nbrich1

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part10 (TCH-10) For Wed. June 03rd, 2026 [img] Our Trip To date this year, have travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway: from Victoria British Columbia eastward all the way to Rivière-du-Loup, Québec. In this tenth trip following the “Trans-Canada”, we will continue eastward out of Rivière-du-Loup more or less following the highway route exploring the route through eastern Quebec, through the province of New Brunswick and into the coastal province of Nova Scotia. Driving the Trans-Canada Highway between Rivière-du-Loup, QC, and Port Hawkesbury, NS, is a spectacular 1,025 km journey spanning three provinces. It typically takes about 10 hours of continuous driving. The Route Breakdown: We follow a continuous, largely twinned route consisting of the following highways: Out of Riviere-du-Loop Québec we follow AutoRoute 20 east then AutoRoute 85 (formerly Route 185) southward to the New Brunswick border. In New Brunswick we transition onto Route 2 East, which cuts completely across the province through Fredericton and Moncton then as we enter the province of Nova Scotia we merge onto Highway 104 East which takes us through Truro and towards Cape Breton, ending on Highway 105 which brings us to the Port Hawkesbury area (via the Canso Causeway), Nova Scotia. Points of Interest/Highlights: Riviere du Loup, QB, is the northern gateway to the Gaspe Peninsula along the scenic Route 132. The area is also known for its eight beautiful waterfalls, the largest of which drops 30 metres (98 feet), along the drop toward the St Lawrence. We’ll fly over the town which is situated beside the St. Lawrence River. Rivière-du-Loup (population 20,118) is a small city on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the province of Quebec. It is a major transportation hub in eastern Quebec. By road, it connects Quebec City and the Gaspé Peninsula to the Maritimes, with the Trans-Canada Highway passing through. By water, it links the Lower St. Lawrence and Charlevoix regions via a cross-river ferry. Fredericton, NB: The capital city of New Brunswick. It is a beautiful city situated right along the Saint John River, perfect for an overnight stay. Moncton, NB: Roughly the halfway mark, between Riviere-du-Loop and Port Hawkesbury is a small city but features urban amenities and proximity to the Fundy coast. (Bay of Fundy*) *The Bay of Fundy is an ocean inlet located on Canada's Atlantic coast between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small tip reaching into Maine. Famous for hosting the highest tides in the world, the bay can see water levels rise by up to 16 meters (52 feet). Low tide reveals The Hopewell Rocks (NB): Explore towering "flowerpot" sea stacks on foot during low tide then then kayak around their peaks at high tide. We will divert directly southward out of Moncton airport to see the Bay Fundy area then resume our trip eastward via the Trans-Canada. ] The last segment of our trip takes us to Nova Scotia which translates to "New Scotland" in Latin. It is one of Canada's eastern Maritime Provinces, officially named in 1621 when King James VI of Scotland granted the land to Sir William Alexander for a Scottish colony. Heritage: True to its name, the province has deep Scottish roots, featuring a strong Scottish Gaelic heritage and the largest Celtic population outside of Europe. Route Airports: This trip is 491 nm. Departing Riviere-du-Loop (CYRI) (Quebec), seven mid-stops: CYES CCK3 CCR3 CYFC CYQM CCQ3 CYTN, Destination: Port Hawkesbury (CYPD) Nova Scotia. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Aircraft Not much time to waste in this trip! We will need a fast-cruise of about 250 kts+. Some GA favourites include the Beech King Air, Beech Duke, Beech Starship, Daher TBM, Piaggio Avanti, Pilatus PC-12 or other similar. I perhaps will use a King Air in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. Add-on Scenery: CYRI airport*: https://www.jpfil.com/quebec-fs2020/scenes/Aeroports-Bas-Saint-Laurent.zip (by Pierre Gallant) (*from our last trip) CYFC airport: https://flightsim.to/addon/73604/cyfc-fredericton-airport (by GPietro) (Requires CYFC Lib below*) CYFC lib*: https://flightsim.to/addon/74946/gpietro-object-library (by GPietro) CCQ3 airport: https://flightsim.to/addon/82313/debert-regional-airport-ccq3-debert-nova-scotia-canada (by flightguy2023) If you have payware as below, please feel free to use but it is not necessary to purchase any for this trip as all airports are in the default sim! CYQM airport: There is payware version available from simaddons as well as an older payware version from aerosoft. CYFC airport: There is a payware version from simaddons. CYTN airport: There is payware version available from simaddons-Nova Scotia small airports pack CYPD airport: There is payware version available from simaddons-Nova Scotia small airports pack Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1700 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards May 26, 2026

Note: Another airport scenery for this flight. (It is kind of hidden in a recent KMTJ airport add-on), (I hate it when they do that!!) This scenery shows (in the fine print) that it in addition to that KMTJ airport, it also includes 7V2 (which is an airport in this flight) as well as 1co4. LINK: https://flightsim.to/addon/108771/kmtj-montrose-regional-colorado

