The challenging virtual flight is from Johnson Creek Airport (3U2) to the Lower Loon Creek Airstrip (C53) in the United States, using the MSFS 2020 flight simulator. The software map shows the type of aircraft chosen, a CubCrafters X Cub on floats, as well as the trajectory over the Idaho mountains.
The idea of using an amphibious aircraft for this flight is a bit far-fetched, but the goal is to make the pilot’s job a little more difficult by adding weight to the aircraft.
Johnson Creek Airport (3U2) is a creation of Creative Mesh. It is charming, with tents here and there planted near the planes. The runway is 3480 feet long by 150 feet wide. It is oriented on a 17/35 axis and still quite high at 4960 feet above sea level (MSL).
Given the departure altitude, one must not forget to adjust the air/fuel mixture so as not to lose power on takeoff, especially since there is a mountain at the end of the runway and the floats increase the weight of this small aircraft. The air is also thinner as the flight takes place in summer and at a high altitude; this represents another obstacle to the aircraft’s performance.
The mountains near the runway present a significant obstacle. The virtual pilot must use the best possible angle of climb without worrying about the route recommended by the GPS. The flaps are kept slightly extended during the initial climb.
Once at a safe altitude and back on the GPS suggested route, the view of Idaho’s spectacular mountains is more enjoyable. Throughout the climb, the air-fuel mixture and altimeter (“B” on MSFS 2020) have to be adjusted.
An altitude of almost 10,000 feet ASL makes it possible to fly over the mountains without risk of collision.
At the right moment, when the small surrounding airports and the river appear on the GPS, we leave our GPS road, until now in straight line, and we align in the valley to fly over the river until our destination, avoiding the surrounding mountains. In the photo above, the descent has already begun, with a necessary gradual adjustment of the air-fuel mixture.
We fly over a first small airport. The picture above shows the planes parked on the runway of Marble Creek airport (ID8), which dimension is 1160 x 20 feet. For those which would be interested in trying a landing there, the orientation of the runway is 03/21 and the altitude of 4662 feet MSL.
On the way towards our final destination, we also fly at low altitude over the Thomas Creek (2U8).
The mountains on either side of the river require close attention, as the poor performance of a small aircraft equipped with floats does not allow for easy correction of navigational errors.
By the time the runway suddenly becomes visible, the plane will not be on course but 90 degrees off the ideal course. It will be necessary to quickly turn left into the valley, make a fairly sharp 180-degree turn to the right to avoid the mountains, and then get back on course to land. It is only at this point that the landing gear will be extended.
The photo above shows the aircraft on final for the Lower Loon Creek dirt and grass runway (C53). It is located at 4084 feet MSL and is only 1200 feet long by 25 feet wide. Note that the approach should be made on runway 16 when possible.
As always, a stabilized aircraft on final makes landing easier, regardless of the conditions.
We park the plane and rest a bit. Today, there is no one else here. But that’s not always the case in real life, as this video of a landing at Lower Loon Creek shows it.
Click on the link for more challenging virtual flights on my blog.
