http://cardinalva.org/forums/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:21:32 -0600 MyBB http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=246 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:41:13 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=246



Below is a shot of the 737 leaving KACY (Atlantic City, NJ) enroute to the Bahamas. Roads and highways are prominent and appropriately located, buildings make sense, water color is good, and varied landclass can be seen to the horizon. There are some inconsistencies, however. Note the green path beneath the nose of the aircraft that cuts a swath across roads. This may be an inconsistency between SceneryTech and Ultimate Terrain X, although it seldom happens.




This is another shot leaving KACY. Good ground detail, excellent treatment of distant haze and lighting, but the ocean shoreline at lower left corner is awfully straight, and I wouldn't expect to see the ocean waves on the surface of inland water as it shows here. I'm still playing with the water slider settings to see what looks most realistic to me.




Sunset shots are outstanding in FSX with ActiveSkyX installed. Here are three of them. This one is a beautiful blending of blue, pink and orange sky created by the sun dropping below distant clouds on the horizon. There is a bit of reflection on the distant ocean, stars beginning to come out at the right, and city lights coming on below. A fantastic scene!




Colors change as the sun drops lower. Here the plane flies over a fog layer below, showing the continually frustrating sharp lines as the fog intersects with trees and ground, but a beautiful sight nonetheless.




And, finally, pure magic. The sun drops away behind the lowest layer of clouds, and the sky turns hot orange coloring everything in sight, even city lights. Beautiful reflection of the light on the rippled ocean surface here.

]]>



Below is a shot of the 737 leaving KACY (Atlantic City, NJ) enroute to the Bahamas. Roads and highways are prominent and appropriately located, buildings make sense, water color is good, and varied landclass can be seen to the horizon. There are some inconsistencies, however. Note the green path beneath the nose of the aircraft that cuts a swath across roads. This may be an inconsistency between SceneryTech and Ultimate Terrain X, although it seldom happens.




This is another shot leaving KACY. Good ground detail, excellent treatment of distant haze and lighting, but the ocean shoreline at lower left corner is awfully straight, and I wouldn't expect to see the ocean waves on the surface of inland water as it shows here. I'm still playing with the water slider settings to see what looks most realistic to me.




Sunset shots are outstanding in FSX with ActiveSkyX installed. Here are three of them. This one is a beautiful blending of blue, pink and orange sky created by the sun dropping below distant clouds on the horizon. There is a bit of reflection on the distant ocean, stars beginning to come out at the right, and city lights coming on below. A fantastic scene!




Colors change as the sun drops lower. Here the plane flies over a fog layer below, showing the continually frustrating sharp lines as the fog intersects with trees and ground, but a beautiful sight nonetheless.




And, finally, pure magic. The sun drops away behind the lowest layer of clouds, and the sky turns hot orange coloring everything in sight, even city lights. Beautiful reflection of the light on the rippled ocean surface here.

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=245 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:19:04 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=245
I keep it simple and fun just a night time flight doing stop and go's around my hometown airport. I fire up the Beech V35 Bonanza loaded the local nav info into the bendix radios got on the Unicom freq and announced my departure intentions. I love flying the Bonanza it has great visibility ( I think I need the IR Tracker ) and power to spare. The skies where clear tonight and could see KIAD shortly after takeoff. Made a left turn for the north and got out the charts to make a NDB approach to rwy 14 at CXO. Trimmed the flight out at 3000' and flew to the north end of Lake Conroe. I turned the V35 back to the south towards the airport and set up for the approach. I did not need it but dialed in the ILS for rwy 14 I like to watch the little needles move on the HSI. Even 11nm out I could see the rwy at CXO. Made the call of my inbound intentions to rwy 14 and full stop started my landing check list. 15 mins later I was stopping at the rotating beacon and shutting down.

