2006 RTW Race Practice

[gcurtiss]

To all FlightSim.com Round The World Race team members (2005 Champions!!) and interested pilots -

A few of us have started to drum up some strategy talk and have run a few practice legs on the private team site - http://fs.softplus.net/fsweb/Default.aspx

Come on over and join in the fun - the 2006 race is only 2 months away! Get your vacation time requested now... :) It looks like next year's race will be run the week of Feb. 19th.

Once we get a little more involvement in the practice runs, I'm sure we'll come here and run some more formal baton passing trials under "real race conditions" just to get back in the practice as well.

Let's defend that trophy and keep it here on FlightSim.com where it belongs! :)

[gcurtiss]

MBGT to SVMI in the Piaggio Avanti

Flying on the multiplayer server - come join in the fun!

[gcurtiss]

Coming back with validation graphic and/or text...

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98628.jpg

[RFields]

I have the Baton - SVMI bound for SKCL

[RFields]

Baton is down at SKCL - there will be a 27 minute penalty - 2:09 baton time - Baton will be free at SKCL at 06 minutes past the hour by the forum timer

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98630.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I have the Baton - SKCL - SEQU

[andyjohnston]

Baton is free at SEQU

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98639.jpg

[gcurtiss]

Alright Andy!

Hope to see you on the team this year!

[gcurtiss]

Heading south... 441 Conquest...

[gcurtiss]

Aiming for SPRU to make the 2 hour window. About 240 miles out. Fighting some headwinds resulting in about 300 kts groundspeed.

[gcurtiss]

Gear malfunction and crashed on landing... :(

[gcurtiss]

Trying again for points south...

Duenna will dictate time...post came a little late.

[gcurtiss]

Heading to SPRU - winds just won't let me get any further.

Should be down in about 20 minutes or so.

[gcurtiss]

Back with validation...

Winds just wouldn't allow me much more distance...not many airports round these here parts... :)



http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98697.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at spru heading for spim

[andyjohnston]

:(

Ran out of fuel and crashed 5 miles from the airport. Baton is back at spru. I may try to make the run again later this evening.

[RFields]

I have the Baton at SPRU - bound for SPJL in the P-38L Jane at 1316 UTC

Edit - 21 kt head wind - will probably divert to SPIY or SPZO depending on time / distance

[RFields]

The Baton is free at SPZO - at 1520 UTC - Total Duenna Baton Time - 02:04:12 - Baton / next leg may depart at 1532 UTC

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98769.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I Have the baton at SPZO, going to SLLP

[andyjohnston]

Baton is free @ SLLP

[gcurtiss]

Going to SBCY - Piaggio Avanti

[gcurtiss]

Currently 375 nm out - doing 411 knots groundspeed.

ETA about 55 minutes.

[gcurtiss]

Nice flight - winds got better as we went and averaged about 410 GS for the last half of the flight. Started descent from 29300 90 miles out and leveled off at 2000 about 3-4 miles from my FAF - one of my best descents yet.



http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98772.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at SBCY going to SBBW

[andyjohnston]

Baton is free SB5W

Had lots of fuel left as I was approaching my intended destination, decided to fly to the next strip along the way, but didn't check the runway length, as you can see, I had some trouble getting it down.

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98773.jpg

[UK_RON]

I have the baton at SB5W

flying to SBRJ

Currently running the King Air 350

NOTICE: King Air 350 Default not performing to FS spec expecting divert en-route to SNXB in 45 mins time. Will not get to final arrival in time.

[UK_RON]

Baton released at SBRJ

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at SBRJ going to SBVT

[andyjohnston]

Baton released at SBVT

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98788.jpg

[gcurtiss]

Going to SBMO - Piaggio Avanti 17:52 UTC

Setting up to possibly hop out to SBFN then practice a wildcard leg to Africa...

[UK_RON]

Geno

Tried to catch you yesterday but you disconnected when I called you. I got your email response to my application to go onto the RTW chat area/site and awaiting login details to be confirmed. Can you check in case they have been missed please.

Ron (N056RM)

[gcurtiss]

Uneventful flight - nice and smooth the whole way just like we like 'em! :) Descents are getting better all the time.



http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98853.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at SBMO

Shooting for SBFN

[andyjohnston]

Baton is back at SBMO, lost control in the winds on short final.

At least I'm learning which planes NOT to use during the real race...