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 9 (TCH-09) For Wed. May 27th, 2026 [img] Our Trip To date this year, have travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway: from Victoria British Columbia eastward all the way to Canad’s capital city, Ottawa, Ontario. In this ninth trip following the “Trans-Canada”, we will continue eastward out of Ottawa more or less following the highway route, that is, after an extensive helicopter trip through the city of Ottawa! The first portion of this tour will slightly divert north out of Ottawa International to view the Ottawa River, House of Commons, Parliament buildings, Canadian War Memorial, government and world ambassador residences and much more in helicopters before following the Rideau Canal back to connect with the Trans-Canada Highway and proceed east. By the day’s end we will have toured the city of Ottawa, visited several towns and small cities along the way as well as visiting a few of Canada’s larger cities in Quebec: those being Montreal and Quebec Our final destination in this flight is Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, which is on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Trans-Canada Highway between Ottawa and Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, covers 624 km /388 nm. Ottawa is the nation’s capital, home to not just the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Hall, and 24 Sussex, but most of the national museums. Once the center of the once-booming lumber trade, it is now considered Silicon Valley North, with a specialization in telecommunications. The Ottawa River which extends over 1000 km to the north, and the smaller Rideau and the Gatineau Rivers connect to nearby recreation areas. The city is surrounded with and bisected by pretty Greenbelt parklands, and the Rideau Canal. Importantly, the region sits astride two provinces. Montreal, the largest city in Quebec, Canada, is located on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and is named after Mt. Royal. The city's diverse boroughs offer a range of experiences, from the historic Vieux-Montréal with its cobblestoned streets and Notre-Dame Basilica to the bohemian Plateau. Québec City, located in Canada's Québec province, is a historic gem dating back to 1608. Its Vieux-Québec and Place Royale areas boast charming stone buildings and narrow streets, including the iconic Château Frontenac Hotel and Citadelle of Québec. The Petit Champlain district offers cobblestone streets lined with quaint bistros and boutiques. Riviere du Loup is the northern gateway to the Gaspe Peninsula along the scenic Route 132. The area is also known for its eight beautiful waterfalls, the largest of which drops 30 metres (98 feet), along the drop toward the St Lawrence. Key Route Details (West to East): Ottawa, Canada's capital city is most famous for Parliament Hill, the historic ByWard Market, and the scenic Rideau Canal, which becomes the world's largest skating rink in winter. It features seven national museums, such as the Canadian War Museum, alongside iconic landmarks like the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Montreal, the largest city in Quebec, Canada, is located on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and is named after Mt. Royal. The city's diverse boroughs offer a range of experiences, from the historic Vieux-Montréal with its cobblestoned streets and Notre-Dame Basilica to the bohemian Plateau. City of Montreal -View from Mount Royal Québec City, located in Canada's Québec province, is a historic gem dating back to 1608. Its Vieux-Québec and Place Royale areas boast charming stone buildings and narrow streets, including the iconic Château Frontenac Hotel and Citadel of Québec. The Petit Champlain district offers cobblestone streets lined with quaint bistros and boutiques. Québec City, Le Chateau Frontinac Rivière-du-Loup (population 20,118) is a small city on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the province of Quebec. It is a major transportation hub in eastern Quebec. By road, it connects Quebec City and the Gaspé Peninsula to the Maritimes, with the Trans-Canada Highway passing through. By water, it links the Lower St. Lawrence and Charlevoix regions via a cross-river ferry. Rivière-du-Loup - Rue_Lafontaine Route Airports: The main route of the Trans-Canada is Highway 417 through Ottawa and eastern Ontario then assumes Highway 20 and/or referred to as “AutoRoute Jean-Lesage” through the province of Quebec. Our initial excursion will be a Ottawa City Tour in helicopter which commences at Ottawa Intl (CYOW) and explores the city then ends at Rockcliffe (CYRO). The second portion of our trip will commences at Rockcliffe and following the route of the Trans-Canada from Rockcliffe (CYRO) some 345 nm to Rivere–du-Loop, Quebec. Aircraft Part One: Requires a Helicopter (or very agile GA aircraft) to be able to explore the city of Ottawa. (32 nm) Airports: CYOW to CYRO. Part Two: Requires fast GA: This portion is 345 nm travelling the Trans-Canada eastward out of Rockcliffe (CYRO). Departing: Rockcliffe (CYRO), stopping at: CYUL CSC3 CYQB CSH2 to final destination of