The 2024 Australian Air Rally - The FBO

[ViperPilot2]

23 hours ago, Bossspecops said:

After doing the circumnavigation in 'Austral Rose', I got a bit of a taste for such silly things and looked up a few historic flights around the, world. Amazingly I came across one that was quite close to home, as it were.

 

My youngest daughter, Anita, is a Warrant Officer in the RAF and she's at RAF Shawbury in Staffordshire, about 85 miles north from me, and she's heading up a programme to produce a new training syllabus for all the RAF Air Traffic and Fighter Controllers. Back in 1944 a rather special tweaked Lancaster called 'Aries' flew around the world westbound starting from Shawbury, and the main cafe/restaurant on the station is called 'The Aries Cafe'. They also have an 'Aries Event' there every year, where they present awards and have a darn good dinner too. A few years ago Anita invited me to go along to the event and it was rather splendid to say the least.

 

As a result of this I've decided to re-fly the 'Aries' flight in FSX, as I know all the airfields she used, and there's quite a few reasonable FSX Lancasters available, even though I can't find one exactly like 'Aries'. I've done a boiler-plate repaint of a civilian Lancastrian, which looks a lot more like 'Aries' than the usual WWII Lancaster bombers, and Anita's finding some more info on the aeroplane from the station historian up there. What it is to have friends in high places, eh? 

 

I'll probably start a new thread for the flight itself, and I'd like to post it under the 'Club Chachapoya' label if I may?

 

This is the 'Aries' repaint as far as I've got so far.

 

 

 

 

Kit,

 

Please feel free to use the [Club Chachapoya] Label for your upcoming RTW; just put it in at the beginning of the Thread Title. If you plan on coming through the States I'll follow along, too!

 

Melo The Perfect Landing does rustle up some good grub. Haven't been there for anything but Breakfast, though. Glad to see you as always! 

[Melo965]

Centennial (KAPA) to Mountain Home Air Force Base (KMUO)

 

Pre-flight done, reday to start the finely tuned Merlin 70.

Glad to be flying again and on the way home.

 

Holding short for Runway 17L.  Beautiful scenery!

 

Advancing throttle for take off on runway 17L.

 

Climbing out through 9,300 ft on runway heading.

 

8 minutes flight time.  At 11,000 ft altitude.  Will have to keep an eye on the terrain ahead.

 

Turned slightly left of direct course to stay in the canyon.  At 11,700 ft altitude.

 

Using Oxygen, decided to get back on course and climb over the hills.  At 14,000 ft to clear the terrain.

 

15 minutes flight time.  Back down to a more normal 11,400 ft altitude.

 

23 minutes of flight time so far.

 

30 minutes elapsed time.

 

1 hour of flight and almost exactly half way there.

 

15 minutes later.  Still watching the terrain carefully.

 

Flying over Logan Utah.

 

Now over Twin Falls Idaho.

 

Cockpit instrument view.  Oil temperature and all other values are behaving as expected.

 

Top of Descent point.  Glenns Ferry is in the background off my right wing.

 

Down to 3,600 ft altitude.

 

Cockpit view.  Can barely see the runway lights in the haze ahead.

 

Runway in sight ahead.  Coming in with a slightly banked approach so I can see the runway clearly.  Landing on Runway 30 in about 1 minute.

 

Over the numbers for runway 30.

 

Landing a bit longer on purpose to avoid the arrestor cable laid across the runway.  If this was a Seafire variant rathar than a standard Spitfire, I would give the arrestor cable a go.

 

Landed after 2 hours and 1 minute flight time.

 

Parked at Mountain Home AFB (KMUO).  Next to the longest line of F-15's I have ever seen anywhere!

Next stop Bremerton (KPWT).  Home Sweet Home!

 

[Melo965]

On 4/30/2024 at 12:02 PM, Bossspecops said:

I've decided to re-fly the 'Aries' flight in FSX, as I know all the airfields she used

 

Very happy to provide an escort when you are close to my part of the world! 

 

[PhrogPhlyer]

A few years ago I flew a 206 out of Centennial and landed at Leadville.

Pretty thin air.

That was a fun day!

 

[ViperPilot2]

7 hours ago, Melo965 said:

Centennial (KAPA) to Mountain Home Air Force Base (KMUO)

 

Pre-flight done, reday to start the finely tuned Merlin 70.

Glad to be flying again and on the way home.

 

Holding short for Runway 17L.  Beautiful scenery!

