Microlighters

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Sorry but you won't see me flying to Namibia that's for sure!

Valid point Turbo but actually there is NOTHING to worry about if the required documents are in place - and it is quite simple actually, provided the correct information is supplied all around.

Me too.

Turbo wrote:Sorry but you won't see me flying to Namibia that's for sure!

Turbo, Come and fly the Transkei coast, here we have the sky all to ourselves and the most awesome scenery with quite a few airfields.Its coastal flying at its best

Dunesand wrote:Valid point Turbo but actually there is NOTHING to worry about if the required documents are in place - and it is quite simple actually, provided the correct information is supplied all around.

I have to agree with Hanno that the correct documentation will get you across the border without any problems. He assisted us with our paper work when Blue Max and I flew Namibia last year and we had no problems on the Namibian side.

Interestingly enough we had more hassles, incompetence and arrogance with the S.A authorities. In Upington we had a torrid time with unhelpful and rude ATC personnel, incompetent officials dealing with runway fees and Custom officials who were more interested in their overtime payment than in clearing us quickly. On the return leg however, I had no problems with any of the officials at Upington.

The border Police and officials at Ariamsvlei and Keetmanshoop on the other hand were extremely friendly and helpful.The Police at Ariamsvlei drove us to Customs and gave us a lift into town for fuel at Keetmanshoop. For me, attitude is the key when working with officials, more so in other countries it seems than our own. Don't always like it but it gets me through seamlessly. Meticulous planning is also helpful and we had enough copies of all our documentation with us to dish out to anyone who was or wasn't interested.

I plan to go back to Namibia some day and fly the northern regions. It is one of the most beautiful countries to fly coupled with incredibly hospitable people. Unfortunately it only takes one officious border official to spoil things. I have thanked Hanno before on the forum but his selfless assistance and advice is much appreciated.

Ditto to what Louis Cole just said.
One important thing about landing on a airfield like Upington is to study the outlay of the airfield before you attempt to land there. You need to know all the runways, the taxiways and the numbers given to them... En dan moet jy darm ook weet wat beteken die woord 'apron'!!!
Sal ook help om die toring n dag voor die tyd te laat weet dat n trikes op pad is. Veral as jy n trike vlieg en onseker is.

And also yes The Transkai and Old Ciskai very, very beautifull areas to fly over.

I hear you gents -- problem is that us S/Africans look to the S/African authorities for guidance, and it seems we get the wrong information, and land up in jail for it .....

makes me despondent somewhat!!

Coastal flying sounds like what I prefer anyways.... Namibia is an awesome place, been there by car before, but risking jail for some incompetent EISH SOOORRIE's mistake don't sound good to me. Sure your guidance Dunesand will be the difference I suppose, but what about those who don't know you or anyone else in Namibia for that matter who can give them the correct information? How does one get out of Jail once there..... daunting I tell you.