airlines – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

Aircraft Maintenance

Another classic from Judy in Australia! Airline unnamed!

Repair Division Of A Famous International Airline.

In case you need a laugh!

Remember, it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only a high school diploma to fix one. After every flight, pilots fill out a form, called a ‘Gripe Sheet’ which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form and then pilots review the Gripe Sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humour! Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.

By the way this airline is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tyre.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That’s what friction locks are for.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you’re right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny………… (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last………………
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

6
JUN

airlines, communications, management, staff, travel

Great News From Zambezi Airlines

7th of April 2011

NEW FLIGHTS CONNECT CAPE TOWN AND LIVINGSTONE

Zambezi Airlines is proud to announce new flights connecting Cape Town directly with Livingstone and Victoria Falls!

The flight is routed Lusaka-Livingstone-Cape Town and back, thereby providing a Lusaka-Cape Town connection that is quicker and easier than the current option via J’burg. Seats are also open for sale Lusaka-Livingstone.

START DATE: Flights have been loaded from 30th June 2011 through to 31 December 2012 and are currently OPEN FOR SALES!

SCHEDULE:
Mon/Wed/Fri
ZJ 290 CPT 8:00 L’stone 11:10
ZJ 290 L’stone 11:55 Lusaka 12:55

Tue/Thu/Sun
ZJ 289 Lusaka 12:15 L’stone 13:15
ZJ 289 L’stone 14:00 CPT 17:10

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Connecting passengers between Lusaka and Cape Town (in both directions) will not be required to disembark aircraft in Livingstone. At initial check-in, baggage will be tagged through to final destination. Zambian Entry and exit customs/immigration will be cleared only in Lusaka.

AIRCRAFT: fleet comprises of 3 Boeing 737-500 aircraft configured for 99 economy and 12 business seats.

WEBSITE: www.flyzambezi.com

7
APR

Africa, airlines, Cape Town, innovation, livingstone, tourism, victoriafalls, Zambia

Neil McDonald & Joanne Stevens on 107.7 fm

It was a pleasure to welcome Neil and Joanne, pictured above, to The Chanters Lodge Experience last Sunday night. The Experience is our local radio show that goes on air every Sunday between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs. The programme is co-hosted by Milli Jam and George da Soulchild, two of Livingstone’s most popular DJ’s, on Zambezi FM broadcasting our show on 107.7 fm. I go along to the show for good measure!

Neil and Joanne hail from the USA, Neil from Monroe, Louisiana and Joanne from Boston, Massachusetts. They live in Alexandria, Virginia. Both are retired – Neil told listeners he’d actually retired twice, once from the Federal Government and once from Delta Airlines, whom he’d joined after his Government service. A lawyer by profession he was very interesting about his career and his world wide travels. Joanne has also retired from her career in real estate, but confessed to still having an interest in two homes. This loving couple told listeners about their children and grandchildren scattered across America. Neil was particularly interesting about one of his sons, Lee, who apart from his regular job, is an American football kicking coach. Check his fascinating website Special Teams Solutions.

Neil and Joanne spoke about their trip from New York to South Africa on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 – the biggest ocean going liner in history. Their cruise had taken them from New York to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then on to South America, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil before reaching Cape Town. Once there, Neil and Joanne had stayed with a friend before coming to Livingstone and Chanters Lodge.

The music on the show was great. We played Lady Gaga’s latest – ‘Born This Way’ back to back with the UK number 1, Jesse J’s ‘Price Tag’. Our Zambian tracks were Ty2’s latest ‘U Say U Love’ featuring Kanji and Kaufela’s ‘Your Smile’ featuring Roberto. Kaufela, for the uninitiated, is George da Soulchild’s stage name. Great track it is too, we all agreed. Wizkid’s ‘Holla At Your Boy’ and Flo Rida’s ‘Dancing For Me’ were Milli Jam’s selections and we also featured Rascal Flatts with their smash ‘I Won’t Let Go’ and Adele’s ‘If It Hadn’t Been For Love’. Wizkid? Aka Ayodeji Balogun a very hot young Nigerian singer!

Joanne and Neil told listeners about their wonderful one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana where they’d been ‘lucky’ to see lion as well as a fairly angry elephant. They’d also enjoyed their sunset cruise on Lady Livingstone. When they visited Victoria Falls they got very wet from the spray. They’d very much enjoyed their stay at Chanters, loved the staff and would be sorry to leave the next day.

We gave away the usual dinner for dinner for two to the first person to text us and tell us where Neil and Joanne were from, Mpezeni correctly answered USA and won. We greeted guests and staff at the lodge and thanked everyone involved in the show for their efforts.

