Leg 13 VNKT Kathmandu -->> VNLK Lukla

[mutley 4,498]

The long awaited leg from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Ah, Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. It brings to mind an oriental promise of Buddhist and Hindu temples and palaces, the Bhimsen Tower and a damn good curry!

Well, when I got here it was smog bound, checked on the BBC, thunderstorms & High humidity. Not to be put off I trundled off to Tribhuvan International Airport.

Lukla is our destination and I was feeling pretty luckless until the sight of my newly delivered Eclipse E500 VLJ lifted my heart. I'm not the only one off to Lukla today both RNA (Royal Nepal Airways to the uninitiated) and Yeti Airlines are taking their Twotters DHC6-300 so it could get pretty cramped on the apron.

So having collected my Nectar Points with my re-fuel, yes I didn't realise Sainsbury's were in Kathmandu either! I was ready to get under way.

Just cross referencing with FS navigator, not that I need it of course.

They insisted on getting the push-back tractor out for me, set me back 1500 Rupees that's about £10.95 (Go on, check it you know you want to!) so not bad value I suppose.

Happy to be on my way to the active, setting the flaps for take off.

As my VLJ review suggests the power should be de-rated to around 75% just passing 95kts we're up at 110kts.

There we go, the wind is almost right across the runway @14kts but we power through it.

Obligatory gear up shot, not much to see around which is a shame as it's so beautiful.

Turning onto our course, it's only me in here so a nice steep bank is not a problem although I can hear the baton rolling around in the back.

Clear of the mucky ground stuff, heading for FL220.

Thankfully the weather is improving, no sooner have we reached our altitude and we're on our way down again.

A bit worried by the closeness of the ground in places, always the same when you got a new vehicle and don't want the paintwork to get scratched.

For the purposes of the this post ... Everest (They fit the best you know) Could it be? it seems high enough?

Hands up who can see Lukla? Ahh Lukla, brings to mind an oriental promise.... (Don't start that again)

Thank you, Lukla perched on the side of a mountain at 9,380 ft (2,860 metres)

Standard overhead join.

Er.. downwind .. ish.

The fighter pilot training coming in handy.

Runway in sight, ready for gear down.

Flaps and a nose dive.

Using the brakes after that descent to get her down to 120kts.

Thump thump, thump thump, be still my beating heart.

Only slight cross wind, we're go for landing, past our decision height.

I'm happy with this but slightly worried about getting her down.

This looks worse than it is, spoilers up pushing hard against the breaks but we're going up hill.

Stopped half way up, no problem there!

Started to roll backwards so urged her on up the hill to the apron.

Phew, that runway just disappears off the face of the Earth!

There's a DHC 6, a charter waiting to take some climbers home from the mountains.

Cold and dark, the baton's down here somewhere!.

Postcard from Lukla, wish you were here. (No really I would!)

Poor Mutley waiting for an aircraft to chase. We've had to stop him doing that as last time he went straight over the side of the mountain. Stoopid dawg!..

I hope you enjoyed this post. If anyone wants to take the baton on from here let me know before tomorrow afternoon otherwise I will take it on to Zia International (Or somewhere else)

Cheers

[ben_davies247 0]

Wow, great shots there. Really enjoyed them

[allardjd 1,853]

Wow! Nice jet; nice paint; nice flight; nice story. Loved the dog.

 

So that's the Lukla you've been talking about, eh? I'll bet they don't have too many go arounds there. Talk about being committed to the landing!

 

I think you'd need a power to weight ratio > 1 to make a missed approach there. On the other hand, the up-slope makes the runway longer than it really is, for all practical purposes, once you've got the wheels planted on terra firma.

 

Will bid for another leg as soon as I acquire a more interesting ride. You guys set a high standard.

 

John

[dgor 0]

Mut,

Some fantastic shots there and a really enjoyable commentary. Love the VLJ too!

I'd be interested in taking up the next leg - I don't know where to yet though. I'll get back to you :-)

Dave

[mutley 4,498]

Cheers Dave,

You do not have to have the scenery to do the next leg

I think this is only the second or third time I've ever landed here!

Cheers

[dgor 0]

Mut,

It's OK, I've wanted to have a go at the "real" Lukla for a while now - let's just say the default leaves a lot to be desired :???: . It was only €20 too

I will try and get the leg done tonight, once I decide where I'm going (any suggestions? How far away is Zia) and decide which aircraft to take (it won't be the heavy, slow 732 anyway )

Dave

[ChrisE 0]

Well done mutley!

Well, a couple of pointers!!

1) 17.85 GBP! = 1500 rupees

2) Love the scenery

3) Love the tail number

4) where did u get the scenery???

5) Cool postcard

6) I wouldnt want to be staying in that hotel!!!

7) Scary Landing :???: :sad: :blink: But u landed safely :dance:

Again, Wellll done

[mutley 4,498]

Thanks Chris,

I think you will find that your conversionis for Indian Rupees not Nepalese Rupees

The Scenery is for FS2004 and is available from Aerosoft.

Cheers

[mutley 4,498]

Dave,

I would like you to go as far East as possible, do please check the performance of your chosen aircraft before flying i would like it to be as realistic as possible.

If you manage to fly Yeti Airlines that would be great, perhaps you could try to find the hidden Yeti in the scenery on your way out

Have a good one.

Cheers

[dgor 0]

Mut,

Will get details of the route and start the leg as soon as I've fixed my problems with the scenery.

I was thinking of taking an STOL aircraft and hightailing it to the nearest large airport, so that perhaps one of the heavy enthusiasts can ferry us into China or Japan?

Dave

[dgor 0]

Hi all,

I cannot fly the next leg I'm afraid. The scenery problems aren't resolving, and I'm having trouble with the computer's internet connection too (I always fly with RW weather, and I'll need it to upload the shots), think it's a problem in the router. Bidding is open again for the leg.

Sorry about that.

Dave

[mutley 4,498]

Hi Dave,

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I have mailed you.

I can do the next leg if needs be but it would have been nice to see you ly from there.

Cheers

[dgor 0]

Your advice fixed it Mut - can't thank you enough. I fired up FSNav whilst fiddling with the scenery settings, and have decided that I could go to Kolkata in India, a 2-hour trip in the DHC-6, and it would allow the heavy fans to take us to China or somewhere. Alternatively I could go to Zia if you'd prefer, which would take about 2.5 hours. If you don't mind me doing the next leg after that little upset that is :-)

[mulletman 0]

Mutley, that was a superb set of shots, and a great leg. The VLJ looks like a great little bird to fly, and I almost got it the other day.

Just a little thing though, i beleve its a Dornier 228 static at VNLK, not a DHC-6.

[mutley 4,498]

Sorry Fred I wasn't paying attention, I was so just so happy to land :blush

Dave, I am so pleased we got it working, I know how frustrating it can be.

Your choice is fine Zia was only an option, looking forward to your shots have a great flight.

Cheers

[mark.hudson6 0]

Scary landing and great pics and commentary.

Cheers

Mark

[B77W 0]

The Master :mrhappy:

Would it be possible, to get a word map, that we can update, to show where we are in the world?

[mutley 4,498]

Sam,

Thanks for the suggestion, I was thinking of doing an update article for the website but what I may do for the time being is to publish a map of where we have been.

Thanks again for the suggestion..

Mut

[KaptainPhee 0]

ABSOLUTELY Breathtaking, a stunning set of pictures with a truly lovely story to go along with it, really well done Joe!!!!