VFR Flight Over The Swiss Alps

[TCX559K]

So after seeing David's awesome post with the freeware Eurocopter AS350 (which is fantastic by the way), I decided to take it for a spin myself. This 45 minute VFR flight takes us from Interlaken (been there) airfield through the smaller mountains and valleys of the Swiss Alps and then all the way down Lac Leman to Geneva/Cointrin. I really had fun doing this, it's not often I fly a helicopter. Anyway, here's the shots, and I hope you enjoy them
Oh yeah, please remember to view in full size (click em) for best quality!

On the ground at Interlaken, next to Lake Thurnsee.


Beginning our flight and climbing past some steep valley walls.


Still climbing out.


Nice clear day!


Flying over what I think is St Stephan Mil airfield. I think that's right...?


Over Saanen (the one you do the emergency landing at in the FSX mission)


Approaching Lake Geneva.


Cockpit view towards the central Alps. Seriously high and cold!


Is that a castle down there?!


Mont Blanc- highest mountain in Europe.


View towards Geneva.


Soaring above the clouds... Nice.


More in the reply!

[TCX559K]

Starting to descend towards LSGG.


The world famous fountain in the city.


Cockpit view of the airport. We're now only 4 miles away.


Landing lights are on.


Nice Biz jet!


Quite a busy airport. I like it!


Hovering over our helipad, preparing to slowly touch down.


Safely landed with the engine shut off


The doors are opened as the aircraft cools off. Not that it'd need to, considering how high it went


That's all, I hope you enjoyed it!

[HardCub]

Fantastic paint scheme on that copter Joel ~ very sporty looking! Love the pictures.

[Ragtopjohnny]

Nice shots Joel! Looks superb!

[adamb]

Great shots Joel and some pretty nice helo flying, but I still wouldn't want to go for a ride with you.

Adam

[TCX559K]

Glenn, John, Adam, thanks guys!
Adam, but... but why? I'm not a bad heli pilot. Ok, I did have a bit of a close call where my finger slipped and the engine accidentally shut off, but it restarted. I only dropped about 3000 feet

[pchmck]

Nice shots !!