To Land's End and Beyond: SW England Part 1

[CavalierDuck 106]

The flight starts at Filton (EGTG) in Bristol – now disused and being built over, but it has been kindly reinstated by Asobo.  Looking to the northwest after takeoff you will see two large bridges over the estuary of the River Severn.  Head towards the southernmost of these; if you have the addon scenery it’s safe for underflight.  After inspecting the underside head to the waypoint inland marking the start of the Avon Gorge, which you will want to be well down inside to pass under the Clifton Suspension Bridge (yes, you can).  Continue along the river and look to the left as you exit the gorge to see Bristol city centre.  Leaving Bristol to the south we get to our first stop at Bristol’s regional airport (EGGD).  We continue south across the Mendip Hills and over the Somerset Levels to Glastonbury and the waypoint at its Tor.  Now turn west towards the Quantock Hills and Exmoor from where we can begin our approach into the former RAF base at Chivenor (EGDC) where we make our next stop (officially closed but the runway is in conspicuously good repair).  After leaving Chivenor we take a short dogleg to cross the Taw and Torridge estuary before we turn out to Lundy Island, on which there is a small airstrip suitable for small light aircraft (EGZV).  Return to the mainland at Hartland Point and continue down the north coast into Cornwall to the former WW2 base at Davidstow Moor (EGJV).  Bodmin Moor will be on our left as we depart to the next stop at Newquay airport (EGHQ), until recently RAF St Mawgan.  After Newquay we could do a quick touch’n’go at Perranporth (EGTP) depending on how time is going, on our way to Land’s End (EGHC).  The last leg takes us out to the Isles of Scilly, where it may be worth a little cruise around before landing at St Mary’s (EGHE).

Flightplan

Can be downloaded here.

Aircraft

I have set up this plan with the Piaggio P.149 or a similar aircraft cruising around 120-140 kts in mind.  The Arrow or a number of the default aircraft will also work well.

MSFS Scenery

Severn Bridges (if you fly under the default bridges you do so at your own risk)

Glastonbury Tor (small enhancement adds the ruined tower on top, nice but not needed)

Lundy Island (recommended for the airstrip and island enhancements)

Newquay airport (not required)

St Mary’s airport and Isles of Scilly (recommended)

Bristol city (very optional)

I debated using the Bristol city scenery but elected not to as you end up with two Suspension Bridges.  If you aren't bothered by the duplicate bridge(s) but would like to see the representations of the city's historic buildings, feel free to do so.

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Saturday, April 24, 2021. 1800 UTC
Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel
Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com
Cross-Platform Multiplayer: JoinFS. Latest version is here. (FSX, FSX-SE, and P3D and MSFS2020)
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: North America East server.

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!

NOTAM 24/04/21:

I suggest setting departure time to 1630 local (1530 UTC) for an evening sunshine arrival in the Scillies.

Live weather is looking good for this evening but there may be a light 45kt breeze from the east as we get down towards Land's End, if the sim replicates real weather.

 

[CavalierDuck 106]

Pilot's Guide (of sorts)

Some points of interest for tomorrow's flight:

Bristol Filton airport

Severn Bore

Bristol

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Glastonbury Tor

Exmoor

RAF Chivenor

Lundy

Newquay airport

Isles of Scilly

And to make sure you're paying attention: why did Sarah Ann Henley become famous in 1885?

[nbrich1 116]

Don't usually pay too much attention but try once in a while.

She took a plunge into the the great blue yonder!  Well the story goes something like this.(not exactly but close enough). 

After being a Bristol barmaid for a few years and having to put up with the blimey English blokes to no end, Sarah Ann Henley got so overwhelmed with life that on May 8, 1885 she thought it best to "end it all"!.

She decided to end it by taking a plunge off the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Down 75 M (246 ft) she fell like a Humpty dumpty but she lived to tell the tale as she survived that jump into the River Avon, thanks to her crinoline skirt! She got over it and lived many years following that suicide attempt. Born July 8 1862, she died 63 years later in March 31/1948 at aged 85. 

So now that we know all those alleged historical factual events as above, here is a simple question for all those math gurus out there concerning the life of Sarah Ann Henley.

How old was Sarah Ann Henley when she made her famous jump off the Clifton Suspension Bridge?

(Does it matter? Not really). But perhaps if you are on Jeopardy and get this question you might actually get it correct!)..

Yes some of us do pay attention, (at least the odd time). lol.

Trivia for the day. Thanks Nick.  

 

 

Edited April 24, 2021 by nbrich1

[MM 424]

Sarah Ann Henley. English aviatrix. In 1885, at age 22, Henley successfully flight-tested a prototype parachute design.

[nbrich1 116]

lol. Well done establishing the correct answer with a very interesting linguistical flair and relating to more modern appliances to illustrate the famous event.  lol

Edited April 24, 2021 by nbrich1

[CavalierDuck 106]

NOTAM

I suggest setting departure time to 1630 local (1530 UTC) for an evening sunshine arrival in the Scillies.

Live weather is looking good for this evening but there may be a light 45kt breeze from the east as we get down towards Land's End, if the sim replicates real weather.

[buzzbee 51]

Volanta flight log for today's flight.