72 Eilat - Luxor
23. Feb 2010
I went to the airport early, in order to have time to arrange the 2 ferry tanks I need because I not will be able to get fuel between Luxor in Egypt and Nairobi (and the cost of fuel is more than half in Israel compared to Egypt). My initial plan had been to install the tanks connected up to the fuel system of the plane, but I decided against this shortly before departure. That saves me getting all the approvals that is needed – and the tanks are easily removed again.
That means that I have to transfer fuel while on the ground – and I haven’t fully thought of how to do that! I have brought a “Goat throat” pump, but I realized today, that the pump doesn’t work well with the ferry tanks. The tanks, called “Turtle Pac”, are made in Australia, and made of a collapsible fabric.
After removing the front co-pilot seat I placed a 66 gallon (250 liter) tank on the rear seat and a 37 gallon (140 liter) tank next to pilot seat. Then I placed the co-pilot seat upside down on top of the 37 gallon tank and made sure it was all secured.
Going through security in Eilat is an experience – it seems that the fact you are a pilot causes more attention in a negative way – I was questioned thoroughly by the chief of security herself, and the process took more than half an hour! But I guess it could be worse – being an Arab pilot for example?
I had been worried, that the fact that I had 100 gallon extra fuel put inside the cockpit would cause some alarm – but not so!
So after a few hours I was ready for takeoff. I took off on runway 03 and continued for about 7 NM on radial 010 on the LOT VOR before being vectored South West in the direction of Luxor.
Climbing to Flight level 120 (12.000 feet), I passed over Sharm El Sheik, giving me a grand view of this large resort, with hundreds of boats in the waters taking folks diving.
I had a strong wind coming from west rolling over the mountains reducing TAS speed with up to 30 Kts at times. Flying over Hurghada I canceled IFR as I got closer to Luxor and requested a wide left downwind that would take me up along the river Nile before landing in Luxor.
I was picked up in the almost empty airport by a bus to the terminal and taken through immigration and customs by a handler – who will cost me through the nose!