Flounder's FlightSim Pilot Reports: January 2010

After meeting up with Tony and Bill in December (pict1), I shuttled Bill and family (pict2)up to Everett, WA and Boeing Field. (pict3) It was there, at Boeing Field that Peter said we should head to Santiago Chile, so we loaded up the Flight Club's 787 and headed south from Boeing Field. (pict4) (pict5) (pict6) After an over-nighter in Panama, we arrived into Santiago New Year's Day. (pict7) (pict8)

On Sunday January 3rd I picked up my aircraft of the month, an "Angel-44" in 2010 Rogaine livery and made the nearly 400-mile flight down to the area of our challenge. (pict9) (pict10) (pict11) Along the way to SAZY I looked for the areas indicated on the map but had no luck finding anything. Maybe he could have given us a GPS coordinate? (pict12)

SAZY = I found nothing. (pict13)
SAZS = I think I found a box. On the West end? (pict14)
Another spot on a vague map (pict15) = no luck there either.
SCLD = I took several laps around, just like I did in August but there was nothing. (pict16)
At this point I was questioning my sanity so hopped over to SCTE (El Tepual Base) to be sure I had everything installed properly. Yep, it was all there. (pict17) Okay, back to work ....
SAVB = Another four laps around and I found nothing. But, these airports do offer some good places to land! (pict18) At this point I was really feeling defeated, just wasn't getting "The Vibe", wasn't feeling motivated to go FIND anything - but, I was having great fun (and an education) flying through and over the high mountain peaks and landing at the various airports!
There were some steep climbs over the mountains into SAVD where I checked the river and roads quite thoroughly - again I found nothin'. (pict21) (pict22)
Next up was SAVE. (pict23) Wait, that's not even on the list. What happened? Oh well, at this point it was time for lunch so I landed, got some food and topped-off the fuel tanks. (pict24) I was ready to get back on track by 13:00.
Seven hours since departure and I was only going to claim 30 points so far...."Hey!" Look there off the end of the runway! (pict25)
My next airport was SCAP where ... lo-and-behold ... I FOUND ONE! There in the river SW of the airport. (pict26) And speaking of the airport ... a picnic table too! (pict27) Great!
Next up was SCPH (pict28) ... woah, cool bridge. (pict29) Hey! Another box! (pict30)
SCFT = Nothing, again. (pict31) (pict32) (pict33)
SCTN = While on finals I noticed the boats out in the bay and remembered that someone had found a box on a boat that was miles from water back in August. (pict34) A quick circle over the boats and sure-enough, another box was located.
Then, I really needed a rest room so I landed and found another picnic table in the hangar. COOL! (pict35)

Now, this is just my opinion but some of these airports provide for great scenery and are cool places to land. So next time, what I want to see, are little treasures (boxes or tables or blondes ...) around AT THE AIRPORTS. Not 2 miles away under some tree or back over the hill but put the things to find at the actual airports so that we'll have to actually land the plane and go check things out. That's what I want to see next time! Anyway, back on task here ... Setting out with 310 points - just 25% of my August score.
SCST =
SCAC =
SCPV =

To read my final score and see the photos - this time I'm going to make you go to the website and check out my Pilot's Report. It will be visible at: www.toomuchfs.com after 01-Feb-10.

Prior to December 1st Tony had sent out some photos of giant, radioactive Raccoons and in the corner I noted the GPS coordinates which appeared to be in the Pacific Northwest. "Great, Home for the Holidays!" So, before Thanksgiving I loaded up a 747-800 (longer fuselage, new wings, new engines (from the 787) and extended weight and range) and, leaving Helsinki before dawn, flew into Portland Oregon. Along with that flight I included this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYtlI8ctETw Not too bad considering how rarely I fly 747s.