I thank MS every time I fly for the enjoyment I get from FSX]]>
I keep it simple and fun just a night time flight doing stop and go's around my hometown airport. I fire up the Beech V35 Bonanza loaded the local nav info into the bendix radios got on the Unicom freq and announced my departure intentions. I love flying the Bonanza it has great visibility ( I think I need the IR Tracker ) and power to spare. The skies where clear tonight and could see KIAD shortly after takeoff. Made a left turn for the north and got out the charts to make a NDB approach to rwy 14 at CXO. Trimmed the flight out at 3000' and flew to the north end of Lake Conroe. I turned the V35 back to the south towards the airport and set up for the approach. I did not need it but dialed in the ILS for rwy 14 I like to watch the little needles move on the HSI. Even 11nm out I could see the rwy at CXO. Made the call of my inbound intentions to rwy 14 and full stop started my landing check list. 15 mins later I was stopping at the rotating beacon and shutting down.

I thank MS every time I fly for the enjoyment I get from FSX]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=244 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:34:42 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=244



But then we get things like this sharp haze/fog layer. This is just a bit farther up the valley. Note the number of scattered airstrips down below in a country where air travel is still the preferred method of getting around:




Here is a pitch-black approach to Midway Island out in the Pacific. Not many have flown here in FSX, I suspect, since it is a long flight and no scenery. Note the crosswind approach setup to the only runway.




Leaving in a rainstorm in the early morning as the sun tries to break through the distant clouds. Note the nice light reflection from the wet runway in the right of the picture. FSX does a nice job on wet pavement.




Here is another glitch in FSX on a climbout from weather below. This is a beautiful screenshot, except that the driving rain shouldn't be seen above the clouds.




Finally, above the distant storm as lightning cracks below the tail.




And yet another strange shot if you consider the distance the cruise ship is anchored from the beach! This is in South America somewhere ... forgot exactly which city.

]]>



But then we get things like this sharp haze/fog layer. This is just a bit farther up the valley. Note the number of scattered airstrips down below in a country where air travel is still the preferred method of getting around:




Here is a pitch-black approach to Midway Island out in the Pacific. Not many have flown here in FSX, I suspect, since it is a long flight and no scenery. Note the crosswind approach setup to the only runway.




Leaving in a rainstorm in the early morning as the sun tries to break through the distant clouds. Note the nice light reflection from the wet runway in the right of the picture. FSX does a nice job on wet pavement.




Here is another glitch in FSX on a climbout from weather below. This is a beautiful screenshot, except that the driving rain shouldn't be seen above the clouds.




Finally, above the distant storm as lightning cracks below the tail.




And yet another strange shot if you consider the distance the cruise ship is anchored from the beach! This is in South America somewhere ... forgot exactly which city.

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=243 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:59:18 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=243
After the frustration of having outstanding terrain mesh installed and all the SceneryTech and Ultimate Terrain stuff loaded and then flying into an airport that Microsoft installed at the wrong altitude, I decided to learn how to correct that. I don't know if anyone else is having the same trouble, but I'm on a trek to fix those errors. But I wonder if they show up incorrectly in the default scenery....don't know. I'll do some checking before I mess with the .bgl files in FSX.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I find. I recall having to install some fixes to FS9 for Stockton Lake in Missouri. If anyone finds a small airport that isn't at the right altitude, let me know and I'll check it out. The FS Genesis terrain mesh "should" be accurate as it's taken from satellite data, so it's Microsoft who messed up the altitude.

I'm also going to work on re-building a few small local airports that I know by placing buildings properly. Google Earth and GeoEye will come in handy for doing that. If I can figure out how to modify these airports, I'll be open to doing the same for anyone else who doesn't think their home airport is "right."

