"25:40.2N
32:42.3E"
Dubrovnik (Croatia) - Luxor (Egypt)
Our first really long flight started late, because we wanted to try out
our
long range fuel tank sitting in the cabin. We noticed a small problem
with the
leaking fuel filter at run-up and subsequently lost our take off time
slot, but
we got finally got away around 11 o clock, after getting up early for
an
anticipated 08:00 departure.
The Flight was uneventful over Albania, Montenegro, Greece, the Greek
Isles,
over the Mediterranean Sea to the top of Africa Egypt.
Our Comanche went like a dream with the 94 additional Gallons of fuel
in the
Ferry tank. (94 Gallons as opposed to the 100 Gallons full capacity)
required a
shallow climb to initially 7'000 fuel with this additional weight.
Regarding the 10 hour flight, the weather was perfect with only one
problem,
the head winds, which kept our ground speed at average 140 Knots.
Hitting the African coast, the visibility became extremely hazy and we
decided
to climb to Flight level 110, which put us into clear air. As nightfall
came,
we took photographs on the way and some of the night shots look really
great..
Unfortunately we were rerouted far to the south of our initial flight
plan
route by Cairo Control, and this added another two hours to our flight
via
KATAB.
We landed at Luxor way after dark with an ILS approach on Runway 20.
On Egyptian ground, no lights on taxiways, we were greeted by a huge
passenger
bus and 3 other cars with a total of 5 people. Typical Egyptian style,
we then
did all the work and they watched us with great interest. We cleared
customs
and airport checks with a minimum of fuss and met Mohamed, a nice
fellow, who
then organized transport and the Sofitel Hotel on the banks of the Nile
River
at Luxor. This evening Mohamed will take us out for a special light
show at the
Karnack temple. On arrival we had two or three Stella Beers,
hamburgers, and
went to bed and slept very well until today 21st of June 09:00.
The hotel we stayed was a Great Hotel, with a large park and Pool.
Today the 21st of June there is a day of R&R, Swimming in the pool
and get
ready for our flight across the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, then the Gulf
States
into Dubai tomorrow..
After this very late arrival the previous night at Luxor, we decided to
have
one day of rest there. The hotel recommended by our flight service
handling
agent was the Sofitel on the banks of the Nile river. Good rate as
aircrew and
the resort was really first class. We could recommend this hotel to
all. Spent
some time at the pool and of course later on in the afternoon, we did
all the
planning for the next day’s flight to Dubai. In the evening we visited
the
Karnack temple with its Light and Sound show.
What a history of Egypt…….!
Bed time was around 23:00, this for an early wake up at 04:00 LT the
next day.
Approaching
the southerly tip of Greece
At
the shores of the river Nile
A
good place to relax a bit at our hotel in Luxor