Really though, I should fly them more! So I painted a new Flight Club 747, this time the 747-8. We rolled out the new plane with the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_VQIIeP7EY

Well, that landing wasn't much better but I wasn't about to give up! Finally on Thanksgiving Day I unveiled the NEW "Flounder One" and repeated the flight from Helsinki to Portland with a much better landing. Looks like the old MD-11 will get replaced! (pict1) (pict2) (pict3) (pict4) Now I was ready for the new FOTM.

Finally, Tony's instruction package arrived and as expected was chock full of interesting challenges! So, follow along closely.

THE ROUTE: *My first job was to find all the airports. (www.airnav.com worked for that) *My second job was to determine who was where and in what order I'd fly to get them. There will be no need to head to KTRR, I have my assignments already so I just needed to see who would be where. Here's what I came up with:
*Tony = At home at KTRR.
*Bill = Off in the forest NW of KTRR - may not hear from him before Spring!
*Me = Well, I'm doing this FOTM so obviously I'm not off camping somewhere.
*Tim = Haven't heard from him in some time, I think he's studying for school or something .... He'd be at 61S, still in contact with civilization, an internet cafe and a library.
*I'll bet Hans will be at 5S0 - he'll think that this is really remote.
*We'll meet Geert at 3S6 - a runway long enough to handle a nearly empty 737!
*Peter = He likes to "get away" so he'll be at Crater Lake (OR99)
*Alastair = He'll be at 5S2, not too high, not very remote, out of the city .... perfect for our Londoner - not too much of a system shocker!
*Alejandro = No doubt there, he'll be at Sunriver drooling over all the glass cockpits on the private aircraft coming in for the holidays.
*Brad is at OG21, one of the shortest strips you'll see this month! Brad will be nearly the last pick-up - I don't need him co-piloting all my other landings.
*Finally is Joao ... we're going to put him at OR29, he's not much for getting too far outside the box so we'll keep him close in to Bend and KTRR.
*So we have KPDX > 61S > 5S0 > 3S6 > OR99 > 45S > S21 > OG21 > OR29 > KTRR

AIRCRAFT: My second job was to find the plane to accomplish all this. Yes folks ... THE plane. No one has ever accused me of being smart and only rarely logical - besides, it's only a simulator, right? My goal was to make this in one trip. I already know you are wondering, aren't you? "What plane is going to get in and out of these remote places and still haul everything in one trip?" How about a CH-47 Chinook? Naw, I don't do helos but we have been talking about the BT-67 Basler around here. A turbopropped DC-3 with updated wings, cockpit and avionics - "Rugged like the DC-3 but with big ol' turboprops for extra power and faster cruise speeds." (pict5) Well, I took a DC-3 and tweaked the CFG to perform like it had turboprops (I've done this for a piece I'm working on for www.flightsim.com) and this will be PERFECT for this Flight of the Month. So, I load up the Basler of the month (World Tour 2009) and set-up from the cargo area at KPDX, Portland.

TIME, SEASON and WEATHER: I've chosen the shortest day of the year, Decmeber 21st as my flight day (even though in reality I'll be doing this throughout the month as time allows) leaving KPDX at dawn (about 7:40 AM). For weather, since I'll be flying on several different days, I've chosen a theme. I've downloaded several "weather packages" which have a variety of weather options to choose from - things like; "Summer in Dubai", "Hot Tropical Day", "Steamy Jungle Weather", "Severe and Damaging Winds", "Scud Runner", "Grey and Rainy" etc. For this month I've chose a theme called, "Building Winter Storms" so we'll see what all I run into.

