Just flew from Prince George to Juneau in the NGX, and felt I had to share.

 

This was a flight with Radar Contact, REX Essentials, FS2Crew and FSPAX.

 

An early morning start, followed by an uneventful hour or so heading northwest.

 

Then we started to descend towards PAJN.

 

The clouds came in.

 

 

Then more clouds.

 

Then more...

 

Looking to my left, mountains reared out of the mist - this isn't a place to be unsure of, as you descend.

 

There's a nasty story on Wikipedia about a 1971 CFIT here - and watching my environs, I can completely understand why it was, that professionals might have flown into a granite cloud.

 

Amazingly, at about 5500', I come out of the clouds, and there is a runway ahead. At first blush it's landable. But not for long. I'm way too high, and full forward pressure on the stick makes no difference.

 

Time to get out of here. Tell Radar Contact it's a Missed Approach. Tell FS2C the same. Altitude back up at 5K+ to avoid these mountains, let's head off over the water to see if we can sort out another approach.

 

The clouds are still a mess. I have no sense of what is where. Just grey, and the odd glimpse of green/blue/brown.

 

The FMC has blanked. I put in PAJN and at last I have some sensible guidance to my destination - but I'm still in 99% cloud, there's no real sense of place.

 

Down to 3000. Follow the FMC path. At last the PAPIs appear - and that ridiculous cliff that blocks entry to the Rwy8 - is that really there?

 

Too late to worry about it, I need to skim over it, almost brushing the treetops, before I plunge down towards the runway.

 

 

A good solid set down and I'm delighted that I'm still alive.

 

What a flight.

 

The NGX is an amazing bird - but adding in REX and FS2Crew makes all the difference. And FSPAX even gave me points for a nice landing. Amazing. Love it.

Next time, aim for The Cut, and your last 2 miles will be a little more comfortable. :)

Have a look at this chart: http://aircharts.org/data/view.php?id=210245d7-22d6-5e2b-8f2c-8a1d34ea370c

 

That will give you an idea of the approach.

 

And as Matt said- aim for the cut, and then swing 'er around and line 'er up once you get past the hill there.

Diddo. This is not your typical straight-in approach, and yes that hill is really there. This approach is Kai Tak-like. I love it

Interesting approach and landing and a very nice set of pics. Alaska is an amazing place to fly. Do you use a specific scenery addon or these are default?

Thanks for the comments. Is "the Cut" the lower part of the hill just to the right of the peak? Or the depression to the left (as you approach 8)?

 

Panos, this is the default scenery. Quite impressive, I had to double check that!

 

I've thrown in an Afcad from here on Avsim that brings the runway up to date, but that's all.

 

Paul Scholey

If you look at your sixth picture, the "cut" is on the right side of the "mound" or hill-thing.