Antonov international airport (UKKM) – Photography, aviation and flight simulation

Around the world in flight simulation (9)

The Antonov 225 taking-off from the Antonov airport (UKKM) in Ukraine heading to Sochi, Russia.

Today, the Antonov 225 is reborn for another leg of this world tour of flight simulation. In reality, this aircraft was destroyed by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. At the time of writing, war is still raging between the two nations. But in virtual mode, we have more latitude to alter the course of events and simulate peace.

So, we leave Ukraine’s Antonov airport (UKKM), fly over Crimea and then stop off in Sochi, Russia (airport code USSR). Our destination is Lublin airport (EPLB) in Poland.

The weather is looking good, with clear skies for the arrival in Sochi. The scenery around Sochi is splendid, and it’s best to land in good weather.

Take-off is a breeze, but the Antonov 225’s heaviness takes some getting used to. The weight of the aircraft means that every time the pilot makes a maneuver with the flight controls, initially nothing happens. Then, the aircraft slowly begins to obey. So, you have to expect delays and anticipate the outcome of maneuvers.

Navigraph is used for navigation. Of course, I plan to deviate from the initial route to fly over Crimea and then on to Sochi.

The pink triangle indicates the position of the Antonov 225 entering Crimea on its flight to Sochi in Russia and then Poland.

Below, the ploughed fields of the Ukraine. Ukraine is considered the breadbasket of the world.

The Antonov 225 over the cultivated fields of Ukraine.

Crimea is a beautiful region from the air, but fiercely contested on the ground. A pilot would say that today, it’s more turbulent down there than up.

The Antonov 225 entering Crimea on its flight to Russia then Poland

A few minutes later, the flight over the Sea of Azov begins in the direction of Sochi.

The approach is spectacular, with the surrounding mountains. As with all large aircraft, the Antonov has to be stabilized well in advance to avoid overcorrecting on final.

Antonov 225 on long final for runway 06 in Sochi (USSR), Russia.

The cargo plane stops in an extremely short distance for such a heavy aircraft. When the thrust is reversed on six engines, there’s no need to set the brakes to maximum, especially in Sochi. We make a short stopover.

Antonov 225 parked for a short stopover at Sochi (USSR), Russia.

Just after our arrival, a Russian Sukhoi 27 military jet makes a low pass near the tower. The fighter jet was created at the time in response to the construction of the American F-15.

A Sukhoi Su-27 makes a low pass at the Sochi Airport (USSR), Russia.

The flight resumes in the late afternoon. Below, the Antonov 225 is on final approach to runway 25 at Lublin airport in Poland.

Antonov 225 on final for rwy 25 at Lublin airport, Poland

The thrust reversers allow the aircraft to exit onto the taxiway in the middle of the runway.

Antonov 225 with thrust reversers after landing at Lublin (EPLB) airport in Poland.

We get a little help with parking.

Antonov 225 with some help for the parking at Lublin airport, Poland

The next stage of this round-the-world flight simulation will be with a smaller aircraft, heading for Germany. A flight over Göttingen is planned with a helicopter (D-JORG). The trip will end at Paderborn Lippstadt Airport (EDLP).

Click on the link to read more about this round-the-world flight simulation on my blog.

Around the world in flight simulation (8).

OMA's concrete towers in Stockholm with Microsoft Flight Simulator. — OMA’s concrete towers in Stockholm with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Leg 8 of this round-the-world trip in flight simulation is from Stockholm-Bromma airport in Sweden to Antonov (Hostomel) international airport in Ukraine (UKKM), where the virtual Antonov 225 is based.

The world’s only example of this aircraft was destroyed at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, no one can prevent a virtual aircraft from surviving (even computer) attacks. Note that the entire purchase price of the virtual aircraft in the Microsoft store is reserved for the eventual reconstruction of the real aircraft.

F14D Tomcat military jet ready for departure at Stockholm-Bromma virtual airport (ESSB) with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

For the trip, a quick overflight of Belarus will be necessary. A decommissioned, unarmed F-14 Tomcat should do the trick.

F-14D Tomcat airborne from the Stockholm-Bromma (ESSB) virtual airport in flight simulation.

The flight will take place at speeds above the sound barrier.

Navigraph chart of the flight from ESSB to UKKM Antonov International airport

The Navigraph map above shows the planned route. The pink triangle shows the F-14 entering Belarus.

F-14D Tomcat in a dive for a low pass ate high speed over Belarus.

A change of itinerary is in order for a few minutes, with a dive into Belarusian territory. But, as the military say, this flight “never happened”.

F-14D Tomcat on a low pass at high speed over Belarus.

We’re obviously not invited to perform a high-speed pass. But it seems to be becoming the norm in this part of the world in recent years, so why not us?

F-14D Tomcat heading to Kyiv Hostomel airport (GML) in flight simulation

The flight to Antonov International Airport continues at top speed. We’ll soon be there.

F-14D Tomcat turning final for the Antonov International airport (UKKM) in flight simulation.

Above, the F-14 makes a descent turn for the final approach to Antonov airport, with landing gear down and flaps adjusted. In real life, the runway has been damaged by the Ukrainians themselves to prevent the Russians from easily establishing a beachhead in their country. But we’re in virtual mode, so anything goes.

A F-14D Tomcat and Ukrainian soldiers on the Antonov International airport (Hostomel) (UKKM) in flight simulation.

As we taxi, we pass a few Ukrainian army soldiers greeting the arrival of the foreign pilots.

The virtual Antonov 225 is in its hangar, the very place where it was destroyed at the start of the conflict. I’ll be using this aircraft for the next leg of my round-the-world trip, flying over Crimea, landing in Russia and finally finishing the leg in Poland. We mustn’t leave the virtual Antonov 225 in Russia, as a matter of principle.

Click on the link for more flight simulator flights around the world on my blog.