Tag: virtual flight

Elk River (NC06) to Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) with MSFS 2020.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 13 April 2022

Ready for departure at the Elk River airport (NC06) created by Cloud Studio.

Today’s twenty-minute virtual flight is conducted using Microsoft MSFS 2020 flight simulation software. The virtual airport at Elk River (NC06) in the United States, modeled here by Pilot’s, is located at approximately 3468 feet (ft) above sea level (MSL). Its sloped 12/30 runway can accommodate many types of aircraft as its dimensions are still 4600 feet long by 75 feet wide. A golf course is located near the airport facilities.

The sloped runway of the Elk River airport (NC06) with the MSFS 2020 flight simulator.

In the distance, the end of runway 30 can be seen rising rapidly. The trip to Mountain Air County Club Airport (2NC0), modeled by Cloud Studio, is made with a single engine Cubcrafters NX Cub.

Enroute towards the Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) airport from Elk River (NC06) with MSFS 2020.

In direct flight with GPS, the virtual pilot will have to climb at around 7000 feet msl to avoid the surrounding mountains. It is therefore important to adjust the air/fuel mixture during climb and descent for the destination. Also, don’t forget to adjust the altimeter (press “B”) as you move away from the point of departure. Near the summits, you will experience mechanical turbulence, which is normal.

Aerial view of the Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) airport created by Pilot's. — Aerial view of the Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) airport created by Pilot’s.

The photo above shows the virtual airport of Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) with the MSFS 2020 flight simulator. The sloped runway is 2900 feet long and only 50 feet wide. A golf course surrounds this airport located at 4432 feet MSL. Since the winds are light, the approach will be on runway 14.

On final for the sloped runway of the Mountain Air County Club (2NC0) airport using MSFS 2020.

On final approach, it is easy to see the uphill angle of this airstrip, which is slightly more damaged than the one at Elk River.

A view of the cliff at the threshold of runway 32 at the 2NC0 Mountain County Air Club airport created by Pilot's pour MSFS 2020. — A view of the cliff at the threshold of runway 32 at the 2NC0 Mountain County Air Club airport created by Pilot’s pour MSFS 2020.

As we continue to taxi to the end of runway 14, we notice the cliff that awaits the pilot who has not properly prepared his landing. No forgiveness!

View from above of the Mountain Air County Club airport 2NC0 with the MSFS 2020 flight simulator.

An elevated view shows the threshold of runway 14 and the buildings associated with the golf club. A few golf loving pilots have already parked their aircraft to the left of runway 14. For this screenshot, I used the excellent X-BOX drone.

Buildings and flowers at the Mountain Air County Club airport (2NC0) created by Pilot's for MSFS 2020. — Buildings and flowers at the Mountain Air County Club airport (2NC0) created by Pilot’s for MSFS 2020.

A final photo shows the buildings and flowers associated with the golf club. The bird recordings are easily heard, which enhance the scene. Flight simulation enthusiasts wishing to repeat the experience should do so under VFR conditions to keep an eye on the mountain tops during the approach.

Click on the link for more challenging virtual flights under MSFS 2020 and FSX on my blog.

Tags 2NC0, challenging virtual flights, Elk River, flight simulation, flight simulator, FS2020, landing, mechanical turbulence, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Mountain Air County Club, MSFS2020, NC06, sloped runway, United States, VFR flight, virtual aircraft, virtual flight, virtual pilot

Flight Simulation Screen captures

A few Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 screenshots.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 22 April 2021

Below are a few Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MFS 2020) screen captures taken during virtual flights.

Le Mont St-Michel en France, sous MFS 2020.

Mont St-Michel is a very nice addition to the France virtual scenery provided by MFS 2020. Such great sites can be found in many places in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 program, but many more are also available for free through the flight simulation community : they can then be downloaded and installed in MFS 2020, thus ever improving the overall experience.

Heading to KLAX from KBUR with a TBM 930 on the flight simulator MFS 2020.

The haze is quite present in the Los Angeles area and adds to the realism in the screenshot above. The FedEx livery comes from « Liveries Mega Pack Manager ».

Puerto Vallarta with MFS 2020 and improved scenery by John Lovell

The Icon A5 Kingfisher is seen flying along the Puerto Vallarta coast in Mexico. The scenery was hugely improved by John Lovell and is available through Flightsim.to. But it will require 5 GiG on your hard disk!

The Burbank Bob Hope (KBUR) modelized by Orbx on the flight simulator MFS 2020.

