ENXB Eldfisk B - Photography, aviation and flight simulation

Explore the planet in flight simulation (14)

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

The Airbus H160 Luxury virtual helicopter leaves the ENXB Eldfisk B oil platform for the Palace of Holyrood in Scotland. The flight then continues to Edinburgh Castle, and ends with a landing in Dundee (EGPN).

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.

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

Explore the Planet in Flight Simulation (13)

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).

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