Also must get back to painting default aircraft for FSX. Ah, the time...... speaking of which, it's off to work .....]]>
After the frustration of having outstanding terrain mesh installed and all the SceneryTech and Ultimate Terrain stuff loaded and then flying into an airport that Microsoft installed at the wrong altitude, I decided to learn how to correct that. I don't know if anyone else is having the same trouble, but I'm on a trek to fix those errors. But I wonder if they show up incorrectly in the default scenery....don't know. I'll do some checking before I mess with the .bgl files in FSX.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I find. I recall having to install some fixes to FS9 for Stockton Lake in Missouri. If anyone finds a small airport that isn't at the right altitude, let me know and I'll check it out. The FS Genesis terrain mesh "should" be accurate as it's taken from satellite data, so it's Microsoft who messed up the altitude.

I'm also going to work on re-building a few small local airports that I know by placing buildings properly. Google Earth and GeoEye will come in handy for doing that. If I can figure out how to modify these airports, I'll be open to doing the same for anyone else who doesn't think their home airport is "right."

Also must get back to painting default aircraft for FSX. Ah, the time...... speaking of which, it's off to work .....]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=242 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:53:18 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=242
I'm not getting much flying done with the Olympics on this week, but these "angel flights" are dropping out of the sky faster than I can re-fly them.]]>
I'm not getting much flying done with the Olympics on this week, but these "angel flights" are dropping out of the sky faster than I can re-fly them.]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=241 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:49:21 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=241 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=240 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:55:28 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=240
The other was a 2-plane crash of a Cessna 182 and a Sirrus. The Cessna was a new pilot practicing around Poulson, Montana, Wyoming and the other was enroute from Poulson to Rock City, Wyoming. I'll add both routes to my flight plan listings.]]>
The other was a 2-plane crash of a Cessna 182 and a Sirrus. The Cessna was a new pilot practicing around Poulson, Montana, Wyoming and the other was enroute from Poulson to Rock City, Wyoming. I'll add both routes to my flight plan listings.]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=238 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:45:33 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=238



Here's the Lear 45 flying over a very nice and complex display of clouds (settings 3D, maximum density, ActiveSkyX):




This was a training flight in the Cessna 172 over the California mountains into a small Nevada airstrip that showed a nice vertical rock face. I picked my way through the peaks to the airstrip in a broad valley on the other side:




The 747 climbing out over the Hawaiian Islands enroute to Midway Island:




Leaving the "big" island in Hawaii. Note the graded water depths and the rugged coastline with canyons and gullies from erosion:




This shot is over the island of Kauai which is heavily eroded into canyons, several of which are nearly Grand Canyon size. Sorry about the haze, but I always fly with real weather, and that's how it was:

]]>



Here's the Lear 45 flying over a very nice and complex display of clouds (settings 3D, maximum density, ActiveSkyX):




This was a training flight in the Cessna 172 over the California mountains into a small Nevada airstrip that showed a nice vertical rock face. I picked my way through the peaks to the airstrip in a broad valley on the other side:




The 747 climbing out over the Hawaiian Islands enroute to Midway Island:




Leaving the "big" island in Hawaii. Note the graded water depths and the rugged coastline with canyons and gullies from erosion:




This shot is over the island of Kauai which is heavily eroded into canyons, several of which are nearly Grand Canyon size. Sorry about the haze, but I always fly with real weather, and that's how it was:

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=237 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:33:45 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=237



Here's another Australian screenshot with the 737 turning 180 to course over Cairns (if I remember correctly).




Maiden flight of my "new" DHC-6 Twin Otter from Aerosoft headed into a New Guinea airstrip.




And another 737 turning on course over a populated area with some interesting ground features from a maximum autogen setting in FSX:

]]>



Here's another Australian screenshot with the 737 turning 180 to course over Cairns (if I remember correctly).




Maiden flight of my "new" DHC-6 Twin Otter from Aerosoft headed into a New Guinea airstrip.