The picture above shows a small part of the Burbank Bob Hope airport (KBUR) modelized by Orbx. The screen capture was taken with the X-Box drone. This drone is a fantastic addition to what is now available to flight simulation enthousiasts when comes the time to bring back souvenirs from a flight.

Heading to Iqaluit with the flight simulator MFS 2020.

Enroute to Iqaluit (CYFB), the jet just got out of the cloud deck and some rime icing is still visible on the nose and the wing’s leading edge. That evening, there was a sigmet reporting high level turbulence and it is exactly what I experienced during the flight, using REX Weather Force 2020 as a weather engine.

I’ll be back with more flight simulation screen captures soon. Meanwhile, have a good virtual flight!

Click on the following link for virtual flight simulation pictures on my blog.

Tags FedEx, flight simulation, flight simulator, France, MFS 2020, Microsoft flight simulator 2020, MSFS2020, ORBX, screen captures, virtual airport, virtual flight, virtual scenery

Flight Simulation

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Post author By Stanley
Post date 15 March 2021

The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is an extremely interesting product. Microsoft is taking advantage of the satellite imagery offered by Bing, which allows the flight simulation enthusiast to fly over the world almost like in the real life. With the addition of live weather and air traffic in real time, the immersion is incredible.

Flying over New York in the evening with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

To download the game’s 128 gigabytes using my current internet plan, it took fourteen hours. I still remember when I bought a hard drive that could hold 30 megabytes of data: it was a computer revolution!

Of course, the game requires an adaptation. We are far from the old FSX platform. It goes without saying that you need a high-performance computer. But a new and very positive aspect of this simulator is that you can now use an X-Box controller as an in-flight camera, with the addition of a rudder and a steering wheel for more reality. This camera offers incredible possibilities and the additional X-Box controller becomes essential.

The Zlin Savage Cub flying over the United States using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

As with anything new, there are some glitches. Personally, I have been using the CH company products for flight simulation for many years and the new MSFS 2020 has had problems recognizing the functions of CH products. Many virtual flight enthousiasts have had the same problems. So here are the links below that allowed a neophyte like me to solve the problems.

A first video of interest is also available. Its author uses a slightly different method, but it is super easy to understand and allows you to acquire additional knowledge if you want to map your CH rudder and control column correctly.

A second video gives you access to the CH company products. There you will find the links that allow you to print a representation of your CH flight controls. This will allow you to find which number is associated with a specific command control. You can then remap the controls to your taste and keep a record of all the modifications you made.

Here are two other practical links for answers to various questions about X-Box and other subjects and CH products.

Aerial view of Quebec City using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

In the screenshot above, you might recognize Quebec City, with the restaurant Le Concorde in the distance on the left, followed by the Edifice Marie-Guyart, a part of the Plains of Abraham, the Château Frontenac, the Price building and the lower town.

Have a good flight!

Click on the link for other flight simulation virtual pictures on my blog.

Tags air traffic, CH flight controls, Château Frontenac, flight simulation, flight simulator, Japan, mapping CH products, Microsoft flight simulator 2020, MSFS, MSFS2020, New York, Quebec City, screen captures, United States, virtual flight, virtual pilot, X-Box

Flight Simulation

Third update of the orbx freeware and payware virtual airport list.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 26 May 2019

The third edition of the Orbx freeware and payware virtual airports, dated May 26 2019 is in the downloadable file below (the link in green). The list is not completed yet, but there is constant progress.

The information in the PDF file is in colour. The airport in black is part of the global pack freeware. The airport in green is a freeware that is not part of the global pack. The airport in blue is a payware airport.

When a runway is in orange, it means that the length of the runway is 2000 ft or below, and/or the width is 60 ft or below. The water aerodrome are defined by the word “water” in blue. Finally, the elevation of the airport is in red at the end of the runway details.

Third edition of the Orbx freeware and payware airport list. (2)

Tags flight simulation, flight simulator, free download, ORBX, virtual airport, virtual flight

Flight Simulation

freeware and payware list of orbx virtual airports.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 22 May 2019

My second edition of the Orbx freeware and payware virtual airports, dated May 19 2019 is in the downloadable file below (the link in green). The list is not completed yet.

Second edition of the Orbx freeware and payware airports.

Tags flight simulation, flight simulator, free download, ORBX, virtual airport, virtual flight

Aviation art Flight Simulation

Flight simulation : three screen captures.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 29 March 2019

The virtual sceneries shown below were used for flight simulation exercises. They are all available online, for sale or free, at ORBX ( https://orbxdirect.com/ ).