[gcurtiss]

>Geno
>
>Tried to catch you yesterday but you disconnected when I
>called you. I got your email response to my application to go
>onto the RTW chat area/site and awaiting login details to be
>confirmed. Can you check in case they have been missed
>please.
>
>Ron (N056RM)

Sorry I missed you online yesterday Ron, and welcome to the team! John Mueller is the site admin for our private RTW Forum, I think he's the one who you would have received the email from.

[RFields]

I have the Baton at SBMO - heading for SBFN at 1859 UTC in P-38M w/ 150 gal tanks

[RFields]

Baton is free at SBFN 2 20:22 UTC - 1:20 on Duenna Baton Time

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/98986.jpg

[andyjohnston]

Was going to try the next leg, but don't have an aircraft that will get me across in a reasonable amount of time.

Baton is still at SBFN

[RFields]

Took the Cal Classics DC-7 American from SBFN to GUCY

4:22:55 baton time - GS ave 315.7 kts for 1384 nm - avg +13.2 kts wind component

On to DAAT & HTKJ

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99053.jpg

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at GUCY

Onward to GOTT

[andyjohnston]

Was approaching GOTT and had tons of fuel left, extended flight to GAKD

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99064.jpg

[UK_RON]

Geno just seen this reply from you but I have still not received any confirmation of the site login details so am still unable to access the area at all.

I would really like to join in the RTW practice sessions and it would appear that the two or three currently doing so are working to a plan but what that is is anyone's guess so unless I am lucky enough to see them on the server I never know who is flying where and when so find it difficult to take any serious part in the practice without which there isn't much point to joining the actual race.

Sorry to be so negative but that application and first email was now several weeks ago and still nothing and am worried that come February it will all be down to the "same old faces" having to participate in the race as the rest of us somehow may feel excluded at this point.

At the very least would it be possible to publish some sort of intinery, after all Andy sent me a flight plan of where you had been but not where you are going. And having read the rules over and over I still cannot find anywhere that says legs should be over 2 hours flight time which means a practice run across the atlantic or the pacific is nigh impossible or will the rules be changed for this year, 2006 that is?

Anything that could help the rest of us understand what is going on, what will be expected of us and just what we will be expected to fly and where and when even during this practice time would help to get more pilots involved and save 2 people doing all the practice especially as I understand these 2 have already been participants in the past, they have experience and knowledge the rest of us could do with to enable more to take part and help retain the "trophy" as top team.

Sorry if all this sounds a little moany but the written word is so easily missunderstood by so many and yet is usually the only form of contact in this matter.

[andyjohnston]

I'm just following what the others are doing, whoever crossed the atlantic said "onward to DAAT (or something like that") so my next leg took me from where we were to a little closer to that airport.

The plan I sent you exists only because I went to the trouble of looking over the posts in this thread and mapping them out.

So if you want to grab the next leg, by all means. we haven't got anything official worked out, just bumbling along :)

I have access to the site, though it took a few days to get it set up. But maybe Geno can drop a note to John about it for you.

[UK_RON]

Cheers Andy

It would be easier if there was some structure to the practice otherwise nobody will learn anything and as I said that precludes those of us who would like to join in but don't know how, when or where. I appreciated at the time the flight plan you allowed me to get from you which shows a considerable number of flights, but also highlighted that just 2 or 3 pilots are/were doing all the work.

As a suggestion, how many pilots would like a chance to participate but have wondered how to join in or even dared to do so? Maybe there will lie the answer as to any future progress. I did try a flight during a time I found you and Reggie on-line and made a right mess of it because I suddenly found myself flying when what I really wanted was help and advice in understanding what is expected of me and help in setting up the most important part of the whole excercise and that is the little program that validates all aspects of the flight. Reggie very kindly sent me a pile of hints and tips which I read through but they still fell short of the more important information needed and as I keep saying, not to annoy or ruin anything, we need some formal structure to this practice regime otherwise the 2006 competition is going to be pretty poor for it not being enjoyed by more pilots. Reggie himself expressed a desire to see enough pilots taking part to allow him to watch the proceedings and this isn't gonna happen until that structure is in place. I am in the UK so cannot sit at the PC all hours hoping somebody may turn up and still not know what is happening or where anyone is going.

[JohnMueller]

Hi Ron

You're quite right with most of that :-) -- I don't know what you have already received from Reggie, but I think it would be a good idea to put together an introductory text to let everyone know more about the race, what's required if you want to join in (mostly the desire to win :-)) and how it all "functions". I'll start writing one up and make a post here in the forum as soon as I have it ready! Glad to see another pilot interested!

