Register

Desert Caravan

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author, flying a Cessna Caravan in Sudan with experienced pilot Denny Dyvig, faced a challenging takeoff from a rough, short airstrip in Julud, further complicated by approaching thunderstorms.
  • A radio transmission hinted at a hostage situation or hospital emergency in Akot, leading to a subsequent mission to rescue hostages from a hospital takeover by the SPLA.
  • The author's experience highlights the ongoing challenges in Sudan despite the official end of civil war, with tribal tensions and violence persisting in certain regions.
  • The author's trip is part of a broader humanitarian effort using the Caravan's capabilities in remote and challenging locations, showcasing the risks and rewards of disaster relief flying in Africa.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Clich here to view the Desert Caravan photo gallery

The tiny desert strip of Julud is receding below the Caravan’s wheels, and I’m beginning to breathe a little easier. With its 2,000-foot elevation, a rough and almost indiscernible dirt runway that changes heading more than 10 degrees in its 750-meter length, a tall ridgeline close in to downwind and a mountain less than a half mile off the end of the strip, Julud is a dodgy place to take off and land, even without 95-degree temperatures and thunderstorm cells bearing down on the field.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE