2020 Stats

December 30, 2020 Grant Strugnell

Looking back at the flights I did last year, in 2019, the hours and landings were close to double this years. Our reduction this year in flight hours has been mainly because of COVID and the changes that brought to our operations, but more importantly the way our main client, the Lesotho Flying Doctors (LFDS), operated in the pandemic.

Budget changes affected them, and reduced what they had available for flying. As such, you will see certain airstrips on the picture below that we frequented, while others we pretty much didn’t go to at all. This was due to LFDS focusing on the most remote areas, and arranging slower ground transport for some of the other areas.

Unfortunately, at this point we expect 2021 to be similar, unless they are able to organize their budget differently.

What is interesting, and makes sense as we prioritized high importance flights, is that last year I had fewer emergency medical flights than this year, even with double the hours.

Look at 2019's stats here

12 pics for 2020

December 21, 2020 Grant Strugnell

Every year I like to go through my photos and just choose the best 12. For 2020 I have selected these 12 here. Its been a great year of flying and working in these mountains. While its been a hard year for so many, we have been grateful to be here and able to use the airplanes to help people in need. Hope you like the pictures!

Take a look at 2019’s top 12 as well!

Preparing for winter

May 11, 2020 Grant Strugnell

After landing at a remote mountain village last week delivering gas for winter heating, I asked the nurse how cold it had been getting. By his response it was clear that winter was there, and the mountains had decided to skip the unnecessary season of fall and get straight to the point.

He asked what it was like in countries like North America with all the snow and extreme cold in winter, and with my answer (very cold, but you are always warm when inside) I was reminded at the difference between an African winter and a ‘Western’ one: While Africa doesn't reach the -40 deg temps that Minnesota reaches, it does get below zero inside and outside, and that makes all the difference. Sometimes in Africa it seems like you are cold all winter, especially the people in the mountains.

A young shepherd sitting close by to watch the airplane at Semenanyane

There has been a lot going on in the world over the last 2 months. But in the remote mountains, it feels like life as normal. This is probably because they are remote enough that COVID isn't yet a high level concern. It could also be that they have regular day-to-day survival on their mind. Life in the mountains with winter approaching is a tough time. Crops are usually being harvested and stored, with the harvesting taking up long days for whole villages.

Unloading cleaning supplies, gas and clinic supplies

The lockdown in Lesotho has caused everything to slow down. The government department that we fly for, the Department of Health, has also seen a slowing down of their work, as they are restricted like the rest of the world with working from home. As such, we have just being doing emergency and high priority flights. In the last two weeks however, as the most remote clinics get ready for winter, we have had a number of high priority cargo flights.

We can get 3 of the 96kg gas bottles in the back of the C206.

We essentially fill up the plane with as much cargo as we can. This is usually a combination of 96kg (211 pound) LP gas bottles and clinic supplies including drugs and day-to-day necessities. Some places are so remote that we even fly wood and coal to them, as it's the only way to get access to that kind of heating fuel.

I enjoy these flights because I get to be the sole occupant of the plane, and it gives me a chance to review emergency procedures, and practice some vital skills that passengers don't usually enjoy very much! I also get to do something very practical in delivering much needed supplies to the remote communities.

The Hanger

March 9, 2020 Grant Strugnell

As a pilot, my focus is on whats ‘out there,’ in the mountains. The hanger is the place I return to. But I sometimes forget just how much work goes on here that is critical for the safe and efficient functioning of MAF Lesotho. Today I just very quickly walked around and took a few pics of the current happenings: A major inspection on CME, an oil change inspection on CMO. Usually, in between drilling and riveting sounds, you will hear jokes and laughter from the Basotho mechanics working alongside the USA pilot/mechanics. A wonderful community of friends and skilled workers.