The French astronaut, who has already spent nearly 400 days in the space aboard the International Space Station (ISS), participates in a conveying of the NGO.
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Under a rainy sky, the Cessna took off from the airport of the Bourget Wednesday, April 13 at 1:30 pm, as planned on its flight plan. CAP south. After a stopover in the evening in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), he should fly over the African coast the next day and land at the end of the week in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic. On board took place two mechanics and three French pilots, one of whom spent nearly 400 days in space: Thomas Pesquet.
“I am looking forward to flying around the Sahara and taking stops on the African territory, entrusts the world astronaut. In the space station, I looked at Africa long, I was impressed by its dimension. The projection a sphere on a card obligating to reduce parts, the continent is actually larger than it is believed. I was also amazed by the diversity of landscapes, including in the desert … “
Its flight is part of a conveying for the Aviation Without Borders Association. This was created by three pilots during the Biafra War (from 1967 to 1970). It now has 800 volunteers and provides logistical support to more than 120 NGOs and international organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), Handicap International, Action Against Hunger, French Red Cross, Patronage Cardiac Surgery …
The association acts in Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in areas where only bush aviation provides access to populations to transport humanitarian aid or take charge of refugees and patients.
“The main function of this plane will be to transport doctors or nurses in areas where only an airplane makes it possible to go because the roads are inaccessible or too dangerous, explains Gérard Feldzer, president of Aviation without borders. Our association allows logistical support to NGOs in areas where the UN comes. “The United Nations is today the main source of funding of the association that also works with about twenty partners (Air France, Directorate General of L Civil Aviation, Michelin, Paris Airports …)
“look forward to putting the air at the service of the humanitarian”
Through his project The wings of the future, the Aviation Association Without Borders is also active in France, within priority neighborhoods or in rural areas. In 2020, it allowed 16 people, aged 15 to 29, flying aboard a device designed by students from Sup’eréro Toulouse and acquire first steering.
The Grand Caravan Ex Cessna which took off from the Bourget is considered a “air of air”, capable of accommodating 12 passengers and transporting 1 ton of freight. Thanks to its wide tires and a reinforced landing gear, it can land on slopes in lateral, quite short. “These planes are very robust, says Vadim Feldzer, Aviation Administrator Without Borders. They ask for a special qualification.”
Thomas Pesquet, who started his career at Air France in 2006 and has 2,300 hours flight on Airbus A320, had to follow a new training. “His instructor told me that his progression had been flaunting, says Jean-Claude-Etienne, who issued the qualification. The pilot analyzes and reacts very quickly, including for motor failures.”
The UN requires drivers to have 50 hours of flight before leaving on mission. Thomas Pesquet, despite six extravéhicular outlets during its two stays in the International Space Station, can not perform its first flights in the Central African bush at the end of this first conveying. “He will do his hours and will come later to give us a hand,” said Gérard Feldzer. We feel he wants to be useful and to invest in the field. “
“I can not wait to go on an adventure and put the air at the service of the humanitarian”, concluded Thomas Pesquet who has received as last tribute a Water Salute, a passage from his plane under the sheaves firefighters from the airport, some instante before takeoff.