And another 737 turning on course over a populated area with some interesting ground features from a maximum autogen setting in FSX:

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=236 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:46:11 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=236
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link...1381694270]]>
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link...1381694270]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=235 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:21:32 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=235
On a lighter note, after taking stock of my hanger in FSX, I decided I needed a Twin Otter to fill a category that is missing in the default planes. The Aerosoft DHC-6 has gotten very high marks in both PC Pilot and Computer Pilot magazines as well as online reviews, so I bought the thing. Nice plane, excellent 3D virtual cockpit, great and very noisy engine sounds (hard to hear the ATC at times!) The older model has some crude autopilot controls but they work OK. Haven't tried the "modern" cockpit version yet. But highly recommended to fill a gaping hole in your STOL twin engine barn if you're in FSX. Now I'm looking to add some wheeled Beavers to the pontoon defaults. Sure gets expensive quickly!]]>
On a lighter note, after taking stock of my hanger in FSX, I decided I needed a Twin Otter to fill a category that is missing in the default planes. The Aerosoft DHC-6 has gotten very high marks in both PC Pilot and Computer Pilot magazines as well as online reviews, so I bought the thing. Nice plane, excellent 3D virtual cockpit, great and very noisy engine sounds (hard to hear the ATC at times!) The older model has some crude autopilot controls but they work OK. Haven't tried the "modern" cockpit version yet. But highly recommended to fill a gaping hole in your STOL twin engine barn if you're in FSX. Now I'm looking to add some wheeled Beavers to the pontoon defaults. Sure gets expensive quickly!]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=233 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:25:06 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=233
1) I always start with the aircraft "cold and dark." In my saved flights listing I have saved flights for each aircraft as a default, so when beginning a flight, I load "Cessna 172 Default" flight so I know all switches are off and in the correct starting position for the 172.

2) I search the internet sites for current published flightplans for my flight when flying commercial level aircraft between common destinations. This saves some preparation time and includes SIDs/STARs. If I'm flying to/from uncommon destinations for which there are no stored plans, I let FS Commander create a plan which I than edit for realism, adding SIDs/STARs for the big iron, and inserting appropriate navaids for VFR and/or IFR flights in uncharted territory. If I'm flying out in the "boonies" where there are limited navaids, I'll use a road atlas or VFR charts to pick my way to my destination. The flightplan is saved in both FSC format and .PLN format for import into the FSX flight planner which shows the track on the GPS and sets the ATC window for the proper commands.

3) I load ActiveSkyX to update the flight sim with the most recent METAR reported weather. Alternately you could use the Jeppesen weather updates built into Flight Sim X if you are flying with that version. This insures that I'm always flying with current weather conditions. The tentative flight plan is imported into ActiveSky which then smooths transitions between METAR reporting stations along your route. This also gives me a chance to check wind directions and pick the most likely active runway upon arrival so I can alter my SID/STAR choices as weather dictates. If the flight is a VFR flight and weather is IFR only, I go fly somewhere else or switch to IFR if the aircraft is so equipped. No cheating here.

4) The final version of the flight plan is imported into FSX and settings are checked for VFR/IFR. I don't let the flight planner move my aircraft to the departure airport because the only location offered is the active runway which is not a realistic place for my "cold, dark" plane to be parked. I'll move it when I load FSX to a ramp or parking spot.

5) Before starting up, I check controls. Occasionally my computer will "lose" sight of the USB controllers plugged in, or alternately some aircraft for which I have not yet saved default settings will have control surfaces reversed. I like to use a paid version of FSUIPC which allows me to customize settings for each specific aircraft, so once I have those settings in FSUIPC, they are always loaded with the aircraft and not a generic setting within FSX.

6) I adjust fuel loads for the trip distance. No sense having 100% fuel in a Cessna 172 if your trip is 100 miles, and it gives an easier take off and steeper climb rate.

