mutley 4,498 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Welcome to the first leg of our around the world challenge. My flight today was from Southampton EGHI to London Gatwick EGKK. After a late night watching the lunar eclipse last night I'm a bit blearly eyed but after a full English in the flying club I'm ready for anything! PRE - FLIGHT Worked out my flight plan, looking at the weather outside it's going to be IFR, that's a shame as I wanted to pull a stunt at Gatwick but it will have to wait until another day. I plan to head direct to Midhurst on the 082 radial then slingshot off to Mayfield on 090, a left turn onto 004 until I intercept the localiser and in on runway 26(L) rumour is the wind is going to be right across the runway. Here's the plan plotted on FSNAV in FS9 as it's not been upgraded yet for FSX. So I wandered off to the tower to file the plan and pick up the weather. Hmmm pretty grim wind 15 gusting to 25kts. So whilst I'm here I'll pick up the TAFS to enter into Active sky. After a quick joke with Ops off to the SR22. Cold, dark and wet on the apron, loading the luggage. Walking around the aircraft, the oil is ok. No water in the fuel, control surfaces free, yep I'm happy with this. Started her up, after letting the engine and oil warm up just performing some power checks. We got taxi clearance, making my way to the end of 20. Full power, kicking up the spray shes drifting a bit on the slippery surface. Whoa, a sudden gust but we're ok. Already picking up the VOR at Midhurst. We've lost the rain, it had only just started in Southampton and will be at Gatwick soon enough. Definitely looking a better now. I am cleared up to 5000 but it's a bit turbulent, ATC have agreed I can stay at this level. Still under IFR rules though. Looking nice! We're nearly at Midhurst ready for a slight turn to Mayfield. Gatwick now off to the left, I can see aircraft taking off from 08L? Up here the wind is presently 142 @ 25Kts, too much for me but the tower assure me that on the approach and ground it's much less. On Base leg the wind has now dropped, a bit murky now not far off the localiser and number one to land. The GPS confirms we are nearly there. One off my favourite sights, the runway ahead! See, they're taking off on 08L. Over the threshold the windsock is at right angles to the runway but at 9 Kts won't be a problem. Smoothly down. Getting parking instruction from ground. Waiting to cross the other "Active" OK Stop here, running through shut down checks. Engine off, luggage ready. Switching the batteries and avionics off, and filling out my PIREP for this post. END OF FLIGHT Right then. Leg one is successful! I need someone to take the baton from here. It can be anywhere within 500Nm even if its a flight up north then off to Scandinavia or straight to Germany or France, it's up to you to "Tender" for the flight with the most interesting combination of route and aircraft. I will award the next flight once we have a few replies in so watch this space. Once the flight has been done then start a new thread with the title of Leg 2 xxxx to xxxx I have posted rather a lot of shots and detail just to get this thing off with a bang, you don't have to go into this level but some commentary is a must! GOOD LUCK Link to post Share on other sites
mulletman 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Superb stuff. Some really great shots, and commentary, i was never left wondering why something, or what, was happening. I wont take on the next leg, but i will certainly take part in this at a later stage. Hopefully the flight will pass through Riga in Latvia, and I can take a Mil-8 out for a trip. Link to post Share on other sites
Mrbobo 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Cool amazing shots! Think I will give the next leg a miss wait till there are some longer flights! :dance: Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Great shots Mut. Numbers 11 and 12 are amazing. Liked the pre-flight shots too, interesting to see what goes on "behind-the-scenes". I will try for the next leg as soon as I decide where and what to fly! Dave Link to post Share on other sites
wisemanp 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Nice shots there, everyone else has something to live up to there. As i said i'm available any time for the 2nd leg. I'm not sure if Samedan St Moritz is within 500nm or not... I'lll find out soon Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Very nice! You set a high standard for the rest of us to live up to. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted March 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Congratulations ~ Wisemanp it's over to you :dance: EGKK to LSZS Samedan is 484 miles! (500 miles is only a rough guide figure). So I'll hand the baton onto you to take to Swtzerland. Once you've made the flight start a new post with screenies of your flight. Then someone will hopefully offer the next flight which you can award. Looking forward to your post whenever it comes. BTW, thanks for the kind comments on my shots, if you have any questions you would like to ask me about it you can carry on asking here! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
wisemanp 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Thanks Mutley-I'll probably fly tomorow after school... Wonder what the weather will be like? Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted March 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Thanks Phil that's fine. I had a quick look at the weather, you will be ok! Everyone please take note of an amendment to the rules in the main sticky post. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted March 4, 2007 Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Congratulations Phil - can't wait to see the shots! Link to post Share on other sites
JoeEllwood 0 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Great shots Mut! Look forward to a hopeful successful tour. Will patiently wait for my turn! Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Cheerss Joe, Like I was saying to John it doesn't just have to be in your own neck or the woods, otherwise we Brits wouldn't get very far! You can join in anywhere and we've lifted the 500Nm rule. Link to post Share on other sites
mark.hudson6 0 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Great shots and a great idea. Would love to join in at some point. :-) Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Hi Mark, Just stick around and bid for a flight. I can't wait until my next one! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
B77W 0 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 These have been the best shots so far... :wink: Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Way to dredge up an old topic and through everything into chaos Sam :wink: :wink: Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 He's got a point tho' Dave :rofl Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 :wink: :wink: Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Dave, You've got no avatar in your profile, how do we know what you look like :?: :mrhappy: I can add one for you if you like :eyebrow: And one for Uncle Martin whilst I'm at it, I got just the thing! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
B77W 0 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Is this the one you were thinking for Unc.Martin, Mut? :mrhappy: Or this one from Friday night? :eyebrow: Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I'm trying to get one, honest boss! :mrhappy: . To be honest there's a decent picture of me and an EasyJet on an SD card, but the camera's broke so I can't transfer it onto the PC :eyebrow: Link to post Share on other sites
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