Route 66 Air Rally

[Melo965]

Leg 7.  Moriarity NM (0E0) to Gallup Municipal NM (KGUP)  140 miles.
Estimated time = 38 minutes.
 
This flight, in hindsight, was all about Aeronautical decision-making (ADM) as you will see.  Same setup as before, using FSX Acceleration, Active Sky 2016 for weather, and Little NavMap for navigation.  Flying with wing tanks at 50% and fuselage tanks full for this leg.

Beacuse I knew the terrain was getting higher as we flew west, checked SkyVector first during my flight planning.  Mount Taylor at 11,301 ft altitude will be just to my left about half way to Gallup Municipal.  Should I be trotting when half way to Gallup?

 

The weather, for a change, looked pretty clear for this leg.

 

The runway sign off in the distance reads 26-8.  The winds dictated a takeoff from runway 26 so I headed over there.

 

Holding short for ATC clearance at 26-8.  Still has not dawned on me that I am at runway 8 instead of runway 26.  Duh . . .

 

Got ATC clearance and took off.  Had a bit of trouble keeping lined up on the takeoff roll and was working the rudder more than usual.  Got up in the air and on course and as I was closing the canopy realized that I never started the wheels up timer.  Then also realized that I took off on the wrong runway.  The wind pushing from behind explained some of the rudder issues.  This, so far, is a good example of what not to do in the ADM process.  If your decision making leads you to make a few mistakes, think about taking a break or even waiting until a different day to fly.  Almost every crash is a result of a string of minor errors or wrong decisions strung together.

 

On the long taxi to runway 26.  I decided to just start over and use the correct runway this time.

 

Holding short at Runway 26 waiting for ATC clearance to take the runway.  I had pre-flighted the Spitfire properly but I noticed that my screen capture program was not very responsive.  As a result the flight was saved here and the computer was rebooted.  Now back in business and ready to proceed, I hope.

 

About to add power and get going.  Remembered the Wheels Up timer this time too.

 

Climbing out and leaving Moriarity behind.

 

The view ahead.  Climbing through 8,800 ft. at the moment.  Glad there are no clouds obscuring the terrain this time.

 

Still climbing through 9,100 ft.  Aiming for that notch in the mountains straight ahead.

 

Approaching the suburbs of Albuquerque. Can see Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ) up ahead on the left.

 

Albuquerque passing by below me.  Glad those mountains in the background were not on my flight route.

 

Passing Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ) on my left.  A huge airport, over a mile high, and with 4 runways at different headings.  The wind direction must shift around here sometimes.

 

Still over Albuquerque.

 

That is the Rio Grande below.  The length of the Rio Grande is 1,896 miles (3,051 km), making it the 4th longest river in the United States and in North America.  It originates in south-central Colorado and flows to the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Flying just under 9,500 ft.  Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG) is on the right.  About 1/4 of the way there now.

 

Climbing through 10,800 ft.  Not much to see of interest behind me.

 

Approaching Mount Taylor ahead.  Will have to get above 11,000 ft to safely pass by.

 

Passing Mount Taylor, flying just under 14,500 ft.  Plenty of clearance.

 

About half way there.  I like this weather report.  Clouds: None Reported!

 

Descending and leaving Mount Taylor behind.

 

Back to IFR or IFT.  Road on the left, train tracks on the Right.

 

Passing some interesting scenery on the left.  It is part of the Cibola National Forest.  Can't quite see Bluewater Lake off in the distance. 

 Getting close to the destination.  My ADM for this flight was pretty good up until this point.  My original plan was to overfly the airport at 1000 ft above field elevation, then make a right teardrop approach to the downwind for runway 6 and landing to the North-East.  If I had done that, probably would have had another V0.  

 

Instead I got nervous that I was going to be late and turned more to the south to make a more direct approach to runway 6.  Destination in sight on the right.

 

Flaps and gear down and angling for the runway.  Not the best approach angle.  Another ADM mistake.

 

At this point I should have called a missed approach and gone around the left hand traffic pattern.  If I had done that might have gotten a V0 or at worst a +V1.

