Tag: virtual scenery

Flight simulation: Homer (PAHO) ice runway with a DC-3 on skis, under FSX

Post author By Stanley
Post date 13 April 2016

DC-3 at the Homer (PAHO) virtual airport in Alaska (FSX)

If you feel like attempting a virtual landing on an ice runway, an opportunity is offered by ORBX through their Homer (PAHO), Alaska virtual airport. For the flight, I used the FSX platform but it could have been also done under P3D.

DC-3 on skis airborne from the Homer (PAHO) virtual airport in Alaska (FSX)

The ice runway is just a short distance away from the regular Homer asphalted runway. The DC-3 is an excellent aircraft for the task since its approach speed is very low and it is one of the few virtual aircrafts equipped with skis.

A DC-3 on skis is turning final for the Homer ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

If you want to try that flight, make sure to adjust the flight simulator configuration settings so that the Homer ice runway option is activated, otherwise you’ll end up under water…

In order to add a bit of challenge as well as winter realism, you can add a bit of crosswinds or some snow using the standard « heavy snow » option in FSX. The program PrecipitFX helps a lot if you are looking for a better definition of precipitations, be it snow or rain. For this flight, the Cumulus X program was also activated.

Cockpit view of a virtual DC-3 on final for the Homer (PAHO) ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

Virtual DC-3 on skis on short final for the Homer (PAHO) ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

Virtual DC-3 on skis about to touch the threshold of the Homer ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

The short flight proved to be an interesting experience, since the runway was narrow and there were some crosswinds. I thought that it would be very slippery but it was not the case. Maybe one day Orbx, in association with the FSX Steam (Dovetail Games) professionals, will work at modifying the flight simulation platform and add a CRFI (JBI) index of .40 or less to increase the difficulty in slowing down and controlling the virtual aircraft?

A DC-3 on skis flying few feet over the Homer (PAHO) (FSX) ice runway, a product of the ORBX company

A virtuel DC-3 on skis after a landing on the Homer (PAHO) ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

A DC-3 virtual on skis backtracking the Homer (PAHO) ice runway in Alaska (FSX)

As this flight is not a super though exercise, I have placed it in the “standard virtual flights”, in the flight simulation section of my website. For more of those flights, click on the following link: Other standard virtual flights

Have fun trying this one! Later on, I’ll present another ice runway located on Antarctica, which virtual scenery was made by Aerosoft. Even the C-17 Globemaster III is approved there…

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation : St.Barths (TFFJ) with the Aerosoft Twin Otter in FSX

Post author By Stanley
Post date 1 February 2016

Well, let’s start with a real life video showing that there is no margin for error when landing in St.Barths :

In that video, you can clearly see that the speed on the approach seemed excessive and the aircraft floated precious seconds over the runway. Very soon, there wasn’t enough runway left to stop the aircraft safely. So the trick is to use a reasonable approach speed and be ready to do a missed approach if the wheels do not touch early on the runway.

40014 Runway in sight at St Barths TFFJ on the left and in the middle of the island (FSX)

40015 A Solomons Twin Otter is on final for runway 10 at St Barths TFFJ (FSX)

An approach with a virtual aircraft of your choice can be done in St.Barths (TFFJ) since FlyTampa St Maarten scenery includes that airport. I tried a circuit with the Aerosoft Twin Otter, under FSX, and it went very well, since this aircraft can fly at a very low speed and can break on a dime. It might have been a different story with the same aircraft that pilot was flying in the video…

Cessna 208B N208SG landing at Saint Barthelemy Airport, Guadeloupe (on aviation postcard)

40016 The Twin Otter is now on short final for runway 10 in St Barths TFFJ (FSX)

40017 The Twin Otter lands on the threshold of runway 10 at St Barths TFFJ (FSX)

For your information, the St.Barths 10-28 runway is 2133 ft long. For the landing, the winds where blowing from 031/10G20, which provides for a good crosswind. The biggest aircraft to have landed in St Barthélémy is a Canadian built de Havilland DHC-7.

