Well Happy Birthday my friend...... I quit counting the birthday's (hahahaha) My offer still stands though... I'll buy the first round in Bagdad..... that is if I can find the place. Obviously the atlas I purchased wasn't the best choice. Most of the cities in FS are not on my map. Hmmmm... I think maybe I overshot. Better get to checking again. See ya in a bit.Steve

Hello Andrew.... well I finally found the place after I snaked around Iraq a while. Was getting a little nervous with the fuel too... down to 24% the last time I had looked. Anyhow... found it... refueled and on the road again. Will see how this next run goes.Take care & Best wishes,Steve

I hope you refueled at the pump. I suppose I should say well done but .... :-(Andrew

Yep, I found the pump finally.... kind of took the scenic route, however, it's on the south end of the field. I'm assuming you're right behind me.... I hope.... smile. Don't know how much longer I can go before I need to get some rest and take a quick shower. From here out it should be interesting.... as I haven't flown these legs and my map REALLY stinks. Next year I'm going to have to try to find some charts with good info. Thought I'd be slick and make a list of all the NDB stations along the route. As of yet however, none of them seem to work so I'm flying blind. Let me go see if I can find out where I'm at. Right now all I know is I'm heading east. (smile)Best wishes,Steve

First in at Baghad deserves something special. There is something to say for tactics though. Tortoise and the Hare and all that :-)I haven't told Matt yet and I can't tell you where we are as you know only the guys on the ground at Baghdad know you have passed through lol.Andrew

"There is something to say for tactics though. Tortoise and the Hare and all that :-)".... Yes... that is what I'm afraid of and the rear view from this aircraft doesn't exist. (Smile) Looks like the head winds are picking up a bit... hope the weather will continue to be decent. One thing I now realize I forgot when I put this instrument panel together.... a CLOCK!! I have no idea what time it is and my cell phone just doesn't seem to pick up. (lol) Sure would like to get over some of the mountains before dark..... I may end up on the rocks.Steve

The last aircraft has just touched down at Baghdad while Steven goes on to India (VIAL). Personally I am hoping he falls asleep and crashes but I doubt he will ;-)The two Comets are resting at Baghdad for a few hours. See you all later.Andrew

>Then again if demand is there maybe we could do it in>December/January again? What do you think?December/Jan....sounds good....I'll keep a few vacation days for it. Oh ya...and have 6 months to practice up a bit on my VFR flying with little scenery and a handful of real maps.Robert

Time to leave Baghdad for Melbourne. A quick phone call to India (VIAL) reveals the old guy is asleep and I have 2,000nm to make up! So, coffee brewed and fligh plan calculated but not loaded of course time to leave (00:39) here in the UK. This is the last time that either myself or Steven will post here and mention where we are. There are only two of ys left in the race and the last thing I want to know is where he is! Everyone else has engine trouble, fuel lines broken etc. Even my Copilot has the "Baghdad Tummy" so looks like I wil have to navigate alone, I hope it's not too cold up there!!! I am flying the Comet (Black Magic) which dropped out in India so here is my chance to stand up for the honour of Bush Flying Unlimitrf and prove we are made of the right stuff. See you in Melbourne Steven, all of those long flights have taught me a lot about how to fly "strategically" so watch your six.Sleep well my friend,Andrew Brown

"Personally I am hoping he falls asleep and crashes but I doubt he will" Hey..... that's not very nice...... now I can't hardly see as my eyes are welling up with tears. (smile)Okay.... I have NO idea of a time frame here or where ANYONE is at. The guy at the pumps said you paid him off to not tell me were you're at or what anyone is flying. Hmmmm..... there has to be better intel somewhere out there.Take care,SteveP.S. Me crashing is VERY much a possibility. Can't see a bloody thing in this darkness. At least the weather is still holding.Take care and Best wishes to all,Steve

>Good luck and safe flying to all those who are>participating...I really wanted to join in, but seeing as our>long weekend here in Canada is Fri-Sun, not Sat-Mon, I would>have been a wreck at work.>>Once again..good luck...>>Take care.>RobertRobert keep in touch through the web site below and when we have another race I will get in touch. Next one is set but no date and route to be revealed ..... Andrewhttp://www.gordiusfs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Steven Rapp flying the Howard Hughes H1B Racer which was perhaps to be expected. But the race is not finished of course. Some had to drop out leaving only me to finish in the deHavilland Comet Black Magic. So far I am still on the way to Singapore which just goes to show how fast that Howard Hughes racer really was.I see a couple have said they might be interested in a race some time. There is already a race in the pipeline, not quite as long next time. It is based on a real race that took part in the 30s and was known as the "Powder Puff Derby". All the pilots were women and from what I know we don't have many here so start shopping for your new dress guys :-) I will try and get another news item about the that race closer to the day. Next years MacRobertson Race is also in the making and next time we hope to be able to make things a lot more equal so it relies a lot on pilotage and a bit less on who has the "best" plane.Time for a plug I think!This race was and for me still is great fun. A great way to get to know a really nice guy. Never forget the race between the AVSIM site and the other two sites that noone ever goes to ;-) which takes place every year - the Round The World race. We will be there and I know some of you wil too! (say "Yes Andrew Sir"). Watch for news of that one. From what I heard since starting to plan this race some time ago its great fun to take part in.I will be back to post again as I carry on in the Race but for now A BIG THANKYOU TO JOHN MULLER WHO WROTE THE UTILITY KNOWN AS THE DUENNA WITHOUT WHICH THIS RACE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT HARDER THAN IT ALREADY IS. HE WORKED HARD FOR US AND BEFORE THAT TO WRITE THE RTW DUENNA. A GREAT GUY WHO DESERVES MUCH MORE THAN JUST A MENTION!!!See you later all and if you want to watch out for the "Derby" and other flights keep an eye on the web site below.Andrew Brownhttp://www.gordiusfs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Andrew,Sorry to hear you could never catch up....did you go the whole night without sleep?Congrats to Steven for going the distance and winning this race.I have this really nice pink number picked out for the Powder Puff Derby...so keep the updates coming.Robert

I would be most interested in flying one (or more) of these races you talk about. Will keep an eye out for info on your site to see what's about to happen!

Without sleep .....Left at 6am my time Friday4 Hours on Friday evening then left Baghdad alone, Steve was already in Allahabad8 Hours last night (Sunday)Otherwise no sleep and although I keep pausing there will be no sleep for me for about another 18 hours from now. That's gonna be about 26 hours without sleep and I'm loving it although flying alone is a bit rough.Andrew