Leg 10 Kubinka AFB Z25S to Riga EVRA

[CyprusAirwaysA330 0]

Welcome to the last leg of the first section of the ATWCII. I decided to split this leg into three portions. So, after meeting Steve at the Kubinka AFB bar, buying him a well deserved vodka, and recieving the baton, I headed out the next morning to the aircraft.

Leg 1 - Kubinka AFB to Moscow Sheremetyevo. Expected flight time - 2 to 10 minutes, depending on ATC and wind.

Here's our steed for the first flight, a Su-34.

10 minutes later, we are blasting down the runway.

Blasting up into the cold, morning Russian sky.

Turning south as the Sun peeks up between the clouds.

Powering over the frozen wasteland.

Descending now, about to pass through some murk.

Emerging from the clouds as we hunt for the airport.

Turning towards the runway.

On finals, the Aeroflot aircraft holding for us.

Taxiing in on the last taxiway, boy does this aircraft float a lot.

Parked up on the snow at the military terminal - flight time 8 minutes.

The next leg is a regular scheduled airline flight using the Aeroflot Airbus A320.

Leg 2 - Moscow Sheremetyevo to St. Petersburgs (Leningrad for the older generation amongst us ) Pulkovo Airport. Expected flight time - 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Here's our tube for the next flight, looking sharp in the Aeroflot colours. Notice the Delta 767.

Pushing back with an Il-96 in the background.

Taxiing out, finishing the checklists.

A VC view of an A320 ready to go.

And an interesting sight, a Tu-154.

Airborne!

Climbing over the same wasteland we flew in over.

The sun has risen over the clouds by now.

Bringing the flaps up.

And turning onto course after the SID.

Climbing to 38000 feet.

Another view of our beautiful plane.

And another shot of the sun as we climb.

Cruising... There aren't many other aircraft.

Another shot...

Commencing the descent.

Banking under ATC control.

Leaving a nice contrail behind.

Landing lights out.

Turning into some clouds.

Flaps coming down.

The Baltic Sea in the background.

Overflying St. Petersburg.

Gear and flaps down, established on the glideslope.

Crosswind on the landing.

Off centre, but safely down.

Taxiing in with a Tu-154 on the apron.

Turning into the gate...

And shut down, part two completed. Flight time exactly 1 hour.

Now for the third and final flight.

Leg 3 - St Petesburg Pulkovo to Riga International. Expected flight time - 1 hour and 45 mins.

The plane this time is a Swiss registered Beechcraft. Getting on...

Engines started and taxiing out.

On the runway and full power set.

Climbing out.

Turning, taking a last look at Pulkovo.

Climbing.

Turning around a lot as you can see by the different position of the sun.

The moon already out at 13:30 local time.

Urban St. Petersburg.

About to fly into a huge cloud.

Cruising at 16,000 feet.

The VC.

And another view with the sun.

Cruising over some nasty looking clouds.

The sun setting already at 14:00 local time.

Over the Baltic sea.

And crossing the border between Russia and Latvia as ATC tell us to contact Riga centre. The jagged line along the ground is the border.

Starting the last descent of this trip.

Hitting some rain clouds on the approach into Riga.

Descending over the Baltic.

Confirming with ATC the runway is in sight.

Established on the approach.

Short finals, slightly high.

And touchdown, the first section of the ATWC II is complete. Flight time - 1 hour 42 mins.

All nicely parked up.

And checking the baton made it, yes it has.

Hope you liked it guys. Total flight time was 2 hours and 50 minutes.

[rob16584 42]

Another great set of shots there!

I liked the shots from the 3rd trip best, but the Aeroflot livery looks great on the Airbus

[mutley 4,498]

You've done us proud CAA330.

I never expected the challenge would be so expertly flown and documented!

Another great choice of aircraft, stunning shots of the SU-34, the A320 with a cool livery, good old red, white and blue!

And a B200? to finish it off, it doesn't get much better than that!

Nice touch with the baton in the last, especially with the "II" tagged on the end

Brilliant! thank for joining in with the spirit.

An excellent first section. I will be releasing the next section soon (I will give a decent warning) if you wish to bid again.

Cheers

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Brilliant shots there CAA330!!!!!!!!!

[reef 3]

A great finish to the first section :wink: Loved the shots of the B300 and i almost flew an Aeroflot Airbus but ran out of destinations en-route. Glad i didn't now as you showed it off well. You also hit some good ol' Russian white stuff, fun to fly in :wacky:

Top job sir and roll on to the next....quite curious where we will end up :mrhappy:

steve

[vacs007 0]

Very nice post CAA330, you have kept the standard high. Congratulations on completing the legs with a very nice selection of aircraft.

Looking forward to the next section.

[wisemanp 0]

Lovely set CAA330. :mrhappy:

A nice contrast, with the power and speed of the fighter, the commercial aspect of the A320 and the more GA style Beechcraft.

Great stuff!

[rosariomanzo 545]

Just wonderful!

[dgor 0]

Brilliant shots! Really enjoyed those, thanks for flying! :-)

[CyprusAirwaysA330 0]

Thanks for the comments guys, its good to know you guys are reading my posts. It's been a while since I last posted here, been very busy and have flown much since, but I'm back now.