40021 A bit of sand is blown on tourists in St Barths TFFJ (FSX)

40022 A Solomons Twin Otter leaves the runway at St Barths TFFJ (FSX)

Good luck and have fun trying out that virtual flight!

There are other challenging virtual flights in my website.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Tags Aerosoft, challenging virtual flights, flight simulation, Fly Tampa St Maarten, FSX, St.Barths, St.Barths virtual airport, TFFJ, Twin Otter, virtual aircraft, virtual flight, virtual scenery

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation : Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, the shortest commercial runway in the world (FSX)

Post author By Stanley
Post date 9 January 2016

One nice challenging virtual flight in FSX is to operate from the Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, the shortest commercial runway in the world.

The runway is 1299 ft long (396m) and 60 ft (18m) above sea level. The IATA code is SAB, and the ICAO code TNCS.

30314 A Twin Otter aircraft is on long final for Saba (FSX)

30315 A Twin Otter aircraft is on short final for Saba (FSX)

The ideal virtual aircraft for that runway is the Twin Otter (DHC-6) or the Britten Islander (BN-2). If you want something bigger, the De Havilland DHC-7 is going to be your perfect choice. Forget about jet aircrafts, the runway is too short.

30316 A last correction for the wind in Saba (FSX)

To add to the pleasure, use runway 30 and add a strong crosswind component, with gusts. In the screen captures below, I set the winds to 030 degrees at 10G20. For the flight, I also used Cumulus X and PrecipitFX to improve the visual effects.

30317 A Twin Otter aircraft is arriving in Saba (FSX)

30320 A Royal Tongan Twin Otter aircraft is leaving the runway in Saba (FSX)

For an even more realistic experience, I suggest you get the FlyTampa St.Maarten scenery, which will offer you three airports, which are all very well designed and present real challenging approaches : the Juancho E. Yrausquin airport, on Saba Island,the spectacular St.Barths airport and the Princess Juliana international airport in St.Maarten.

In the « challenging virtual flights » section of my website, I have already included an approach to Princess Juliana airport in St.Maarten, with the MD-11. The approach to St.Barths (TFFJ) will soon be included.

You will enjoy every minute trying to make perfect landings at those three airports. For other challenging virtual flights, visit the flight simulation page of my website.

Have fun!

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Tags aviation, challenging virtual flights, Cumulus x, flight simulation, Fly Tampa, FSX, Juancho E. Yrausquin virtual airport, PrecipitFX, runway, Saba Island, short runway, St Maarten, TNCS, virtual aircraft, virtual flight, virtual scenery

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation : Lukla, the most dangerous airport in the world (FSX)

Post author By Stanley
Post date 24 December 2015

If you are looking for a challenging virtual flight, why don’t you try the route Syangboche –Lukla with the Aerosoft Twin Otter? It is a very short flight, few minutes only, where the aircraft will be constantly descending until its destination.

A Twin Otter aircraft is on descent from Syangboche towards the Lukla runway

A Twin Otter aircraft is on approach for runway 06 at Lukla

The approach in Lukla can be tricky due to a 12 degree sloping runway. You have a feeling of coming in too quickly, but you must resist the temptation to reduce speed since, at this altitude, the stalling speed increases with all aircrafts.

Runway 06 is used for landing, and 24 is for departures. There is no possibility of a missed approach. You either succeed or you crash since there is a high rock wall at the end of runway 06.

A Twin Otter aircraft is on final for runway 06 at Lukla

A Twin Otter is about to land on runway 06 in Lukla

So the flight is made from Syangboche (OACI code:VNSB, altitude : 3748m and a 400m runway) towards Lukla (OACI code:VNLK, altitude 2860m and a 460m runway).

A Twin Otter aircraft is landing on runway 06 in Lukla

The scenery and objects around Syangboche are a creation of ORBX. Once you get closer to Lukla, you will notice a change in the scenery details, since you are entering the Aerosoft Lukla scenery (you have to buy this additional scenery to make the flight more realistic).

