Hi all,
In 2013 my dad and I flew a Piper Saratoga TCII from Elstree (EGTR) to Nairobi (HKNW), we’re planning to do it again this Christmas, though this time in a 1981 Piper Dakota (N8284X).
You can see pics from the first trip here: https://nicolas.exposure.co/elstree-lamu
After months of back and forth with our insurer (Haywards) they aren’t giving us extension of our insurance do go through Sudan or Eritrea, one of which is necessary. Last time we went through Jeddah which was a total nightmare, they’re possibly the least helpful airport in the world, we ended up being grounded for days while we waited for a single bit of paper to be signed.
We need to find someone to insure us for 48hrs as we pass through Sudan, does anyone know of someone who might be able to help?
Thanks,
Nick
http://www.aviabel.com/ did insure me for Sudan, South-Sudan, Yemen and basically any other country that would normally be off the list of “normal” countries. I am not sure they are available to you in the UK.
Keep in mind that if you fly through Eritrea, you can not go into Ethiopian airspace or the other way around. Once you enter Ethiopian airspace, Eritrean airspace is not available to you anymore. That situation might have changed, but best to check.
I agree that the people at Jeddah were not the most friendly and for sure not really interested. :-)
Thanks AeroPlus! I tried them but unfortunately they can’t insure in the UK. We’ve managed to find another insurer though so things are looking up!
It’s a tricky region to fly in, we’re aware we can’t go Eritrea <→ Ethiopian, we’re going to go Egypt → Sudan → Ethiopia → Kenya.
Nick
@nokicky: I wrote a book about flying through Africa. It might be of help to you with your preparations. See: http://a.co/8uyGb1Y
Nokicky
You have probably sorted your route but last February, Khartoum-Lokichoggio-Nairobi was very straightforward routing over S Sudan in my BE36. Fuel needs to be arranged in advance at Khartoum and Loki but this is quite straightforward if expensive. Alternatively if you want to miss out most of S Sudan, you can do a dog leg over SW Ethiopia. I did that in 2014 when things were a little hotter on the ground there!
I insure with a German company which gives me worldwide cover, except for the USA and Canada, and saves the hassle of getting extensions every time you want to do an adventurous trip.
Good luck; have a great trip.
You can see pics from the first trip here: https://nicolas.exposure.co/elstree-lamu
Awesome pictures, and I love the T-Saratoga its a really fabulous aircraft. You seem to have put the gold bars and pilot shirt myth to bed also, making great progress in fashionably casual clothing! The Dakota looks really nice in that modern scheme.
Have a safe trip.
William
Nice pictures!
Haywards are a partner with us on the VintageAirRally – and covered a few of our G registered aircraft for Sudan and Ethiopia – perhaps ask them again?
The Vintage crew should be in South Africa by now? The blog stopped at the Pyramids, perhaps some of the participants have their own blogs?
I see Maurice Kirk is alive and safe, if somewhat channelling the late Hunter S Thompson, but his L4 may need a fair rebuild.
Hi all,
Just a quick note to say we’re just back from our trip. It was really fantastic! I took loads of photos and almost a terabyte of video so will post more info about it soon.
