(FS24) 2,000 miles across South America...in an Airbus A340

[P_7878]

The MSFS XIX World Update enhanced the land mass scenery of mostly northeastern South America, notably including Brazil. In my previous post (please see it if you wish), I'd flown along the final 300 miles of the Amazon River, entirely within Brazil. Here, I wished to travel over a much longer passage, from Georgetown airport (SYCJ) in Guyana to Rio de Janeiro airport (SBGL) in Brazil, a flight distance of about 2,300 miles.

Though the most dominant geographical feature of South America is the Andes Mountains, stretching along the western coast of the continent, it is outside of the coverage of MSFS WU XIX. If you examine the EFB Map display (below) of my route, you'll notice that I'm flying here, from north to south, mostly over the relatively flatlands of northeastern South America, specifically across the vast country of Brazil which is primarily known for the lowlands, basins, and forests associated with Amazon River. However, it does have some mountains located in its southeastern and southern regions, such as around the city of Rio de Janeiro. On my route, I did not observe any mountainous terrain until the last few hundred miles of my trip (see images). So, in the EFB shots below, you will notice the "green" color on the MAP for most of my route, changing to "brown" color only in the final segment, to match the mountains on my final approach path to Rio de Janeiro airport.

The highest peak in Brazil is no taller than 10,000 ft. So, for this flight, to be able to observe the terrain features en route, I have flown no higher than 15,000 ft, often steady at 12,000 ft. I've finally landed on ILS Runway 15 of (SBGL) Rio de Janeiro airport (see my concluding images). It was overall an interesting flight that showed me the variation of topography as I flew across this region of the continent. Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures from my trip today. And while at it, I hope, you also enjoy the pictures of this quad-jet Airbus A340, a long-haul stalwart of yesteryears, whose time has come and now (almost) gone. (Note: The choice of livery is dictated by Marketplace limitations...🙂..., until I get access to my additional repaint packs) ...

Regarding this aircraft, may I suggest for you to take a look in the Wiki for Airbus A340...especially the Section on "Accidents and incidents" which opens with this note, "The A340 has never been involved in a fatal accident....", an observation you'll be hard pressed to find in the records of any large long-haul (commercial) jetliner in history, a testament to this remarkable airplane, with an equally remarkable safety record.

Currently, only 3 operators (Lufthansa, Conviasa, Mahan Air) are still flying the A340. In fact, FlightAware now shows that today Saturday, there are two Lufthansa Airbus 340 flights already en route from my hometown (Chicago/KORD) to Frankfurt (EDDF). And tomorrow, Sunday, there are two more Airbus 340 flights scheduled between the same cities. Indeed, the A340 continues to be a diehard workhorse of a long hauler...🙂...By 2028, when Lufthansa, the largest operator of the type (with which airline I've had chance to travel many times on the A340), finally retires its A340s, the type would likely (and finally) disappear from our RW skies. Maybe, by then, a premier (SIM) developer will consider creating a high-fidelity version of the (quad-jet) A340 in MSFS for some of us enthusiasts...🙂...

Thanks for viewing...!

[pmplayer]

Fine set !

Is this the LVFR A340 ?

cheers 😉

[P_7878]

6 hours ago, pmplayer said:

Fine set !

Is this the LVFR A340 ?

cheers 😉

Thanks for the comment, pmplayer...! And, yes, LVFR is the only one I've now access to. This is an A340-300.

I'm very much hoping for our Airbus factory, iniBuilds...🙂...to consider putting 4 engines instead of 2...on one of their creations..., before this Airbus type is finally retired in a couple of years...Oh well...we'll see...

BTW, Lufthansa is still flying the -300s and -600s out of KORD to EDDF, with four A340 flights this weekend itself. They might be the last major carrier to use the type before its retirement. Many pleasant memories with the LH 340s...

Cheers...!

[John F]

Nice series. How prevalent were those missing satellite scenery/filled-in areas (pic #12) in the course of your (lengthy) flight? Those were observed occasionally in my MS2020 explorations. Was hoping most would be eliminated after WU19.

[P_7878]

2 hours ago, John F said:

Nice series. How prevalent were those missing satellite scenery/filled-in areas (pic #12) in the course of your (lengthy) flight? Those were observed occasionally in my MS2020 explorations. Was hoping most would be eliminated after WU19.

Thanks. Yes, John, I wished to show that screenshot #12, because while I was still flying in the plains (per the inset EFB Map), that bit of terrain just happened to catch my attention. If I recall correctly that kind of texture appeared quite a bit in the flatlands just before I entered the more mountainous terrain...

Of course, the mountains near Rio that I saw (and have shown) did not appear suddenly on my route. First, the small (mountainous) ripples...🙂... appeared on the flat terrain (I included a couple of more images below), before I neared the taller mountains on the final approach path to the airport...

Thanks for catching this bit...!

[andiflyit]

Great set P_7878 and a good looking Airbus! 🙂

[Alaska738]

Beautiful shots! 😉 

[P_7878]

On 3/16/2025 at 4:14 PM, andiflyit said:

Great set P_7878 and a good looking Airbus! 🙂

Thanks, Andreas...Good have you drop in here for a bit...Yes, I like the A340 a lot...a good old RW friend of mine..., and, after all, it is an Airbus with 4 engines...🙂...different from the mundane 2-engine airplanes of modern times...speaking, of course, purely from an aviation enthusiasts' perspective...🙂... Cheers...!

 

On 3/16/2025 at 10:39 PM, Alaska738 said:

Beautiful shots! 😉 

Appreciated the comment, Will, and glad you liked this Airbus 340 images. I hope to get a more authentic version in MSFS...some time in this SIM life...🙂...

Take care...!