When hand baggage being checked be aware, that some might want to put a hand in your purse. Be loud in protesting because the officers around then will not let it happen.
Maria, this is a very long shot as you left your blog a long time ago, but here goes...my name is Amit Som and I went to school with you in St Andrews in 1975. I would be so happy if you could make contact at asom62@yahoo.co.uk. I have a school photo dating from 1975 that has you in it, I remember you with great fondness and hope you get in touch, or some kind soul puts us in touch. All the best, Amit Som St Andrews Blantyre 1975. ps. I have just met our art teacher John Harris here in England! Fond memories of HE The Life President going by in his motorcade and waiting hours for him...great fun. Please get in touch Maria.
I was most interested to read comments made by Angus Magee on this topic. However, I wondered if Angus was at school in South Africa? We had someone also with his name at our school in Natal, Kearsney College, whose family came from Malawi and whose father was in the Police Force there. We finished our schooling there together - we matriculated, in 1971. It would be grand if he were he: it's always gratifying finding more of our school mates after all these years.
We landed here in 2 light sport aircraft and 1 other Sling (700kg MAUW) in summer after the rainy season and the Google Earth pic of a dirt runway in no way resembled what we encountered. If a runway existed it was invisible and the field was covered with thick grass up to waist high. There were a few tracks created by the locals as walking paths and the surface was rough. The landings were very rough and I would not recommend one to land there unless some maintenance work is pre-arranged. There appeared to be a "airport" manager stationed there and we were able to arrange security for the 3 nights we stayed there at US$50 per day/night and they cut a take-off path for us by our return to fly out. The guard's contact number is 0882296334. We also got great help from Noleen at Thumbi View Lodge and had we know the condition of the airfield we might have been able to prearrange clearing through her - info@thumbiviewlodge.com - best place to stay on the Lake.
The Google Earth photo maybe represents the airfield in a drought, but we landed there on the 14th March 2017 and it was effectively an emergency landing in armpit high reeds and grass. To get the airplanes airborne again we hired local labourers to slash the grass and cut a runway path for US$80. We were also surrounded by the military on landing and were advised that the runway had been handed over to the military and despite our permit to land, we had no authority. On offering US$50 per day to look after the 3 planes, they relented and all seemed fine again.
I used to cycle from Limbe to Chileka once or twice a week, around 1967 - 1970 era, and the folks used to meet the Samuel family there for drinks every Sunday - my father was in the Nyasaland police, thereafter Malawi Police, (initially in Zomba and then i/c of the police training school in Limbe). I wonder if the club is still operative?
I removed it from openstreetmap too, since that mention based upon the authority of ourairports. The dangers of open data sources depending one on the other!
Unless that straight stretch of road doubles as a landing strip, I suspect that the source for this airport (Great Circle Mapper) just used the lat/lon of the village. Marking as closed until we have more information.
I remember Alan Wood, he worked with my father, Len Johansson. Marina Maltese first lived three years in Zambia where I knew her and her sister Cynthia. We went to the same school there. Then they moved to Malawi, and after a while we did too. I think they left before we arrived there though. I'm Maria Johansson and we arrived in Malawi in 1974. We lived quite near the Chileka club on the other side of the Chileka road. I don't remember that Alan Wood had children though. What might your name be?
I was there at the Chileka club early to mid 70's. My Dad Alan Wood worked for the airline. I remember crispy bacon and samosas and swimming in the pool out the back of the club. I remember a girl called Marina Maltese and smoking 555 cigarettes in secret.
In Malawi early 70 s aged 11 anybody remember the chileka airport club ie chambo an chip's. Father worked air Malawi. I went to st Andrews high love to here from someone
Back in 1970; I used to go to swimming at a pool club located not far from Chileka airport. There I would get ice pops to help cool off from the blistering heat. They were called "Penny cools" and well worth the price.
Learnt to fly there. good (light) traffic experience from first flight on. Solo 6:35. Throttle failure, forced landing 16:00. PPL flight test 40:10. Thank you Les Antrobus. (and Norman Edwards [ex-RAF Spitfire Instructor], and Jerry Dunn [ex-RRAF]. Dudley Barlow, [ex Bomber Command, 26000 hrs], declined my request for instruction. Said he could'nt steer without 4 throttles. And a few others. Can you imagine the parties in the airway club pub. And a Speedbird Captain making a special visit to buy me a beer after my throttle failure (and thank me for getting out of the way of his VC10 which was on long finalsat the time. At 43:00 hours, Chip Kay, gave me two hours of short field landing at Confortzi's {loose sand], Malamula [trees bothends, goats in the middle] and finally at his home base, Satemwa,[starting at 500', full flap, full throttle,yoke back under your ribs,full up trim, stall warning screaming,total commitment at 400ft, touch on a veritable golf tee.....] I still sweat at the thought but revelled every second.