 

Instead I comitted to the straight ahead landing.  Touchdown 2 minutes early - V2 for this leg.

 

At least I got the Spitfire stopped before the last taxiway so I could turn off.

 

Here is the disgram of my flight path on approach and landing.  Not too pretty, but another landing good enough to walk away from.

 

My leg 7 route.  Used 47 gallons of fuel this leg. 

 

Parked at Gallup Municipal  Only two more legs to go.  Time from engine start to engine shutdown = 58 minutes.

 

Leg 7.  Moriarity NM (0E0) to Gallup Municipal NM (KGUP)  140 miles.
Estimated time = 38 minutes.
Actual time = 36 minutes.  V2
(Wheels up to Wheels down.)
 

[JSMR]

5 hours ago, taoftedal said:

 

You can't guess on your own 'Where in the World' challenge ... don't you know the rules?    

 

Its the only way I can win anything! 

[JSMR]

21 hours ago, JSMR said:

Edit : 

KGUP-KFLG completed!

GUP-INW-FLG

ETE : 1:02  < another 1:02 ??

Come on, give me a V0! 

ATE : 1:00 (V2)  Damn!!

 

Did my best. Always plan being a few minutes ahead. Giving me time for approach, etc. But I've been rushing the approaches and remain a couple mins in front of the time. Next time!

 

[PhrogPhlyer]

2 hours ago, JSMR said:

Its the only way I can win anything

[JSMR]

How'd you get my picture?? 

[Melo965]

On 11/28/2023 at 9:17 AM, PhrogPhlyer said:

Must have been wishful thinking!?!?

 

Thank you very MUCH PP!!!  It worked!! 

 

I am going to again fly first and write the report later as the end of the month is tomorrow.

 

Leg 9.  Flagstaff Pulliam AZ (KFLG) to Needles CA (KEED)
147 miles.  Estimated time = 40 minutes.

 

Here is the final picture from this leg, more to follow.  Parked at Needles CA (KEED).

 

Flew between the mountains and the clouds but there was room enough to get through. 

 

Leg 9.  Flagstaff Pulliam AZ (KFLG) to Needles CA (KEED)  147 miles.
Estimated time = 40 minutes.
Actual time = 40 minutes.  V0

(Wheels up to Wheels down.)

 

[JSMR]

KFLG-KEED coming up.

FLG-EED

ETE : 1:05  (< again, what the?? no not again. Redid it after downloading weather which I  forgot to do so now its changed. ) 

 

Almost there!


 

[PhrogPhlyer]

9 minutes ago, JSMR said:

How'd you get my picture?? 

[PhrogPhlyer]

4 minutes ago, meloscanlon said:

Thank you very MUCH PP!!!  It worked!! 

My pleasure! 

Now if I could do the same,,,,

[Melo965]

5 minutes ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

My pleasure! 

Now if I could do the same,,,,

 

We both got V0 on leg 6.  Maybe we will also both get V0 on leg 9!  Sending positive vibes!!!

 

[taoftedal]

I am starting to see my Silver Metal slowly morphing into a lump of coal ... 

[Buck Turgidson]

2 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

 

 

No Such Agency.  The only government department that actually listens!  Or at least their AI listens and alerts someone when something interesting is said.  

[Buck Turgidson]

On 11/26/2023 at 8:15 AM, Bossspecops said:

If there isn't an extension I'll fly the remaining legs anyway and post my results 'au concours' afterwards

 

I sincerely hope everyone who considered running this challenge does the same.  It isn't about the times, rather about sim flying with purpose.

 

The thread won't be going anywhere so If people post, everyone will read. 

 

 

Incidentally, saw a movie recently with your Lysander,  Allied.  Not a bad plot either.  Couple of good clips of night time field landings in occupied France.

[Buck Turgidson]

5 hours ago, meloscanlon said:

Descending and leaving Mount Taylor behind.

 

 

There we go!  coming in hot with a bone in her teeth!

[Buck Turgidson]

3 hours ago, JSMR said:

ATE : 1:00 (V2)  Damn!!

