Go-around in Dakar - 26 October 2020 No2

I suppose I have been a relatively lucky air traveller recently.  In the four years I spent flying all over the wide continent of Europe for the Council of Europe I never suffered any long delays or unexpected ‘epics.’  It appears my luck has run out today.  Our flight from Brize Norton to Dakar was largely uneventful - primarily because it was an 01:10 flight on a Monday morning, most of us had been at the airport for around 5 hours before the scheduled take-off time and we.  However as mentioned in my previous post there was unexpected fog and mist over Dakar.

Low cloud over Dakar

The aircraft held for a considerable time before making a landing approach.  Now I love watching the flaps go down, the shudder of the landing gear moving into place and the noticeable change in pitch of the aircraft as it gently sinks towards the airport.  However this morning as we approached Dakar airport from the south over the sea there was a thick bank of mist.  The unmistakeable roar of the engines and the upward pitch signalled an abrupt end to the expected landing approach.  We were ‘going around.’

The go-around led to yet another hold until finally we approached again and landed this time.

Dakar airport is surprisingly modern and we were soon parked on an apron next to a French Armee d’air aircraft.  Whilst getting to our stand  I was intrigued by white birds on the airfield that all too unexpectedly appeared to be a flock and who took off as we were taxiing.  I wonder whether they have bird scarers here - after all I don’t fancy a ‘Sully’ in the Atlantic.

Unfortunately for me interest in the scenery soon faded as the Captain announced that the effect of the delay was such that we would not be able to reach the Falklands before the dreaded rotar winds would likely be generated making landing hazardous and as such we were going to have to fly back to the UK.  Worse still there was going to have to be a crew change so we were going to have to wait onboard the aircraft for at least 2 hours.  My heart sinks to think of another 13 hours flying simply to get back to where we are now on another day leaving aside the joy of checking in and security again - and ever before pondering that Dakar is only one-third of the way to the Falklands.

You’d expect there’d be a lot of ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth’ amongst the passengers with this less than joyous prospect.  Actually everyone is pretty chilled and relaxed.  There’s nothing we can do.  We understand the decisions are made in everyone’s best interests and seemingly this is all too typical for a flight to the Falklands.  It also gives me an opportunity to show my power management skills.  Can I maintain gadgetry distractions - time alone will tell.  The lack of internet connectivity in Dakar is perhaps a sign of things to come.

Few aircraft at Dakar