Superior to where you say?  The U.P. or Upper Peninsula of Michigan is sandwiched between Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada as well as Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron.  It's a lovely place to visit in the summer (or winter if you're sick in the head!)  People from this area are commonly called Yoopers!

We're pretty sick so we're flying the PC-12 NGX from KSUW to KSAW at FL210 on this brisk wintery morning.  Flight time is a bit over 1.5 hours and we'll shoot the RNAV RWY 19 approach via JIBQE

The twinkling city lights of Duluth MN can be seen in the background, along with the quite tall "antenna farm" (around 2050 ft for the highest) as we de-chock this puppy

Let's hope they didn't put 100LL in here or startup could be interesting

We're IFR today and Duluth approach has released us for departure to "enter controlled airspace heading 360" initially climbing to 5000.  The PC-12 NGX climbs very well especially with this cold dense air

It appears a ship has arrived through the Aerial Lift Bridge - it will make its journey into the harbor and ore docks - I barely catch a glimpse as we're climbing so fast

Sky Harbor off my left wing (which is KDYT in Minnesota), and Wisconsin underneath

We're quickly issued a turn on course and a climb to FL210.  Most approach/departure controls will climb acft to the top of their airspace (Duluth's is 12k) but they have an agreement with the center to climb everyone to FL230 or their cruise altitude if lower.  From what I understand the old procedure hails from the days of non radar (it was that way when I started ATC up there).  It wasn't unusual for the center to not "see" aircraft on radar until well above 10k feet heading east out of the Duluth/Superior area.

Looking at the North Shore (MN side) of Lake Superior

Here is the cloud cover - they'll be plenty of delicious icing to fly through on our way into SAW

I like this view of the sun breaking above the cloud tops!  Repaint by The Terrific TimHH 🙂

One can almost see Canada far to the right of our wingtip...  as we fly further from Canada we also fly closer to the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin.  I do admit the Apostles are beautiful winter AND summer... with some really neat ice caves to explore! (google it)

I think I end up with a little over 290 knots over the ground here at 210

There they are - albeit partially obscured.  There's even an airport on Madeline Island (4R5 if you ever make your way out there!)

We're nearly at TOD as we get the full power of beloved star - visor's down!

The PC-12 NGX is the modernized iteration of the PC12/47 series which was first released in the early 1990s.  The NGX features a full EPECS (similar to fadec I think??) powerplant using the PT6E-67XP - about 10% more hp than the previous engine - max ktas around 290 knots.  The avionics are vastly different from the original PC-12 as you can see.  They're mostly done by WorkingTitle but there are still a few bugs and some missing features which from what I understand needs to be implemented by Carenado.  One can still fly traditional VOR/airways in this bird if need be.

We've begun descent and we've loaded the RNAV 19 via JIBQE into the FMS.  We'll have LPV minimums at Sawyer.

Those look inviting... if you like to get iced up!

Center clears us for the approach "N1247E, cross JIBQE at or above 3,600, cleared RNAV runway one niner approach sawyer airport." 

I just snapped this quick without thinking because it reminded me of a time I saw a view almost identical to this flying the musketeer (it was a summer day though so no ice!)  I like that feeling of seeing the heavens above for a moment before a blanket is thrown over your wind screen.

Thankfully this layer was only about 1000 ft thick and we only picked up light rime ice - Sawyer tower clears us to land on runway 19 - there is no approach control here.

Decent skiing out in this area actually...

Some interesting lighting as the sunrise peeks through the thin layer above.  Welcome to Marquette/Sawyer Regional Airport!

 

 

 

 

 

Great shots, thanks Ryan.

Always enjoy your well-informed narration, Ryan. Coupled with some truly beautiful shots. The early departure time, interesting weather, and sleek livery make this one of your greatest!

Good in sharp Ryan...pics are first rate!

Darryl

I'm rather familiar with the eastern side of Lake Superior... (and Lake Michigan etc.), Ryan, but not so much the western sides of it. I've travelled up the Upper Michigan Peninsula, twice, to Mackinaw City, and Sault Ste Marie (both U.S./Canada sides).

Here, I see you are departing from the westernmost corner of Lake Superior ...

On 1/7/2025 at 2:59 PM, ryanbatc said:

It's a lovely place to visit in the summer (or winter if you're sick in the head!)

Yes, that's my feeling too...🙂...

Thanks for these lovely (albeit winter dreary) pictures of this region. The PC-12 NGX looks sharp in your shots ...as always ...

Thanks for sharing...!

 

Amazing pictures as usual! The lighting in the new sim is without question excellent.

I've lived in Michigan for a year, but never made it to the UP. Finally I can say I've seen it (a bit)!