Papua 3 Rugged and Remote
For Saturday, February 5, 2022
Michael MacKuen

We return to Papua and this time concentrate on mountains near the eastern border with Papua New Guinea. This region is more "rugged and remote" than the areas we have visited thus far. We shall visit some well-developed airstrips that take ordinary care to execute a safe landing. And we shall visit a few airstrips that will pose a challenge.



We start at Oksibil [WAJO] which is a commercial field with an asphalt runway for regional airliners. We climb to land at the photogenic ridgetop strip Mindiptana [WAOY] [*]. And then head east to Tinbil [PAP22] and then proceed over the border into PNG, stopping at Busilmin Airstrip [AYIN] [*] and then at the large field at Munbil [LNF].

Next west, circling around the higher ground, to land at Tumolbil [TLP]. And then across the border back to Papua to stop at Okyap [WAUL] which is large enough but perched on a cliff. We take off and climb to 5900 to crest the ridge. Take a look at Osua Airstrip [Okpahik2, PAP19] [**] for future reference. Climb up to Okpahik Airstrip [Okpahik1, PAP18] [*] which is perched on a hilltop and provides a grand view. We then drop down to nearby Kiwirok [WAJK], a bigger village with a (slightly doglegged) sealed runway and aviation services. A good moment for a break.

We continue northwest, overflying a number of village airstrips to land at Mipol [Ubrub, WAZJ]. Then south down a narrow valley to Kaklup [PAP24] [**] for a touch-and-go. (You might just do a low pass.) Onward to land a Ambisibil Airstrip [WAUA] [*]. This will take some care as the best approach involves a sharp dogleg into Runway 16. We cross over to the next valley to land at Okbab Airstrip [Ubrub, WAVY] and then further along at Yapil [WAUP]. These are one-way strips but of pretty good size. We complete this segment by returning to the main valley flying northwest to land at Borme [WAUF]. This last approach requires a tight turn to the southwest to open up the final approach into the large paved airport with lights and services. Again, a good moment to take a brief break.

The final segment skirts west and south around the very high ground to enter a valley and land at Bime Airstrip [WAUC]. Good spot for a festive celebration. (See this clip courtesy of Buzz.)

NOTAM. This trip is fairly short as the crow flies – the two most distant airports are only 63nm apart. In the event, the mission involves flying 165nm around hills and through valleys, and landing at 14 airstrips sited on the top of, or the side of, steep hills. Most are easy enough as long as the pilot exercises normal cautions. Several invite more than normal attention and are marked with an asterisk (*). Osua and Kaklup are marked with a double asterisk [**] – we do not land at these strips.

Documentation
The flightplan can be found here.
Here are a few videos for an impression of the local flying environment. Landing and takeoff at Kiwirok.  Borme to Okbab. Taking off Yapil. Landing at a Party in Bime. Pilatus PC-6 Papua Indonesia Highlights 2020.

Aircraft
We have a number of good STOL options that currently operate in Papua, including the default Cessna 208 Caravan, as well as the Pilatus PC-6 Porter, the Daher Kodiak and the DHC-6 Twin Otter. [I shall take the SWS Kodiak in the SIL Aviation P2-SIT livery by ozzieblr.]

Additional Scenery
Not all airports are in the default simulator. And some of the terrain needs spike suppression. You want the following scenery addons.

Bush Strips in Papua. Kronzky. (Required)
Papua / New Guinea terrain fixes. wantok (Optional, but you really want this.)
Munbil PNG. wantok. (This is for a better rendition of the default airport. Optional.)
New Zealand Tree Height Fix. STR1KEStudioz. (Shorter trees on mountainsides. Worth a try.)

Time and Weather
For takeoff on Saturday, set the simulator at 8:00 am local for February 5, 2022.
We typically prefer real weather and expect fine flying conditions in Papua. If thunderstorms appear, pick "High Clouds" or "Few Clouds", set the temperature at 72F/22C, and add winds of 3kts out of 45 degrees.  

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Saturday, February 5, 2022. 1800 UTC
Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel
Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: United States 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!

Just a note. The first airport Mindiptana [WAOY] is blessed with a spectacular setting. (This is one of those that gets filmed by pilots.) It is a 1,220 ft airstrip on a ridgetop at 7,465 ft MSL. Runway 13 is slightly uphill but the slope will not help much. Getting this approach at the right speed and altitude makes for a rewarding finish. However, if you find yourself coming in hot, you might simply execute a touch-and-go and proceed to the next stop Tinbil [PAP22].

We can have some fun without worrying too much about any particular airstrip.

Now you're scaring me. 😳

Prep your approach speed and altitude in good time. Always better to descend more with confidence than try to climb or maintain altitude at last minute 

Thank you Bry, I feel so much better now. 🙄

Yup. Just dial in your RNAV, let the automation do the work, and you can sit back and enjoy a cup of tea.

Ron,  You will know you are safe when you see the LAND3 on the PFD with ROLLOUT and  FLARE armed (white text),  Easy Peasy.

 

Oh boy, are we in trouble!!