The Grumpy Gang

The Grumman Aircraft Pilots Association European Branch

Home > On Tour > Tour 2007 >  Tanger

From Cordoba (Spain) to Tanger (Morocco)

It was an incredible feeling, when we coasted out from Europe, in loose formation, and watched the North African shoreline emerge from the haze as we crossed the 30 mile stretch of water separating the two continents. I think that we all experienced a tangible sense of achievement as we touched down on Tangier's long runway 28 and were directed to the refuelling point by a competent and friendly lady controller. We had made it to Morocco!

The aircraft were inspected by polite gendarmes and our papers and documents carefully examined. We could not purchase Moroccan currency ahead of our arrival, so Rik Voorbrood, Ted Van Dam's first co-pilot, kindly agreed to purchase Dhirams on behalf of each crew, in the main airport terminal.

This speeded up our transit, so that after refuelling, and the payment of airport charges we were off again, for the third leg of the day to Casablanca, 175 NM to the south west. We started off by following the coastline in hazy conditions, with a requirement to remain on the VFR route specified in the Flight Plan. Such routes are mandatory for every VFR flight made in Morocco. Tangier > Asilah > Rabat > Casablanca