i just returned from the DRC - lubumbashi.
i flew up there to go do an aerial survey for one of the copper mines there.
the red tape i had to endure in order to do my work was atrocious!!! for every step forward you have to take 6 back. every person you encounter claims to have some sort of authority and wont let you proceed without a permit of some sort - everyone, from the CAA inspector, gate guard at the airport, desk clerk in the briefing office, the air traffic controller, airport police, airport fire brigade, airport weather guy etc etc. they ALL stop you in your tracks.
on any given day you would be called back to the airport building/briefing office/control tower at least three times. every time it's a matter of shutting down the engine, unstrapping, and walking 500m back to the building. then phoning your handler/liaison to come and interpret, because the d@@s in question all of a sudden cannot speak English [anymore].
the one day i had to ask the airport manager, in person, for permission to fly. on another day i was told that i had to pay landing fees for another south african aircraft who failed to pay his fees months ago. on another day they wanted to arrest me for flying over a mine camp (and in that place you cant swing a cat without it going over a mine). the list goes on and on and on......
after 5 days i was ready to come back, after a week i was gagging to get out of there, and after two weeks i was shaking with frustration and anger at how they go out of their way to curb you.
Topic: Never again. (Read 3871 times)