Riviere-Du-Loop (CYRI). We will need a fast-cruise of about 220-250 kts. Some GA favourites include the Beech King Air, Beech Duke, Beech Starship, Daher TBM, Piaggio Avanti, Pilatus PC-12 or other similar. I perhaps will use a King Air in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery: Not many freeware addons for these locations. (Payware is available for airports: CYOW, CYRO, CYUL, CYQB but not mandatory by any means) Freeware Scenery Package pre-assembled HERE (Single links to these scenery pieces are listed below)) CYUL port: https://flightsim.to/addon/57170/montreal-port-cargo-ships (by Doum066) CSC3 airport: https://flightsim.to/addon/7945/csc3-drummondville-airport (by tiking) CYQB airport: https://flightsim.to/addon/34757/cyqb-quebec-jean-lesage-international (by GeeBee) CYQB airport: https://flightsim.to/addon/99401/2024-update-visual-mod-for-geebee-s-quebec-city-airport-cyqb (byMatS2218) CSH2 airport: https://www.jpfil.com/quebec-fs2020/scenes/Aeroports-Chaudiere-Appalaches.zip (by Pierre Gallant) CYRI airport: https://www.jpfil.com/quebec-fs2020/scenes/Aeroports-Bas-Saint-Laurent.zip (by Pierre Gallant) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards May 20, 2026

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 8 (TCH-08) For Wed. May 20th, 2026 Our Trip To date this year, have travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway: from Victoria British Columbia eastward all the way to Thunder Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. In this eighth trip following the “Trans-Canada”, the main route referred to as Highway 17 in Ontario, we will continue eastward out of Sault Ste. Marie more or less following the highway 17 route. By the day’s end we will have visited several towns as well as a few larger cities on this route those being Sudbury, North Bay and Ottawa, Ontario. The Trans-Canada Highway between Sault Ste. Marie and Ottawa is primarily served by Highway 17, covering a scenic route of roughly 800–900 km (approx. 9–10 hours driving time) along the North Channel of Lake Huron and through the Ottawa Valley. The route is mostly a two-lane highway, passing through Sudbury and North Bay, with heavy truck traffic and continuing eastward to our Nation’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Key Route Details (West to East): Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury (approx. 3.5 - 4 hours): Highway 17 runs east along the North Channel of Lake Huron, passing through towns like Blind River and Thessalon. Sudbury to North Bay (approx. 1.5 hours): The route connects the two major Northern Ontario hubs. North Bay to Ottawa (approx. 4 - 4.5 hours): Highway 17 continues southeast, following the Ottawa River valley through Mattawa, Petawawa, and Pembroke, eventually becoming a divided highway/freeway (Highway 417) near Arnprior before entering Ottawa. Sudbury offers a blend of industrial history and natural beauty, featuring top attractions like the interactive Science North, the iconic Big Nickel at Dynamic Earth, and expansive outdoor spaces such as Bell Park, Ramsey Lake and Kivi Park in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy hiking, paddleboarding, and scenic lookouts like Onaping Falls. The city is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield and is home to over 300 beautiful lakes including Lake Wanapitei, the largest city-contained lake in the world. (We will take a slight 8 nm detour to travel directly over the city). North Bay is a year-round "Gateway to the North" destination offering a perfect mix of urban amenities and nature, centered on the shores of Lake Nipissing. Key activities include exploring the downtown waterfront, hiking the stunning Duchesnay Falls trails, cruising on the Chief Commanda II, and enjoying beaches. Ottawa, Canada's capital city is most famous for Parliament Hill, the historic ByWard Market, and the scenic Rideau Canal, which becomes the world's largest skating rink in winter. It features seven national museums, such as the Canadian War Museum, alongside iconic landmarks like the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. (Next trip we’ll take a tour around this city). Route Airports: The main route of the Trans-Canada is Highway 17. Our route in this trip is 426 nm in Northern Ontario travelling eastward. Route: Departing Sault Ste. Marie (CYAM), six mid-stops: CPL5 CYSB CYYB CMA2 CYTA CNP3, final destination Ottawa International (CYOW). Aircraft: We will need a fast-cruise of about 220-250 kts. Some GA favorites include the Beech King Air, Beech Duke, Beech Starship, Daher TBM, Piaggio Avanti, Pilatus PC-12 or other similar. I perhaps will use a King Air in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Big Nickel - Sudbury, Ontario Add-on Scenery: Not many for this flight: All airports are in the sim but for some “eye candy” if you wish: CYSB: https://flightsim.to/addon/67325/sudbury-cysb (by MazerMart) (See *libs list) CYOW: (Payware is available from Roman Design or Simaddons) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards May 12, 2026

