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Flight Simulation

Gliding operations on a 12 degree sloped runway in Papua New Guinea

Well, that is it! The first glider just arrived at the Fane Parish airport in Papua New Guinea…

Glider on the Fane Parish short grass runway in Papua New Guinea.
Glider on the Fane Parish short grass runway in Papua New Guinea.

Before it is officially offered as a tourist attraction for the region, some attempts at taking-off and landing must be done. The first trial attracts a few people!

Aircraft and glider on the Fane Parish mountain airfield.
Aircraft and glider on the Fane Parish mountain airfield.

The descent along the twelve degree sloped runway is a bit rough for the glider’s low wings, as there are some bushes that will have to be trimmed!

An aircraft pulls a glider after the take-off from the Fane Parish sloped runway in Papua New Guinea.
An aircraft pulls a glider after the take-off from the Fane Parish sloped runway in Papua New Guinea.

The weather is nice and very warm. The only potential problem is the mountain ahead.

Glider being towed by an aircraft after the take-off from the Fane Parish mountain airfield.
Glider being towed by an aircraft after the take-off from the Fane Parish mountain airfield.

Finally, the pilot cuts the link. He is free to go!

The link is cut between the plane and the glider after the take-off from Fane Parish.
The link is cut between the plane and the glider after the take-off from Fane Parish.

The glider flies silently over the lush area of Papua New Guinea.

Virtually gliding over the Papua New Guinea territory (FSX).
Virtually gliding over the Papua New Guinea territory (FSX).

Using the rising warm air currents, the glider gains altitude.

The glider gains altitude.
The glider gains altitude.

Why not a pass over Fane?

Gliding over the Fane Parish village.
Gliding over the Fane Parish village.

Here is another isolated village alongside a mountain.

Flight with a virtual glider over an isolated village of Papua New Guinea.
Flight with a virtual glider over an isolated village of Papua New Guinea.

A last steep turn in order to realign for the approach at Fane Parish.

Last steep turn for a short landing on the Fane Parish mountain sloped runway.
Last steep turn for a short landing on the Fane Parish mountain sloped runway.

The airbrakes are out and the speed reasonable. The sloped runway is just ahead, on top of the mountain to the right.

Approach of a glider on the elevated airfield at Fane Parish in Papua New Guinea. The speed and angle of approach are right on target.
Approach of a glider on the elevated airfield at Fane Parish in Papua New Guinea. The speed and angle of approach are right on target.

Keeping just enough altitude on the approach to be safe.

Glider approaching the 12 degree sloped runway of the Fane Parish aerodrome.
Glider approaching the 12 degree sloped runway of the Fane Parish aerodrome.

Now that the landing is a sure thing, it is time to use the airbrakes again to slow down as much as possible.

Virtual glider arriving over the Fane Parish runway in Papua New Guinea. The airbrakes are being used.
Virtual glider arriving over the Fane Parish runway in Papua New Guinea. The airbrakes are being used.

Keeping in mind that this mountain airfield as a good slope, it is better to have a bit of extra speed. Nobody likes to stall a few feet over a runway!

Virtual glider with airbrakes over the Fane Parish runway
Virtual glider with airbrakes over the Fane Parish runway

What an experience it was! But I’ll need some help to pull the glider up the slope!

Glider on the Fane Parish runway
Glider on the Fane Parish runway

The virtual flight was great, the view was worth every penny, and I think that this could become a new touristic attraction for the region and the more wealthy visitors…

The glider has landed on the runway at the Fane Parish airport in Papua New Guinea.
The glider has landed on the runway at the Fane Parish airport in Papua New Guinea.

Click on the link for other challenging virtual flights on my blog.