 

Advancing throttle for take off on runway 17L.

 

Climbing out through 9,300 ft on runway heading.

 

8 minutes flight time.  At 11,000 ft altitude.  Will have to keep an eye on the terrain ahead.

 

Turned slightly left of direct course to stay in the canyon.  At 11,700 ft altitude.

 

Using Oxygen, decided to get back on course and climb over the hills.  At 14,000 ft to clear the terrain.

 

15 minutes flight time.  Back down to a more normal 11,400 ft altitude.

 

23 minutes of flight time so far.

 

30 minutes elapsed time.

 

1 hour of flight and almost exactly half way there.

 

15 minutes later.  Still watching the terrain carefully.

 

Flying over Logan Utah.

 

Now over Twin Falls Idaho.

 

Cockpit instrument view.  Oil temperature and all other values are behaving as expected.

 

Top of Descent point.  Glenns Ferry is in the background off my right wing.

 

Down to 3,600 ft altitude.

 

Cockpit view.  Can barely see the runway lights in the haze ahead.

 

Runway in sight ahead.  Coming in with a slightly banked approach so I can see the runway clearly.  Landing on Runway 30 in about 1 minute.

 

Over the numbers for runway 30.

 

Landing a bit longer on purpose to avoid the arrestor cable laid across the runway.  If this was a Seafire variant rathar than a standard Spitfire, I would give the arrestor cable a go.

 

Landed after 2 hours and 1 minute flight time.

 

Parked at Mountain Home AFB (KMUO).  Next to the longest line of F-15's I have ever seen anywhere!

Next stop Bremerton (KPWT).  Home Sweet Home!

 

 

Go to the O Club at Mountain Home and get their Salisbury Steak Special. The pilots at Buckley SFB right next to Centennial fly to Mountain Home just to get the Special, then get in some Gunnery practice on the flight back to Buckley. At least that's what a Pilot told me... whenever they fly over, that's what I'm imagining!

[PhrogPhlyer]

10 hours ago, ViperPilot2 said:

Go to the O Club at Mountain Home and get their Salisbury Steak Special. The pilots at Buckley SFB right next to Centennial fly to Mountain Home just to get the Special, then get in some Gunnery practice on the flight back to Buckley. At least that's what a Pilot told me...

This rings of truth. We always knew which base nearby had the best happy hour buffet, flight line hamburger, or breakfast sandwiches.

Often we'd fly to Pt. Mugu for the best chocolate milkshake in California.

 

Even when afloat, we'd go to any ship cruising with us that had a helo pad. They never failed to either give us a tour of their ship followed by a meal or to bring out wrapped meals that were big enough for several people. Hard not to gain weight. 

[Rupert]

2 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

This rings of truth. We always knew which base nearby had the best happy hour buffet, flight line hamburger, or breakfast sandwiches.

Often we'd fly to Pt. Mugu for the best chocolate milkshake in California.

 

Even when afloat, we'd go to any ship cruising with us that had a helo pad. They never failed to either give us a tour of their ship followed by a meal or to bring out wrapped meals that were big enough for several people. Hard not to gain weight. 

 

True we did that whenever we could as well.  Also on either Japanese or cross country US ferry hops I always chose overnights or even just a meal at SAC bases whenever possible.  Their food, and certainly their quarters easily beat any I ever enjoyed at any other service bases in the world, including in DC. 

 

And if you ever land at KLOU you need to try a meal in the La Relais Restaurant on site in the old terminal building which Lindburgh saw. Which is IMO among the two best of any restaurants in Louisville.  Having said that, this is Derby Week in Louisville and the PGA tournament is coming here in a few weeks as well.  If you're smart you'll avoid Louisville like the plague during either Derby Week or PGA Week! 

 

Forget about tie-down facilities, hanger space, or even Follow Me Trucks, Courtesy Cars, or taxis at or near either LOU or SDF during those days/weeks.  And you'll be lucky to get an IFR clearance within 8 to 12 hours before, during, or after after either event!  Which is awful because all the hotel rooms were booked years ago at way over the top rates.

[ViperPilot2]

Could be the Theme for another "Mini Challenge"... Make a Flight for the best 'comfort' Victuals, whether it be the classic "$100 Hamburger" run, or for another unique Meal somewhere. There's this "Navajo Burger" down in Farmington NM that sounds really good... 

 

Is the $100 Hamburger still a reality, or is it more than a C Note these days?

