The photo above is a good example of appropriate human behavior and an original way of avoiding the eternal fence squabbles between neighbors.
Why argue about a tree that’s too close to the property line? Two Quebec City neighbors decided to work together and trim the fence to facilitate the growth of a tree that has been growing over the years.
It’s a minimal effort that preserves good relations between neighbors while taking care of the environment. Intelligence is the ability to adapt!
Click on the link for more articles on environment in my blog.
The exploration of the planet in flight simulation continues. Today we’re flying from Bruray / Out Skerries (EG78 or OUK for the IATA code) to the Barra beach airfield (EGPR). It’s a demanding virtual flight, especially when it comes to taking off from Out Skerries. The winds are strong and quite sideways to the small runway. You can see this by observing the windsock from the cockpit.
Virtual DHC-4 Caribou ready for crosswind take-off at EG78 Out Skerries aerodrome with MSFS
The crew opted to use a good old DHC-4 Caribou, which has proved its worth in difficult landings and take-offs. The virtual clouds reflect the current situation in the Shetland Islands.
With both feet on the brakes, the flaps adjusted and the steering wheel turned to the right to limit the effect of the wind on the right wing, the crew push the throttle to maximum while releasing the brakes. The aircraft moves a little to the left as it rolls, but by using rudder, it stays on the runway long enough to take off.
DHC-4 Caribou virtual aircraft airborne out of Out Skerries (EG78) in Scotland
The flight is made in VFR mode under cloud. Eventually, the sky clears and we can enjoy the scenery as we approach Barra beach. The low tide makes for a smooth landing.
DHC-4 Caribou enroute to the Barra (EGPR) virtual airport on the beach with MSFS
The photo below shows the Caribou in right base for Barra beach. What a great day for visual flying!
Barra (EGPR) sand runway in sight with the virtual DHC-4 Caribou with MSFS
DHC-4 Caribou on final for the sand runway at Barra virtual airport (EGPR) with MSFS
The DHC-4 is now on short final for the sand runway. Even though it’s a large twin-engine aircraft, its short take-off and landing capabilities mean that it will only need a very small portion of the available range.
The virtual Barra airport (EGPR) and the DHC-4 Caribou on a stopover in flight simulation with MSFS.
A few passengers seem to have already arrived, unless they’re curious onlookers who heard the aircraft approaching. This is certainly a very rare visit by a DHC-4 to Barra!
Virtual DHC-4 Caribou landed on the beach at Barra airport (EGPR) with MSFS
Airport management refuses to reveal the aircraft’s destination. In any case, this won’t be the first time a Caribou has made special flights on demanding runways.
Ultimate luxury with sleeping pods for the future passengers of a virtual DHC-4 Caribou with MSFS
A final photo shows the interior of the Caribou. Impressive luxury, with berths available for first-class passengers. There’s no stopping progress!
Stage 17 of this round-the-world flight simulation will take place between Barra and Donegal (EIDL) in Northern Ireland. The virtual Britten Norman BN2A Trislander MK III will make the journey using the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS) flight simulator.
Passing through the church parking lot for a night photography session, I took advantage of the sculpture honoring the eight Canadian martyr saints to highlight the full moon.
One of the Jesuits made the task easy for me, as he was already pointing his finger skyward. All I had to do was wait for the right moment to link religion and astronomy. Social media have popularized this kind of technique in photography, but it’s still satisfying to get such a shot.
The day ends at Berthier-sur-Mer, in the province of Quebec. The last glimmers of the setting sunilluminate this magnificent flower directly. There are only a few specimens of its kind on the beach. The flower points directly towards the horizon and the St. Lawrence River. The weak rays of the sun replace a flash to illuminate the plant from within.
Through the videos on Youtube, I see that a runway called Out Skerries (EG78 or OUK) in the Shetland Islands attracts interest for its challenging landing. It is only 1195 feet long.
The tiny airstrip will therefore be the destination for leg #15 of our round-the-world flight simulation tour with the MSFS flight simulator.
To increase the fun, we choose a twin-engine aircraft, which is heavier and requires a longer breaking distance.
We take off from Dundee (EGPN) with a virtual Diamond DA-62 and arrive at dusk. It’s probably a bit tight for a short, unlit runway, but we’ll give it a go.