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 7 (TCH-07) For Wed. May 13th, 2026 Our Trip To date this year, have travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway: from Victoria British Columbia eastward all the way to Thunder Bay, Ontario. In this seventh trip following the “Trans-Canada”, which is referred to as Highway 17 in Ontario, we will continue eastward from Thunder Bay more or less following the highway route and the northern shore of great Lake Superior. By the day’s end we will have visited several towns and cities on this route. This segment of highway, Thunder Bay to “The Soo” spans 700 km and by road offers a highly scenic, roughly an eight hour drive along Lake Superior. It is a vital, mostly two-lane, paved route passing through rugged wilderness, demanding careful attention to fuel stops! This route crosses the scenic Canadian Shield, featuring lakes, forests, significant mining and forestry communities. Route Details Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie: Highlights: City of Thunder Bay, Towns of Nipigon, Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River, Wawa, Lake Superior Provincial Park and area, City of Sault Ste. Marie. Crucial Tips: Fuel and food are sparse. Make sure you Fill up in Wawa and Marathon! Scenic Information & Essential Stops: City of Thunder Bay – Hosts the Terry Fox Memorial along our route departing Thunder Bay (x marks the spot on the flight plan). Visiting the towns along the highway: Schreiber, Terrace Bay, Marathon, White River*, Wawa* (CP Route) White River*: Hosts (Winnie the Pooh Park and statue). White River is known as one of the coldest spots in Canada! Lake Superior Provincial Park: Known for Agawa Bay, Old Woman Bay, and Sand River Falls. Pancake Bay & Batchewana Bay: Popular beach spots just north of the Soo. Chippewa Falls: A scenic spot near the midpoint of the entire Trans-Canada Highway. Wawa Goose: A classic photo stop! City of Sault Ste. Marie: “Soo” Lock system which joins Great Lake Superior to Great Lake Huron. (St. Marys River) (Marks CAN-USA Border) and host a Canadian Bush plane Museum. Airports/Route: This route is 361 nm in Ontario: departing Thunder Bay CYQT, three mid-stops: CYTJ CYSP CYXZ and final destination at Sault-Ste-Marie CYAM. Aircraft: We will need a slower-medium speed of about 150 for this trip. GA Piston Single is appropriate IE: C182, Comanche, Bonanza or equivalent. I, perhaps, will use a C182 in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Sault Ste. Marie Add-on Scenery: CYQT: (Available as payware (Simaddons) (If you have it please use it, but sure don’t need to get it if you don’t have it! CYXZ: Wawa/area by MazerMart: https://flightsim.to/addon/105989/wawa-regional-airport-cyxz) (*libs) *https://flightsim.to/addon/64249/mazermart-object-library *https://flightsim.to/addon/105992/wawa-seaplane-base-watson-s-skyways Sault Ste. Marie Area: by MulberryWing CPX8: https://flightsim.to/addon/70878/cpx8-sault-ste-marie-water-aerodrome-and-canadian-bushplane-heritage-centre-ontario(*libs) MI8: https://flightsim.to/addon/69166/mi8-sault-ste-marie-international-seaplane-base-michigan (and locks) (*libs) CPX8-MI8 libs: *https://flightsim.to/addon/32010/seaplane-asset by 30west Soo Locks: https://flightsim.to/addon/2121/michiganderflyer-thelocks (by Casualb58) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards May 07, 2026

Hi there guys.. It is Wed May 6th. - 0930 Eastern time). Something has come up and my wife and I have to head out of town in an hour and will not back until much later today so will not be able to fly today. (I have flown this route a few times so please feel free to fly the route today in my absence) (I'm sure Bert can provide good commentary on the route). Sorry for the inconvenience. Norm

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 6 (TCH-06) For Wed. May 06th, 2026 Winnipeg Our Trip: To date this year, have travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway: from Victoria British Columbia eastward all the way to Brandon, Manitoba. In this sixth trip of the “Trans-Canada” we will continue eastward from Brandon following the route of the Trans-Canada highway and by the day’s end we will have visited the city of Winnipeg, travelled across the rest of the province of Manitoba, entered into the province of Ontario and will have visited the cities of Kenora and made it to our destination city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Trans-Canada Highway segment from Brandon, MB, to Thunder Bay, ON, spans roughly 900–1,000 km, traveling east on Highway 1 through Winnipeg, then using Highway 17 (main route) or Highway 11 (northern route) through Ontario. This route crosses the scenic Canadian Shield, featuring lakes, forests, and significant mining/forestry communities Route Details (Brandon to Thunder Bay): Segment 1: Brandon to Winnipeg (MB Highway 1 East): Approx. 