7) To enhance realism with regard to scenery, I have FS Genesis terrain mesh installed. There is world mesh which is one level better than FSX default, and US/Canada/Alaska mesh which is 19m and very accurate and realistic. Terrain mesh doesn't help as much in FSX as it did in FS2004, but it does make a difference. I also have Ultimate TerrainX which adds missing secondary roads and rivers, essential for accurate VFR flying, and Scenery TechX which is landclass that also fills in city boundaries. I have UT set to priority level above ST in my scenery library listings, as UT controls a lot of coastline detail on which ST must rely.

8) I use FSX ATC on departure and during the flight when flying IFR. However, upon approach, since ATC totally ignores STARs and terrain obstacles, I often request IFR to be cancelled and fly the approach realistically, not according to ATC instructions which are usually absurd.

9) Upon landing, I try to follow taxiway instructions from ATC. However this is often difficult unless I printed an airport diagram. I do this for larger airports but not most smaller ones. I resort to the yellow arrows only as a last resort. Park and shut down.]]>
1) I always start with the aircraft "cold and dark." In my saved flights listing I have saved flights for each aircraft as a default, so when beginning a flight, I load "Cessna 172 Default" flight so I know all switches are off and in the correct starting position for the 172.

2) I search the internet sites for current published flightplans for my flight when flying commercial level aircraft between common destinations. This saves some preparation time and includes SIDs/STARs. If I'm flying to/from uncommon destinations for which there are no stored plans, I let FS Commander create a plan which I than edit for realism, adding SIDs/STARs for the big iron, and inserting appropriate navaids for VFR and/or IFR flights in uncharted territory. If I'm flying out in the "boonies" where there are limited navaids, I'll use a road atlas or VFR charts to pick my way to my destination. The flightplan is saved in both FSC format and .PLN format for import into the FSX flight planner which shows the track on the GPS and sets the ATC window for the proper commands.

3) I load ActiveSkyX to update the flight sim with the most recent METAR reported weather. Alternately you could use the Jeppesen weather updates built into Flight Sim X if you are flying with that version. This insures that I'm always flying with current weather conditions. The tentative flight plan is imported into ActiveSky which then smooths transitions between METAR reporting stations along your route. This also gives me a chance to check wind directions and pick the most likely active runway upon arrival so I can alter my SID/STAR choices as weather dictates. If the flight is a VFR flight and weather is IFR only, I go fly somewhere else or switch to IFR if the aircraft is so equipped. No cheating here.

4) The final version of the flight plan is imported into FSX and settings are checked for VFR/IFR. I don't let the flight planner move my aircraft to the departure airport because the only location offered is the active runway which is not a realistic place for my "cold, dark" plane to be parked. I'll move it when I load FSX to a ramp or parking spot.

5) Before starting up, I check controls. Occasionally my computer will "lose" sight of the USB controllers plugged in, or alternately some aircraft for which I have not yet saved default settings will have control surfaces reversed. I like to use a paid version of FSUIPC which allows me to customize settings for each specific aircraft, so once I have those settings in FSUIPC, they are always loaded with the aircraft and not a generic setting within FSX.

6) I adjust fuel loads for the trip distance. No sense having 100% fuel in a Cessna 172 if your trip is 100 miles, and it gives an easier take off and steeper climb rate.

7) To enhance realism with regard to scenery, I have FS Genesis terrain mesh installed. There is world mesh which is one level better than FSX default, and US/Canada/Alaska mesh which is 19m and very accurate and realistic. Terrain mesh doesn't help as much in FSX as it did in FS2004, but it does make a difference. I also have Ultimate TerrainX which adds missing secondary roads and rivers, essential for accurate VFR flying, and Scenery TechX which is landclass that also fills in city boundaries. I have UT set to priority level above ST in my scenery library listings, as UT controls a lot of coastline detail on which ST must rely.

8) I use FSX ATC on departure and during the flight when flying IFR. However, upon approach, since ATC totally ignores STARs and terrain obstacles, I often request IFR to be cancelled and fly the approach realistically, not according to ATC instructions which are usually absurd.

