Imperial Airways, from Sudan to the Gold Coast
This fifth Imperial Airways part leaves Khartoum and crosses the Sahel westward: Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, the Gold Coast and Takoradi.
It shows another face of the imperial network: less maritime, more continental, with spaced, hot and often isolated stops.
A trans-Sahel African branch of the British network.
Connect relay points across a huge space.
A stable and enduring aircraft fits perfectly.
Heat, dust, long distances and few references.
Understanding the flight
After the great descent toward South Africa, this chapter follows a drier and more horizontal line. The Sahel becomes the main scenery.
The plan works best as a mail route: strict preparation, sober stops, controlled fuel and watched weather.
Before departure
- Prepare every leg with a realistic alternate, even if the map looks empty.
- Avoid midday departures if using an old aircraft.
- Keep enough visibility: ground references may be scarce.
- Accept the austere character of the route; that is exactly its strength.
Suggested route
Western Sudan
Khartoum, El Fasher and El Geneina open the route toward West Africa.
HSSS → HSFS → HSGN
Chad
Abeche, Ati and N'Djamena form the central Sahel relay points.
HSGN → FTTM → FTTK → FTTJ
Nigeria
Kano, Kaduna, Minna, Oshogbo and Lagos gradually thicken the network.
FTTJ → DNKN → DN0D → DMNM → DNOS → DNMM
Gold Coast
Accra then Takoradi close the route on the Gulf of Guinea.
DNMM → DGAA → DGTK
Experience tips
The flight is less spectacular than a coastal route, but far more atmospheric if you respect the distances.
Keep the imperial service logic: regularity matters more than speed.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2012