London City airport - Photography, aviation and flight simulation

Today’s flight around the planet takes place between the virtual airports of London City (EGLC) in England and Rotterdam-The Hague (EHDR) in the Netherlands. The weather looks good, apart from a few large TCUs here and there along the route. The crew imports the Simbrief flight plan into Navigraph to facilitate navigation between the two countries.

Daher TBM930 airborne from the London City virtual airport (EGLC) in United Kingdom

For a fast and comfortable journey, we choose the high-performance Daher TBM930 in Canadian colors. Microsoft has truly designed a marvel of a virtual aircraft.

Virtual TBM930 over United Kingdom heading to the Rotterdam airport (EHDR), Netherlands

The operating ceiling is 31,000 feet and the maximum range of the TBM930 is around 1,730 nm. With a cruising speed of 330 knots, we cross the English Channel in no time. As you would expect, there is a lot of shipping traffic between the North Sea and the English Channel.

TBM930 turboprop aircraft over water and approaching Netherlands

We are now above the Netherlands. The programmed route reads as follows: EGLC runway 09 DEP ODUK1H ODUKU M84 TOVGU M84 CLN P44 RATLO M197 REDFA MASOS. We have selected the REDF3R arrival and the RNAV runway 24 approach.

Working Title Simulations Daher TBM930 over Netherlands approaching the Rotterdam virtual airport (EHDR) with Microsoft Flight Simulator

Below, the cockpit photo shows the interior of the TBM930 and the route followed for the approach. We are descending rapidly to reach the recommended altitude of 2,000 feet a little further on for arrival.

Cockpit of the Daher TBM930 as it approaches runway 24 for the Rotterdam (EHDR) in flight simulation MSFS

There are strong winds today and mechanical turbulence throughout the journey to Rotterdam.

TBM930 approaching rwy 24 for the Rotterdam virtual airport (EHDR) with Microsoft Flight Simulator MSFS

The autopilot keeps the single-engine turboprop slightly to the right of the centerline of runway 24 during the long final approach to counter strong crosswinds. The VNAV function does a very good job of maintaining the correct altitude during descent.

MSFS Daher TBM930 on final for rwy 24 Rotterdam airport in flight simulation

During the short final approach, we disconnect the autopilot. Surface winds are blowing at 320/14 knots. Moments later, we land the virtual aircraft without breaking anything. A short taxi brings us to a parking spot where staff are waiting for us.

Canadian Daher TBM930 arriving at the virtual Rotterdam The Hague airport (EHDR) with Microsoft Flight Simulator

Flying virtually with the TBM930 is a treat. It is one of the best virtual aircraft currently available on the market for use with the Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) flight simulator. What’s more, virtual pilots don’t have to pay extra for this aircraft, as it comes with the MSFS software.

The next leg of this simulated flight around the world takes place between Rotterdam and Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LFPB) in France. Customers have chartered an old MD-11 in KLM colors for a historic flight to the Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget.

Click on the link for the previous stages of this flight simulation tour of the planet in my blog.

After a “visit” of Dublin’s bars and museums, we begin leg 20 of the round-the-world flight simulation tour. The crew uses a piston-powered Beechcraft B60 Duke for the flight from Dublin Airport (EIDW) to London City Airport (EGLC).

The virtual aircraft is a creation of Black Square Simulations, and is a great success with virtual pilots.

Beech Duke BE60 airborne from the Dublin airport ( EIDW)

Estimated enroute time is around 01:25 and distance to cover about 305 nm. There are favourable winds from 312/21 for the trip.

BE60 Duke over England heading to the London City airport (EGLC)

Over England, the sky becomes overcast. London reports a broken ceiling at 1700 feet and full-cloud deck at 2200 feet. However, visibility remains excellent.

The Beech Duke’s autopilot presents some difficulties with altitude changes. Unlike most aircrafts, the procedure for generating a descent and reaching another flight level requires a little more knowledge. You can’t apply an intuitive method, as the aircraft will always seek to return to its initial altitude.

Black Square Beechcraft Be60 Duke with Microsoft Flight Simulator

The Duke makes a right turn at the end of the trip on the L15 ODUKU TOPDU trajectory. This will place the Beech Duke on very long final for Runway 27 at London City Airport (EGLC).

Turning towards London City airport EGLC with MSFS 2020

Below is a view of the trajectory flown by the virtual pilot. Near the TOPDU point, the Beechcraft is still veering to establish itself on final approach.

GPS showing ODUKU TOPDU and approach for runway 27 EGLC airport

Excellent visibility and a well-defined ceiling make for an easy approach to runway 27. Slight crosswinds do not represent a problem.

Black Square B60 Duke on final runway 27 at London City airport EGLC

Around London, you can observe the Millennium Dome, all in white. This was the subject of a three-part series on Netflix entitled “The Diamond Heist”. It deals with an attempted theft in 2000 of the Millennium Star diamond and other precious stones worth a total of $350 million. The documentary is well worth seeing.

La dernière photo ci-dessous présente une vue de Londres obtenue au moyen d’un drone virtuel avec le simulateur de vol Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS 2020).

A virtual view of London using Microsoft Flight Simulator

Click on the link for previous flights around the planet in flight simulation on my blog.