A small international airport. Access by tarred road from central lilongwe 25km or 40 minutes. Good, secure cheap car parking. Check in area never more than 3 of the dozen or so desks manned. No obvious queing system. Resteraunt and bar upstairs are reasonable. Depature gate has worn chairs and bar is occasionally staffed, busses to the planes in urgent need of replacement. No more than 5 international flights a day from this ariport which seem to be handled to a reasonable standard. On arrival you are met by efficient customs staff. There is one very worn bagge belt but it is served by good manual baggage services from Plane to terminal. Bags frequently lost by airlines but excellent lost and found staff are based in the arrivals area. Lost bags arrive the following day in most cases. (About 30% of people arrive with lost bags on arrival at LLW - most on South African Airlines and Kenyan Airlines due to the 'JNB vanishing effect' and the short transfer time from European flights at NBO) Taxi operatives clog up the narrow arrivals area, cost is between $20 to $30 into town. No public transort whatsoever to or from this airport. Basically an airport in decay, however this is a very good airport for the region and works well most of the time.
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Latest comments about airports in Malawi
Warm welcome
🔗 Sun, 15 Jan 2023
— @fedacla at Likoma Island Airport, Malawi
Great little airport with the friendliest police you have ever seen
Customs
🔗 Sun, 15 Jan 2023
— @fedacla at Lilongwe International Airport, Malawi
When hand baggage being checked be aware, that some might want to put a hand in your purse. Be loud in protesting because the officers around then will not let it happen.
re: The Chileka Club
🔗 Sun, 24 Apr 2022
— @Amit_St_Andrews at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
Maria, this is a very long shot as you left your blog a long time ago, but here goes...my name is Amit Som and I went to school with you in St Andrews in 1975. I would be so happy if you could make contact at asom62@yahoo.co.uk. I have a school photo dating from 1975 that has you in it, I remember you with great fondness and hope you get in touch, or some kind soul puts us in touch. All the best, Amit Som St Andrews Blantyre 1975. ps. I have just met our art teacher John Harris here in England! Fond memories of HE The Life President going by in his motorcade and waiting hours for him...great fun. Please get in touch Maria.
Hi William Mclure
🔗 Fri, 25 Jan 2019
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
Yup I am the same miscreant who came to Kearsney (Gillingham House) from Malawi, and also matriculated in 1971.........
Contact Angus Magee
🔗 Fri, 22 Sep 2017
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
I was most interested to read comments made by Angus Magee on this topic. However, I wondered if Angus was at school in South Africa? We had someone also with his name at our school in Natal, Kearsney College, whose family came from Malawi and whose father was in the Police Force there. We finished our schooling there together - we matriculated, in 1971. It would be grand if he were he: it's always gratifying finding more of our school mates after all these years.
William McClure
Overgrown in summer
🔗 Mon, 20 Mar 2017
— @DaveSkyye at Monkey Bay Airport, Malawi
We landed here in 2 light sport aircraft and 1 other Sling (700kg MAUW) in summer after the rainy season and the Google Earth pic of a dirt runway in no way resembled what we encountered. If a runway existed it was invisible and the field was covered with thick grass up to waist high. There were a few tracks created by the locals as walking paths and the surface was rough. The landings were very rough and I would not recommend one to land there unless some maintenance work is pre-arranged. There appeared to be a "airport" manager stationed there and we were able to arrange security for the 3 nights we stayed there at US$50 per day/night and they cut a take-off path for us by our return to fly out. The guard's contact number is 0882296334. We also got great help from Noleen at Thumbi View Lodge and had we know the condition of the airfield we might have been able to prearrange clearing through her - info@thumbiviewlodge.com - best place to stay on the Lake.
Overgrown and Military
🔗 Mon, 20 Mar 2017
— Anonymous Flyer at Salima Airport, Malawi
The Google Earth photo maybe represents the airfield in a drought, but we landed there on the 14th March 2017 and it was effectively an emergency landing in armpit high reeds and grass. To get the airplanes airborne again we hired local labourers to slash the grass and cut a runway path for US$80. We were also surrounded by the military on landing and were advised that the runway had been handed over to the military and despite our permit to land, we had no authority. On offering US$50 per day to look after the 3 planes, they relented and all seemed fine again.
re: Chileka airport club
🔗 Sun, 23 Oct 2016
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
I used to cycle from Limbe to Chileka once or twice a week, around 1967 - 1970 era, and the folks used to meet the Samuel family there for drinks every Sunday - my father was in the Nyasaland police, thereafter Malawi Police, (initially in Zomba and then i/c of the police training school in Limbe). I wonder if the club is still operative?
