Welcome to Part II!

 

We depart from Emden (EDWE), where we ended Part I.

The main industries in Emden are car manufacturing and shipbuilding. Volkswagen has a large factory building the Volkswagen Passat, employing around 10,000 people. The port of Emden is also one of the three main ports for car shipping in Europe (along with Zeebrugge in Belgium and Bremerhaven in Germany). In 2017, more than 1.4 million cars were imported and exported. The Nordseewerke shipyard, a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp, employs around 1,400 dockers and specializes in conventional submarines. It also produces various types of cargo ships and special-purpose ships such as icebreakers, dredgers, and other vessels. Another important economic sector is tourism, mainly as a day-trip destination for tourists staying in the surrounding villages along the North Sea coast. The University of Applied Sciences was opened in 1973. There are currently around 4,240 students enrolled, most of them studying for technical degrees. The Ostfriesische Lufttransport airline had its headquarters in Emden.

 We return to the coast and follow the East Frisian Islands again. After crossing into the Netherlands, we reach the West Frisian Islands and fly over Ameland, Terschelling, and Vlieland before landing at Texel (EHTX).

 After take-off, we make a detour to see the Afsluitdijk [WP6]. The Afsluitdijk was completed in 1932 and closed off the Zuiderzee (literally 'Southern Sea') from the North Sea. Until then, the Zuiderzee had been a large bay south of the North Sea, providing maritime access to five provinces of the Netherlands and, especially during the Dutch Golden Age, a protected entrance and exit for the port of Amsterdam and several other important Dutch seaports. The Zuiderzee also provided relatively shallow and calm fishing grounds for the many towns that bordered the bay. However, the opening of the North Sea Canal (Noordzeekanaal) in 1876 provided much shorter direct access to the port of Amsterdam, and overfishing had depleted the shallow bay. In the second half of the 19th century, the Dutch population was exploding and there was a growing need for land for agriculture and livestock. The Dutch had centuries of experience in building dikes around lakes, draining them, and converting them into fertile polder land.

The next major project was to convert the Zuiderzee into polders. In 1886, some prominent people founded the Zuiderzee Society to investigate the feasibility of reclamation. One of the most prominent members of the society was Cornelis Lely, a civil engineer, prominent member, and later chairman of the society. In 1891 he drew up the first plan for the closure and reclamation of the Zuiderzee.

In 1913, Lely was Minister of Water Management, and land reclamation was included in the government's program. His plan was initially opposed, mainly because of the huge costs and also by the fishing industry. However, after the floods of 1916 and the famine of 1918, the public was ready for this mega-project and parliament agreed, but it took another 9 years, until 1927, before the work began. In the coming years, Rijkswaterstaat will strengthen the Afsluitdijk to secure its future and continue to protect the Netherlands against the power of the water. The renovation began in 2018. The government has taken this opportunity to make room for other initiatives. We will see more constructions along the coast to keep the North Sea away from the Netherlands, where 26% of the country is below sea level. A 4-minute documentary can be seen here.

We pass Amsterdam and The Hague (the capital of the Netherlands) and land at Valkenburg AB (EHVB). Valkenburg Naval Air Base is a former airbase south of Valkenburg that was used by the Dutch Naval Aviation Service until 2006 as a base for the Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft. The Orions were sold to the German Naval Air Force and the Portuguese Air Force, resulting in the closure of the airbase. Although officially closed as an airport, it still sees limited use for special events and by gliders and occasional small piston aircraft, mostly from the local Aeroclub Valkenburg. Current plans are to use the area for housing development, but part of the former airfield may remain in use for gliding. On 25 October 1941, it was the airfield from which Franz von Werra (famous as "the one who got away", the only captured Luftwaffe fighter pilot to escape imprisonment in Canada and return to flying with the Luftwaffe) took off on his last flight, from which he did not return.

On the way to Belgium, south of Den Haag, we pass a lighthouse [WP7] and leave the Netherlands.