200 km of twinned, high-speed highway through agricultural prairie. Segment 2: Winnipeg to Kenora (MB 1E / ON 17E): Crosses the Ontario border into the Canadian Shield, characterized by rocky terrain and dense forest. Segment 3: Kenora to Thunder Bay (ON 17 East): Continues East via Ignace. This section is known for its scenic views but is largely two-lane, requiring caution due to heavy truck traffic. Alternative (Northern Route - Hwy 11): From Nipigon, drivers can take Highway 11 to the northern route, though Highway 17 is the direct route into Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay Airports/Route: Departing Brandon MB, (CYBR): 6 mid-stops: CYPG CYWG CYQK CKQ7 CYHD CZUC with final destination of Thunder Bay (CYQT), Ontario. Aircraft: This route runs 475 nm with lots of stops and views and is designed for GA aircraft. We will need a fast-cruise of about 250kts. Perhaps we might take a closer look of Winnipeg MB, Kenora, Dryden, and Thunder Bay before we conclude this excursion. Some GA favorites include the Beech King Air, Beech Duke, Beech Starship, Daher TBM, Piaggio Avanti, Pilatus PC-12 or other similar. I perhaps will use a King Air in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery: (All airports are in the default sim but there are a few free add-ons are available if you wish as below: CYPG: https://flightsim.to/addon/82441/cfb-southport-airport-airbase-cypg-portage-la-prairie-manitoba-canada (by Flightguy2023) CYWG: (Available as payware (Fsimstudios) (If you have it please use it, but sure don’t need to get it if you don’t have it) CYQK: https://flightsim.to/addon/88522/kenora-airport-cyqk (by MazerMart*) (* Requires MazerMart’s Object Lib) CYQT: (Available as payware (Simaddons) (If you have it please use it, but sure don’t need to get it if you don’t have it) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards-April 29, 2026

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 5 (TCH-05) (For Wed. April 29th, 2026) Regina, Saskatchewan Our Trip We have previously travelled a large portion of the Trans-Canada highway from Victoria British Columbia eastward to Brooks Alberta. In this trip we will continue out of Brooks following the route of the Trans-Canada highway eastward and by the day’s end we will have crossed into Saskatchewan, travelled over the City of Regina, crossed into Manitoba and made it to the city of Brandon. The Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) from Brooks, AB to Brandon, MB offers a journey through the heart of the prairies, featuring expansive agricultural landscapes, historical grain elevators, and charming towns. Key highlights include the Medicine Hat teepee, unique prairie scenery, the Assiniboine River, and museums in cities like Brandon. The terrain is very flat and straight, often referred to as "big sky" country, featuring expansive prairie views and farmland. The highway is well-maintained with high-speed, four-lane divided lanes for most of this section. Key Stops and details: Brooks, AB: Nearby Dinosaur Provincial Park (UNESCO site). Medicine Hat, AB: Features a large prairie oasis (Police Point Park) and the "World's Tallest Teepee". Saskatchewan Prairies: Landscape is characterized by wide-open skies, vast ranches, and small towns like Swift Current and Moose Jaw. Swift Current, SK: A major agricultural hub providing amenities. Regina, SK: The provincial capital, home to the RCMP Heritage Centre and Wascana Centre. Moose Jaw: Known for the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, offering tours about historical gangsters and early Chinese immigration, as well as the Western Development Museum and the Mac the Moose statue. Manitoba Border/Virden: Entering Manitoba, you will notice a transition in the landscape. Virden is known as an oil town with a historic downtown. Brandon, MB: A major hub featuring the Manitoba Agricultural Museum nearby (in Austin, east of Brandon) and nice riverbank views along the Assiniboine River. Airports/Route: Departing Brooks, Alberta CYBP, 9 mid-stops: CYXH CJQ4 CJK5 CYYN CYMJ CYQR CJP4 CKY2 CYYD crossing the entire province of Saskatchewan into Manitoba with intended destination of Brandon, Manitoba CYBR. Aircraft This route runs 515nm with lots of stops and is designed for GA aircraft. We will need a fast-cruise of about 250kts. Some GA favourites include the Beech King Air, Beech Duke, Beech Starship, Daher TBM, Piaggio Avanti, and the Pilatus PC-12. I perhaps will use a King Air in this trip but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery: (All airports are in the default sim but there are a few free add-ons are available if you wish as below: Medicine Hat: https://flightsim.to/addon/101064/cyxh-medicine-hat-regional-airport (by Minhbui) Swift Current: https://flightsim.to/addon/107523/cyyn-1944-swift-current (by brelli59)* Note Libs Moose Jaw: https://flightsim.to/addon/82098/cymj-cfb-moose-jaw-airport (by GPietro)*Note Lib. Regina: https://flightsim.to/addon/32987/cyqr-regina-international-airport (by KrunchTime11) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) might make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 – 1800 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards April 23, 2026