15
FEB

activities, Africa, airlines, Botswana, Chanters, entertainment, guests, music, radioshow, staff, tourism, usa, victoriafalls, Zambia

Egypt Air New Route To Zambia

Although we wish there were more international flights coming into Livingstone from Europe and Asia, any new ones into Zambia are welcome, so we’re happy to report this through LusakaTimes

North African aviation giant Egypt Air has launched its first ever direct commercial flight to Zambia. The first Egypt Airliner recently touched down at the Lusaka International Airport carrying Egypt Air Chairman, Captain Alaa Ashour and Zambia’s Ambassador to Egypt Lieutenant General Herbert Simutowe among other passengers. Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia Salah EL Sadek was on hand to receive the delegation.

Speaking to the press later, Ambassador Simutowe said the introduction of the direct flight from Zambia to Egypt and back would have a positive effect on the Zambian economy. He said Egypt being a developed country, the new route would also see more investors and tourists visiting Zambia. And Ambassador El Shadek said the introduction of Zambia on the list of Egypt Air destinations was as a result of President Rupiah Banda’s fruitful visit to the country recently.

He said the development would also enhance the long standing good relations that the two countries were enjoying.

20
JAN

2011, accommodation, Africa, airlines, infrastructure, livingstone, Lusaka, Zambia

Airport Security Charge

National Airports in Zambia have introduced an ‘airport security charge’ on departure for all passengers – US$5 per person international and US$3 per person domestic. Please make sure you have the cash available in either US$ or Zambian Kwacha. It is not clear at this stage whether the charge can be included in the cost of your ticket, like the regular departure tax.

The police are now checking underneath vehicles with mirrors as you approach Livingstone Airport. Presumably this irritating new charge is to pay for this service.

Happy New Year!

2
JAN

airlines, livingstone, Lusaka, tourism, transport, Zambia

Zambezi Airlines

Zambezi Airlines, the Zambian outfit, is looking to expand, according to this piece from LusakaTimes

“Zambezi Airlines is negotiating with some countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond for possible opening up of new routes next year. Commercial director Sidney Siabamundi said in an interview in Lusaka that the airline had made applications to fly to other routes and was awaiting approval from respective governments. “We are coming up with exciting programmes for our clients in the coming year. We intend to open up new routes within SADC and beyond, but we can only name the countries once the respective governments approve our applications’’.

The airline currently offers flights to Lubumbashi in Democratic Republic of Congo, Blantyre in Malawi, Harare in Zimbabwe, South Africa’s Johannesburg and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

Mr Siabamundi said the airline had recorded overwhelming bookings following the promotional same-day-return fare on Lusaka-Johannesburg route running from December 13 to 31. Mr Siabamundi said business executives had taken advantage of the US$99 fare to Johannesburg to conduct business and return the same day. “We have a flight going to Johannesburg leaving at 07:00 hours to arrive at 09:00 hours and return at 18:00 hours in Lusaka the same day,’’ he said. The purpose of the promotion is to encourage the business people and corporate partners to conduct business on the same day without losing out on time for other engagements.

Zambezi Airlines hopes to utilise its flights as a hub for connection and transit for those travelling in the SADC countries. The airline was founded in 2008 and has grown to be one of Africa’s leading low-cost airlines. Zambezi has a business model that allows it to offer cheap fares without compromising on service.

31
DEC

2011, Africa, airlines, entrepreneurship, innovation, tourism, travel, Zambia

New Airport For Kasaba Bay

Having spent many wonderful holidays at Kasaba Bay in the 80’s this, from Lusaka Times is excellent news!

“The tarring of an International Airport at Kasaba Bay in the Northern Province is set to be completed in the first quarter of next year. This came to light when Northern Province Minister John Chinyanta visited the tourist resort to check on the progress of the construction works at the Airport site. According to engineers working on the project, about 85 per cent of the works on the runaway have been done.

However, the engineers told the Minister that works on the Airport project may be derailed if the rain pattern continues to be unpredictable in the area. And Mr. Chinyanta has expressed satisfaction with the quality of workmanship by the contractors working on the International Airport at Kasaba Bay. He said it is Government’s desire to see to it that the project is completed on time in order to open up the tourist resort to other investment opportunities.

Mr. Chinyanta further urged the contractors to speed up the construction works of the Airport in order to meet the deadline set for completing the project. So far, the compacting and leveling of the ground at the Airport site is in progress.

Meanwhile, Poweng Construction Company, contracted by Government to electrify Kasaba Bay, has made steady progress in putting up the power-lines. The firm has erected power poles from Mbala to Kasaba Bay in readiness for the electrification of the tourist resort. Once construction works are completed, Kasaby Bay will boost tourism investment in the Northern Tourism Circuit, which includes Northern and Luapula provinces respectively.