Piper Pacer approaching the dock at Robert's Lake in Ontario, Canada. — Piper Pacer approaching the dock at Robert’s Lake in Ontario, Canada.

In the scenery above, the red Piper Pacer, which is made by Lionheart Creations Ltd ( http://www.lionheartcreations.com/ ), arrives at a Pier at Robert’s Lake, in Canada. This lake was modelized jointly with the Parry Sound (CNK4) virtual scenery.

Virtual Cessna C188B Agtruck near Claresholm Industrial Park in Alberta, Canada.

In the picture above, a virtual Cessna C188B Agtruck created by the Alabeo company ( https://www.alabeo.com/sitealabeo/ ) is parked near the Claresholm Industrial Park (CEJ4), in Canada. The virtual airport is available for free download at ORBX. Who said that nothing in life is free?!

A virtual UH-60L Black Hawk belonging to the Columbian Police Force is hovering in the jungle.

Above, a UH-60L Black Hawk virtual helicopter created by the Cerasim company ( https://www.cerasimaircraft.com/ ) is flying over the Papua New Guinea territory. It should normally be hovering over Columbia, but the ORBX company has not yet developed very well defined airports for that country. It was more interesting to fly over an area that was already well modelized.

The three screen captures were slightly digitally improved following each virtual flight. The FSX flight simulation platform, although still interesting, is getting a bit old. The original screen captures often benefit from additional digital processing, especially when it comes to posting for the international contest held monthly by the ORBX company.

Tags flight simulation, free download, FSX, helicopter, ORBX, Parry Sound virtual airport, screen captures, virtual airplane, virtual flight, virtual pilot, virtual scenery

Flight Simulation

The treacherous Launumu short sloped runway in Papua New Guinea.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 10 July 2018

An Air Saguenay DHC-3 Otter has made it from Québec to Kokoda, in Papua New Guinea. It is expected to work around the remote mountain airfields for a while.

The Air Saguenay Otter is taxiing for the Kokoda runway towards Launumu in Papua New Guinea.

Today, the Otter heads for Launumu, a mountain airfield that is at an elevation of 5082 ft asl and 1200 feet long.

The Air Saguenay Otter departing Kokoda.

The pilot has to watch for the birds in order to avoid any collision in flight…

Following the Kokoda trail is a good way to reach Launumu.

The Otter in the Papua New Guinea mountains, following the Kokoda Trail.

If the mixture is not adjusted, the Otter will lose a lot of steam trying to climb up to 7,500 feet to cross the first line of mountains.

Inside the Otter cockpit, with the mixture adjusted.

Anybody landing and departing from Launumu deals with high density altitude. This is not only due to the elevation of the airfield but also to the very warm and moist air present in the region. Consequently, some additional airspeed is required on the approach and on the departure.

When a pilot lands southwestward in Launumu coming from Kokoda, he must dive in a valley to lose altitude, which will increase the aircraft’s airspeed. The Launumu runway is in sight.

If the airspeed is not promptly corrected, the approach to the Launumu runway will be too fast. Any airspeed above 60 knots forces the pilot to overshoot (unless you are ready to virtually die a few times while trying).

Losing altitude while respecting the flaps speed limit.

So, once the higher mountains are crossed, a good way of losing altitude without gaining airspeed is to use flaps (at the corresponding airspeed) and do a tight 360 degree coordinated turn while descending. That way, the pilot will end up in line with the runway and at the speed you want, which is around 50 knots.

Turning and descending in the valley during an approach for Launumu.

The Otter floats endlessly because of its huge wings.

The Air Saguenay Otter is on approach for the Launumu short runway in Papua New Guinea.

On final for Launumu, the pilot might end up having to deal with the bushes that are close to the runway. It is not unusual for the Otter or the Beaver to complete a difficult approach with bushes wrapped around the landing gear.

A Air Saguenay Otter is on final for the Launumu mountain runway.

A Otter aircraft is arriving on the Launumu high altitude runway.

Launumu has a surprise for the newcomers. If the pilot lands southwestward, like it was just done here, and the aircraft is not stopped within approximately 600 feet, it starts accelerating since there is a pronounced slope downward in the second half of the runway. This slope leads to a cliff. In case of a missed approach, the pilot can use the slope downwards and dive in the valley at the end of the runway to build up airspeed and start a new approach.

Now that the hard work is done, it is time to wait for the passengers and cargo, and plan the next leg…

A Otter aircraft is backtracking the Launumu runway after landing.