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 4 (TCH-04) For Wed. April 15th, 2026 Moraine Lake Our Trip We have previously travelled a portion of the Trans-Canada highway from Victoria British Columbia eastward to Golden BC. In this trip we will continue following the route of the Trans-Canada highway eastward and by days end we will have crossed into Alberta, visited Calgary and reached the city of Brooks. In this segment will highlight the following important locations or points of interest: Kicking Horse Pass (1,627 metres; 5,338 ft) is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Americas of the Canadian Rockies on the Alberta–British Columbia border, and lying within Yoho and Banff national parks. Divide Creek forks onto both sides of the continental divide. Spiral Tunnels: The "Big Hill" The steep grade in Kicking Horse Pass posed a serious challenge. Under government pressure to complete the railway, and given the engineering challenges that came along with the geography, Canadian Pacific (CP) was not in a position to carve a gradual descent. A solution was reached, which temporarily allowed a grade of 4.5%. The first train to attempt the hill in 1884 derailed, tragically killing three workers. In an effort to improve safety, three spur lines were created to divert such runaway trains on what became known as the “Big Hill”. Switches were left set for the spurs and were not reset to the main line until switchmen knew the oncoming train was in control. Descending the Big Hill was challenging, but uphill trains had their problems too. Extra locomotives were needed to push the trains up the hill, causing delays and requiring extra workers. Although the mountains were a complication for CP, they were an inspiration to the many tourists who started to arrive by train. In an effort to preserve the landscape and encourage tourism, CP prompted the creation of Mount Stephen Dominion Reserve in 1886. The park was renamed Yoho in 1901. You Tubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiShrhu8mgo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wci2LRZyqSk Lake Louise: Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park, Canada, is world-renowned for its stunning turquoise, glacier-fed water, surrounding towering mountain peaks, and the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. It is a premier year-round destination offering hiking, canoeing, and sightseeing in summer, and world-class skiing, skating, and ice climbing in winter. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a year-round luxury hotel ideal for solo travelers, couples and families alike. (Located in Banff National Park). See https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/lake-louise/fairmont-chateau-lake-louise.html Moraine Lake: Moraine Lake is a stunning, glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, famous for its intense turquoise water and surrounding Ten Peaks, accessible only by shuttle, tour bus, or biking from mid-June to mid-October. Located 14 km from Lake Louise, it is a premier spot for hiking, canoeing, and viewing from the Rockpile. https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/moraine-lake Banff: (Town in Alberta): Banff is a resort town in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary, 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, and 1,400 to 1,630 m (4,590 to 5,350 ft) above sea level. https://banff.ca/ Fairmont Banff Springs: For reservations please visit: https://www.banff-springs-hotel.com/ Calgary: (City in Alberta). We’ll take a quick tour of the city and a few poi. Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, making Calgary the third-largest city (after Toronto and Montreal) and the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada. We’ll visit downtown Calgary as well some of the other sites around the city such as the Calgary Stampede location, Olympic Oval (1988 Winter Olympics).City of Calgary YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzS586I-N7k (After our tour of Calgary we’ll head eastward back on the Trans-Canada Highway route to the town of Bassano and to our destination in the city of Brooks Alberta). Aircraft Airports/Route: Departing CYGE CYBA CYBW CYYC CEH4 CEN2 CYBP. (331 nm) Recommend utilizing a fixed wing (or helicopter) to be able to cruise at @ 150+ kts. It might be nice to again try the latest Bksq Caravan, Bonanza or Aerostar in this trip. The Caravan is not too fast or too slow and has an unobstructed cockpit view to see the sites but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery: (All airports are in the default sim except BANFF*! (Banff add-on is required). There are a few other scenery adds that provide some eye candy if you wish!!) (Payware is NOT required but if you have it, please feel free to use it!) CYGE-Golden: https://flightsim.to/addon/43796/golden-airport-cyge (by 55tom55) CYBA-Banff*: https://flightsim.to/addon/99754/cbyw-banff-and-area (by Misfit79) (Required) CYBA-Scenery upgrade: https://flightsim.to/addon/4923/cyba-banff-scenery-upgrade (by Misfit79) (Lots of libs) Fairmont Lake Louise: https://flightsim.to/addon/4100/lake-louise-canada-fairmont-chateau (by zrb) CYYC Calgary: Default works fine, (No Freeware add-on found) (Payware is available: FsimStudios or Simaddons ) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) would make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination at Golden under VFR conditions). Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 – 1900 UTC AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! ================================================================================== Town of Banff Norm Richards April 8, 2026

