Categories
Flight Simulation

Explore the Planet in Flight Simulation (13)

Airbus H160 helicopter airborne from the EHFD F3-FB-1A in the North Sea with MSFS
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

Categories
Flight Simulation

Explore the planet with MSFS flight simulator (11)

For this eleventh leg of the flight simulation world tour, we depart from Padderborn Lippstadt Airport (EDLP) for Helgoland, Germany.

As our sponsor has an unlimited budget, we’ll be flying in an Airbus H160 Luxury helicopter. En route to the destination, we’ll be stopping off at Bremen airport (EDDW).

Airbus H160 helicopter over Bremen airport in MSFS 2020
Airbus H160 helicopter over Bremen airport in MSFS 2020

For aviation buffs, the route from Bremen reads: EDDW DCT DO DCT DW271 DCT DW285 DCT WSN DCT NDO DCT EDXH (Helgoland). I use the following software: Navigraph, Simbrief, FSLTL and the MSFS 2020 flight simulator. The flight is carried out in real weather (injected via the Internet).

After take-off, we fly over some of Bremen’s industrial facilities.

H160 Airbus helicopter over Bremen industrial installation in MSFS2020
H160 Airbus helicopter over Bremen industrial installation in MSFS2020

I have a co-pilot to help me with the job when I’m taking photos. I can’t say she’s very chatty, but the main thing is to get to the airport safely.

View from the cockpit in the Airbus H160 helicopter
View from the cockpit in the Airbus H160 helicopter

As we approach the North Sea, the coastline is briefly laden with low cloud and visibility diminishes. A few raindrops fall, while a double rainbow forms and a little turbulence is felt.

Precipitation isn’t really a problem, as it doesn’t last long. But with an outside temperature of -5 C, we have to watch out for icing.

Rainbow and updrafts before reaching the North Sea from Bremen in flight simulation
Rainbow and updrafts before reaching the North Sea from Bremen in flight simulation

The weather returns to VFR and we head out over the water towards Helgoland.

Airbus H160 Luxury helicopter over Germany heading to Helgoland aiport
Airbus H160 Luxury helicopter over Germany heading to Helgoland aiport

Helgoland has changed ownership many times over the decades, as a result of armed conflicts. The site has belonged to Great Britain, Denmark and is now part of Germany. It was a strategic military site whose installations were dynamited (and solidly!) by the British at the end of the Second World War.

H160 helicopter arriving to Helgoland in flight simulation
H160 helicopter arriving to Helgoland in flight simulation

We look out over the cliffs of Helgoland before heading for the destination of our trip, the small island of Düne, in the background in the photo below.

The cliffs of Lummenfelsen at Helgoland, Germany, in flight simulation
The cliffs of Lummenfelsen at Helgoland, Germany, in flight simulation

Although not sporty, the landing requires a few precautions due to gusts of 23 knots. On landing, the aircraft floats for a few seconds, behaving like a boat on rough water. But in the end, all goes well.

Landing of a virtual Airbus H160 at Helgoland, Germany with MSFS
Landing of a virtual Airbus H160 at Helgoland, Germany with MSFS

The next virtual flight will be to an oil platform located in Denmark in the North Sea. For those who’d like to try the landing, the code name is EHFD F3-FB-1A.

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