Currently, Government is implementing the Kasaba Bay integrated programme involving infrastructure development such as the construction of an International Airport, the grading of access roads and electrification of the tourist resort.”

12
DEC

Africa, airlines, tourism, transport, travel, wildlife, Zambia

Livingstone ‘International’ Airport

We’re happy that construction of a new terminal has started at Livingstone Airport as per the article below from Lusaka Times and have seen the evidence for ourselves. However, when the runway extension was completed at huge expense some years ago, we were promised direct flights from Europe, Asia and other African countries apart from South Africa and that has not happened. Let’s hope the new terminal isn’t another ‘white elephant’ and actually produces an increase in international flight connections, otherwise it will just be a waste of more money!

“Communications and Transport Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said that it is governments priority to ensure that all airports in the country are operational.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of new international terminal building at Livingstone international airport estimated to cost about $12 million, Professor Lungwangwa said that it is for this reason that government is carrying out maintenance works in provincial airports to improve connectivity in the country.

Professor Lungwangwa noted that with massive investment witnessed in Livingstone especially in the hospitality industry the number of tourists flying into Livingstone has been on the upswing. And speaking at the same function Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe said that one does not need to doubt that the Government under the leadership of Rupiah Banda is a working government.

He said that government through its sound economic policies is attracting a lot of investors and hence need to increase airport capacity. And at the same function National Airports Corporation Limited Managing Director Robinson Masitala said that the corporation has many challenges but that it will endeavor to provide efficient services to airline operators and the traveling public.

He said that the corporation is in the process of acquiring state of the art ground handling equipment to enhance service delivery capabilities at all the four international airports in the country.”

19
AUG

Africa, airlines, infrastructure, innovation, livingstone, rsa, tourism, transport, travel, victoriafalls, Zambia

Nate Sinyangwe Plays 107.7 fm & Suite 1!

When Nate, Laura and Liana Sinyangwe (above) arrived at Livingstone Airport at 16.30 hrs on Sunday (when I was happily missing the Germany v England debacle on TV), the first thing I said to them was ‘will you do me a favor for a favor?’! “Why not?” answered Nate straight away, as daughter Liana tripped along excitedly beside him. “What’s the deal?”

Well, I said, “we’ll give you our new executive suite at the normal double rate you booked for your stay, and you can be the first people ever to stay in it, – IF – you’ll appear on the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient ft George Soulchild (as well as Zambia’s most famous part time mzungu DJ!) live at 20.30 hrs on 107.7fm tonight! Nate and Diana were delighted with the deal and though we were sorry Laura and Liana couldn’t make it for the show, just too travel weary! Nate was great value. So too was the suite!

“Is it true you work for BP“? We wanted to know on the show. “In the Gulf of Mexico?” “No Alaska!” “What are you doing about the spill in the Gulf?”. Nate admitted there wasn’t much they could do until the new pressure wells were finished. Nate had been educated at Hill Crest School near Chanters Lodge so his was a nostalgic visit home with his wife and cute daughter. Good example too, of what determined and bright young Zambians can do we said!

We played Treysongz – I’m so deep into that at the moment, ‘Already Taken’ and ‘Missing You’. We played Mumpi – Fever and Gyptian Hold Ya! So Nate could catch up on his Zambian latest and overall musically we had a good selection as usual.

We gave away the normal dinner for 2 at Chanters Lodge – quickly snapped up, for the first texter telling us which country Nate lives in now! Thanks Guys!

29
JUN

accommodation, Africa, airlines, Chanters, football, music, radioshow, World Cup 2010, Zambia

Air Botswana

This from Zambia Watchdog

Air Botswana is set to introduce Lusaka, Zambia as its third destination in August, as the airline moves to make its mark in the region’s airspace. Though officials at the country’s airline were not forthcoming with information save to confirm the latest developments, according to its in-flight magazine, the deal has been sealed and if all goes accordingly come August, Air Botswana will be landing at the Lusaka international airport.

An agent has reportedly been appointed to take care of Air Botswana’s business in the Zambian capital. Flights will run four days a week with two of them being direct while others will have a stop over in Kasane. Kasane is a strategic location. Six kilometres east of Kasane is Kazungula, which serves as the border post between Botswana and Zimbabwe and the landing for the Kazungula Ferry between Botswana and Zambia.

(Kazungula is, of course, less than 1 hour’s drive from Livingstone – ed)

Seems like good news!

27
APR

Africa, airlines, Botswana, tourism, Zambia

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