Melo965

Looking really good with the improved paint job!

Glad to provide some quality entertainment! The US Navy may ban me from ever flying the Sea Dart again. Glad I have the British Spitfire already in my Hangar.

Enjoying the DC-3's and the 80th Anniversary posts!

The Convair F2Y Sea Dart looks very interesting. So I decided to do just one more Panama Canal run. Both of the files I used were available from Simviation. FSX_Convair_SeaDart_and_AN-1_Submarine_Package_V.2.zip is the one I suggest you download, as the included Sea Dart does perform better than the version 1 aircraft at the same site. The author made significant improvements in the flight dynamics for on water operation between the two versions. To have a working panel you will also need to download and install the Avro-Alphasim-CF-105_Arrow_Mk.2_X.zip aircraft first. The Sea Dart panel points to the panel from the CF-105 Arrow. I first tried to use the Sea Dart at Enrique Adolfo Jimenez airport (MPEJ) on the active runway. This did not work as the aircraft turns to the left pretty quickly no matter what I tried even with my good rudder pedals, so a normal takeoff from the runway was not possible. So this Panama Canal mission will be operated strictly from the water. Also, I programmed two of my joystick buttons to deploy or retract the floats. This made the proper operation of the aircraft on the water possible. And changing the gear position on the back of the floats is also important, but that is done with the normal gear key. Here is a diagram of where I started in the water in relation to Enrique Adolfo Jimenez airport. The pilots notes in the package do state that significant up trim will definitely be needed to get the Sea Dart off the water and flying, and this was definitely the case in my experience. The Sea Dart ready to start engines. Up on the Step. About to increase UP trim to coax the aircraft into the air. Over the Gatun locks at 802 kts. A cruise ship and a cargo ship are in transit. Going under Centennial Bridge at 796 kts. Followed by a number of aileron rolls climbing out, but I was too busy staying alive to snap the picture. Passing Pedro Miguel Locks at 791 kts. Two cargo ships in transit. Over Miraflores Locks. Just cleared the smoke stacks of the cruise ship. Leaving Miraflores Locks behind. Still at 791 kts. Going under Bridge of the Americas at 793 kts. Just after the Bridge of the Americas, got another S.O.S. message from Max somewhere near Flamenco Island. This Convair F2Y Sea Dart flies really fast and is very maneuverable in the air, but landing on the water is a very different story. It works, but you better have a LOT of open water in front of you! Full flaps and full brakes eventually slowed me down so I could turn around and search for Max. But Kit's time of Nine minutes for the mission still stands as the record. Rescue in progress. We did manage to get Max squeezed into the cockpit with me, but it was very cramped. Lashed the kayak down as best we could. We did not get back in the air again and just navagated on the water so I could drop him off on the beach near Panama Pacifico International (MPPA). It was a quick taxi because the Sea Dart can easily taxi at over 100 kts. A VERY bumpy ride though! During the taxi we lost the kayak, so Max decided to just buy a new one, if he ever decides to get back out on the water after all these mishaps. Dropping Max off on the beach, hopefully for the very last time!

Good job! Glad you are back on course without any further mysterious engine problems. The Merlin is as a rule VERY reliable and the odds to have all 4 fail at once is normally almost unheard of!

I read this bit to my wife and she burst out laughing! Very creative!

Very Impressive!

Here is a graphic of my recon flights flown the other day trying out scenery packages in preparation for this mission. I agree, it was really fun!