HERE GOES: With my winter clothes and a small survival pack stowed, my trusty co-pilot (pict6)

and I secure the door, start the motors and call for clearance. Initially ATC asks me to taxi all the way down to 27L but since I was already up by runway 3 and I assured them that I could be airborne and headed west well before reaching 27R they agreed. The tough thing about the BT-67 as I have it configured is keeping the throttles low enough - barely a push on the throttles and I'm moving enough to use the differential braking! (pict7) Positioning myself at the end of runway 3 I was cleared to depart immediately after an Alaska 737. I was airborne in about 1,000 feet and turned to chase him toward the BUXOM intersection before I turned south and headed down the Willamette Valley at my 4,000-foot cruise altitude. (pict8)

It took about 55% throttle to cruise at 250 knots! (pict9) Soon-enough I was setting up to land on runway 15 at 61S. (pict10) 90 knots ... use the throttle to control descent ... small adjustments only ... put her down on the numbers, (pict11) took a mid-field turn-off and taxied over to Tim who was standing outside in his Christmas-Red shirt. We kept the motors running, loaded Tim (and his twin?) and headed back to the north end of the field for departure. (pict12)

Next up was Hans, at 5S0 which was into the hills east of town. (pict13) With Tim (and his twin) strapped safely in the back (who brings school books on Christmas Vacation?) we headed to our next airstrip. (pict14)

No one doubted that Tony had picked a scenic area to fly in this month - I wondered if Hans was half as impressed as Tim was? I looked back to see both Tims plastered to the windows! (pict15) Soon enough I had the runway in sight and started slowing down, (pict16) dropping in the laundry and watching for obstructions ... LIKE THOSE WIRES!!! (pict17) The natural reaction to the wires is to pull up, which drops your speed! (pict18) With the stick-shaker going I plopped her down on the runway and ..... easily coasted to a stop near where Hans and Astrid were waiting. (pict19)

"This is so beautiful" Astrid commented as they settled in. Hans "shhhh"ed her and said something about having DC-3s in Germany too. "It's just an old plane." I knew in my heart that Hans admired this NEW "crate" but he didn't want Astrid to think that he had TooMuch@ involvement with this group. That was fine, I had a little something to show them!

With the new power on this thing, if you hold the brakes and firewall the throttles you'll tip right over onto your nose. So after everyone had introduced themselves and sat down I advanced the throttles gently until the tail started to come up, then I released the brakes and shoved the throttle the rest of the way forward. With the tail wheel firmly planted in the dirt we almost immediately were airborne, a "Three-Point Take-Off!" I then pulled us into a sharp left turn, to the awes and gasps from my three passengers (and a line of cursing from Johnny Lime). (pict20)
Our next pick-up point was Geert who was to be waiting at 3S6. (pict21) Another scenic leg passed quickly and soon we were ducking over the hills (pict22) and scooting down into the valley. (pict23) Just shy of the airstrip I turned right and flew downwind, then a quick 180* left turn and we were lined up. With the longer runway I knew I didn't have to be slow and this landing was oh so smooth! (pict24) We then had to back-taxi to meet Geert there by the Land Rover. (pict25)

With Geert on board we were ready for the next, longer leg, down to get Peter. I warned them that this was an airport that Tony had created just for this occassion and that I had never flown into it before. Tim and Astrid started asking for medications, Hans started praying and Geert asked if he might join me up front. With that ... we were off! (pict26)

Our route down to Crater Lake was the most scenic yet as we climbed over the southern Oregon Cascades. I had to climb up near 9,000 feet to have clearance and as we continued on we ran into some snow showers. (pict27) Soon enough we were over Crater Lake and I can safely say, without doubt, that everyone was Awe-Inspired! (pict28) Finding the little airstrip and campground on the south edge of the lake was no problem - getting in there was the problem!

My first reaction was to turn to the right. This gave me a better view of the lay-out from the left seat. Something about hugging the embankment and then a last-second turn to the runway reminded me of Funchal or Tivat only this was MUCH TIGHTER. I flew a practice approach for an eastbound landing but really ... it just didn't feel right. Continuing on off to the east side I thought this looked better. So I turned right and got my left wing nice and close to the trees. Full flaps, gear down-and-locked, curtains to the main cabin closed (too bad they didn't drown out the comments comming from Hans and Tim!) The first approach from this side was fast and still high and as I glided over the park at 100 feet I saw that the windsock was STRAIGHT OUT to the south, a blistering cross-wind!! As I made another wide circle out over the lake my cell phone started ringing. I answered, expecting it to be Tony wondering where I was .... (pict29) it was Peter. "What's wrong mite? Cain't make 'er? If you'll come in lower there'y'll have to mike a sharp turn ...." "Thanks" and I hung up!