 

Did my best. Always plan being a few minutes ahead. Giving me time for approach, etc. But I've been rushing the approaches and remain a couple mins in front of the time. Next time!

 

 

Talk to Todd my son.  

 

When I was young and dumb(er), I used to say that luck was not a factor.  The older I get, the more I see the universe playing dice with men.

[PhrogPhlyer]

8 hours ago, Buck Turgidson said:

The thread won't be going anywhere so If people post, everyone will read. 

Yes! Keep the tread alive 'till the last bird lands in Santa Monica.

[Bossspecops]

8 hours ago, Buck Turgidson said:

 

Incidentally, saw a movie recently with your Lysander,  Allied.  Not a bad plot either.  Couple of good clips of night time field landings in occupied France.

 

 

There's a surprising few of them still flying too, at least two here in the UK. The one at the Shuttleworth Collection, V9367,  does that short take-off and landing as part of its normal display, MOST impressive it is too. 

[PhrogPhlyer]

11 hours ago, Buck Turgidson said:

The older I get, the more I see the universe playing dice with men.

I created an insignia/patch for all of us. Wear it with pride. I need to find some room to add this on my helo.

 

[JSMR]

Take off KFLG for KEED!

 

However...I didnt stick to the MP limits!

 

Not good. Going to have to return and get some work done on the left engine. 

 

 

Hopefully it will buff right out!

 

 

Trying to make it back. Realengine showing the MP has been exceeded. Come on you can do it!

 

 

Uh oh. Right also starting to play up. Ran that one  too hard trying to keep her in the air. 

"Throw out the Englishman  to lighten the load! He has a parachute!"

"He's out! Did it myself. And you're right, he does have a parachute. Here it is right here". The Irishman holds it in front of me. 

 

"A little joke, he's still here. I'm Irish, thats what we do. We tell jokes". 

 

Anyway...emergency landing coming up. 

 

 

I guess we'll need a tow truck!

[PhrogPhlyer]

1 minute ago, JSMR said:

I guess we'll need a tow truck!

Any landing you walk away from...

Nicely done!

[JSMR]

12 hours ago, JSMR said:

KFLG-KEED coming up.

FLG-EED

ETE : 1:05  (< again, what the?? no not again. Redid it after downloading weather which I  forgot to do so now its changed. ) 

 

Almost there!


 

ATE : 1:01 (V4)

Ooops. Bad leg. Rattled by the previous attempt. 

 

 

Take off!! Again. 
 

Keep the MP and RPM within limits. 

Some clouds around today. Maybe a few bounces for the ladies...I mean nuns.

 

At cruise. About 12000ft I think. Hope everyone is breathing ok. 
"Yes I'm giving one of the nuns mouth to mouth. She looked lacking a little oxygen". 
"She ok? I can return?"
"No, I seem to have her handled. I mean it handled". 

 

Ok...Englishman has it covered. 

 

And....ok....wall of cloud. 

 

 

A a few bumps. Ground appears. Then gone again. 

 

In the clear. Crossing highest point on the flight. Passing over a farm or two. 

"Nice melons!!" 
"Hehe...thank you our fav Aussie pilot!"

"Huh? Down below....a melon farm!". Making me hungry. 

 

Dragging her in low and slow. We'll ahead of schedule. 

 

Made it. STILL too fast. The melons distracted me. 

One leg to go! 

[taoftedal]

On 11/30/2023 at 8:49 AM, JSMR said:

I didnt stick to the MP limits!  I guess we'll need a tow truck!

 

This is why I kept to the book numbers with the Sea Fury!  The best episode since Dangerousdave26 landed on the wrong runway coming in to Cleveland!  I couldn't help but laugh ... forgive me ...

 

[JSMR]

Yeah I got distracted. A party was happening in the back...

KEED-KSMO on its way!
Route : TNP - POM - SMO
ETE : 1:27 

[ViperPilot2]

Congratulations to all! 

[Melo965]

11 hours ago, Buck Turgidson said:

There we go!  coming in hot with a bone in her teeth!

 

No guns, but cameras blazing away!