A Otter aircraft is parked on the Launumu runway in Papua New Guinea.

The virtual scenery and clouds required softwares like REX, REX Texture Direct, Cumulus X, FTX Global, FTX Global Vector and Pilot’s FS Global 2010.

Flight Simulation

A radical way of dealing with crosswinds in flight simulation.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 11 April 2018

There is no aircraft in the sky around the Port Moresby Jacksons (AYPY) virtual airport today. No aircraft in the sky but one, a medevac flight.

Arrival of the Medevac towards the Port Moresby Jacksons (AYPY) airport. The winds forbid a normal landing.

The winds blow from 240 degree at 50G60 kts and the runways are oriented 14/32. It is way above the maximum crosswind authorized for any aircraft.

But the Shrike Commander’s crew cannot wait until the wind calms down. They must land in the next few minutes in order to save a patient’s life.

The Port Moresby Jacksons (AYPY) is in sight in the center top of the screen capture.

As there is no traffic around, the captain has told ATC he intends to do a safe, efficient but non-standard approach.

The aircraft is gradually positioned to arrive in a straight line for the AYPY hangar.

The aircraft aligns itself to face the wind blowing across the runways.

Arriving straight across the runways, facing the wind, the crew intends to land the aircraft a few feet short of a hangar. The captain requests that someone opens the hangar doors right away. The captain will terminate the approach in the hangar, protected from the wind.

Trajectory of the Shrike Commander 500S towards the hangar at the Port Moresby Jacksons airport. The hangar door has been open for the arrival.

It is safer to arrive facing the wind and immediately enter the hangar, straight ahead. No taxiing with a 60 knots crosswind.

Useless to say, ATC has already refused the request. But the pilot is the only one who decides of the best landing surface, for the safety of the passengers and himself. He proceeds with the approach after having clearly indicated which path will be followed.

The Shrike Commander 500S over the houses near the Port Moresby Jacksons airport.

The main problem for the approach is the low level mechanical turbulence caused by the gusty 60 kts winds.

If ATC wants to file a complaint, now is a good time to take a picture of the aircraft and its registration to support the case.

The actual ground speed of the airplane is around 20 kts.

The Shrike Commander 500S approaching across the runways at the Port Moresby Jacksons airport. The winds blow from 240 degree at 50G60.

The steady high wind speed is actually safer for the crew than if the winds were 240 at 35G60.

Ground speed of about 20 knots for the Shrike Commander 500S on final for the Port Moresby Jacksons hangar (AYPY).

Still a bit above the runway and with a 10-20 knots ground speed. The airspeed indicator shows the strength of the wind itself plus the ground speed.

Frontal view of the Shrike Commander 500S about to land in front of the hangar at AYPY.

Floating like a hot air balloon or almost!

Side view of the Shrike Commander 500S on final for the Port Moresby Jacksons airport's hangar. — Side view of the Shrike Commander 500S on final for the Port Moresby Jacksons airport’s hangar.

The Shrike Commander will soon land in Port Moresby Jacksons.

As the aircraft touches the ground, it stops almost immediately. It is necessary to apply power to reach the hangar, as you can see with the white trail on the ground behind the aircraft.

In real life, the touch-down would have had to be as soon as the asphalt start since the presence of the hangar lowers the wind speed a bit.

The Shrike Commander lands a few feet before the hangar. Additional power is mandatory to reach the hangar.

A few seconds after the touch-down, the aircraft is in the hangar, protected from the wind, and both doctor and patient can quickly head out to the hospital.

The Shrike Commander 500S in the hangar at Port Moresby (AYPY).

Once in the hangar, the winds were adjusted to zero, which is kind of logical, unless the opposite wall is missing!

View of the Port Moresby Jacksons (AYPY)

It was now time to brace for another storm, which was the inquiry that would possibly follow the landing!

(P.S.: Tim Harris and Ken Hall were the creators of this virtual Port Moresby Jacksons international airport) and it is sold by ORBX. The aircraft is sold by Carenado).

Flight Simulation

Limberlost Ranch (CA21) and the Twin Otter C-FPOG

Post author By Stanley
Post date 16 February 2018

The virtual flight below was made with the FSX flight simulation platform. The last time I flew at Limberlost Ranch, I used a Cessna C-207 ( The Cessna C-207 in Limberlost Ranch ).

