[Note: This week, from the various on-going (SIM) SALEs, I was looking for something new to fly with (and around), and I happened to be eyeing the (LHC) Bellanca Super Viking, and, then, (fortuitously) I ran into a viewing of the (nice and thorough, as usual) review of the same plane in Chock's Hangar...that settled it...🙂......]

And, here in our SIMs, pictures of the big (international) airports' are often shared and seen...with large jetliners arriving and departing at such airports (I've had my share of those airports, visiting/transiting as a traveler). But, sometimes, the small (and less-known) airports from around the world can be equally fascinating, especially when a (SIM) developer (freeware or a payware), considers it to be significant enough for re-creation. So, today, looking for a locale, a bit different from the usual, I've acquired, and combined in this post, Orbx's (Alderney), btw, where, in the world, is Alderney,...the non-locals of the region (like I am) might ask...🙂...(so, please see below), along with LHC's Bellanca Super Viking, a plane, likewise, that may not be well-known, to the folks not local to this part of the world. The name Bellanca may be however familiar.

The Bellanca Viking (and Super Viking) were manufactured, in a small Minnesota town, Alexandria, (located, 140 miles farther NW of the Twin-Cities,...which explains to me, why this Alexandria (as contrasted with the (other) Alexandria, VA, near, Washington, DC, I'm quite familiar with) didn't ring a bell for me, even with my (past) two visits to Minneapolis–Saint Paul...that was as far north I've gone, on I-94, in MN....was cold enough for me...🙂...). Anyway, in Alexandria, MN, between 1968-1975, over 1,300 units of Vikings were built. The name "Viking" was chosen because of the high number of people in the Minnesota area being of Scandinavian descent. But, how, the Italian born (aircraft designer) Giuseppe Bellanca's factory got established (and headquartered) in Alexandria, MN, is bit of a mystery...it appears, some WWII pilots in Alexandria, bought the rights to the (classic) Cruisair (the predecessor of Viking) from Mr. Bellanca and they manufactured them, there, for a few years under the name of Northern Aircraft Corporation. Then, they sold the company to Jay Downer and the name was changed to Downer Aircraft Corporation, and eventually to Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, in 1967, about which time, the first Viking (17-30 300 model) appeared. The subject (LHC) aircraft of this post is a Super Viking (17-30A 300A model).

In this plane, and in the interior shots, below, please note the (nicely simulated) CENTURY III AUTOPILOT and, especially, its (curiously circular-shaped) "GUIDANCE MODE SELECTOR KNOB", reminiscent of (early) Sperry Autopilot's Mode Selector Knob), at RHS flightdeck, just above the (Autopilot) Rocker Switches Panel. And, I wish to point out, in addition to the (normal) two-position flaps, on the wings, see a close-up shot of it, also the existence of the "Cowl" Flaps/Doors, see those in the close-up shot of under-belly (front fuselage).

Back, now, to Alderney, which is a tiny island, part of the Channel Islands, which are an archipelago in the English Channel, just off the French coast of Normandy (see Top-Down MAP screenshot below - noting that the Red Cross-wire (i.e. my Bellenca's position) appears on Alderney, itself). Alderney is separated by eight miles, from the French Coast, by the strong and "treacherous" tidal (sea) currents of Alderney Race. "When the wind and the race current flow in opposite directions, (this) sea/strait becomes particularly chaotic, causing high waves to break with violence, too dangerous for shipping...". And, btw, the other two specks/islands, that are also seen, nearby, on that (MAP) screenshot, below, are these: at ~ 6 o'clock (directly south) is Jersey, and at ~ 8 o'clock (southwest) is Guernsey.

Alderney Airport (EGJA), subject locale of this flight, is the only airport on the island of Alderney. Built in 1935, Alderney Airport was the first airport in the Channel Islands. On one of the images below, note the criss-crossing Grass Rwy (13-31) and the Asphalt Rwy (08-26). Here, for this trip (and sights) around the edges of this island, I've lifted off Grass Rwy 13. "There is no public road transport on Alderney, except for a few tourist buses in the high season, as the island is small enough to be covered on foot. For those unwilling to walk, taxis exist and cars can be hired..." It is, after all, only 3 miles long and 1 1⁄2 miles wide, so, the area is barely 3 square miles total - see images below. So, my plan, for a subsequent post, is to (virtually) "walk" around the airport and the island, with the help of my friend "Bob". I will post images of any other interesting sights, (to be) encountered...So, please stay tuned...!

Here, hope, you enjoy these pictures, below, of this (beautiful, and impressive) classic (Bellanca) plane (btw, except for the lack of V-Tail, does it not look like a Beech Bonanza...?), in the skies over this (small, but remarkable) Alderney island...thanks for your interest..!!

[LHC(Super Viking), Orbx(EGJA/Alderney)]

Nice shots....  scenery looks inviting and the Viking is a sweet plane irl!

Superb Shots...FSX still looks Strong!!

Thanks, Ryan and Patrick...! I like this plane...!

Great set shots!