It's time to get away for the weekend as we leave KDET bound for Harbor Springs, Michigan KMGN (we'll land on a nearby lake).

The XCub from CubCrafters is perhaps one of the lesser used aircraft in our inventory - but it's really a treat.  It has docile handling and can cruise around 110 ktas even with the floats attached.  It's equipped with a basic G3X, I say basic because there is no GPS navigator attached.  (Though I could go for a GTN 650 Xi myself).  It also has a really low stall speed (especially with the wheeled variant) and comes in regular tires, bush tires, skis and amphib.  One of our painter group has created this superb real world paint (you know how Red and I get along lol) and I'm showing it off here!

We're on the ramp in Detroit City (now called Coleman A Young Municipal Airport) doing our pre-flight.  Our initial plan is to climb to 3000 to remain clear of the class Bravo.  It's about 230 miles and we'll fly NW towards Traverse City MI KTVC and then turn north up the eastern shore of Lake Michigan to enjoy the desirable coastline views.

It's smokin hot here and is quite hazy looking towards Detroit downtown

I believe this is I-75 as we head towards Flint KFNT - I ADORE the ability to put the VFR sectional on the G3X

A couple of lovely lakes that we could play in (Pontiac KPTK in the background)

Heading towards Saginaw KMBS - we must keep our eyes out for obstructions!

Saginaw River

Looking NE at Saginaw Bay (part of Lake Huron - a US Great Lake) - I also climb to 4,500 as I was getting tossed around in turbulence down low.

I elect to stop in Houghton Lakes KHTL for some cheap 100LL.  With a solid headwind so far and no fuel at the lake it seems like a good idea to stop (and we need to use the little boys room LOL).

The credit card reader worked for once!  And we're underway yet again as we turn NW towards TVC

At this point we are nearing Grayling MOA/firing range.  I climb to 8500 to also try to escape the headwind (it's supposed to be more out of the west up here).  You can see R-4202 under our wing here along with Lake Margrethe (KGOV airport is on the far side of that lake -it's staffed most weekdays by military controllers).

We finally arrive at Traverse City and turn north up the "East Arm" of Grand Traverse Bay.  Near my suction cup you can make out a nice little grass strip - 59M Torchport.

You might not believe it but this area in the Summertime is incredibly dense with flight training, joyriding and corporate jets/props of all types.  Northern Michigan has a lot to offer such as outdoor recreation, charming towns, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, vineyards and more.  Even Hollywood elites make their way up here to escape the craziness of LA. 

We begin a slow descent towards Charlevoix (pronounced like shar la voy) KCVX

We turn east at Little Traverse Bay (and keep a good distance from KMGN airport as it's going to bustling with aircraft - you can see it under the flap lever)

We're finally here!  I'm not crooked but we are landing at Crooked Lake LOL!

That looks pricey...

Hopefully I didn't scratch the floats on the rocks EEEEK!  And now for rest and relaxation 🙂

 

 

 

Stunning paint, interesting flight and great commentary. (I always "get my money's worth" out of your screenie posts. 🙂)

Great screenshots, Ryan. I've got to try this X-Cub when FS2024 is installed.

Darryl

Very nice shots and paint Ryan.  I need to get some GA time....too much "chasing the magenta line" in my sim life.  The XCUB amphib seems like a winner in that category. 🙂

I've flown the CubCrafters XCub quite a bit in MSFS, Ryan...really like that little monster of an airplane...🙂...

Wonderful shots sprinkled with bits of humor...Glad you stopped by for some fuel en route...you mean you could not swipe your card there and had to use that old-fashioned thing where one uses brute force to move the handle back and forth...🙂...Oh well, it worked...

I'm familiar with Northern Michigan and Mackinaw City, but probably not as much as yourself ...And, it was Michigan I-75, where I drove 70 mph (legally...🙂...) for the first time...

Thanks for sharing your trip to the Lake Cabin...sounds nice for these summer days ...

Nice set!

Thanks everyone.  Zach uploaded his multi paint pack for the Amphibian model - support dynamic registration too!

https://flightsim.to/file/94906/cubcrafters-cc19-xcub-multicolor-pack-1-amphibian