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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 0493.PDF
27 April 1956 , 493 COMMUNICATIONS FLIGHT, KADUNA Pioneering Work in Northern Nigeria: An Apache Delivery Flight WITH the recent delivery of the first Piper Apache to beoperated by the Northern Regional Government ofNigeria, the work of that region's official Com- munications Flight has entered a new and important phase.Formed just over a year ago, in March 1955, the unit has since been engaged on a preliminary programme in which airstripswere laid down, proving flying performed with Auster Autocars, and the general foundations laid for a regular and comprehensivenetwork of routes. With the first Apache delivered, and a second on order, the benefits of the initial groundwork have begun toappear. During the recent Royal visit the Apache was used by the Governor of Northern Nigeria as his personal transport onthis State occasion, and as a general utility machine carrying mem- bers of the Household, mails and Press material for the Royalvisitors. The centre of operations of the Communications Flight is theGovernor's headquarters at Kaduna and, indeed, it was largely due to the enthusiasm of the Governor, Sir Brian SharwoodSmith, that the scheme to open up the northern area by air was begun. Overland communications between the various divi-sional headquarters was previously an extremely slow process, because of the difficult nature of the forest, bush and swampareas and the long distances involved. The first task was the clearing of simple airstrips, usually bymeans of bulldozers and native labour. The natives employed on these projects were often unaware of the purpose of theirwork until they saw the first aircraft land on the strip; in many cases the curiosity of tribal chiefs was satisfied by their flying ondemonstration trips over their own localities. Typical size of the strips is 1,800ft X 200ft, and each is normally associated withone of the divisional headquarters. The work of the Communications Flight is concerned mainlywith the administration of the Northern Region, enabling ministers more easily to travel among their constituents; govern-ment officials to visit the various provinces and divisions; and the Governor himself to attend in person many official functions.In addition, the aircraft of the Communications Flight are avail- able for emergency duties such as ambulance work. Operations were begun in April of last year with two AusterAutocars which, after being shipped out to Lagos and there assembled, were flown to Kaduna and immediately put to work.The fleet is now being built up, as mentioned, by the addition of two Piper Apaches, this type having been chosen for its goodhot-weather performance, all-metal construction and ease of entry and exit for passengers. The operations of the Flight have made possible one-dayround trips in place of overland journeys which previously occu- pied a full week. The journey from Kaduna to Jos, previouslytaking 5 hr and 150 miles by road, now requires only one hour by air for the direct (100-mile) trip. During much of the rainy sea-son, also, journeys by road were impossible, whereas flying can At the opening of Jalingo airstrip, natives who had worked to dear the strip had their first view of any aircraft—one of the flight's Austers, from which this picture was taken. and does continue. Heavy showers and occasional line squallsare experienced during this season, however, which lasts from June to October. Another important weather factor is the Har-mattan, a dry heavy dust storm which blows down from the desert during the period from November to January. In spiteof these weather hazards, flying conditions in general are good, the chief pilot told Flight in a recent interview, there being100-mile visibility for some ten months of the year. The aircraft maintain H.F./R.T. communication with theground stations at Kano and Lagos, and use also the nine non- directional beacons in the northern area. Because of its locationthe unit carries a full range of aircraft and equipment spares, and is self-contained except for major engine overhauls. It is probable that the regional governments of Eastern andWestern Nigeria may also set up flying units similar to that of the North. The conditions are not as favourable, nor the need asgreat, however: whereas the northern population is scattered, the towns few and widely spread, the cost of roads prohibitive, and theclearing of strips relatively simple (average height of trees being about 12ft); the eastern and western regions possess many villages,closer together and joined by better roads, while 300ft-tall trees make the prospect of clearing strips formidable and expensive.The respective climates, also, are different; the eastern and western regions being tropical and the north sub-tropical anddrier. Kaduna, elevation 2,116ft a.s.l., is indeed claimed to have almost a temperate climate.The minimum stage-length flown by the Northern Region's Communications Flight is about 125 miles, mostly over scrub andbush terrain. As indicated, the scope for aircraft in opening up a system of fast communications in Northern Nigeria is great.With commendable speed the initial groundwork has been accom- plished, and this small yet active unit has now many years ofintensive development and useful flying ahead. The first Apache was flown out to Kaduna early this year byCapt. E. Minshaw, chief pilot and officer-in-charge of the Com- munications Flight, who was previously a flying instructor withthe Liverpool Flying Club. His description of this flight follows. Leaving Gatwick [Capt. Minshaw writes] we flew to Paris,where we waited while the aircraft was given a U.S. Certificate of Export so that it could eventually have a Nigerian C. of A.As the main agent for Piper Aircraft in Europe is based in Paris, we took the opportunity of having the remaining radio installedand of discussing spares. No sooner was all the radio work and the paper work tied up than the weather set in with fog.An unforeseen break appeared on January 20th, and I took this opportunity of getting away. As take-off was in the afternoonI only managed to reach Bordeaux, where I stayed the night. On arriving at the airport next day I found a very dull picture pre-sented on the weather chart: the whole of Spain was covered with a front and most of Southern France was covered with fog.The only course open was across to Perpignan and then down the Spanish coast to Valencia. The Pyrenees, capped in snow,were standing out from the mist and gave a good indication of position for the course. Perpignan was reporting good weather,and so a landing was made there for more fuel and further met. reports. The front was moving down south and, by leaving First of two Piper Apaches for the government flight, VR-NBF was flown out to Kaduna by Capt. E. Minshaw, officer in charge of the unit.
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