PIREP Leg 20: Campo Arenal (SA11) to Santiago (SCEL)

[Andrew Godden 934]

After disembarking my pax of itinerant mine workers at Campo Arenal (SA11), I have to ferry the B200 'King Air' to Tucuman (SANT).  Apparently it has been chartered by yet another mining company for tomorrow morning.  In the meantime, I already had work lined up out of Tucuman.  This wasn't going to be a flash job by any stretch of the imagination, but it was the flying that made it so interesting because it is so challenging - 'hot and high'.

 

Departing straight out, it was a quick climb to clear the Aconquija Mountains  before descending down into the valley known as the Chaco-Pampean flats and the city of San Miguel de Tucuman.

 

 

 

 

 

Established on finals, the landing and roll out were effortless, with a short taxi to parking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having secured and handed over the B200, I headed off to quickly check in with the freight company I was flying this job for tomorrow before heading into town and my hotel.  A night of relaxing and maybe I might get lucky with something 'hot and high'.

 

 

The next morning, and feeling a little worse for wear (but that's a story for another time), I was greeted at the airport by the glory of a magnificent dawn.  My thoughts quickly turned to my little mate, Brian, back in Drumnadrochit, Scotland, who never could really understand what all the 'glory' was.  Anyway, I would have more time to enjoy this from the air.  This was a 'milk run' flight, cargo to be specific, and isn't it amazing how, over the centuries, the concepts and practices remain, it's just the method and means which change.  My means for this job is a Cessna 337 'Skymaster'.  The 'run' takes me from Tucuman (SANT) and basically follows the mountain range down to Mendoza (SAME), near the famous Uspallata Pass, before crossing the Andes into Chile and Santiago (SCEL).  With stops at Santiago del Estero (SANE), Catamarca (SANC), La Rioja (SANL), Chilecito (SANO), and San Juan (SANU), the flight will certainly keep me busy.

 

The departure from SANT and en route to SANE.  There are a few more cycles to come before this day is out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In and out of SANE and it was then over the ridge line and down into the valley for SANC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On downwind and finals for SANC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up, and not before long, it was SANL, one of the larger airports on the run.

 

 

 

 

In keeping with the common theme, up, up, over another ridge line and in and out of SANO.

 

 

 

 

 

The weather had closed in at SANO, but the 'mail must get through'.

 

 

 

After a few more mountains it was on downwind and finals for SANU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final stop in Argentina, SAME, downwind, and the local constabulary waiting at parking always sets my nerves on edge.

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the climb, climb, climb.  Going through the Uspallata Pass was an option, but I so much enjoy altitude.

 

 

 

From here it is all down hill and with one last hurdle, it was into SCEL and the end of this leg, finally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And so here I end am in Santiago (SCEL), Chile after having flown extensively throughout South America. On! On!

 

Cheers

Andrew

 

[jaydor 345]

That's the good news you arrived safe, but I have still got the baton in Campo Arenal?

 

So get back up here Oz Nog..    :D          

[GHAO 0]

Fantastic scenery... and that Skymaster looks superb. Gimme gimme! Looking forward to the next Section of ATWC now.

[ddavid 149]

Thanks for an interesting narrative and comprehensive set of screen shots, Andrew. I could feel the tension building as you neared the end of the South American ATWC section.

Cheers - Dai.

[mutley 4,487]

Well done OznoG, you are a true trooper for the challenge.

Superb PIREP, I hope you may it home safely   

 

[J G 927]

Great PIREP Andrew.  

I like the use of the Cessna 337 'Skymaster', it being a pushmepullyou aircraft. Dr Dolittle's Pushmepullyou was essentialy a doubleheadded South American Lama:-

 

 

Although how it voids any food it eats is anyone's guess!. 

[rosariomanzo 545]

Well done, fantastic report!

[brett 2,284]

Good days work Andrew, does your pay go back into the Committee's coffers?  Nice choice of flight plan and screenshots to explain it all. Thanks for the fly along.

 

Hope you didn't forget to pick up the baton.    

[stu7708 244]

Bravo Andrew, and it was nice to see you back in the land of the SANE, even if you just made a quick visit

Great shots, the sunrise shots was simply glorious, and a good story to go along with it... If I could you'd get three thumbs up

[DaveLeafNiles 0]

If he'd forgotten the baton one wonders if the lad would have gone inSANE ? (ugh..I'll get my coat)

Lovely report Andrew and some really lovely screenies!

[stu7708 244]

If he'd forgotten the baton one wonders if the lad would have gone inSANE ? (ugh..I'll get my coat)

 

Oh, don't worry about Andrew, he's already insane... it's one of the prerequisites for being a moderator here on Mutley's  

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Nice leg Andrew!

[rob16584 42]

Those dawn shots are stunning Andrew

Is the b200 the flight1 version?

[Andrew Godden 934]

Thanks Rob. No, it's the Carenado model.

Cheers

Andrew