Flight Simulation – Page 8 – Photography, aviation and flight simulation

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 airborne from runway 28 at the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport, with the Montreal terminal in the background. (FSX)

All student pilots must practice touch-and-goes for hours . FlyTampa Montreal scenery for FSX, used jointly with MyTraffic2013 software and real weather makes for a realistic exercice for anybody who knows the metropolitan area around Montreal.

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 airborne from runway 28 for a left hand circuit at the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

A small aircraft like the ALABEO Piper PA-38 Tomahawk is a perfect choice. I chose a left hand circuit for runway28 since it allows a nice view of the terminal when taking-off or landing. Fly Tampa Montreal allows the virtual pilot to see local landmarks when flying around the airport, like the olympic stadium, the St-Joseph’s Oratory and Place Ville Marie.

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 on downwind for runway 28 at the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 turning on final for runway 28 at the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 on final for runway 28 at the Montreal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport , while Westjet is rolling on runway 06R (FSX)

On downwind 28, if you fly during winter, you will be able to see that only parts of Lac St-Louis are frozen. On left base, Air Canada and Bombardier very well rendered buildings are visible. If you had landed on runway 24L, you would have seen other well known company names posted here and there on the surrounding buildings. That is a really well made scenery.

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 and the Bombardier and AirCanada buildings at the Montréal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 about to leave runway 28 of the Montréal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

The use of My Traffic software allows aircraft movements around the airport during your exercice; that makes the experience even more interesting. You will also be surprised by the realism in the depection of the snow patches along the runway sides when you are on the approach. So, have fun with this easy exercice in a really interesting setting made available by Fly Tampa Montreal.

Piper Tomahawk PA-38 parked at the Montréal Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau international airport (FSX)

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

De Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 over the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea

Steep turn made by a Dash 7 (FSX) landing in Kagi, Papua New Guinea

If you are looking for a real challenge, try a flight from Kokoda airport to Kagi, using a DHC-7. Kagi is situated along the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. The runway has a 12.5 degree slope and is approximately 447m long (1466 ft). The airstrip’s altitude is about 3900 ft msl. You will need the ORBX scenery (AYPY) Jacksons Airport made by Ken Hall and Tim Harris, as well as other Orbx products such as Global, Vector and Holgermesh to do the flight and obtain the same views as above. In order to find the airports, two maps are included in the “User documents” included with AYPY.

A Dash 7 (FSX) on final for Kagi, Papua New Guinea

I adjusted the fuel at 50% in each tank. For payload, I used 5 passengers and luggages. Obviously, the aircraft could have been loaded with many more passengers and cargo. But since it was a first trial at Kagi with a Dash 7, I thought that a lighter payload would increase my chances of a successful landing by reducing the approach speed.

A United Nations Dash 7 after landing uphill on runway 07 in Kagi, Papua New Guinea

The landing in Kagi is made on runway 07 and the takeoff on runway 25. From Kokoda airport, follow the Kokoda trail then, when appropriate, make a right turn toward Kagi. There are few airports within a small area so it can get a bit confusing. The best way is to overfly the area slowly to ensure that what you see in flight and what is on the map are both the same airport.

The two most difficult aspects of the approach are the steep turns required while flying close to the mountains in slow flight configuration, that is to say with full flaps and wheels out. The second problem to keep in mind is the sloped runway: 12.5 degrees is not negligeable. But once you are on the runway, the Dash 7 will almost stop by himself due to that slope. The takeoff on runway 25 is not a problem with that aircraft: with such a sloped runway, you will be airborne in no time.

A United Nations Dash 7 ready for takeoff on runway 25 in Kagi, Papua New Guinea

I am convinced you will enjoy this demanding flight. There are lots of plants and trees included in the scenery, so it makes for a very realistic approach. Have fun and make sure your passengers will still have a smile on their face when they get out of the airplane!

P.S.: The flight was made using FSX

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following links: Challenging virtual flights or Flight simulation