There's no magic behind it all, but I guess if you haven't followed in the last year (and sadly, the official write-up is not ready yet) then it doesn't all make sense that quickly. I'll post our part on our forum ( http://johannesmueller.com/fsforum/ -- register there and send me a quick note that you would like access to the private sections).

Last years official rules are here: http://mw0.ath.cx/~matt/RTW/home.htm - they look a bit complicated at first, but don't let that bother you from giving it a try.

Cheers
John

[LJ922]

Hi John,

Thanks for posting the clarification. I was about to make a short post myself.

My greatest frustration with the race was right about this time last year, Ron. Things were going soooo slowly and were so disorganized. I was having trouble getting information about the prior year's race, the rules, and everything else. There were so few people involved, that I wondered if we would ever get things "off the ground". After the first of the year, things began to come together and more and more folks began to join in. By race time, we had a great crowd that held together all the way to the finish line. I can tell you, it was THE most exciting time I have EVER had in flight sim.

Because we have an organized multiplayer forum here at FlightSim.com most of the core members of last year's team are still close by and you'll see them reporting in soon. John has a mailing list and so do we and many of the pilot's names overlap both lists. John's website is still intact and so is his private forum, and, although there is some rust on some of the hinges after a year of standing idle, it won't take long to finish cleaning things up and get everything fully powered up again.

In my own case, I have just reset my RTW desktop icons for John's website and private forum, gotten my logins for them straightened out again, and am dusting off the duenna. I'll start participating in some of the practice runs sometime in January.

Glad you are planning to be with us this year, Ron. Try to take at least a couple of days off from work, so you can give it your full attention. You'll be a great addition to the team and you'll have a great time.

Ed

[UK_RON]

Cheers Guys

What Reggie sent me was very informative and if you want I can send you a copy of that email, if Reg doesn't mind, and it might be a very good basis for a full post to worked on.

I am lucky, pained expression, in that I am retired early due to disabilities so do have a lot of time and hopefully enthusiasm for these types of projects with me no longer active, for various reasons, with the major networks (hence my downer on these organisations) and always try to give a 100% in what I do and have done in the past making Flight Captain and C1 controller along the way so have a lot to share with the community at large.

I am fully intending to take part in the RTW and have more or less prepared myself for this but just need a little help along the way in the way things are done within a winning team, and when I cannot fly I hope to be a shining light home on the legs with my ATC tower in position with FULL ATIS for all the pilots.

Let me know about the info and cannot wait until the new year by the looks of it.

[TX_3306]

Baton is free at SBFN. Below is the flight validation.

Flight Log -- from RTW-Duenna v.0.610 R44
-----------------------------------------------------------

Takeoff:
System Time UTC: 02/01/2006 22:35:21
FS Time: 02/01/2006 20:31:46
Aircraft gross weight: 14889.1 lbs
Location: S9° 30.522' / W35° 48.170'
Airport: SBMO 1.3nm
Valid: VALIDATED

Enroute:
Aircraft: [T2] Beech Starship N3306TX
Aircraft-Reference: Vne=385kts, Vcruise=335kts
Max./Avg. Groundspeed: 391.3 kts / 324.2 kts
Max. IAS: 347.6 kts
Average IAS: 245.1 kts
Average Head/Tailwind: +5.7 kts
Max. altitude: 23922 ft
Flight aborted: no
Time in overspeed: 0.0 secs.
Error count: 0
Valid: VALIDATED

Landing:
System Time UTC: 02/01/2006 23:48:23
FS Time: 02/01/2006 14:01:14
Aircraft gross weight: 13892.2 lbs
Location: S3° 51.417' / W32° 25.126'
Airport: SBFN 1.3nm
Valid: VALIDATED

Errors:


Summary:
Direct distance: 394.5 nm
Flight time: 01:13:02
Baton time: 01:13:27
Average GS: 324.2 kts
Valid: VALIDATED

Flight Simulator: FS2004
Crash-Tolerance-Setting: 1.000
FSUIPC: 3.510
Validation-ID: 403 066 148 (Rev. 1)


http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99628.jpg

[Tony G]

This is just a practice post, want to get myself back into it!




http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99670.jpg

Flight Log -- from RTW-Duenna v.0.612 R54
-----------------------------------------------------------

Takeoff:
System Time UTC: 03/01/2006 04:53:36
FS Time: 03/01/2006 04:48:50
Aircraft gross weight: 12062.9 lbs
Location: N46° 13.009' / E7° 18.900'
Airport: LSGS 0.5nm
Valid: VALIDATED

