This Is Your Captain Speaking; FYI Tanzania’s Foremost Safari Destination
Here is where the beautiful story begun;
Good afternoon passengers; this is the pre-boarding announcement for flight MG-709 from London (Heathrow International Airport)to Dar es Salaam( Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport). We’re now encouraging passengers with small children and any passengers requiring special attention to begin boarding. Please have your boarding pass and other documents in an order. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time, Thank you.
As I was getting ready to fly, was in random discussion with other commercial pilots flying to different destinations. One of the pilots casually mentioned to me that his family will be in the plane I will be flying to Tanzania, funny enough they’ve never been to Tanzania before, guess what? The wife and 3 kids have greater plans of exploring Tanzania for 4 weeks; the wife was supper worried if Tanzania will serve well. I nodded my head, sighed and shrugged multiple times and I told Captain Freddy there is no way that they won’t be having fun especially when in charge.
Here Comes the final boarding call;
Good afternoon passengers. This is the final boarding call for passengers Robert and Collins booked on flight MG-709 to Dar es Salaam City. Please proceed to gate 7 immediately; the final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately 10 minutes. I repeat this is final boarding call for Robert and Collins.
OH Yes, Here we go. We’re so boarded ready to take off; Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight MG-709 from London to Dar es Salaam. We are currently fourth in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. Please fasten your seat-belts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing us
Here I go;
Good afternoon passengers. This is your captain speaking. First I’d like to welcome everyone on Flight MG-709. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 39,000 feet at an airspeed of 500 miles per hour. The time is 12:45 pm. The weather looks good and with the tailwind on our side we are expecting to land in London approximately fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. The weather in London is clear and sunny, with a high of 25 degrees for this afternoon. If the weather cooperates we should get a great view of the city as we descend. The cabin crew will be coming around in about twenty minutes time to offer you a light snack and beverage, and the in flight movies will begin shortly after that. Sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the flight.
Hello, it’s me again–your captain; I would love to welcome you to the space of wildlife, the land of freedom which is full welcoming people, the adventure is wow. Once you’re on the soil the feeling of being close to the origins of where we came from, the simplicity of life, the companionship, the adventure is non-negotiable. Please see the short documentaries in your screen. Thank you for flying with us.
Well, it’s me again, your captain, it’s my pleasure to tell you that Tanzania has 22 national parks, bringing the Arusha National Park to your attention. This beautiful Park has often been called a little gem and rightly so, you will able to see Mount Meru, Ngurdoto Crater and have an eye opening experience to see wide variety of mammals, bird watching and enjoying the beautiful lakes. You will also get the chance to do activities like walking, mountain hike, canoeing and horseback. You don’t have to worry about the special reservations and public campsites, as well as seasonal campsites that can be booked for travelers or companies with their own camps; off course there are huts for climbers of Mount Meru to use. Hotels and lodges for visitors to use are also sited outside the Park, and of course inside and outside Arusha itself. Dear passengers this has to be seen to be believed. I’m not saying it all find it yourself in the screens. Thank you for choosing us.
“Hello, this is your pilot speaking. I know a lot has been said and written about Mount Kilimanjaro’s location with very high confidence I tell you that there is no where you can find, see and feel the precious Mount Kilimanjaro than Tanzania. There is a possibility of seeing wildlife while climbing Kilimanjaro, as there is a lot of it in the forests and moorlands all these can be found in Kilimanjaro National Park. There is a lot you can explore, Thank you for choosing us.
Good evening passengers, in your stay in Tanzania forget all things but don’t you dare forget to visit the great Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is on almost everyone’s wish list for a safari to Tanzania, but one can only absorb the full extent of Tanzania’s extraordinary depth and character as a safari destination by including other places in one’s travels; Trust me Game viewing by vehicle, Walking safaris and guess what? Ballooning is now possible in the north, south and center of the Park. What else would you need? Make sure get a lot of souvenirs, enough to share with the British people. Thank you listening, hope I have changed your mind.
Do you want to guess what happened? This has to be seen to be believed anyways, my cabin crew was on fire, they were called all over the place.
Time goes as we fly; we had to say goodbyes
We hope you have enjoyed the in-flight entertainment. We are now preparing to land. The bar is closed and we will soon collect your headset. May I remind you to complete your arrival and immigration documentation by the time we arrive.
(Preparation for landing)
Ladies & Gentlemen, now We’re approaching Tanzania where the local time is 09:00 pm. At this stage you should be in your seat with your seat-belt firmly, fastened. Personal television screens, footrests and seat tables must be stowed away and all hand luggage stored either in the overhead lockers or under the seat in front. Please ensure all electronic devices including laptop computers and computer games are turned off, Again thank you for choosing us.
See now? Aviators can play a vital role in promoting the beauty in their respective countries big time. For me, supporting means by being part of it and showing the sense of belonging. As usual had hustle to bring to you one of the toughand most respected, funny and determine pilot I know. Well if you ask me, I see him very far away in the next 5–10 years. Captain Brian Wamala, is an Airline pilot working for Air Tanzania flying the Dash 8–400 Aircraft at the moment. Started flying commercial by 2015 on different aircraft type like the Cessna Caravan, Dehavilland Dash 6 and now rated on the Q400 and managed to accumulate 2500+ hours.
In this particular article I have managed to have an engaging moment with Captain Brian Wamala; I have casually interviewed him on how aviators can play a part in promoting tourism. Please read what he says in this elevator pitch.
1. How can a pilot support Tourism?
Pilots can support tourism in so many ways, being able to share my experience as a bush pilot I’ve found it to be one of the best ways . Since we usually fly tourist to different destinations in national parks, game reserves and so many other tourist destinations, Sharing that is simply a way of supporting tourism to take and alike. As a bush pilot, I have gone to places where probably to some it has been their perfect destination; places like Serengeti, Selous, Zanzibar, the peak of Mt.Kilimanjaro. I have learnt many new things along the way and that I usually share with passengers in flight said Captain Brian Wamala.
2. How is the aviation industry in Tanzania coping up with change?
The Aviation industry in Tanzania has changed,is in a changing state every day; As technology advances, things change too, i.e systems and equipment. For a country like Tanzania to keep up with such developments, there is no way out but running along with the changes of the world in general said Captain Brian Wamala.
3. With incredible YouTube channel named as Adventures with Brian, what does it mean to you?
So, the main reason of starting the channel was due to the fact that the youth out there aspire to become pilots but they have no idea of the journey. Things like the cost, type of license, what subjects to take and so on. So I have decided to make it easier for them to understand the whole career path said Captain Brian Wamala.
I hope this particular artistic article has made you define the Tanzanian aviation in a completely different angle and start seeing its capacity to brand itself and a nation at large. Lets do this, it can be done (Though I never mentioned anywhere that its easy). God bless Aviation, God bless tourism.
