Central America 3: Mexico to Nicaragua

[CavalierDuck 106]

Leaving Mexico and continuing our journey further south into Central America. 

Starting where we finished a few weeks ago at San Cristobal de Las Casas (MMSC), we have one more flight within Mexico across the mountains to Tapachula (MMTP) before we head into Guatemala and Quetzaltenango (MGQZ) then Guatemala City (MGGT).  We'll then have a quick look at El Salvador, via waypoint OLISU which marks an area of volcanoes before we visit the international airport in San Salvador (MSSS). Next leg is into Honduras and Tegucigalpa (MHTG), then we finish at Managua, Nicaragua (MNMG).

Optional challenge for tubeliner jockeys: Tegucigalpa's Toncontin International Airport is notorious for its circling approach for commercial jets into runway 02 (smaller aircraft can go straight in).  Whatever you choose to fly for the rest of the route, those of us with a tubeliner inclination who would like the full Tegucigalpa experience might like to switch into something appropriate when we leave San Salvador.  And you may benefit from a practice run or two to avoid embarrassment....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ZcUS2nNd0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZXgL0fN0KQ

Flightplans

Download here in PLN and GFP formats. 

As last time, a little faffing about to be done with the GFP plan as our starting airport isn't in the GTN database, so I have used the same trick of adding MMTB to the start  of the plan, but we will actually start our flight at the first user waypoint.

Aircraft

Same as the previous flights in Mexico, we're looking for something quite fast to cover the distances.  300kts cruise ideal, 250kts minimum is my suggestion.  Private jets, fast turboprops, subsonic military jets, warbirds, all good choices.  There is a rumour there may be some military jets coming along with us this time.

Scenery

Orbx FTX Global textures + FTX NA landclass are a good combination, especially with an addon mesh for the mountains.

We are still accompanied on our route by freeware scenery designer Fernando Angel Gonzalez to whom we should be very grateful:

San Cristobal MMSC

Quetzaltenango MGQZ

Toncontin, Tegucigalpa MHTG by Rhett Browning, includes instructions for 02 circling approach

Managua MNMG

Particulars

Date and time: Saturday, 11th May, 2019, 1800 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! 

 

 

 

 

[MM 424]

Toncontin, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. MHTG.
Some additional Approach and landings to RWY 02.
(Top tip: Don't land short...and don't land long.)

Some more film for those with too much time on their hands.

Air Transport Pilots

Landing Toncontin Airport Cockpit View 1080p (2014)
Beautiful pictures and light music. How could this be dangerous?
Note the landmarks. Especially the graveyard.

B-737 Cockpit View Approach & Landing TGU (2004)
Rain and Clouds. Cockpit sound.
Pilots' professional conversation about handling weather and terrain.
At the end, the first officer has some nice words to the captain.

Cockpit view of a jet landing into Tegucigalpa Honduras TGU (2007)
B737. Older video quality. Gives a sense of descent into weather.
Note pilot's comment at the very end.

Tegucigalpa Honduras Nov 2011 B757 (2013)
B757 largest plane authorized here. (Horrible music.)
Busy cockpit. The pilots keep looking for waypoints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOVvmyuRGoY

Ground Level

Plane-Spotting. (2018) (12:19)
Gives a different perspective.

Red lights are useful (2009)
Older clip from an earlier era. Nice twist.

[MM 424]

Two Learjet 31 landings

Learjet 31 Landing Toncontin MHTG. (2013)
Easy Peasy in a light plane.

Learjet 31 Landing Toncontin MHTG (2). (2014)
The two pilots were as calm as Chuck Yeager in a rocking chair.

[CavalierDuck 106]

Currently raining in San Cristobal and murky in Tegucigalpa, so if you want better weather I suggest last Sunday, 5 May 1800 UTC.