[Rupert]

2 hours ago, ViperPilot2 said:

Could be the Theme for another "Mini Challenge"... Make a Flight for the best 'comfort' Victuals, whether it be the classic "$100 Hamburger" run, or for another unique Meal somewhere. There's this "Navajo Burger" down in Farmington NM that sounds really good... 

 

Is the $100 Hamburger still a reality, or is it more than a C Note these days?

I'd say somewhere in between.  Depending of course whether you're talking about burning av-gas or jet fuel. 

 

However I think the real GA future is in quick change-out battery pack power.  Take a couple hour flight out, eat a burger while getting a few minute  battery change, then make your return flight.  Or use the battery changed plane to train the next student pilot while avoiding the external noise of an IC engine aircraft. 

 

I've read that more than one brand of new GA aircraft is experimenting with battery powered trainers with over two hours range.  Then you'd make a five to ten minute battery change and it'd be ready for another two hour lesson. 

 

Take that concept up a huge notch or two and consider the JOBY eVTOL.  It already can hover, then travel at 170 knots for 100 miles to a hover landing.  Just the thing for trips to and from the Martha's Vineyard summer cottage!  And probably as quiet as the Mercedes SUV they're ferrying across with this summer.  Having said that, judging by the pictures I've seen it's butt ugly!!

[ViperPilot2]

9 hours ago, Rupert said:

I'd say somewhere in between.  Depending of course whether you're talking about burning av-gas or jet fuel. 

 

However I think the real GA future is in quick change-out battery pack power.  Take a couple hour flight out, eat a burger while getting a few minute  battery change, then make your return flight.  Or use the battery changed plane to train the next student pilot while avoiding the external noise of an IC engine aircraft. 

 

I've read that more than one brand of new GA aircraft is experimenting with battery powered trainers with over two hours range.  Then you'd make a five to ten minute battery change and it'd be ready for another two hour lesson. 

 

Take that concept up a huge notch or two and consider the JOBY eVTOL.  It already can hover, then travel at 170 knots for 100 miles to a hover landing.  Just the thing for trips to and from the Martha's Vineyard summer cottage!  And probably as quiet as the Mercedes SUV they're ferrying across with this summer.  Having said that, judging by the pictures I've seen it's butt ugly!!

 

A nice envisioning of the future, for sure. I just don't trust the Technology quite yet, though. 

 

Cost of Mogas vs.100LL vs. Jet-A is definitely a big factor, I figure. Guess I'll have to learn how to make Frybread and make that Navajo Burger the old fashioned way! Glad I have the Sim so I can make the flight to Farmington...

[ViperPilot2]

On 5/1/2024 at 5:54 PM, PhrogPhlyer said:

A few years ago I flew a 206 out of Centennial and landed at Leadville.

Pretty thin air.

That was a fun day!

 

 

Did 'ya get the special Certificate? 

 

[Sirrus]

13 hours ago, Rupert said:

for the best 'comfort' Victuals

In the CONUS, on a road trip, you eat where the truckers eat. If the parking lot isn't full of Peterbilts, Maks, and the odd Diamond T, move on, the truckers have. In towns, eat where the local cops eat, but don't take the last donut!

 

There are of course "special" places to eat.  The Brothers Taverna in Salem,MA., Cafe Beignet on  Royal Street in NOLA, ( if you're really lucky you get the "Steamboat Willie" Jazz band as well) and Scoma's in San Francisco (the fishing boats dock feet away on Fisherman's Wharf so the fish is fresh)

 

In Europe, you eat Pastel de Belem at Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, (Buy more than one as they are delicious and there is always a queue), Moules Mariniere in any French or Belgian seaside town, but don't drink the wine they are cooked in - your legs won't work afterwards, Belgian Chocolate (almost anywhere) and you eat where the locals eat, not in any of the tourist traps. 

 

[defaid]

16 hours ago, Rupert said:

the JOBY eVTOL

 

Human/drone hybrid? Personally, I think it looks rather sleek but a 100 mile range wouldn't cut it.

 

Where do the other four people sit? It doesn't look big enough for more than the pilot or does riders mean they're on the outside? Could be draughty.

 

[PhrogPhlyer]

6 hours ago, ViperPilot2 said:

Did 'ya get the special Certificate? 

Why yes I did!!!

My best friend lives in Parker, and flies Lear 60's from Centennial.

Since he rented the 206, he has the cert.

