- Day 3 Tripoli-Ghadames (pm tour of Ghadames)
- Day 4 Ghadames-Ghat (night in Akakus, transport by 4wd)
  (possible bush landing for STOL/bush aircraft)
- Day 5 Ghat-Ubari (military airstrip), visit lakes
- Day 6 Ubari-Sebha (via Waw el Namus?)
- Day 7 Sebha-Tripoli
- Day 8 Tripoli-Tunis
- Day 9 Tunis-Pisa

This itinerary can be extended at the end of the course to give time for visiting Sabratha and Leptis Magna from Tripoli.

Early starts will be the order of the day (0700 breakfast), to have completed the average 3 hours of flying comfortably before 1200. This leaves each afternoon for studying/relaxing/visiting.

Accommodation will be the best available locally (so from local level 5* to desert camps).

With one exception, we will be landing at main airports, so both JET A1 and AVGAS/100LL will be available.

Equipment:

Each aircraft MUST HAVE:

- Zero wind range of 300NM, with additional 30 minute reserve
- ELT/PLB/EPIRB
- 10L water in secure container
- Satellite telephone
- Handheld VHF transceiver
- One sleeping bag per pax
- First aid kit
- Handheld GPS
- Covers for windows, all intakes etc.
- Whistle, Mirror (unbreakable)
- Yellow Hi-visibility vests, one per pax
- Flares
- Mini toolkit

Additional for the crossing of the Mediterranean (can be left in Tripoli):

- Immersion suits (personal choice, can be rented)
- Manual life jackets (required, can be rented)
- Life raft (personal choice, can be rented)

Emergencies and breakdown

We will travel as aircraft buddy pairs, in visual and radio contact at all times. The buddy will be first call responsible for problem noting and solving. In the case of a forced landing, they will note location and remain above as long as fuel permits - also passing all information to local SAR by airborne means. Assuming a successful landing, communications can be established by satphone, aircraft comms systems or handheld VHF.

Aircraft repairs and maintenance can be carried out at the overnight fields, but it is preferable to have the aircraft checked completely before the trip, and any causes for concern attended to before departure.

Finally

It is a flying course, and there will be long periods in/around the aircraft.

• It will be uncomfortable at times, hey, perhaps all the time!
• There will be times when we have bureaucratic delays.
• It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, a 5* experience but don't expect 5* accomodation or local service!

Please contact us for more information: info@prepare2go.com

Leptis Magna seen from the air

Lake Mandara (in the Ubari dunes) seen from a Zenair Ultralight

Rocky outcrop over Akakus

Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia

Maule MX7 - Never Say Never, your guide aircraft for this adventure

Piper flying over the sand sea