9) Upon landing, I try to follow taxiway instructions from ATC. However this is often difficult unless I printed an airport diagram. I do this for larger airports but not most smaller ones. I resort to the yellow arrows only as a last resort. Park and shut down.]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=232 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:44:40 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=232



The next shot is the climb to altitude out of Christchurch. Both good and bad scenery here. Great water reflections off the ocean and river below. A few low clouds are well done in the valley over the river, but note the sharp edges of the unrealistic low fog layer below the 737. Flight Simulator has never been able to get this right. And, of course, there's those smooth mountains again.





It was dusk when I descended to Wellington. Nice treatment of low lying clouds here, and nice lighting from the setting sun.




But when I dropped below the clouds, I ran into a driving rain on approach that pelted the windshield. Fortunately the wind was low and the landing uneventful. ILS Runway 16.

]]>



The next shot is the climb to altitude out of Christchurch. Both good and bad scenery here. Great water reflections off the ocean and river below. A few low clouds are well done in the valley over the river, but note the sharp edges of the unrealistic low fog layer below the 737. Flight Simulator has never been able to get this right. And, of course, there's those smooth mountains again.





It was dusk when I descended to Wellington. Nice treatment of low lying clouds here, and nice lighting from the setting sun.




But when I dropped below the clouds, I ran into a driving rain on approach that pelted the windshield. Fortunately the wind was low and the landing uneventful. ILS Runway 16.

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=231 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:31:13 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=231
]]>
]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=230 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:09:35 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=230



This is a view from the cockpit of the 172. You might note the framerate counter. Admittedly, there aren't many moving objects and autogen to suck up CPU power, but 100 fps is pretty typical flying the little ones away from big cities.

]]>



This is a view from the cockpit of the 172. You might note the framerate counter. Admittedly, there aren't many moving objects and autogen to suck up CPU power, but 100 fps is pretty typical flying the little ones away from big cities.

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=229 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:51:59 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=229
I looking forward for the first time on one of our trip to be able to check mail get on teamspeak as will cross the southeast part of the US.]]>
I looking forward for the first time on one of our trip to be able to check mail get on teamspeak as will cross the southeast part of the US.]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=227 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:44:14 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=227
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/510364.stm]]>
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/510364.stm]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=226 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:59:17 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=226
One of the big sporting events going on as I write this is the Tour de France bicycle race. As an old racer myself, I love watching the weekend updates on the tour. Each year is a bit different and this year is no exception. I thought it might be interesting to fly the route of the cyclists in a light plane and see what might be hiding in the French countryside. Here's how I would fly the route. Note that not all of the points on the Tour have airports, so I've used the nearest landing strip. Warning, some of these are not Airbus 380-friendly, so grab a twin Otter, Maule or other light STOL and enjoy. One of the later legs includes the infamous Courcheval (LFLJ), and there are a couple of duplicate airstrips where there was either an out-and-back route or no airstrip was in the area.