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 3: (TCH-03) For Wed. April 1st, 2026 Background The Trans-Canada Highway is a 7,821 km (4,860-mile) federal-provincial highway system—the fourth longest highway in the world stretching from Victoria, B.C., to St. John's, NL. Officially dedicated in 1962, it spans all ten provinces, crossing the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Shield to connect major cities. • Route Structure: It is not a single road, but a network of routes (mostly Highway 1 or 17) connected by ferries, including a "Yellowhead" (Highway 16) route through Western Canada. • Key Features: It passes through major cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Fredericton. • Signage: The route is famously marked by a white maple leaf on a green shield. • History: Authorized in 1949 and completed in 1962 (with further upgrades until 1971), it cost over $1 billion to build, equivalent to over $10 billion today. • Usage: It is essential for commerce, with sections (such as through Rogers Pass) requiring active, year-round avalanche control. • Cultural Significance: The highway is associated with Terry Fox, who attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980. • The network continues to receive upgrades from Transport Canada to support increasing traffic volumes. The Trans-Canada Highway traverses diverse terrain across 7,800+ km, spanning from Atlantic coastal areas through the rocky Canadian Shield in Ontario, vast prairie grasslands in the west, and high-altitude Mountain passes in the Rockies: Key features include rugged boreal forests, lakeshores, rolling hills, and intense mountainous terrain in British Columbia. Regional Terrain Breakdown: • Western (BC/Alberta): Features high-altitude mountain passes (notably Kicking Horse Pass at 1,627m), steep slopes, coniferous forests, and rocky, winding roads. (*We are travelling in this section) • Prairies (Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba): Expansive, flat-to-rolling grasslands and open landscapes. • Central (Ontario): Rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield, characterized by dense forests, dense rock formations, and thousands of lakes, particularly along the north shore of Lake Superior. • Eastern (Quebec/Atlantic Provinces): Mix of coastal landscapes, lush green areas, and rolling terrain. The highway also encounters significant elevation changes, ranging from sea level on the coasts to high alpine passes. Our Trip We have previously travelled a portion of the Trans-Canada highway from Victoria eastward to Lytton BC. In this trip we will continue following the route of the highway eastward and by the days end we will have reached Golden BC. Golden is only 56 miles away from the provincial border between British Columbia and Alberta. You will notice elevations increasing as we travel eastward through the Rockies. In this segment will highlight the following important locations or points of interest: The Last Spike monument: The Last Spike monument is located in Craigellachie, British Columbia and commemorates the driving of the final spike into the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) on November 7, 1885. Located on the Trans-Canada Highway 45 km west of Revelstoke, it marks the completion of the first transcontinental railway, connecting Canada coast-to-coast. A slight DETOUR: to see Revelstoke Dam: The Revelstoke Dam, also known as Revelstoke Canyon Dam, is a hydroelectric dam spanning the Columbia River, 5 km north of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. Columbia River: The main stem of the Columbia rises in Columbia Lake in British Columbia, Canada. After flowing a path for 1,270 miles, the Columbia River joins the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon. The major tributaries of the Columbia are the Kootenai, Flathead/Pend Oreille/Clark's Fork, Snake, and Willamette. The Revelstoke Highline Suspension Bridge: is a 75.5-meter (248-foot) suspension bridge and cantilevered viewing deck located at Revelstoke Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada. Situated 1,690 meters above sea level, it features panoramic views of the Monashee Mountains and Columbia Valley. The stroller-friendly, 600-meter round-trip walk is accessible via the Revelation Gondola. This bridge spans Columbia River in the city of Revelstoke, BC. The Big Eddy Bridge is less than a mile from the Revelstoke Suspension Bridge is old, narrow and spans the mighty Columbia River. There are lights at each end for one-way alternating traffic and for decades, long ago, it was the only way get to the other side (autos or foot traffic). Revelstoke Mountain/Ski area: Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a ski resort on Mount Mackenzie, just outside Revelstoke, British Columbia in Canada. Albert Canyon/Canyon Hot Springs and Resort: https://www.canyonhotsprings.com/resort/ Glacier National Park: is part of a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada, and one of seven national parks in British Columbia. Connaught Tunnel: The Connaught Tunnel is a 5.02-mile (8.08 km) railway tunnel in British Columbia, Canada, opened by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) on December 16, 1916. It runs under Mount Macdonald in the Selkirk Mountains to bypass the dangerous Rogers Pass summit. Today, it primarily handles eastbound freight traffic, complementing the newer Mount Macdonald Tunnel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97R9zoi-eDE Aircraft Airports/Route: CYLY-CAZ5-CYKA-CZAM-CYRV-CYGE (271 nm)- Recommend utilizing a fixed wing (or helicopter) to be able to travel at @ 150+kts. It might be nice to again utilize the latest Bksq Caravan in this trip. It is not too fast or too slow and has an unobstructed cockpit view to see the sites but as always please fly your aircraft of choice. