Flying Medical Service, for which I’m flying again nowadays.
Olbalbal, on the slopes of Ngorongoro Crater. The airstrip looks easy and large like a highway but because of the rising terrain at the end of the strip, a pilot once committed to landing has no choice but to land, or face a serious sweat in case of a go-around. Or worse. I did once such a strongly non-advised maneuver out there and I can say it was one of my freakiest flying times. It was either a desperate go-around or a crash in the gully at the end of the strip…The slope of the crater exceeds the aircraft climbing capacity so while I was trying to fly between trees (and avoid them) at slow speed with warning horn blaring, I kept on hearing Pat or Steve, my by-then trainers, saying and insisting “you just DON’T go-around in Olbalbal!”. I dunno how but I managed to make it out in one piece. With legs shaking.
otherwise we can say the job was normally peaceful, sometimes really peaceful…
Engoveroni, Empakai Crater, Rift Valley. Another piece of an airstrip. Active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai in the distance, and extinct volcano Kerimasi just behind the aircraft.
if no hut is available, the doctor just operates under the wing.
frightened nurses during a turbulent flight.
Maasai warriors coming at a clinic.
lake Natron, shadow and cloud reflection.
one of the Ngorongoro mountains far away, Mt Makarot. Schoolboys in uniforms.
on the Kenyan border, north of lake Natron.