This time I was closer to the trees, lower and much slower! (pict30)(This exact photo was actually from the first, too-high, missed approach) (pict31) As the terrain dropped away I pushed the yoke forward, hugging the treetops, then cut the throttles. As we silently glided in I saw that Tony had left two large trees right in the approach path, at that moment I remembered why I had chosen the Basler. "Rugged like the DC-3 ..." I aimed right between two stands of trees, right wing a bit low, just HANGING THERE ..... BAM! We hit the frozen ground just on the lake-side of the runway (I think my left wheels may have been on the gravel). Full reverse! Balancing on the main wheels ... BANG! The tail dropped and we were in! (pict32) At this point I noticed that the runway was about 3 feet above the ground. "Oh Well." I taxied over to Peter and shut down. (pict33)

Peter was loaded up with the others (Tim, Tim, Hans, Astrid and Geert. Six total) so I restarted the engines and ..... hmmmm, turned around, past the tent and spun my nose into the wind. I was now facing ACROSS the runway, toward the water. I eased the throttle forward until the plane was deafening ... and shaking ... and rattling. Then I released the brakes and eased back on the stick. We crossed the little parking area, crossed the runway, onto the grass and then .... we were airborne well before the water's edge!

Back on coarse now we cruised along happily into 5S2 (pict34) where Alastair was awaiting our arrival. I was getting this plane understood enough that I could land at about 80 knots (pict35) and get stopped by mid-field. (pict36) With number seven loaded up, I throttled up and was airborne again before runway's end. "Piece of Cake!" (pict37)

Next stop was an airport that I've been to, and simmed to before, S21 (pict38)where we expected to meet Alejandro. And ... HELLO! Mildred and her sister! (pict39) We were now ten on board.

We now headed quite a ways east to get Brad who was at OG21. We ran into some snow but generally, (pict40)weather was good. Set-up and approach were no problems and as we settled down I saw .................. HOLY COW! (pict41) My co-pilot started screaming and literally bouncing off the windows! I slammed the throttles forward as the wheels just skimmed the pavement and we were off again! "No Way We're Landing by that!"

It took the entire way to OR29 (Gopher Gulch) for the audience in back to calm down. (pict42) Plenty of room here and a really nice little farm where Joao and his son and his grandchild and her dog were all waiting for us. (pict43) Dog has to stay in back, away from the co-pilot! Now, we could head for Christmas, and it wasn't quite noon. (pict44)

From there was simply had to hop over the hills into KTRR. (pict45) (pict46) About this time my cell phone again began ringing. It was Brad. "What was that all about?" he asked.

"I don't know. What was THAT, giant, scary, raccoon thing all about?"

"It's fake" Brad answered. "They put that up here for a 'tourist attraction', there isn't any other reason for folks to visit here."

"Oh. Okay. Well ... I'll come back and get you later."

Anywaaaayyyyy ..... Heading into KTRR, "Lefty's Ranch" (pict47)

As I set-up for landing I was thinking about how I hadn't flown into here in a long time .... and looking ahead ...... I guess I hadn't flown into here in a REALLY LONG TIME. (trees covered the entire airport!) I called Peter up front. ??? (pict49) "That's certainly not how I left it Mate." Peter said. So I rang up Tony.

"Oh, yea, about that ..... " Tony explained that with his right arm no longer functional he hadn't been able to get the yard work done and so, "things have gotten a little out of control."

"A Little??"

With that change of plan we headed to Redmond (pict50) where the plan was for Tony to shuttle everyone over to his house in his SUV. (pict51)

By 12:30 PM we were landed, Tony was there in the car and everyone was loading up, ready for a holiday at Tony's house. I hope Kim is ready to cook dinner for everyone!