This time, I tried the sloped and laterally uneven runway with a Twin Otter. This one is painted with the real colours of the Province of Ontario Ministry of natural resources (C-FOPG). The only problem I expected was regarding the larger wings of the Twin Otter once close to the hangar.

On final for the Limberlost Ranch runway

Twin Otter C-FOPG approaching the Limberlost Ranch short runway

Finally, everything went well. The only difficulty was to manoeuver near the hangar to reposition the aircraft for take-off. With several ajustments to the propeller’s pitch, I was eventually able to turn around.

Arrival at Limberlost Ranch of the Twin Otter C-FOPG

Virtual aircraft belonging to the Ontario provincial government turning around on the Limberlost Ranch runway.

Since the fence is low enough, it is not a problem for the aircraft’s wings.

Virtual aircraft C-FOPG rolling on the Limberlost Ranch (CA21) runway.

Near the grass runway’s threshold are a few tall trees that require, for safety measures, a slight banking. Just in case…

Twin Otter aircraft leaving Limberlost Ranch (CA21)

Limberlost Ranch is a fun challenge. It is part of a package called Blue-Canyon Nyack and sold by Orbx ( https://orbxdirect.com/product/kblu). If this is not challenging enough for the flight simulation buff, it is always possible to add strong direct crosswinds and that should do it!

For other virtual flights, click here: Virtual flights

Tags C-FOPG, CA21, challenging virtual flights, flight simulation, flight simulator, FSX, Limberlost Ranch, mountain airfield, short landing, sloped runway, Twin Otter, virtual flight

Flight Simulation

The Martinair Cargo MD-11 on a virtual VFR approach in Innsbruck

Post author By Stanley
Post date 21 December 2017

Manually flying a huge aircraft like the MD-11F to make a virtual landing in Innsbruck surely will be fun for most flight simulation enthusiasts. Since the Innsbruck airport and its surroundings have been redesigned under ORBX Innsbruck, the immersion feeling is total. The landscape is absolutely fantastic.

A virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F is airborne from runway 26 at the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)

Start by taking-off from runway 08. Anybody standing near the fence at the end of the runway will feel the blast. Then, gain enough altitude to be able to do a 180 degree turn to realign the aircraft for runway 26.

A PMDG MD-11F preparing for a visual approach runway 08 at Innsbruck

Make sure to activate the “air turbulence” option on your virtual weather engine, since an approach near the mountains in Innsbruck generates enough turbulence to make your approach more difficult. The pilot must also, for this exercise, deal with the actual winds even if they do not favor runway 26.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F approaching the Innsbruck airport (LOWI)

The flaps must be adjusted to 50 degrees for the MD-11F. Insure that the “Autopilot” function is set at “OFF”. The intensity of the automatic breaking is chosen according to the actual winds, the aircraft’s cargo load and the altitude of the airport. The margin of manoeuver with regards to the approach speed is not very large. I tried to maintain 150 kts.

A virtual PMDG MD-11F with full flaps (50 degrees) on final for runway 08 in Innsbruck

The Innsbruck runway is 2000 meters long. There is not much leeway for the MD-11F.

Virtual PMDG MD-11F arriving for runway 08 at Innsbruck

Virtual PMDG MD-11F breaking runway 08 in Innsbruck

Once on the ground, you must continue until the end of runway 26 in order to do a 180 degree turn. There is just enough space for the MD-11F.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F backtracking runway 08 at Innsbruck

As you can see in the image below, looking at the windsock, the landing was made with a good tailwind.

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F exiting the runway at Innsbruck

The airport is superbly represented and a parking space is already reserved for bigger aircrafts. Employees are waiting for your arrival.

Innsbruck virtual airport and the Martinair Cargo MD-11F

PMDG virtual MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport in Austria

Virtual Martinair Cargo MD-11F parked at the Innsbruck airport

You can try landing with any other big carrier if you do not already own a PMDG virtual MD-11. If you would like to acquire this aircraft, you will realize that it is no longer offered by PMDG, at least for now. Try to put some pressure on the company so that they restart offering the aircraft on which they have put in so much effort. A message on their Facebook site should show your interest: PMDG

If you would like to see an exceptional two hour aviation video on a real flight that lasted ten days across the world, there is none better than the one made by PilotsEYE.tv: Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F in Quito

PilotsEye DVD on a ten day worldwide trip with a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F

You witness part of the crew’s planning for a landing on the old Quito runway, in Ecuador. The airport’s altitude is so high that the MD-11F margin of manoeuver is extremely limited. Make sure to own a player that can decode European videos.

Have a good flight!