Enroute:
Aircraft: [T2] FSD Cheyenne Champagne
Aircraft-Reference: Vne=270kts, Vcruise=310kts
Max./Avg. Groundspeed: 347.9 kts / 263.9 kts
Max. IAS: 258.9 kts
Average IAS: 196.8 kts
Average Head/Tailwind: -7.1 kts
Max. altitude: 34038 ft
Flight aborted: no
Time in overspeed: 0.0 secs.
Error count: 0
Valid: VALIDATED

Landing:
System Time UTC: 03/01/2006 06:49:39
FS Time: 03/01/2006 06:31:43
Aircraft gross weight: 10737.7 lbs
Location: N41° 08.378' / E16° 45.866'
Airport: LIBD 0.5nm
Valid: VALIDATED

Errors:


Summary:
Direct distance: 510.2 nm
Flight time: 01:56:03
Baton time: 01:56:04
Average GS: 263.9 kts
Valid: VALIDATED

Flight Simulator: FS2004
Crash-Tolerance-Setting: 0.000
FSUIPC: 3.510
Validation-ID: 6BF 073 B37 (Rev. 1)

[RFields]

Didn't you fly that leg last year? Reruns like my EGLC practice.

[Tony G]

I did fly that leg last year! Winds were better last year though... I actually just flew the legs from London to Heca over the last few days, reliving memories, and relearning the Duenna. Love the autoarm on it, hope it makes it in this years race.


BTW I finally picked up FS Navigator, so I have been also learning that, and I hope to help out a little more with the planning this year.

[JohnMueller]

oops, forgot to post, good thing it's practice :-)

Took the baton at 1450 UTC

I'm taking it towards DAAT, won't make the whole distance (RL calls :-)), it looks like GATB or GABR. Flying a P38L with external tanks, in case the family decides I can fly on. I'd love to see us hit some of the african bonuses, especially HTKJ, just for fun.

Winds are looking good, but very variable at different flight levels.

You can watch my flight online at http://fsrtw.meine-sucht.ch/MapCurrentLoc.aspx

Cheers
John

Edit for entertainment purposes: To practice, I flew "into" PAMD this morning - local night time, the visibility was 2.8nm, and as I found out - the airport is lit, but not the runway LOL. I could do a nice approach with GPS + VOR, but had trouble landing on the centerline. The P38 held up nicely, but nosed over when I started brakeing. Oh well, no crash :-). In a race situation I think we should try to avoid situations like that, but for practice it is lots of fun. It's nice to fly in daylight again!

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99714.jpg

Edit: diverting to GANF, found a bug I need to fix in the Duenna :-), ETA 0:15 / 16:00 UTC

[JohnMueller]

Baton is free in GANF, UTC 16:10

:-)

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99715.jpg

[TornadoWilkes]

Hey John, I love the Google map, is that the Duenna reporting in? I noticed Panaka flying along towards Chile.

[JohnMueller]

Hi Tornado
Yep, the map is fed through the Duenna data, but only for those who have an account. It shows the last position of the last 24 hours, so Panaka's long since left that location, but hasn't used the Duenna online since then, so it still shows it. As soon as more people use it, I'll probably reduce the time-frame. Next up is Google Earth, with the route used being shown as well (location + altitude). That might be interesting :-)
John

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at GANF

[andyjohnston]

Baton is free in GAKL after really bad landing.

[JohnMueller]

Hi Andy
Good to see you joining in :-)

Just some pointers from the technical / formal side for the official race, nothing really tough, don't worry! Do you have access to the private forum? If not, it would be a good idea to sign up over there. We have a thread there with a short how-to on the baton handling posts: http://johannesmueller.com/fsforum/viewtopic.php?t=38

Generally, what we would need in the real race would be the following information:

Departure:
- It would be best to reply to the main thread here, in order to help us keep a better overview of the legs
- In the post title you should write something like "I have the baton in GANF"
- In the posting itself, it would be good to post the general direction, what aircraft you're flying, your ETA, etc. -- that helps the others understand what is happening and when they will be needed (usually this is discussed on Teamspeak anyway, but it is nice for the non-teamspeak-listeners to see)
- In the posting itself you should also have the baton grab time in UTC - that is important so that we can proove that we passed it properly.

Arrival:
- After landing, you should change the posting title to something "baton is free in GANF" for a better overview
- Also please post the time in UTC for your landing
- In order for the flight to count, you would need to post some sort of validation - prooving that your flight was made with the proper settings and was flown without "cheating". For this you can use the Duenna image output (just link it as an attachment in the forum) or you can make a screenshot of your flight-analysis window (showing the full flight, from start to stop); since the flight-analysis sometimes hickups, it is best to have the Duenna running on the side.