DA-62 aircraft taking off from Dundee airport, Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator
The stall speed of the DA-62 in landing configuration is 68 knots, which will help us to succeed in our undertaking. We take a 018-degree northerly course to reach the islands from Dundee. Ground speed is around 155 knots for this 250 nautical mile journey.
Virtual DA-62 over Scotland enroute to the Shetland Islands
DA-62 aircraft near Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
We have to fly off Fair Isle on the way to our destination. I learn from some research that Fair Isle knitwear remains one of Shetland’s most famous products. I imagine that fish products are also very popular.
Flight trajectory towards Out Skerries (EG78) on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Approaching Out Skerries (EG78) airport in Scotland with the DA62 virtual aircraft
Here we are, approaching Out Skerries. The absence of runway lights makes the operation tricky.
The surrounding hills block the pilot’s view at low altitude, and what is considered a landing strip is not visible until fairly late in the approach. There are no other aids to help locate the facilities.
The omnipresent winds complicate the task, as does the turn on approach. One of the runway thresholds ends in a cliff ready to receive ill-prepared aviators.
After landing at Out Skerries airport (EG78) with Microsoft Flight Simulator
We see the runway threshold at the last moment. Since the DA-62 weighs more than a single-engine model, the aircraft requires a longer braking distance.
Ground contact is harder than usual, but without bouncing. If there’s a bounce, the pilot has to climb back up and repeat the approach.
You really have to glue the aircraft to the ground at the runway threshold, immediately raise the flaps while pulling back on the stick to maximize braking efficiency. In real life, we’d add that braking must be performed without locking the wheels.
I classify this exercise as a challenging virtual flight.
Fishing boat around the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Once the flight is over, the crew visits the surroundings. Many fishing boats come and go around the islands.
Mussel farming around the Shetland islands in Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
On our next flight, we head for Barra Airfield (EGPR). It’s located in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and is the only airport in the world “where scheduled services land on a beach”. We’ll be sure to check the tide before take-off…
Effect of inversion fog on architectural styles in Quebec City.
Photography theory
In March, a heat wave sweeps through Quebec City while there is still snow on the ground. The warm air floating above the snow favors the appearance of fog or mist in places. But if the wind picks up even a little, visibility will quickly improve.
For lovers of night photography, now is the time to get busy! I arrive on Grande-Allée just as the fog begins to lift. The scene presents several types of contrast. Visibility varies at different heights and in the presence of buildings with very different styles.
I position myself so that the old house is directly in front of the more modern building. By framing tightly, I eliminate all distractions. The light fog accentuates the impact of the tower’s numerous lights. This further enhances the chiaroscuro effect. One hour later, the fog has totally disappeared.
Here’s what artificial intelligence has to say about an industrial scene: “An industrial scene can evoke a variety of feelings, often linked to the urban environment and human activity. For some, it may inspire a feeling of power and dynamism, due to the energy and activity that prevail. Others may feel melancholy or nostalgic about the impact of industrialization on the environment and communities.
The textures, colors and shapes of industrial structures can also evoke a sense of strangeness or raw beauty. In short, the emotions that an industrial scene can generate depend largely on one’s own perspective.”
Photography theory
On the original RAW file, colors faded due to insufficient brightness, preventing the desired dramatic impact. Digital processing was the best solution to solve the problem.
I chose a single tone of steel blue to accentuate the effect of strangeness, prevent distractions of any kind and highlight the central tower, smoke columns and light contrasts around the installations.
To respect the age of the White Birch Paper buildings, I kept the digital grain fairly high. Polishing an image too much makes it look more modern, which I wanted to avoid.
H160 ready for take-off from the ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform for Edinburgh, Scotland, with MSFS
Take-off for stage 14 of this flight simulation exploration of the planet takes place in the early hours of the morning, with good winds. Fortunately, take-offs require much less work than landings.
Airbus helicopter H160 airborne from the ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform heading to Edinburgh, Scotland
Virtual H160 landed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland with MSFS
We received permission to land in the inner courtyard of the Palace of Holyrood to drop off a dignitary visiting King Charles III. Virtual flights make it easy to obtain all kinds of authorizations!