In Belgium, we land at Ostend (EBOS). Ostend is known for its seafront promenade, including the Royal Galleries of Ostend, pier, and fine sandy beaches. Ostend is visited by many day-trippers to the beaches, especially in July and August. Tourists from the Belgian interior and from abroad mostly arrive by train (day trips) and head for the nearest beach area, the Klein Strand, which is next to the pier. The locals and other Belgian residents tend to use the larger beach (Groot Strand). Near the beach is a well-preserved section of the fortified Atlantic Wall, which is open to the public as the Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum in Raversijde. You can stroll through the streets around the Vissersplein. At certain times, markets are held in the surrounding streets, and in the summer, music festivals are held on the Vissersplein. The Vissersplein (Bonenstraat/Kadzandstraat) is a car-free zone with many brasseries where you can sit outside and have a drink. Towards the harbor side, there are many small fish restaurants, and behind them, you can see the ferry docking. Although much of the activity at Ostend Airport is freight, it is increasingly used for passenger flights, mainly charter and holiday flights organized by tour operators. It is also frequently used for private business flights.

We leave Belgium and reach France, landing at Calais (LFAC). Calais is mainly known as the mainland departure point for the UK. Ferries have been used for a long time, traveling to and from Dover. Since May 1994 the Eurotunnel has offered train transport for cars and trucks to Cheriton in the UK.

 

We cross the English Channel, pass the Cliffs of Dover [WP9], and overfly the Cathedral of Canterbury [WP10]. Canterbury is a popular tourist destination. The city's economy is heavily reliant upon tourism, alongside higher education and retail. There is a substantial student population; the city has one of the highest proportions of students to permanent residents in the country. The Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England, and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Its formal title is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury. Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077. The east end was greatly enlarged at the beginning of the 12th century, and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, with significant eastward extensions to accommodate the flow of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket, the archbishop who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170. The Norman nave and transepts survived until the late 14th century when they were demolished to make way for the present structures. Before the English Reformation, the cathedral was part of a Benedictine monastic community known as Christ Church, Canterbury, as well as being the seat of the archbishop. A short tour of the Cathedral.

Now we arrive at London Southend (EDMC). Southend was London's third-busiest airport from the 1960s until the end of the 1970s when it was overtaken in passenger numbers by London Stansted Airport. Following its purchase by Stobart Group in 2008, a development program provided a new terminal and control tower, extended the runway, and added a connection to central London via a regular rail service running between Liverpool Street Station and Southend Airport Station on the Shenfield–Southend line, continuing to Southend Victoria. Southend Airport has an excellent weather record and is used by airlines as a diversion alternative when adverse weather or incidents cause other London airports to be closed.

Continuing north we reach Wattisham Airbase (EGUW). It is home to the Army Air Corps Apache Attack Helicopter Squadron. A helicopter repair facility operated by the 7 Aviation Support Battalion, REME, and 132 Aviation Supply Squadron, RLC is also based at the airfield. The RAF maintains a presence at the airfield with a unit of Survival Equipment Specialists who maintain the survival equipment worn by Apache aircrew, including their helmets. In addition to the military, the Anglia Gliding Club and No 1287 Sqn, Air Training Corps also operate from the airfield

Our next stop is Norwich (EGSH). Norwich claims to be the most complete medieval city in the UK. It includes cobbled streets, ancient buildings, timber-framed houses and many medieval lanes; and the winding River Wensum, which runs through the city centre towards Norwich Castle. One of the UK's most popular tourist destinations, it was voted the 'happiest city to work in the UK' by The Guardian in 2016 and one of the world's best small cities by The Times Good University Guide in 2013.

We cross “The Wash”, one of Britain's broadest estuaries, it is fed by the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene, and Great Ouse. It is a 620 km² (240 sq. mi.) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also a Nature Conservation Review site and a Special Protection Area.

Now we arrive at Conningsby (EGXC). It is a Main Operating Base of the RAF and home to three front-line Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 units. In support of front-line units, No. 29 Squadron is the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit and No. 41 Squadron is the Typhoon Test and Evaluation Squadron. Coningsby is also the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which operates a variety of historic RAF aircraft. Panavia Tornado F3 squadrons began to form in November 1984. Tornado training took place until April 1987, when the Phantoms left (to RAF Leuchars) and Coningsby had the first  Tornado air defense squadron. To accommodate these new aircraft, extensive hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) and support facilities were built. During the Gulf War, Tornados from Coningsby were based for three months at Dhahran International Airport to participate in Operation Granby. Tornado engines were serviced on the northern section of the former RAF Woodhall Spa, denoted as RAF Woodhall. 

