Depicted above is the current Q400 route structure in Mozambique. The country's size is similar to two California's. (Maybe Arnold should come here). From Tete to Maputo is a two hour flight. All other flights are under two hours. It's unclear what the plans are for future utilization of the aircraft. Compared to LAM's 4 other 737 200's, the Q400 fuel burns are about 1/4 of the 737 200. That should get someone's attention. Flights to Nampula, Pemba, and Dar es Salaam have been rumored. (Mozambican rumor mill).
Flying into Tete and Chimoio is like flying onto a page of National Geographic magazine. Outside the main towns are red dirt trails, grass huts, and classic African trees. I'm sure there are Hyenas lurking about but they are hard to see. If I saw one I would laugh at it just to see what it would do. Chimoio has an 8000' mtn. range south that is the highest in the country. I've looked for ski resorts. There are none. The major rivers are the Zambezi, Sauve, Limpopo, and Elephant rivers. We will not ditch Q400 in rivers due to croc's. I hate croc's. They creep me out. If it came to that the choice would definitely be hard ground. We'll take our chances with the land based animals. After all, billy clubs were included in aircraft purchase, and most likely some passenger will have a gun. (For their comfort it is stowed in a super secret place). Nice!
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