Airbus H160 helicopter by the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland with Microsoft Flight Simulator MSFS
One of the passengers organized a detour to Edinburgh Castle to take a few pictures. A structure well protected by its location on a rocky massif! The helicopter then returned to Dundee Airport (EGPN).
Enroute for Dundee (EGPN) in Scotland with MSFS
Scotland’s splendid landscape features many valleys and fields in magnificent shades of green and yellow.
Route towards Dundee (EGPN) in Scotland in flight simulation
The VFR approach to Dundee is carried out in good weather.
Approaching the Dundee airport (EGPN) in Scotland with an Airbus H160 helicopter and MSFS
With just one more river to cross, we’ve arrived in Dundee.
Helicopter H160 Luxury landed at Dundee virtual airport (EGPN) with MSFS
Finally at destination! Flying this helicopter and landing it on oil rigs has been a very stimulating experience (flights 11, 12, 13 and 14). But now it’s time for a change of aircraft.
The next step is a demanding virtual flight. The destination known as Out Skerries EG78 is an aerodrome with a short 1,200-foot runway. It is located in the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland. To spice things up, the crew will be flying a light twin-engine rather than a single-engine aircraft.
Between dream and reality in Old Québec. Inspired by authoritarian governments around the planet.
The photo above is the result of a recent outing in Old Québec. Why is the photo displaying such a bizarre mood? Well, the actions of authoritarian governments around the world were enough to change my photographic perception for a moment. A montage was therefore necessary to let the emotion flow through on that day.
Photography Theory
The collection of buildings in this part of the city is of interest, but to produce a special effect, I used considerable cropping. The square format leaves out unnecessary details from the original image. I didn’t want any distractions, just the essentials.
I also imagined a threatening sky over the old constructions of Québec City. But how to express this danger without retouching a normal photo? Indeed, the sky is often too beautiful or too banal to convey a sufficient impression of discomfort.
Editing the sky from a RAW file remained the solution. After digital processing, I achieved a combination of mismatched colours that disrupted the scene. The semblance of a face appeared in the clouds, an effect I hadn’t intended. But I kept it. The whole thing takes us back to a world somewhere between dream and reality.
Airbus H160 helicopter airborne from the EHFD F3-FB-1A in the North Sea with MSFS
Stage 13 of the round-the-world flight simulator tour takes place with the Airbus H160 Luxury helicopter. I’m still using Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS).
Internet injects real weather data for the trip between two oil platforms located in the North Sea. The helicopter then takes off from EHFD F3-FB-1A, a helipad in the Netherlands.
Everyone head to Norway on this flight, on an installation known as ENXB Eldfisk B. Scotland’s FIR (Flight Information Region) provides the SAR (Search and Rescue) service for the area.
H160 helicopter enroute to the ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform with MSFS
Around 90 nm separates the two facilities. Atmospheric conditions are deteriorating in places, but this is hardly surprising in the North Sea.
Virtual low clouds over the North Sea seen from a H160 helicopter in flight simulation
During this virtual flight, we come across other oil and gas platforms. Aerosoft Offshore Landmarks virtual scenery allows a better immersion. One of the installations is shown below. But the digital scene also adds fishing vessels, tankers and cargo ships. In short, everything normally found in the North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea.
One of the oil platform in the North Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator
The approach to the helipad begins with strong winds, complicating the landing procedure. Gusty winds and the pilot’s relative inexperience make maneuvering tricky. The crew labors for twenty minutes to land the Airbus H160 helicopter safely.
H160 helicopter on final approach for the oil platform ENXB Eldfisk B in Norway in MSFS
A look at the windsock in the photo below gives a good idea of the weather conditions. What’s more, the wind direction constantly pushes the helicopter towards the facilities. In the end, however, the landing goes smoothly.
Nevertheless, the multiple approach attempts shake the passengers’ composure. One person decides to change career and will now work in an office on land.
Strong winds for a virtual landing with a H160 helicopter on the ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform in Norway
The ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform in Norway but in the Scottish FIR under MSFS Microsoft Flight Simulator
Stage 14 of the simulated exploration of the planet will take place between ENXB Eldfisk B and Scotland, via the city of Edinburgh and Dundee Airport (EGPN).
