Categories
Flight Simulation

Explore the world in flight simulation (19)

Cessna 310R airborne from Isle of Man airport with MSFS
Cessna 310R airborne from Isle of Man airport with MSFS

The crew got their hands on a Cessna 310R for the next stage of their round-the-world flight simulation. The virtual aircraft is manufactured by Blackbird Simulations and scores highly with users. Departure is from the Isle of Man Airport (EGNS), with Dublin as the destination. This will be the only stopover in the Republic of Ireland before proceeding on to London, UK.

Blackbird Simulations twin engine Cessna 310R is crossing the Irish Sea towards the Dublin airport (EIDW)
Blackbird Simulations twin engine Cessna 310R is crossing the Irish Sea towards the Dublin airport (EIDW)

The good weather continues in this part of the world known for its rather cloudy conditions. Flying the Cessna 310R is a real pleasure. With its cruising speed of 188 knots, we reach Dublin quickly.

The left engine is considered critical in the event of engine failure. Vmc is 80 knots. Stall occurs immediately below this speed when only the right engine is running.

Car ferries on the Irish Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Car ferries on the Irish Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator

The aircraft approaches the Republic of Ireland as it flies over two ships carrying cars.

The Blackbird Simulations Cessna 310R turns on final for the Dublin airport (EIDW)
The Blackbird Simulations Cessna 310R turns on final for the Dublin airport (EIDW)

Dublin airport (EIDW) is in sight. A last turn to runway 16 takes us onto long final. Winds are not a problem for the approach.

The virtual pilot extends the landing gear and flaps. Even though this is a flight simulation, you have to keep to the required speeds with flaps and gear, otherwise the flight will come to a halt.

Virtual Cessna 310R on short final for Dublin airport in flight simulation
Virtual Cessna 310R on short final for Dublin airport in flight simulation

The UK-registered aircraft arrives on short final after an uneventful flight.

Blackbird C310R taxiing at Dublin after arrival from Isle of Man
Blackbird C310R taxiing at Dublin after arrival from Isle of Man

We make our way through the airport to the agreed disembarkation point. Along the route, we can observe several parked aircraft, including those of British Airways, WestJet and Aer Lingus.

FSLTL software works effectively to furnish most airports with virtual aircraft.

Blackbird Simulations Cessna C310R on the ground at Dublin with MSFS 2020
Blackbird Simulations Cessna C310R on the ground at Dublin with MSFS 2020

At last, a passenger who had the idea of getting a yellow suitcase instead of the eternal black ones that everyone confuses on luggage straps.

In the evening, we go out in the Temple Bar area without exaggerating the number of drinks. Tomorrow, we’ll be sure to visit the Guinness Storehouse, the Jameson distillery and the Emigration Museum.

Dublin in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator
Dublin in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator

A flight with the virtual drone gives an idea of Dublin illuminated just before nightfall. This is the version offered by Microsoft’s MSFS 2020 flight simulator. The light is superb.

The next leg of our round-the-world trip will soon take us from Dublin to London City Airport (EGLC) in a Black Square Beechcraft B60 Duke.

Click on the link for previous legs of this flight simulation world tour on my blog.

Categories
Flight Simulation

Explore the Planet in Flight Simulation (18)

Stage 18 of the round-the-world flight simulation takes place between Donegal Airport (EIDL) and Isle of Man Airport (EGNS), also known as Douglas Ronaldsway. This island is renowned as a tax haven and for its online gaming. It has a more “advantageous” financial regime than the UK. Its role also came to light in the “Paradise Papers”.

Since we fly over the Irish Sea in a single-engine aircraft, the Nardi FN-333 is an excellent choice in the event of engine failure. What’s more, it offers an attractive range (490 nmi) and a respectable cruising speed (143 knots at 8,000 feet).

Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera at the Donegal (EIDL) with MSFS
Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera at the Donegal (EIDL) with MSFS

Capable of an ascent of 1280 feet/minute, it flies smoothly over the terrain after taking off from Donegal.

Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera airborne from the Donegal airport (EIDL) in the Republic of Ireland with MSFS
Virtual Nardi FN-333 Riviera airborne from the Donegal airport (EIDL) in the Republic of Ireland with MSFS

To the left of the flight path is Northern Ireland’s Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, https://strangfordlough.org/ a tourist attraction rated 4.8/5 by Google users.

Nardi FN-333 Riviera flying by the Strangford and Lecale area of outstanding natural beauty in Northern Ireland with MSFS
Nardi FN-333 Riviera flying by the Strangford and Lecale area of outstanding natural beauty in Northern Ireland with MSFS

Once over the Irish Sea, you can see the first container ship, which will be followed by many other vessels with a variety of functions (Irish Ferries, car carriers, tankers, LNG carriers, etc.).

Nardi FN-333 Riviera overflying a container ship in the Irish Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator

Nardi FN-333 Riviera overflying a container ship in the Irish Sea with Microsoft Flight Simulator

At the end of the day, the Isle of Man becomes visible. It’s always nice to arrive before dark when landing for the first time at an unfamiliar airport. This allows the pilot to get a good look at the surroundings.

Nardi FN-333 Riviera on final for the Isle of Man airport with MSFS
Nardi FN-333 Riviera on final for the Isle of Man airport with MSFS

The sun illuminates the cockpit in a very realistic way with the new flight simulators. In the past, shadows didn’t move in the cockpit.

Isle of Man in sight in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Isle of Man in sight in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Very close to the Isle of Man Airport (EGNS) is a huge building, King William’s College. It offers private education to young people between the ages of 3 and 18. I wonder if the staff have ever had a scare because of a missed approach by one of the many aircraft that land on the island every day. After all, there is no shortage of accidents.

King William's College near the Isle of Man airport with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
King William’s College near the Isle of Man airport with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Fortunately, the landing did not frighten the students at the nearby college.

The Nardi FN-333 Riviera just landed at the Isle of Man (EGNS) airport in the evening.
The Nardi FN-333 Riviera just landed at the Isle of Man (EGNS) airport in the evening.

A few days’ stopover will be necessary before embarking on the rest of the trip. We’ll then reach the Republic of Ireland, landing at Dublin airport (EIDW) with the MSFS 2020 flight simulator and the Cessna 310R from Blackbird Simulations.

Click on the link to read more about the exploration of the planet in flight simulation on my blog.

Categories
Street photography

A Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 cargo and the London Eye

A Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747 and the London Eye in London (2015)
A Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747 and the London Eye in London (2015)

The photo above requires a very quick moment of reflection before being correctly interpreted. Most of the people who have seen the picture for the first time immediately had the feeling that the aircraft was heading toward one of the London Eye’s capsules.

The viewers referred to images that they had already seen during the 9/11 attacks, images that were printed in their memory.

The Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 cargo was inbound for the London Heathrow international airport while my family and I were waiting in line to live the London Eye experience, the Ferris wheel installed in the center of London, United Kingdom.

Instead of capturing a large scene, which would have given a far better idea of the scale of objects and eliminated any confusion, I opted for a close-up plan, leaving the viewer with the work of interpreting the photo correctly.

One of the pleasures of street photography is to find a second interpretation to what would normally be an ordinary scene.

For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:

Street photography