Pensacola

MM · January 21, 2018

Pensacola. The Cradle of Naval Aviation.

Today's flight will depart from Naval Air Station Pensacola, proceed along the beaches of the Florida Panhandle to Tyndall Air Force Base, and then return to NAS Pensacola. This training exercise is designed for some practice formation flying in the North American T‑6 Texan. Some of us may practice ground loops as well. We commence and end this flight at the Blue Angels Pensacola flight operations center – on the tarmac just west of the T-39 Sabreliners of VT-86. We depart from Pensacola's Sherman Field (KNPA) and execute a touch-and-go at (or optional low pass over) historic Chevalier Field (KNCP) on the naval air station about 3 miles east of Sherman Field. We then make brief stops at Destin Executive (KDTS), Tyndall AFB (KPAM), Northwest Florida Beaches (KECP) and Eglin AFB (KVPS). We fly over Duke Field (KEGI) and Bob Sikes (KCEW) and stop at NAS Whiting (KNSE) before we return to NAS Pensacola (KNPA).

Flight Plans
The Flight Plan (*.pln and *.gfp) as well as a Pilot's Guide are available via DropBox here.

Aircraft
Recommended is the North American T-6 Texan (the A2A payware version is excellent). Any plane capable of 140kts will do. You should fly what you like.

Scenery
You will probably like the Orbx North American Landclass, Orbx Global Freeware Airports for North America, and Orbx Global Vector. (You may turn off AEC.)

Highly recommended is the addon scenery for NAS Pensacola (KNPA) v1.3 by Jim Dhaenens – you will enjoy the quality of his work and we shall take advantage of his detail when we begin and end our flight. [The flightplan assumes that you have this installed. But it is not absolutely necessary.] And also highly recommended is NAS Whiting Field (KNSE-KNDZ) v1.1 also by Jim Dhaenens. Both of these work in FSX and P3D and are available at FlightSim.com (NAS Pensacola here and NAS Whiting here). (Jim Dhaenens added to the NAS Pensacola scenery the WWII-era Chevalier Field, with its blimp hanger and old-style aircraft hangars and seaplane facilities. We shall take a close look.) Scenery mavens might like Dan French's Tyndall AFB at FlightSim.com. This installation requires some assembly.

Particulars
Date and time: Saturday 27th January 2018, 1900 UTC.
Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel
Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com
Cross-Platform Multiplayer: JoinFS. (FSX, FSX-SE, and P3D).
If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!
Simulator Weather, Time and Season: As the weather in northern Florida is uncertain at this time of year, we shall plan on using the FSX/P3D "Fair Weather" theme on an early Spring day. Set your takeoff time for 3pm local time (1500 EDT, 1900 UTC) on April 1, 2018.

spokes2112 · January 22, 2018

Many Thanks Mike!
Downloading all the extras now.. (Thanks for direct links)
Pilot's guide was looked over but will save for tonight's bedtime read.

I guess if we do real good formation flying we just may have to revisit, after primary training commencements, with the advanced T-28 trainer.. Or.. Am I just foolin' ( "April 1, 2018" )

DaveCT2003 · January 22, 2018

Mike,

I live in Pensacola, and have to say that you seem to know the area very well!

Wise87 · January 22, 2018

Local person here also. Been living in this area since I was first stationed here in 1984.

Stoley · January 22, 2018

*Broken T-6 Texan addon* check

*no joystick for the formation* check

alright im all set

spokes2112 · January 27, 2018

First off,
A big thanks to MIke for the flight, and as always, an excellent write up that expands our knowledge.
And.... A big thanks to Anders for the formation tips & comments.

Awesome flight!!!

If you would like to see the last 2/3rds of the flight on your own time, use the JoinFS recorder function and the file here. (rather large @ 27.7mb - availability for 1 week)

Join FS running not connected to a server
Menu --> File | Open Recording --> Find the file
Menu --> View | Recorder for "Sony Betamax" type video controls.
In FS - Use the right click in the main window | then AI (or MP) | select an aircraft.

Otherwise TANGO9 "r" (camera ship) has provided some screenies for your enjoyment.