The next POI is the Humber Bridge [WP12]. It is a 2.22 km (1.38 mi) single-span road suspension bridge that opened to traffic on 24 June 1981. When it opened, it was the longest of its kind in the world; it was not surpassed until 1998, with the completion of the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, and is now the 12th longest. The bridge can be seen for miles around, as far as Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and out to sea miles off the coast. In 2006 the bridge carried an average of 120,000 vehicles per week. The toll was £3.00 each way for cars (higher for HGVs), making it the most expensive toll crossing in the UK. In April 2012, the toll was halved to £1.50 each way after the UK government deferred £150 million of the bridge's outstanding debt. 

We overfly the Minster of York [WP13]. The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is an Anglican cathedral, one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe. The Minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the third highest office in the Church of England (after the Monarch as Supreme Governor and the Archbishop of Canterbury). The title "Minster" is attributed to churches established in the Anglo-Saxon period as missionary teaching churches and is now used as an honorary title; the word "Metropolitan" in the formal name refers to the Archbishop of York's role as Metropolitan Bishop of the Province of York. Services at the Minster are sometimes considered to be at the High Church or Anglo-Catholic end of the Anglican continuum. The Minster was completed in 1472 after several centuries of construction. It is dedicated to St Peter and has a very wide Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house, a Perpendicular Gothic quire and east end, and early English north and south transepts. The nave contains the west window, built in 1338, and above the Lady Chapel at the east end is the great east window (completed in 1408), the largest area of medieval stained glass in the world.

We continue north and reach Teeside (EGNV). After departure, we visit the Teeside Transporter Bridge [WP14], known locally as The Transporter. It is the longest-existing transporter in the world. The bridge ceased to be operational in 2022. When operational, it carries a moving 'car' or 'gondola', suspended below the fixed structure, across the river in 90 seconds. The gondola can carry 200 people, 9 cars, or 6 cars and a minibus.

On the way to Newcastle,  we pass over a statue named The Angel of the North [WP15]. Completed in 1998, it is believed to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world and is viewed by an estimated 33 million people every year due to its proximity to the A1 and A167 roads and the East Coast Main Line. The design of the Angel, like many of Gormley's works, is based on Gormley's own body. The COR-TEN weathering steel material gives the sculpture its distinctive rusty, oxidized color. It stands 20 meters (66 ft) tall with a wingspan of 54 meters (177 ft), larger than that of a Boeing 757 aircraft. The vertical ribs on its body and wings act as an external skeleton that directs oncoming wind to the sculpture's foundations, allowing it to withstand wind speeds of over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

We cross the Tyne Bridge [WP16], overfly the Castle, St. James Park Stadium [WP17], and land at Newcastle Airport (EGNT). Newcastle was one of the world's largest shipbuilding and repair centers during the Industrial Revolution. 

On the way north, we follow the coast until reaching Alnwick Castle [WP18]. It is the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, built following the Norman conquest and renovated and remodeled a number of times. It is now the home of Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland, and his family. In 2016, the castle received over 600,000 visitors per year when combined with the adjacent attraction the Alnwick Garden. The history of the castle was always connected to the Percy family. Details can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnwick_Castle. It is the second-largest inhabited castle in England.

Only 12 miles further north, we reach Bamburgh Castle [WP19]. It was originally the site of a Celtic Brittonic fort known as Din Guarie and may have been the capital of the Kingdom of Bernicia from its foundation around 420 to 547. In the latter year, it was conquered by King Ida of Bernicia. After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590. The fort was destroyed by the Vikings in 993 and the Normans later built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present castle. After a revolt in 1095, supported by the owner of the castle, it became the property of the English monarch. In the 17th century, financial difficulties caused the castle to fall into disrepair, but it was restored by various owners in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was finally bought by the Victorian industrialist William Armstrong, who completed the restoration. The castle is still owned by the Armstrong family and is open to the public. A short tour of the castle.

Heading northwest leads us to the next landing at Edinburgh (EGPH). Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, and the highest courts in Scotland. The city's Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The city has long been a center of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scottish law, literature, philosophy, the sciences, and engineering. It is the second-largest financial center in the United Kingdom, fourth largest in Europe, and thirteenth largest internationally, and the city's historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK's second-most visited tourist destination, attracting 4.9 million visits, including 2.4 million from overseas in 2018. Time Out magazine rated Edinburgh the best city in the world in 2022. The city is the annual venue of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It is home to national cultural institutions such as the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, and the Scottish National Gallery. The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582 and now one of three in the city, is considered one of the best research institutions in the world, most recently placing 15th in the QS World University Rankings for 2023. The city is also known for the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, the latter being the world's largest annual international arts festival. Historic sites in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the churches of St. Giles, Greyfriars, and the Canongate, and the extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th/19th centuries. Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

 

The flight has about 719 miles and 11 landings. We fly for the usual 3 hours, end Part II, and continue for Part III from there.