A Twin Otter aircraft has just landed on the runway at Lukla

A Twin Otter aircraft exits the runway in Lukla

The integration of the two scenery styles is very well achieved.

This flight will require all your attention. Good luck! For other challenging virtual flights, visit my website.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Tags Aerosoft, aircraft, airplane crash, challenging virtual flights, DHC-6, flight, flight simulation, FSX, Lukla, Lukla virtual airport, ORBX, sloped runway, Syangboche, Twin Otter, virtual flight, virtual scenery, VNLK, VNSB

Screen captures

Flight simulation: a CP Air B-737 is approaching the Juneau virtual airport in Alaska

Post author By Stanley
Post date 16 December 2015

CP Air B-737 on approach for the Juneau airport in Alaska

Here is a slightly modified screen capture showing a CP Air B-737 in a virtual flight towards the Juneau runway in Alaska. The Boeing is a creation of the Captain Sim company and the scenery is the result of the hard work of the ORBX pros.The meteorological system is a combination of three elements: Cumulus X, the “Heavy snowstorm” selection in FSX and the improvements to snow appearance obtained through PrecipitFX.

Tags aircraft, Alaska, aviation, B-737, Boeing 737, Captain Sim, CP Air, Cumulus x, flight simulation, FSX, Juneau, Juneau virtual airport, ORBX, PrecipitFX, screen captures, virtual flight, virtual scenery

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation: just in time for a BBQ in Bear Gulch

Post author By Stanley
Post date 18 April 2015

Hi,

I’ve just added a new VFR flight in the “flight simulation” section, under “standard virtual flights”. An Alabeo WACO takes off from Cushman Meadows, heads south-east towards the Skokomish Reservation, then flies over the Bremerton airport to the north-east and ends up landing at the Bear Gulch aerodrome, just in time for a BBQ. This was done using FSX. The first part of the cross country is for a starting virtual pilot but the last part requires a bit more experience.

Waco on short final for Bear Gulch WA38 (fsx)

It is a more demanding experience than what is normally found in the “standard flights” section, since it involves a final landing at Bear Gulch. The runway at that airport is only 1411 ft long, and quite narrow. So you have to plan your approach carefully. A little wooden bridge is part of the runway! Since the flight is done in nice VFR conditions and does not involve engine failures or using a really fast aircraft arriving on a short runway, I decided that the “standard virtual flights” section was more appropriate. Still, it is not an easy approach.

A Texaco WACO aircraft is taxiing on a wooden bridge at Bear Gulch, WA38

A Waco aircraft belonging to Texaco is taxiing in Bear Gulch, WA38

Cushman Meadows (KCMW) and the Bear Gulch (WA38) runways do not exist in real life but am I ever glad Bill Womack took the time to create them. His site can be found under Iblueyonder. The screen captures show both airports and the PNW region sold by ORBX. If you want nice shadows on the ground while not using P3D, just get CumulusX and set the season to summer, with scattered clouds in mid afternoon.

A Waco aircraft with a tractor in the foreground is parked at Bear Gulch, WA38

Some guests have already arrived in Bear Gulch. You will see the smoke rising from the BBQ being prepared while you are on short final. The guests will certainly be taking pictures of your approach, as you are flying a vintage aircraft. So, if there was ever a time to do things correctly, now it is!

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Have fun!

Tags Alabeo, approach, Bear Gulch virtual airport, Bill Womack, Cumulus x, Cushman Meadows, flight simulation, FSX, KCMW, ORBX, runway, screen captures, standard virtual flights, VFR flight, virtual flight, virtual scenery, WA38

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation: gliding with the DG-808S over Canadian lakes and forests.