On the way:
Sometimes it is good to let the others know how the flight is going, especially if you are not on teamspeak with the others. It's easiest to just edit your original post and add things like "ETA changed to ...., winds ....., running out of fuel / time, diverting to xxxx".. These things help others to get a feeling for the race, motivating more people to join in and it helps the teammates prepare for your arrival, etc.

As you see, it's not really that much more, it's more of a formal thing to make sure that the other teams really accept our flights as being correct and valid.

Please let me know if what I wrote is even more confusing :-).
Cheers
John

[andyjohnston]

That's mostly what I've been doing, realized too late that I didn't upload the duenna shot like I have for previous legs.

[TornadoWilkes]

John,

Thanks for that. Who is now the administrator for the forum, is it yourself? My email has changed and I can't remember my password?

Cheers
Ian

[JohnMueller]

Taking to baton to DAAT
UTC 11:55
Playing with the older freeware Avanti.....

Edit: right engine failure after takeoff, haven't had that much stress in a long time :-). Trimmed it with full left aileron trim then the avionic died (alternator was off), finally got the engines back on, and searched for the alternator switch, now I'm back on track :-). Hope it holds up until I get there. So much for pre-flight checks, ha ha ha!

[JohnMueller]

... overspeed .... while not paying attention :-(

Back to GAKL.

[JohnMueller]

Another try at the baton, this time with a bit more attention :-)
Heading for DAAT in the older freeware Avanti
UTC 14:00

[JohnMueller]

UTC 15:04
Landed in DAAT
baton is free :)

Trouble with the autopilot on the way, I need some more practice!

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99959.jpg

[sandman]

DAAT to HLLT

UTC 1558

Time to see if everything is working ok.

[sandman]

The Baton is free at HLLT

UTC 1755

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/99961.jpg


http://www.flightsim.com/dc/user_files/99963.txt

[Tony G]

On my way to LGAV.

[andyjohnston]

Tony
Conditions at Athens as reported by flight sim:
Sky clear, winds calm

Based on direction of flight, recommend landing on Runway 3L or 3R.

Standing by to take the next leg.

BTW - CZBB, is that where you're located, in Boundary Bay?

[Tony G]

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100023.jpg

http://www.flightsim.com/dc/user_files/100024.txt

[Tony G]

Yes Andy, I live about 15 miles from CZBB. Why do you ask?

[andyjohnston]

Shooting for LTBA, making test flight in P-38 I just downloaded.

Tony, just wondering. Alway nice to see the other Canadian guys out here. I did some sceenry for Point Roberts just south of there.

[andyjohnston]

Diverted to LTBQ


http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100027.jpg

[Clarindo]

Clarindo

[Clarindo]

Testing graphic postings.

Clarindo

[RFields]

Testing baton handoff - the baton is free at UTC 1900

[UK_RON]

I have the baton at SAWE at 1901 UTC going to SCCI in King Air 350 testing only

Passing halfway approx 60nm to landing expected in 15 - 18 mins

crashed on landing Baton is returned to SAWE at 1939 UTC

[andyjohnston]

I have the baton at SAWE bound for SCCI

19:40 UTC - Beech Starship

[andyjohnston]

Baton is free at SCCI, 20:07 UTC

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100105.jpg

[UK_RON]

I have the baton at SCCI at 2007 UTC going to SAWG in the King Air 350

Testing/practice ONLY

[UK_RON]

13 minutes to landing fingers crossed for this one :-)

[UK_RON]

Crashed on landing this time host kicked off just about 50 ft above the runway

Baton released and back at SCCI 2039 UTC

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100107.jpg

That's how close I got :-(

[RFields]

I have the baton at SCCI - UTC 2041 - Beech King Air to SAWG

[RFields]

Landed safely at SAWG at UTC 2116
Edit - Attached Duenna


http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100108.jpg

[Clarindo]

21:39 King Air 350

Clarindo

[Clarindo]

22:07 KingAir - with Reggie
>
>Clarindo


Clarindo

[Clarindo]

Clarindo

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100109.jpg

[Clarindo]

22:07 KingAir 350 - with Reggie

Clarindo

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100111.jpg

[Clarindo]

22:07 King Air 350 with Reggie

Clarindo

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100112.jpg

[Clarindo]

Leaving at 23:30 heading to SAWJ

Clarindo

[Clarindo]

Baton is free at SAWJ - 23:40 King Air 350

Clarindo

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/100117.jpg

[RFields]

Started a second thread