Brest (LFRB) to Plumelec (Loyat LFRP)
LFRP to Auray (Lann-Bihoue Navy LFPH)
LFPH to St. Brieuc (LFRT)
LFRT to St. Malo (LFRD)
LFRD to Nantes (LFRS)
LFRS to Cholet (LFRU)
LFRU to Chateauroux (LFLX)
LFLX to Aigurande (LFEJ)
LFEJ to Super-Besse (Le Broc LFHA)
LFHA to Brioude (LFHR)
LFHR to Aurillac (LFLW)
LFLW to Figeac (LFCF)
LFCF to Toulouse (LFCL)
LFCL to Bagneres de Bigorre (Herrere LFCO)
LFCO to Pau (LFBP)
LFBP to Hautacam (Herre LFCO)
LFCO to Lannemezan (Montrejeau LFIM)
LFIM to Lavelanet (Les Pujols LFDJ)
LFDJ to Narbonne (Rivesaltes LFMP)
LFMP to Nimes (LFTW)
LFTW to Digne Les Bains (St. Pons LFMR)
LFMR to Embrun (St. Crepin LFNC)
LFNC to Cuneo (LIMZ)
LIMZ to Jausiers (St. Crepin LFNC)
LFNC to L'Alpe d'Huez (Courcheval LFLJ)
LFLJ to St. Etienne (LFMH)
LFMH to Roanne (LFLO)
LFLO to Montlucon (LFBK)
LFBK to Cerilly (Domerat LFLT)
LFLT to Etampes (LFOX)
LFOX to Paris (Orly LFPO)]]>
One of the big sporting events going on as I write this is the Tour de France bicycle race. As an old racer myself, I love watching the weekend updates on the tour. Each year is a bit different and this year is no exception. I thought it might be interesting to fly the route of the cyclists in a light plane and see what might be hiding in the French countryside. Here's how I would fly the route. Note that not all of the points on the Tour have airports, so I've used the nearest landing strip. Warning, some of these are not Airbus 380-friendly, so grab a twin Otter, Maule or other light STOL and enjoy. One of the later legs includes the infamous Courcheval (LFLJ), and there are a couple of duplicate airstrips where there was either an out-and-back route or no airstrip was in the area.

Brest (LFRB) to Plumelec (Loyat LFRP)
LFRP to Auray (Lann-Bihoue Navy LFPH)
LFPH to St. Brieuc (LFRT)
LFRT to St. Malo (LFRD)
LFRD to Nantes (LFRS)
LFRS to Cholet (LFRU)
LFRU to Chateauroux (LFLX)
LFLX to Aigurande (LFEJ)
LFEJ to Super-Besse (Le Broc LFHA)
LFHA to Brioude (LFHR)
LFHR to Aurillac (LFLW)
LFLW to Figeac (LFCF)
LFCF to Toulouse (LFCL)
LFCL to Bagneres de Bigorre (Herrere LFCO)
LFCO to Pau (LFBP)
LFBP to Hautacam (Herre LFCO)
LFCO to Lannemezan (Montrejeau LFIM)
LFIM to Lavelanet (Les Pujols LFDJ)
LFDJ to Narbonne (Rivesaltes LFMP)
LFMP to Nimes (LFTW)
LFTW to Digne Les Bains (St. Pons LFMR)
LFMR to Embrun (St. Crepin LFNC)
LFNC to Cuneo (LIMZ)
LIMZ to Jausiers (St. Crepin LFNC)
LFNC to L'Alpe d'Huez (Courcheval LFLJ)
LFLJ to St. Etienne (LFMH)
LFMH to Roanne (LFLO)
LFLO to Montlucon (LFBK)
LFBK to Cerilly (Domerat LFLT)
LFLT to Etampes (LFOX)
LFOX to Paris (Orly LFPO)]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=225 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:10:59 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=225



The next one is just a neat shot of a nearly silhoutted Cessna 172 Skyhawk against backlit surface waves. The shoreline is not very well sculpured out in this part of the FSX world heading for GVSV, Cape Verde. And, yeah, I know you're not supposed to fly over water in a single engine aircraft, but I'm not licensed for a 747.

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The next one is just a neat shot of a nearly silhoutted Cessna 172 Skyhawk against backlit surface waves. The shoreline is not very well sculpured out in this part of the FSX world heading for GVSV, Cape Verde. And, yeah, I know you're not supposed to fly over water in a single engine aircraft, but I'm not licensed for a 747.

]]> http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=224 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:51:43 -0600 http://cardinalva.org/forums/showthread.php?tid=224



And here is the chase plane pilot laughing at me for calling a missed approach. I did manage to land a Maule in one of these in S. America a couple of years ago, but not a 172:

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And here is the chase plane pilot laughing at me for calling a missed approach. I did manage to land a Maule in one of these in S. America a couple of years ago, but not a 172:

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