msfs A Trip to Gitche Gumee

[ryanbatc 12,040]

We depart Beaver Island KSJX (on Lake Michigan) westward for a long flight to Duluth Sky Harbor KDYT.

Gitche Gumee is the original Ojibwe name for Lake Superior, the largest of the US Great Lakes, and largest freshwater lake (by area) in the world.  The deepest point is 1332 ft (approx 406m).

We'll take our beautiful DHC2 (amphib configuration) - we'll cruise at a few different altitudes based on cloud cover and winds.

Extended overwater ops isn't a real issue with the Beaver

Untitled-2 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Beaver Island is the largest in Lake Michigan

Untitled-3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Initially we're pointed towards Escanaba KESC

Untitled-4 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-6 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Abeam ESC we'll climb all the way up to 12,500 for a while to get smooth air

Untitled-8 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-10 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

And then end up with a slow descent and the cloud tops and bases rise

Untitled-11 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Over top of Bond Falls Flowage...outflow from a rather lovely waterfall just ahead of my nose

Untitled-13 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Clouds are thickening up as we approach Ironwood MI (KIWD)

Untitled-14 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

This is Lake Gogebic - the largest inland lake of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the UP - people who live here are commonly referred to as Yoopers)

This small river (Montreal R) is the border between Michigan and Wisconsin.

Untitled-18 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Bad River and a nice view of Chequamegon Point....seem to point right at the Apostle Islands (near the Ashland WI KASX area)

Untitled-20 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

A very popular tourist destination both in summer and winter, Madeline Island, just behind us (you can fly in to 4R5!)  The town of Bayfield, WI lies at the north end of this road, well-known for its apple orchards.  And you can catch a ferry to Madeline Island.

Untitled-24 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I've seen this particular livery in real life - it's stunning

Untitled-25 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

One can start to see Wisconsin Point on the upper right of the frame (it's very close to our destination) - and here we're overhead Port Wing 

Untitled-27 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Left downwind for RY 13W (water) KDYT

Untitled-30 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-31 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

City of Duluth, MN in the background as we taxi in

Untitled-32 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Up the ramp on wheels once again

Untitled-33 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Ready to be hangered (scenery by Verticalsim)

Untitled-34 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SP2472 2,119]

Ryan always delivers good aviation content, stunning flight once again.

Darryl

[John F 2,207]

1 hour ago, SP2472 said:

Ryan always delivers good aviation content, stunning flight once again.

Darryl

Your posts just keep getting better and better, Ryan. Always a delight!

[bernd1151 5,420]

8 hours ago, John F said:

Your posts just keep getting better and better, Ryan. Always a delight!

+1 !!

[WingZ 546]

Yes a meticulous series of shots.
Agree with you on the livery, very nice indeed.
I am wondering about the floats on the GA aircraft which somehow all look the same - is there a single designer/supplier for all planes?

 

[Phantom88 3,190]

Excellent Ryan

[ryanbatc 12,040]

5 hours ago, WingZ said:

Yes a meticulous series of shots.
Agree with you on the livery, very nice indeed.
I am wondering about the floats on the GA aircraft which somehow all look the same - is there a single designer/supplier for all planes?

 

Wipaire is a very common supplier here in the USA.  Their factory is very close to where I live.

[Tim-HH 534]

Thanks for another stunning trip report! I always enjoy them a lot 

[ryanbatc 12,040]

On 9/18/2023 at 8:39 PM, SP2472 said:

Ryan always delivers good aviation content, stunning flight once again.

Darryl

Thanks!  I learn a little too along the way hehe

On 9/18/2023 at 10:27 PM, John F said:

Your posts just keep getting better and better, Ryan. Always a delight!

Thanks and thanks for the book link

On 9/19/2023 at 6:42 AM, bernd1151 said:

+1 !!

Thanks Bernd!

10 hours ago, Phantom88 said:

Excellent Ryan

Thank you Patrick

7 hours ago, Tim-HH said:

Thanks for another stunning trip report! I always enjoy them a lot 

Much appreciated Tim

[WingZ 546]

On 9/21/2023 at 12:49 AM, ryanbatc said:

Wipaire is a very common supplier here in the USA.  Their factory is very close to where I live.

Well that certainly answers the question, thanks!

 

[P_7878 5,599]

Your Great Lakes region trips and flights are fascinating...Ryan...! Nice westward flight, here, as opposed to your (previous) eastward flight to the Chicagoland area...🙂 ...

Interesting commentary, throughout, of the (en-route) geographical features and tidbits...

Recall one memorable (road) trip, up north to Mackinac Island, and then to Sault Ste. Marie, on the edge of Lake Superior, had crossed over to the Canadian side of the town, and stayed for a couple of days...a most beautiful (coastal) region to explore...

Liked your choice of the DHC-2 Beaver amphibian here ...it was my very first payware a/c of FSX days ...🙂 ...thanks for featuring it in MSFS...

[ryanbatc 12,040]

On 9/30/2023 at 2:10 PM, P_7878 said:

Your Great Lakes region trips and flights are fascinating...Ryan...! Nice westward flight, here, as opposed to your (previous) eastward flight to the Chicagoland area...🙂 ...

Interesting commentary, throughout, of the (en-route) geographical features and tidbits...

Recall one memorable (road) trip, up north to Mackinac Island, and then to Sault Ste. Marie, on the edge of Lake Superior, had crossed over to the Canadian side of the town, and stayed for a couple of days...a most beautiful (coastal) region to explore...

Liked your choice of the DHC-2 Beaver amphibian here ...it was my very first payware a/c of FSX days ...🙂 ...thanks for featuring it in MSFS...

Thank you!  That sounds like a wonderful road trip!  I've never been into Canada on the north shore, or into Michigan on the south shore....even though I lived in Duluth for over a decade hehe.  I think I'd like to make a flying trip to MCD at some point.

[P_7878 5,599]

On 10/3/2023 at 7:36 PM, ryanbatc said:

Thank you!  That sounds like a wonderful road trip!  I've never been into Canada on the north shore, or into Michigan on the south shore.... even though I lived in Duluth for over a decade hehe.  I think I'd like to make a flying trip to MCD at some point.

Yes, Ryan, very true...it was indeed a wonderful road trip...During those days, I used to prefer road-trips to air-trips...whenever I could...

Of course, you're nearer to the Great Lakes region than rest/most of the country...you can make a trip after exploring (virtually) from air, first ...BTW, I now recall from the trip, up along Michigan State Route 31, hugging the (picturesque) eastern shorelines of lake Michigan... En-route, I'd visited Holland (MI) with its Tulip Festival and Windmill etc. The MCD airport, I believe is open throughout the year, although as you might guess, these northern shores are pretty much shut down in hard winter for tourists like us (not that you and I are strangers to frigid winters) ...🙂 ...

Normally, one has to take the ferry to get to the island...if that service is disrupted due to winter, you've, here, your (trusty) DHC-2 to get you there still ...🙂 ...Hope you decide to make an (air) trip...

Edited October 8 by P_7878