Flightplans are here.

We want to cruise at about 250 knots. I will be in the Blacksquare King Air, but the TBM, the CJ4, a Warbird, or any other aircraft cruising at about 250 knots would be a good choice.

There are many add-ons available, some of which we used on previous occasions. 

Texel: https://flightsim.to/file/19107/netherlands-texel-international-airport-ehtx

Ostend: https://flightsim.to/file/13360/ebos-oostende-brugge-belgium

Coningsby: https://flightsim.to/file/8325/egxc-raf-coningsby

Teeside: https://flightsim.to/file/6145/egnv-teeside-international-airport

Edinburgh: https://flightsim.to/file/47814/egph-edinburgh-airport     also as payware from ORBX

Aberdeen: https://flightsim.to/file/50356/egpd-aberdeen-dyce-airport

Lossiemouth: https://flightsim.to/file/27378/raf-lossiemouth-egqs

Wick: https://flightsim.to/file/28746/egpc-wick-airport

Sumburgh: https://flightsim.to/file/7514/egpb-sumburgh-airport-shetland-upgrade  also as payware from ORBX
For a limited time, the whole package is available here. It includes all add-ons for the three parts.

As payware is available

EDWE Emden ORBX (MM oder aerosoft)

EGMC London ORBX (pilotplus)

EGNT Newcastle ORBX

EGPN Dundee ORBX

 

Time and Weather
For takeoff, set the simulator for 9 AM local.
We prefer real weather.

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Saturday, October 21, 2023. 1800 UTC
AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm  - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-SAT. COM3
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). Please be kind enough to enter the title exactly as it stands in the title=”xxx” line of the aircraft.cfg file. Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

 

Thanks Gunter. This is an excellent setup with Lights, Dikes, Bridges, Castles, Cathedrals and a rusty Angel.

For scenery fanatics, here is a possible addition: Norwich International [EGSH] by Raptorr111 (apparently a Norwich local). This is a good freeware airport with its own distinctive character.

[Very Optional.]

It looks like Bert and I shall be flying the excellent Black Square TBM 850 this week. You may not worry about seeing these aircraft as a TBM rather than as a Blue Bonanza. Not a big deal.

If you would like to see this as a TBM 930 (Asobo), you can use the Multiplayer Model Matching (M3) program. The current version (v1.4) does not have the Black Square TBM 850 as a “source” aircraft. However, the developers are keeping a frequently updated “source” list available on their Google Drive here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yKf0JGYrGo2768DDCOJBWsRiouz1le_2/view .

If you have M3 working, then updating the source files is pretty easy. Go to your installed M3 folder and create a new subfolder called “M3 Plane Library”. Then download the update file from the Google Drive address above as “M3_Source_aircraft_Update.mmms” and put it into your newly created folder “M3 Plane Library”.

Then run M3 and tick the “Advanced Mode” box (on the upper right). Be sure that the “Source Aircraft” tab is open (it probably is). Click the “Import/Update Source Aircraft” button (lower right). The click “Load Source Aircraft File” and go to you new “M3 Plane Library folder.” Choose the downloaded “M3_Source_Aircraft_Update.mmms” file. You can scroll down to the Daher TBM 850 row and select it with CNTL-Click. Then hit the “Import/Update Selected Aircraft” button and say yes and ok through the sequence. (You could have said Import All Aircraft and M3 should update as needed...I think.)

Check to see that the Daher TBM 850 is now in you list of Source Aircraft. Then if you want it to be associated with the Asobo Daher TBM 930, you should tick the “Matching Enabled” box on the Daher TBM 850 row.

Then hit the “Generate Package” button (on the upper right). Then go to the M3/Output folder and copy the “zMMM_MultiplayerModelMatching” folder to your Community Folder or to your AddonsLinker system. (This will overwrite the previously created folder.) Done.

You may or may not want to do this for this week. But eventually, we shall want learn how to update our M3 matching files so that we can see each other in an appropriate aircraft (even if we don’t own every aircraft).
 

Thanks Mike, very helpful! 

That could also help for the next Sunday Flight, as most of us don't have the DC Design Harrier, that I will use Sunday.