Now that I found the pic, I think it must have been about 10 yrs ago.

 

[Rupert]

7 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

Why yes I did!!!

My best friend lives in Parker, and flies Lear 60's from Centennial.

Since he rented the 206, he has the cert.

Now that I found the pic, I think it must have been about 10 yrs ago.

 

Done that as well.  Though when I did it the paint and siding was in better shape.  Come to think of it, so was I!

[Melo965]

10 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

Now that I found the pic, I think it must have been about 10 yrs ago.

 

 

I had no idea that Leadville was that high of an altitude.  That must have been a great flight. 

 

[Melo965]

I just finished watching "Masters of the AIr", followed by the 1 hour documentary on the same channel.  (Watch the Series first.)  Highly recommended if you have not seen it yet. 

 

[Bossspecops]

I've been tweaking the .cfg file of the 'Aries' Lancaster to get the fuel tankage and payload about right, and that's not going too bad, but I'm still waiting for my 'inside source' to come up with the proper insignia on the RW aircraft. 

 

I'll post the various fields I'll visit ahead of time, and I'll try and up grade the default scenery for each one. I tried that for the FSX Shawbury scenery and the 'update' was TERRIBLE, so it's gone, the default place is simpler but looks better. 

 

Thanks for letting me use the Club titling for the flight too. 

[Melo965]

Mountain Home Air Force Base (KMUO) to Bremerton National (KPWT)

 

Forcast weather for the last leg of the journey.

 

Pre-flight done, engine started for my final leg of the Round the World flight.

 

On runway 30.  Taxi to in front of the arrestor cable so I can safely takeoff. 

 

Advancing throttle for takeoff on runway 30.

 

Climbing out through 10,800 ft on runway heading.  Plan to stay between 11 and 12 thousand feet.

 

Passing Boise Idaho on the right.

 

22 minutes flight time.  Starting to see some weather ahead.

 

33 minutes elapsed time.  Cloud layer at about 10,000 ft.

 

35 minutes and just about half way there.  Solidly over Oregon, so only one state line left to cross.

 

43 minutes.  Once I cross the Columbia river ahead, will be in my home state of Washington.

 

50 minutes flight time.  In Washington now.

 

53 minutes elapsed.  Typical Washington state weather.

 

62 minutes.  I changed course to the left to parallel Mount Rainier.

 

3 minutes later.  Beside Mount Rainier at 11,900 ft.

 

Getting back on course now that I am past the mountain.

 

71 minutes elapsed.  At Top of Descent point.

 

2 minutes later.  Broke out of the clouds at 4,500 ft.

 

That is Vashon Island below in the center.

 

Passing the Tacoma Narrows bridge and Tacoma Narrows Airport (KTIW)  Tacoma Narrows is the closest towered airport to my home airport of Bremerton.  Bremerton does not currently have a tower, but they are in discusions to possibly add one in the future.

 

78 minutes so far.  Flying North along the Puget Sound.  Seattle on the Right.

 

2 minutes later on far Base leg for Runway 20 over Bainbridge Island.

 

1 minute later on a very long final for runway 20.  Still can't see the airport ahead.

 

Airport in sight ahead.  Green mountain on my right is the landmark we look for when returning to the airport vicinity after being out in one of the three practice areas near the Hood Canal.

 

Cockpit view of runway ahead.  Noticed that there are no aircraft in the pattern or flying near the airport.  So I got on the CTAF frequency and announced a 500 ft flyby down the runway 20 centerline.  Flaps and gear up, and throttled up.

 

My 529 ft fast pass down the runway centerline.

 

Flaps and gear back down, on crosswind leg for runway 20.  On a clear day I can usually see Mount Rainier ahead of my nose, but today is too cloudy.

 

Downwind leg for runway 20.  These power lines are a good downwind landmark to be the proper distance from the runway.

 

About to turn Base for runway 20.  Note the Ferry ahead at Bremerton on the right.

 

Base leg for runway 20.  Descending to pattern altitude of 1,000 ft.

 

Runway view from Base leg.

 

Final for runway 20.

 

Cockpit view of short final.

 

Over the numbers.  Note that this add-on scenery was built by someone a long time ago.  The actual current runway number is 20, not 19.

 

Landed safely after my Round the World flight! 

 

Parked at Avian Flight Center where I usually park.  The guys are very impressed that I am climbing out of a Spitfire, instead of the usual Cessna that I often fly here.

