Next leg will take me across the Indian Ocean to Eldoret, Kenya, over 2100 nm away. I'm tempted to take a full load of fuel, but decide that 2004 gallons should suffice. Winds are favorable as I climb out of Gan on an IFR flight plan.
But there's something about this loading that EQDC3 doesn't like... she's hard to trim, and the turbulence aloft doesn't help much. I've left in the afternoon to ensure a daylight arrival, and the glare from the sun sinking ahead in the west is a problem as well.
It's bumpy as hell at 9,000, so I ask for 10,000. ATC denies me, and says to "expect 6000". Wha?? That will put me right in these clouds... Then they abruptly cancel my plan. Whatever...
Clouds are still fairly scattered as the sun sets... long stretches of smooth air. I decide to continue VFR, with moonlight later to help me see the clouds.
At 2300 Gan time, I file another IFR plan, as the cloud deck is solidifying, and I don't want to miss the coast and my position fix. ATC steeers me north a bit; seems I've drifted south. Half an hour later, they cancel my plan, but as I continue west, I can spot the sea again. If I drift off-course, I'll get sorted out when I reach the African coast.
On and on 'til the break of dawn... as the sun rises behind me, I get a call from Mogadishu ATC with flight following. Should be just a couple of hours from my expected landfall at Chisimayu, Somalia.
Lovely morning. Smooth air, low puffy clouds, and a big full moon leading the way to Africa.
15 hours after takeoff, I finally spy the coast in light haze. Now to figure out where the hell I am exactly...
Hmmm. Chisimayu is not a very big city, but if it's nearby I should see it, and the Juba River. I see neither. I press on, certain at least that this is Africa. I've got almost 9 hrs. fuel remaining at my current consumption rate.
Next: Eldoret!!
Bar by Mees