Enrique Adolfo Jimenez airport (MPEJ) to Panama Pacifico International (MPPA) Note that MPPA was originally Howard Air Force Base (MPHO) and that is how it identifies in my FSX. On November 1st 1999, Howard AFB was turned over to Panama and they turned the airfield into Panama Pacifico International Airport (MPPA) In my FSX Enrique Adolfo Jimenez airport is just a runway and nothing else. So I parked my aircraft off to the side near the end of runway 36 to start this mission. Because my usual Spitfire comes in a float version, but not a true amphibian version, mission requirements will require the use of a different aircraft. After a previous fruitful discussion with Sirrus and Kit, I decided on the aircraft to use for this mission. Still sticking with Supermarine, the Sea Otter looks like a very good option. I will be flying a Dutch Search and Rescue version today, which fits in well with the mission parameters. fsx_sea_otter_updated.zip here in the library. (A.F. Scrub created the original aircraft model. Michael Pook updated the 2D and VC panels. Hans van Spelde created the Dutch SAR livery.) Parked on the grass near runway 36 as previously described. In the pouring rain. The functional Michael Pook instrument panel. Ready for takeoff on runway 36. Climbing out on runway heading. You can see how sparse the airport is behind me. Cockpit view of the Gatun locks ahead. Spotted the first cargo ship on the way to the Gatun locks. Over the Gatun locks. A cruise ship and a cargo ship are in transit. USN Aircraft Carrier next. Waved to my friends as we flew by. Banked right to stay in the main channel. Saw the first small craft below. Almost every ship seen so far is much larger. Approaching Centennial Bridge. This is the one we are not to fly under. Under Centennial Bridge. 175 kts. No one is nearby to see me. Better to ask forgiveness instead of permission anyway. Approaching Pedro Miguel Locks. Big cruise ship is in line to enter. Over Pedro Miguel Locks. Two cargo ships in transit. Over Miraflores Locks. Cruise ship and Cargo ship in transit. Yes, that bridge below is too low to get under! Lots of harbor cargo cranes on the left. Passing another cruise ship on the right. Approaching Bridge of the Americas. A USN Destroyer is moving to join up with the Aircraft Carrier ahead. Whoops, were we supposed to fly over this bridge too! 173 kts. Just as I was passing this second USN Carrier, got a S.O.S. message that a Kayaker was in trouble up ahead near Flamenco Island. Landed near the island and looking for the Kayak. Rescue in progress. I don't have the convenient side doors like Kit has on Austral Rose, but we managed to get Max on board and the kayak lashed down so we could take off again. Finally lifted off at 99 kts. Still managed even with the extra weight aboard. I know this was what we were expected to do next: "Return to the air and fly to center of Panama City, loop west and pass to the north of Cerro Ancon (Ancon Hill). ... Don't forget to follow all airport restrictions as you fly over Marcos A Gelabert Intl on an approach to Panama Pacifico (MPPA)." But Max was chilled to the bone and the wind direction dictated a landing at MPPA on runway 36. So I swung around to the South and avoided the city all together. Over a cargo ship on Base leg for runway 36, gear and flaps deployed. Airport in sight ahead. I was tempted to land on the water then taxi up onto the beach. Glad I did not after spotting the perimeter fence below. Over the numbers for runway 36. Full stop landing after the eventful 45 minute flight. Mission accomplished! Max was delivered to the medical staff here at the airport so he could be checked out and warmed up. Enjoyed the flight and saw at least 15 ships utilizing the services of the Panama Canal. Quite a feat of engineering. The Locks allow ships to traverse between the oceans relatively easily. While going up 85 feet and then back down again in the process of getting to the other ocean.

Looking very good from every angle.

Looking Good!

Thanks to you both. I test flew the Sea Otter and that will do nicely.

What I was thinking and should have said was "Supermarine never made a true Amphibian Spitfire." R J Mitchell and company made many great amphibians as you and Kit have already mentioned. Maybe I will find a suitable Supermarine aircraft to fly for this mini-challenge. Thanks for the nudge in that direction.

I checked the map after Kit's comment about going East to get to the Pacific along the Canal. Now it makes more sense. My default go to is to always try and fly a Spitfire or some reasonable variant, so I checked in the hangar and found this beauty. Unfortunately Supermarine never made a true Amphibian, and besides there is no room for Max in this aircraft. In reality, five Spitfire float planes were produced during the war. Models used to test the concept were the Mk I, Mk Vb, and the Mk IX. None of them were used operationally as it turned out. So I will have to decide on a different aircraft for this mission. Should be able to give the flight a try tomorrow.

An excellent flight and write-up! Well done!

Sorry to hear that. He was one of the best fighter pilots in WWII.

A short but challenging flight in New Zealand. I think that is it.

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

Queenstown (NZQN) to Milford Sound (NZMF) For this challenge I decided to use a Spitfire IA in MSFS 2020. Full disclosure, on my first landing attempt I bent the prop, but here is the successful flight. Spitfire cockpit view at Queensland. Takeoff on Runway 23. Climbing out. Continuing to climb out. Decided on a direct route so lots of altitude to gain on climb out. Not very hospitable terrain if my Merlin has a problem. On the way, getting up near 10,000 ft. About half way there now. Some high mountains and lakes here. One more major ridgeline left to cross. Airport ahead at the far end of the valley. Flaps and gear deployed. Slowing down on approach. Under 100 kts. Down to 70 kts and getting close. My original intention was to take a few more pictures during the landing, but getting down in one piece took priority! Full stop landing accomplished. This view shows how much runway I needed for the landing. Parked at Milford Sound (NZMF) near a yellow Cessna. Thanks for a fun challenge.

Michael, Go ahead and create a new thread with the details. Then we can post our attempts there. Sounds like a fun challenge!

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!

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.

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

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