 

Tower view of my Spitfire.

 

Engine shut down at the end of the epic journey.  Time for a well deserved rest.  This is the first time I ever flew all the way around the world.  Glad to finally join the club! 

 

[PhrogPhlyer]

1 hour ago, Melo965 said:

This is the first time I ever flew all the way around the world.  Glad to finally join the club!

One thing I still need to do,

Congratulations!!!

 

[Rupert]

14 hours ago, PhrogPhlyer said:

One thing I still need to do,

Congratulations!!!

 

On 5/3/2024 at 5:16 AM, Sirrus said:

In the CONUS, on a road trip, you eat where the truckers eat. If the parking lot isn't full of Peterbilts, Maks, and the odd Diamond T, move on, the truckers have. In towns, eat where the local cops eat, but don't take the last donut!

 

There are of course "special" places to eat.  The Brothers Taverna in Salem,MA., Cafe Beignet on  Royal Street in NOLA, ( if you're really lucky you get the "Steamboat Willie" Jazz band as well) and Scoma's in San Francisco (the fishing boats dock feet away on Fisherman's Wharf so the fish is fresh)

 

In Europe, you eat Pastel de Belem at Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon, (Buy more than one as they are delicious and there is always a queue), Moules Mariniere in any French or Belgian seaside town, but don't drink the wine they are cooked in - your legs won't work afterwards, Belgian Chocolate (almost anywhere) and you eat where the locals eat, not in any of the tourist traps. 

 

 

 

Congratulations to MELO965 as well!  I did that a few years ago in an Around The World in 80 Days sim Rally.  The concept was to go to all the spots Fogg reached on his trip.  Various sims and various sim vehicles were employed.  The two most common vehicle were aircraft, boat, & land craft combinations.   

 

I have a much shorter but very interesting flying challenge for sim folks to try. 

 

It's only 41 miles and I can't claim it was my idea, I copied it from a real world article in FLYING MAGAZINE. 

 

Using the light weight fixed wing aircraft of your choice takeoff from NZQN  in Queenstown (New Zealand of course) to NZMF.  (Milford Sound). 

 

HINT: I hugely suggest you select an aircraft with pretty short takeoff and landing capability!!  A really good power to weight ratio also helps a ton!

 

It took me several attempts to land correctly in my Beechcraft Baron with "enable damage" turned on.  A "Carbon Cub" or some equivalent plane would have been a much better choice.   Having said that, using ORBX scenery with P3D, the views are certainly breathtaking!

 

Drop a note to tell us how it worked out for you.

 

Michael

 

 

   

[Melo965]

5 hours ago, Rupert said:

I have a much shorter but very interesting flying challenge for sim folks to try. 

 

Michael,

 

Go ahead and create a new thread with the details.  Then we can post our attempts there.

 

Sounds like a fun challenge!

 

[ViperPilot2]

17 hours ago, Melo965 said:

 

Michael,

 

Go ahead and create a new thread with the details.  Then we can post our attempts there.

 

Sounds like a fun challenge!

 

 

I'm in. Any chance of a Link to the OG Article in Flying magazine?

 

EDIT: Is this the Article?

 

https://www.flyingmag.com/exploring-new-zealands-grand-islands-by-air/

[Bossspecops]

On 5/6/2024 at 2:22 AM, Melo965 said:

 

My 529 ft fast pass down the runway centerline.

 

 

 

Landed safely after my Round the World flight! 

 

Parked at Avian Flight Center where I usually park.  The guys are very impressed that I am climbing out of a Spitfire, instead of the usual Cessna that I often fly here.

 

 

Great stuff Melo, I bet they LOVED the fast low pass down the runway, a lot faster than I managed in 'Austral Rose'! And the Avian guys will have been SERIOUSLY impressed too ,a bit more horsepower than a Lycoming.

 

Well done of completing the circumnavigation, it's a great feeling when your wheels make that final touch down, isn't it?

 

Regards

Kit

[Melo965]

1 hour ago, Bossspecops said:

Great stuff Melo, I bet they LOVED the fast low pass down the runway

 

They came out of the office right quick to see me flash past! 

 

1 hour ago, Bossspecops said:

Well done of completing the circumnavigation, it's a great feeling when your wheels make that final touch down, isn't it?

 

 

Yes it was!  I have been almost there a few times in the past, (all in flight sim, of course) but it was great to finally complete the circumnavigation!