Jump to content

Leg 01 - EHGI (Southampton) to EGPN (Dundee) via EGLS (Old Sarum)


Recommended Posts

Welcome to this, our inaugural flight of the Around the World Challenge 7even. With 47,742 miles to go, this is indeed a daunting prospect, but hey, we’ve done it 6 times before! So, dust off your passports, oil your oily rag, clench your cheeks, and here goes!

 

Having secured the fuel card from the bank, I dropped my trousers (wait for it..) off at the dry cleaners to have the knees sewn back in (such was the groveling), I'll pick them up when we get back.

 

I snatch the baton from its resting place and it is in remarkable condition seeing it has been the equivalent distance to the moon!

 

Our flight today is a mere 367 miles from Southampton to Dundee via Old Sarum. I thought I would add in a couple of points of interest along the way for what would otherwise be a hum-drum flight.

 

Here is the flight plan, I bit of fun at the beginning and end with nearly two hours between:

0.jpg

 

On the apron at Southampton - Fully fueled, we load our gear: 

1.jpg

 

The weather today is sunshine and showers, so we make sure the flight plan is in the GPS ready and the WX radar is switched on. We’ve got permission to start and hold short for runway 20:

2.jpg

 

Flash git in a Learjet roars off on his way to Zell Am See, I can see the party lights in the back changing colour:

3.jpg

 

Lined up - let’s do this!

4.jpg

 

Cleaning up after take-off:

5.jpg

 

I wonder how many years/months it will be until I see good old EGHI again?

6.jpg

 

On our way, with Southampton Water and the Solent behind us..  7.jpg

 

I can already see our first waypoint in the distance, Salisbury Cathedral (just off port wing):

8.jpg

 

I turn toward Old Sarum:

9.jpg

 

Then downwind for runway 06 which just happens...

10.jpg

 

To take us past Salisbury Cathedral. completed in 1258 with the tallest spire in the UK:

11.jpg

 

Lined up for 06, I wonder whether to just fly past as the rain starts:

12.jpg

 

But I go for it anyway:

13.jpg

 

Take-off was more of a bum clencher, but keeping the faith, my trusty Navajo made it over the fence:

1447438.jpg

 

We pass the massive Boscombe Down establishment, I have my next waypoint in sight:

1517a45.jpg

 

Stonehenge, I squint my eyes but Dodgy Alan is nowhere to be seen!

16b2677.jpg

 

Mmm, a slight change in direction is required to miss the storm ahead:

17.jpg

 

We’ve just passed ex RAF Lyneham where our fallen soldiers from Afghanistan and Iran were repatriated, and Royal Wooton Bassett where, on the way to Oxford, the public would honour them as the convoy of hearses would pass through the town:

18.jpg

 

The WX radar is still showing plenty of cloud cover, ATC advise it’s no better any higher, so we press on:

19.jpg

 

Now tracking the M6 motorway, we pass between Wolverhampton on the starboard side and RAF Cosford on the port side. We seem to be coming to a clear patch:

20.jpg

 

Our next major landmark is Manchester airport:

21.jpg

 

As we press on North, the towns and built up areas become more infrequent:

22.jpg

 

Now in Scotty land, we cross the A7 to Hawick, Edinburgh is not that far away now:

23.jpg

 

The view from the cabin is peaceful, no barf bags used yet:

24.jpg

 

At last! Edinburgh is in view:

25.jpg
 

We head for our next waypoint...

26.jpg

 

At Arthur’s Seat, the site of an ancient volcano, we turn to take a direct track to the Bell Rock Lighthouse:

27.jpg

 

A small diversion to see the famous St Andrews golf links, it's the largest public golf course complex in Europe:28.jpg

 

Ah well, Bell Rock isn't there, it must have sunk and succumb to the sea, our turn takes us right onto our approach course for Dundee: 29.jpg

 

Landing checks almost complete, gear down:

30.jpg

 

Tuned into the ILS back course, which is bringing us in nicely:

31.jpg

 

 

AP off, a bit low, a good show for the tourists!32.jpg

 

 

Rollout:33.jpg

 

Here we are just before shutdown:34.jpg

 

Here endeth flight one. Uneventful, but that's the way it I like it!

 

Off to the bar to meet up with Coff (if he's here yet) and pass over the baton and fuel card.

 

Hope you enjoyed my PIREP, apologies for the amount of screenshots posted, I can give Al a run for his money any day!

 

Software used:

Sim: Lockheed Martin P3Dv4

Aircraft: Carenado PA31 Navajo

Scenery: Orbx England, Scotland, FTX VECTORS and FX Trees.

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

:rockon:

Great flight, boss!

I was a bit worried about that thunderstorm but I see you managed to get to destination safely.

I can't get enough of your screenshots, superb quality images, a breathtaking landscape and a fine commentary.

Don't charge too much the credit card, I will need some cash to travel to China! :whis:

 

Edited by rosariomanzo
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

great shots, great rep too, not to keen on the wether.....me and the wife had many a walk around Salisbury and Old Sarum , I was based just up the road in Tidworth where I met her 32 years ago...yeah she still puts up with me.......looking forward to next route........

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Great leg Boss...the right one, not to keen on your lumpy left one.

 

I am indeed in Edinburgh sampling the local brews and waiting for the MHFC Gisa card to pay off my growing bar tab...what are you drinking Boss, it's on you!

 

I'll need to unwind from all the beer, at least 36 hours ;) or so...possibly as long as till this Wednesday morning to get on it...(RL Tues work sched is gonna give us a bit more time to comment on your lovely leg...the right one, not the left one).

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Just now, Captain Coffee said:

BTW...is this the Very First ATWC leg flown in 64bit?

 

 

I think so Matt! 

 

2 minutes ago, Captain Coffee said:

Great leg Boss...the right one, not to keen on your lumpy left one.

 

Hmm.. you caught me on the hop there Matt.. good job Andrew wasn't flying as he wouldn't have a leg to stand on. :huh:

  • Haha 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

A nice gentle start to this year's challenge Boss, nicely done.

Love the aircraft and adore the screenshots. 

Wifey and I sat in the restaurant next to Dundee airport watching the very sedate action going on. 

A small airport but great scenery.

Cheers Joe.

Link to post
Share on other sites
8 hours ago, mutley said:

 

I think so Matt! 

 

 

Hmm.. you caught me on the hop there Matt.. good job Andrew wasn't flying as he wouldn't have a leg to stand on. :huh:

 

I resemble that remark, and it happens to be the right one at that. :D

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...