Angus Magee.
(no subject)
🔗 Sun, 14 Feb 2016
— @Jan_Olieslagers at Dedza Airport, Malawi
I removed it from openstreetmap too, since that mention based upon the authority of ourairports. The dangers of open data sources depending one on the other!
Don't see an airport here
🔗 Thu, 11 Feb 2016
— @david at Dedza Airport, Malawi
Unless that straight stretch of road doubles as a landing strip, I suspect that the source for this airport (Great Circle Mapper) just used the lat/lon of the village. Marking as closed until we have more information.
The Chileka Club
🔗 Sat, 24 Oct 2015
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
I remember Alan Wood, he worked with my father, Len Johansson. Marina Maltese first lived three years in Zambia where I knew her and her sister Cynthia. We went to the same school there. Then they moved to Malawi, and after a while we did too. I think they left before we arrived there though. I'm Maria Johansson and we arrived in Malawi in 1974. We lived quite near the Chileka club on the other side of the Chileka road. I don't remember that Alan Wood had children though. What might your name be?
Chileka Club
🔗 Mon, 19 Oct 2015
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
I was there at the Chileka club early to mid 70's. My Dad Alan Wood worked for the airline. I remember crispy bacon and samosas and swimming in the pool out the back of the club. I remember a girl called Marina Maltese and smoking 555 cigarettes in secret.
airport
🔗 Thu, 08 Oct 2015
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
Anyone remember p cook st Andrews. Early 70s.
Chileka airport club
🔗 Sun, 10 May 2015
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
I was there too in the early 70s and my dad worked for air Malawi too. Yes I remember the club.
re: Penny cools
🔗 Mon, 03 Mar 2014
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
In Malawi early 70 s aged 11 anybody remember the chileka airport club ie chambo an chip's. Father worked air Malawi. I went to st Andrews high love to here from someone
Penny cools
🔗 Sun, 13 Jan 2013
— Anonymous Flyer at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
Back in 1970; I used to go to swimming at a pool club located not far from Chileka airport. There I would get ice pops to help cool off from the blistering heat. They were called "Penny cools" and well worth the price.
chileka 1970
🔗 Thu, 27 Sep 2012
— @listenup at Chileka International Airport, Malawi
Learnt to fly there. good (light) traffic experience from first flight on. Solo 6:35. Throttle failure, forced landing 16:00. PPL flight test 40:10. Thank you Les Antrobus. (and Norman Edwards [ex-RAF Spitfire Instructor], and Jerry Dunn [ex-RRAF]. Dudley Barlow, [ex Bomber Command, 26000 hrs], declined my request for instruction. Said he could'nt steer without 4 throttles. And a few others. Can you imagine the parties in the airway club pub. And a Speedbird Captain making a special visit to buy me a beer after my throttle failure (and thank me for getting out of the way of his VC10 which was on long finalsat the time. At 43:00 hours, Chip Kay, gave me two hours of short field landing at Confortzi's {loose sand], Malamula [trees bothends, goats in the middle] and finally at his home base, Satemwa,[starting at 500', full flap, full throttle,yoke back under your ribs,full up trim, stall warning screaming,total commitment at 400ft, touch on a veritable golf tee.....] I still sweat at the thought but revelled every second.
Lilongwe Airport
🔗 Fri, 11 Dec 2009
— Anonymous Flyer at Lilongwe International Airport, Malawi
A small international airport. Access by tarred road from central lilongwe 25km or 40 minutes. Good, secure cheap car parking. Check in area never more than 3 of the dozen or so desks manned. No obvious queing system. Resteraunt and bar upstairs are reasonable. Depature gate has worn chairs and bar is occasionally staffed, busses to the planes in urgent need of replacement. No more than 5 international flights a day from this ariport which seem to be handled to a reasonable standard. On arrival you are met by efficient customs staff. There is one very worn bagge belt but it is served by good manual baggage services from Plane to terminal. Bags frequently lost by airlines but excellent lost and found staff are based in the arrivals area. Lost bags arrive the following day in most cases. (About 30% of people arrive with lost bags on arrival at LLW - most on South African Airlines and Kenyan Airlines due to the 'JNB vanishing effect' and the short transfer time from European flights at NBO) Taxi operatives clog up the narrow arrivals area, cost is between $20 to $30 into town. No public transort whatsoever to or from this airport. Basically an airport in decay, however this is a very good airport for the region and works well most of the time.
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