Categories
Flight Simulation

Explore the planet in flight simulation (15)

Through the videos on Youtube, I see that a runway called Out Skerries (EG78 or OUK) in the Shetland Islands attracts interest for its challenging landing. It is only 1195 feet long.

The tiny airstrip will therefore be the destination for leg #15 of our round-the-world flight simulation tour with the MSFS flight simulator.

To increase the fun, we choose a twin-engine aircraft, which is heavier and requires a longer breaking distance.

We take off from Dundee (EGPN) with a virtual Diamond DA-62 and arrive at dusk. It’s probably a bit tight for a short, unlit runway, but we’ll give it a go.

DA-62 aircraft taking off from Dundee airport, Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator
DA-62 aircraft taking off from Dundee airport, Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator

The stall speed of the DA-62 in landing configuration is 68 knots, which will help us to succeed in our undertaking. We take a 018-degree northerly course to reach the islands from Dundee. Ground speed is around 155 knots for this 250 nautical mile journey.

Virtual DA-62 over Scotland enroute to the Shetland Islands
Virtual DA-62 over Scotland enroute to the Shetland Islands
DA-62 aircraft near Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
DA-62 aircraft near Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator

We have to fly off Fair Isle on the way to our destination. I learn from some research that Fair Isle knitwear remains one of Shetland’s most famous products. I imagine that fish products are also very popular.

Flight trajectory towards Out Skerries (EG78) on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Flight trajectory towards Out Skerries (EG78) on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Approaching Out Skerries (EG78) airport in Scotland with the DA62 virtual aircraft
Approaching Out Skerries (EG78) airport in Scotland with the DA62 virtual aircraft

Here we are, approaching Out Skerries. The absence of runway lights makes the operation tricky.

The surrounding hills block the pilot’s view at low altitude, and what is considered a landing strip is not visible until fairly late in the approach. There are no other aids to help locate the facilities.  

The omnipresent winds complicate the task, as does the turn on approach. One of the runway thresholds ends in a cliff ready to receive ill-prepared aviators.

After landing at Out Skerries airport (EG78) with Microsoft Flight Simulator
After landing at Out Skerries airport (EG78) with Microsoft Flight Simulator

We see the runway threshold at the last moment. Since the DA-62 weighs more than a single-engine model, the aircraft requires a longer braking distance.

Ground contact is harder than usual, but without bouncing. If there’s a bounce, the pilot has to climb back up and repeat the approach.

You really have to glue the aircraft to the ground at the runway threshold, immediately raise the flaps while pulling back on the stick to maximize braking efficiency. In real life, we’d add that braking must be performed without locking the wheels.

I classify this exercise as a challenging virtual flight.

Fishing boat around the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Fishing boat around the Shetland Islands with Microsoft Flight Simulator

Once the flight is over, the crew visits the surroundings. Many fishing boats come and go around the islands.

Mussel farming around the Shetland islands in Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Mussel farming around the Shetland islands in Scotland, with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

We can even see mussel farming facilities.

On our next flight, we head for Barra Airfield (EGPR). It’s located in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and is the only airport in the world “where scheduled services land on a beach”. We’ll be sure to check the tide before take-off…

Click on the link for more stages of this flight simulation world tour on my blog.

Categories
Flight Simulation

Short Landings in Flight Simulation with MSFS 2020

On approach for Île d'Orléans.
On approach for Île d’Orléans.

Today’s flight consists of two virtual short landings using the MSFS 2020 flight simulator (or as some call it, FS2020). We will be landing on Île d’Orléans and on the Battlefields Park.

First of all, I admit that the Cessna 170B’s windows are dirty. For realism, the designer Carenado left a little dirt here and there to show the wear and tear of this very old aircraft.

The picture above shows Île d’Orléans as seen from the Cessna. Since there is no landing strip but a golf club in the area, we will use the open fairways to land the aircraft. If there is a golfer on the course, I will open the window and yell, as is customary, “Fore!” (Falling Object Returning to Earth).

On final for Île d'Orléans
On final for Île d’Orléans

We are established on final for the small portion of open ground ahead. With 40 degrees of flaps, the stall speed is particularly low and the landing should not be too difficult.

On Île d'Orléans ready for take-off.
On Île d’Orléans ready for take-off.

Although the available strip was not very wide, it was long enough for the landing, the taxiing and the maneuvering to turn the aircraft 180 degrees for its take-off to Quebec City.

Airborne from Île d'Orléans with a Cessna 170B
Airborne from Île d’Orléans with a Cessna 170B

Back in the air, direction Quebec City. The take-off on soft ground requires about 20 degrees of flaps.

Enroute towards Quebec City.
Enroute towards Quebec City.

Quebec City is in sight. In the Cessna C-170B I flew in 1981 across Canada from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Edmonton, Alberta, there was no modern navigation aid installed on board as in the photo above, where the GPS helps the pilot find his way. The flight was flown using 14 VFR charts and nothing more. (If you are interested, click to read more about real-life flying stories on my blog).

Hôtel le Concorde and its revolving restaurant, visible on the right.
Hôtel le Concorde and its revolving restaurant, visible on the right.

We are now above the Plains of Abraham. On the picture above, on the right, you can see the Hotel le Concorde and its revolving restaurant. We will possibly disturb the quiet atmosphere of the meal as we fly by…

The MNBAQ and the Battlefields Park are in sight.
The MNBAQ and the Battlefields Park are in sight.

Above, straight ahead, the gray buildings represent a portion of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts de Québec (MNBAQ). A little further on is the open area of the Battlefields Park. In 1928, Lindbergh landed on that field to bring badly needed medicine for his friend Floyd Bennett. Can we normally land on the Battlefields Park, in the heart of Quebec City? Of course not. But that’s the beauty of a flight simulation; you can do whatever you want!

Cessna 170B on the Battlefields Park in Québec City.
Cessna 170B on the Battlefields Park in Québec City.

Once landed, the aircraft is allowed to decelerate gradually and then turned 180 degrees for the next takeoff. When winds are light, there is no need to worry about the direction of the takeoff.

Aerial view of Battlefield Parks with the Cessna 170B under MSFS 2020.
Aerial view of Battlefield Parks with the Cessna 170B under MSFS 2020.

Above, an aerial view of the Battlefields Park, with the virtual Cessna C-170B ready to take off again.

Partial view of Quebec City in flight simulation with MSFS 2020
Partial view of Quebec City in flight simulation with MSFS 2020

One last picture, this time with some additional buildings. The realism of the virtual scene with FS2020 is amazing!

I hope you enjoyed these two short flights. Whether you use the short landing technique for the Battlefields Park is really up to you, as there is enough space for a normal landing. But it is good to practice landing in the shortest distance possible. You never know when your engine will quit!

You can click on the following link for other challenging virtual flights   on my blog.