Post author By Stanley
Post date 28 March 2015

The link is finally cut between the plane and the DG-808S glider (fsx)

In the « flight simulation » section, under « challenging virtual flights », you will soon find screen captures representing the DG-808S glider built by DG Flugzeugbau. The flight departed from the Parry Sound airport (CNK4) in Ontario. The scenery has been created by Vlad Maly, from ORBX.

A DG-808S glider in flight with birds (fsx)

The command CTRL+SHFT+Y will allow an aircraft to appear and a cable to be installed between the aircraft and the glider. It is more demanding to do gliding operations in the Parry Sound region because if the pilot gets far enough from the airport, he leaves behing many options to help him land easily in case of difficulties. There are not many fields or roads. There are mostly lakes and forests. The view is interesting, but you fly with the feeling that there is really no plan B. If the glider must go down, chances are it will find itself either in water or on the top of trees.

Glider DG-808S turning base for the Parry Sound airport (fsx)

Glider DG-808S over Robert's Lake (fsx) — Glider DG-808S over Robert’s Lake (fsx)

The DG-808S can reach a speed up to 146 kT and has a gliding ratio of 5o :1. It is a high performance glider. It can carry up to 343 pounds of water to be used as ballast. In real life, the pilot uses the necessary amount of water according to the prevailing weather conditions. If there are weak thermals, the glider will easily operate without water. If there are strong thermals, it carries the maximum amount of water in its wings to add sufficient weight.

DG-808S sailplane on short final for runway 35 in Parry Sound (fsx)

Glider DG-808S over threshold 35 Parry Sound (fsx)

The flight was made using CumulusX and FSX. On final for runway 35, you will have the opportunity to fly at low altitude over Robert’s Lake and admire all the small details created to make the scenery more realistic.

A DG-808S sailplane and the Canadian flag in Parry Sound, Ontario (fsx)

End of a DG-808S glider flight in Parry Sound, Ontario (fsx)

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Good luck and have fun!

Tags airport, challenging virtual flights, CNK4, Cumulus x, DG Flugzeugbau, DG-808S, FSX, glider, Ontario, ORBX, Parry Sound virtual airport, pilot, Robert's Lake, virtual flight, virtual scenery, Vlad Maly

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation: why not try a flight between two helipads located high in the Alps?

Post author By Stanley
Post date 15 March 2015

R66 helicopter on the Refuge du Requin helipad in the Alps (DZRR) FSX

In the “flight simulation” section, under “challenging virtual flights”, I have added screen captures (also visible here for now) that show a flight that can be quite demanding and which consists of doing a VFR ride with an helicopter between two helipads situated high in the Alps. The flight is made using FSX. In real weather conditions, the winds can really complicate things when you are on short final for your destination.

R66 helicopter airborne from the Refuge du Requin (DZRR) FSX

R66 helicopter approaching the Refuge de l'Argentière DZRA FSX — R66 helicopter approaching the Refuge de l’Argentière DZRA FSX

For this exercice, the ALABEO R66 has been chosen. You could add another degree of difficulty by using a DODOSIM helicopter. The helipads are made by LLH Créations. The virtual flight that you can see in the screen captures set above shows a takeoff from the Refuge du Requin sur la Mer de glace (DZRR), which is at an altitude of 2510 meters, towards the Refuge de l’Argentière (DZRA), located at 2778 meters MSL. Two other mountain chalets could have been chosen: Chamonix (DZ des Bois , DZDB), at 1075 meters, and Promontoire (DZPR), near the Alpe d’Huez mountain airfield and Grenoble airport, at 3055 mètres in the mountains.

R66 on final for the Refuge de l'Argentière helipad DZRA FSX — R66 on final for the Refuge de l’Argentière helipad DZRA FSX

Before doing a flight, you can select one of the following three options: winter, summer and photographic scenery. The documents provided help you out with the best settings as to the autogen, the complexity, the resolution, etc.

R66 helicopter on the Refuge de l'Argentière helipad DZRA FSX — R66 helicopter on the Refuge de l’Argentière helipad DZRA FSX

R66 on the roof of the Refuge de l'Argentière DZRA FSX — R66 on the roof of the Refuge de l’Argentière DZRA FSX

I am convinced that you will enjoy the experience. By using real weather, each flight becomes an adventure. With moderate winds, on an approach to the Refuge de l’Argentière, you will realize that there is not much margin of manoeuver!

Have a good flight!

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Flight Simulation

Flight simulation: Parry Sound (CNK4) to Toronto Billy Bishop (CYTZ)

Post author By Stanley
Post date 26 February 2015

Flying over Toronto downtown shortly before the landing in Toronto Island (CYTZ)

I recently added, in the standard virtual flight section, a flight leaving Parry Sound for Toronto Billy Bishop.Here is an opportunity to learn a bit more about the Great Lakes region in Ontario. The Parry Sound airport, from ORBX, is a first creation by Vlad Maly for this province. The runway length is 4000 feet. Just beside the airport, there is a lake, Robert’s Lake (CRL8), with many cottages, floatplanes and sailboats that are visible when you select the appropriate season. The lake also offers 4000 feet for takeoffs and landings.

The actual flight has been made while the clouds were low enough that the flying altitude forbid the adequate reception of the Toronto Island (Billy Bishop) NDB (257khz) in the first half of the flight. A touch-and-go was made at Toronto International (CYYZ). MyTraffic2013 provided the airport with many AI aircrafts. Once over downtown Toronto, it was now time for Pilot’s FS Global 2010 to automatically install a maximum of buildings, for more realism.

On final for the Toronto Billy Bishop (Toronto Island) airport (CYTZ)

Landing at CYTZ with the CN tower in the background (FSX)

Finally, theToronto Billy Bishop (formerly Toronto Island) was modified by ORBX in order to make it more interesting and alive. You will thus find, on arrival, some staff to take care of the refueling process. Somes vehicules have also been added. Naturally, MyTraffic2013 took charge of AI aircrafts as CYTZ is quite a busy airport and needs some air traffic to enhance the realism.

Time to refuel at Toronto Billy Bishop (CYTZ)

I wish you a good flight, if you wish to try it out. I would suggest though, for a more interesting experience, that you install ORBX FTX Global Vector on your computer, as the Microsoft Flight Simulator (FSX)software does not do a good job when it comes to representing the Great Lakes area. ORBX Open LC for North America further improves the flying experience.

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Tags Canada, CYTZ, flight simulation, FSX, FTX Global Vector, Great Lakes, MyTraffic 2013, Ontario, Open LC North America, ORBX, Parry Sound virtual airport, Pilot's FS Global 2010, Robert's Lake, standard virtual flights, virtual airport, virtual flight, virtual scenery, Vlad Maly, White Digital Simulations

Screen captures

A KLM MD-11 and the spectacular approach of St Maarten (TNCM)

Post author By Stanley
Post date 1 February 2015

Soon, a special flight will be added to the “flight simulation” section, under “challenging virtual flights”. A KLM MD-11 is doing a passenger flight between Palm Springs (KPSP)and the St Maarten (TNCM) airport, using FSX and Cumulus X, as well as Orbx Vector and Global. St Maarten is known for its spectacular approach over a beach loaded with tourists and many videos are available on You tube for those of you who would be interested.

The Palm Springs airport is an Orbx creation and the virtual St Maarten is designed by Fly Tampa. The virtual MD-11 comes from PMDG. I chose to do a virtual passenger flight with the KLM MD-11 to emphasize the termination, on October 26 2014, of this type of aircraft for carrying passengers. KLM was the last company to use a MD-11 for that type of transport and the last flights were made from Toronto and Montreal to Amsterdam Schipol durant last October. Thanks to flight simulation, virtual pilots will always have the opportunity to fly this exceptional aircraft.

Tags Cumulus x, flight simulation, Fly Tampa, FSX, MD-11, ORBX, Palm Springs virtual airport, PMDG, screen captures, St Maarten virtual airport, TNCM, virtual scenery