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery: (All airports are in the default sim but there are a few scenery adds that provide some eye candy if you wish!!) (Payware is NOT required but if you have it, please feel free to use it!) CYKA-Kamloops*: https://flightsim.to/addon/38101/kamloops-airport-cyka (by ArfusBarkus) (*Payware available-Simaddons) CZAM-Salmon Arm: https://flightsim.to/addon/48483/okanagan-valley-airfields-6 (by TISBS) (*NOTAM: Several Dependices for this add-on scenery) CYRV-Revelstoke*: https://flightsim.to/addon/58711/cyrv-revelstoke-airport (by T0ken Design) (*Payware available-Simaddons) CYGE-Golden: https://flightsim.to/addon/43796/golden-airport-cyge (by 55tom55) (*NOTAM Three Dependices for this add-on scenery) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) would make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and sun will be behind us yet we should have enough daylight to make it to our destination at Golden under VFR conditions). Kamloops at Night Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 – 1900 UTC. AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

The Trans-Canada Highway – Part 2 (TCH-02) For Wed. March 11, 2026 Background The Trans-Canada Highway is a 7,821 km (4,860-mile) federal-provincial highway system—the fourth longest highway in the world stretching from Victoria, B.C., to St. John's, NL. Officially dedicated in 1962, it spans all ten provinces, crossing the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Shield to connect major cities. • Route Structure: It is not a single road, but a network of routes (mostly Highway 1 or 17) connected by ferries, including a "Yellowhead" (Highway 16) route through Western Canada. • Key Features: It passes through major cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Fredericton. • Signage: The route is famously marked by a white maple leaf on a green shield. • History: Authorized in 1949 and completed in 1962 (with further upgrades until 1971), it cost over $1 billion to build, equivalent to over $10 billion today. • Usage: It is essential for commerce, with sections (such as through Rogers Pass) requiring active, year-round avalanche control. • Cultural Significance: The highway is associated with Terry Fox, who attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in 1980. • The network continues to receive upgrades from Transport Canada to support increasing traffic volumes. The Trans-Canada Highway traverses diverse terrain across 7,800+ km, spanning from Atlantic coastal areas through the rocky Canadian Shield in Ontario, vast prairie grasslands in the west, and high-altitude mountain passes in the Rockies: Key features include rugged boreal forests, lakeshores, rolling hills, and intense mountainous terrain in British Columbia. Regional Terrain Breakdown: • Western (BC/Alberta): Features high-altitude mountain passes (notably Kicking Horse Pass at 1,627m), steep slopes, coniferous forests, and rocky, winding roads. • Prairies (Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba): Expansive, flat-to-rolling grasslands and open landscapes. • Central (Ontario): Rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield, characterized by dense forests, dense rock formations, and thousands of lakes, particularly along the north shore of Lake Superior. • Eastern (Quebec/Atlantic Provinces): Mix of coastal landscapes, lush green areas, and rolling terrain. The highway also encounters significant elevation changes, ranging from sea level on the coasts to high alpine passes. Our Trip We have previously travelled a portion of the Trans-Canada highway from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, on Vancouver Island which is designated as Mile 0.00 of the highway. We travelled northward from Victoria along the route of the highway and arrived at Nanaimo. From Nanaimo we boarded a the Trans-Canada ferry route across the Strait of Georgia to the British Columbia mainland and again followed the highway to Vancouver, one of Canada’s largest and most scenic cities. This trip will take us through the city of Vancouver in either helicopters or very low and slow fixed wing GA aircraft. WARNING WARNING – autopilot and GPS does work on this Vancouver portion of this excursion! We will cover almost all of the cities many point of interest locations: and there are many! Being on the Pacific side of the country, Vancouver hosts all of the exports and imports from the Orient and beyond. We will view the various city poi and attractions, export/Import terminals and ports as well as key railway transport to/from the ports locations. We will also visit the waterfront and the famous Stanley Park as well as other points of interest. Have built/added many named userpoints and added to the fp to use to be able identify the various locations. Bert can point out these and other significant locations as we approach. Once we complete the Vancouver tour (some 150 nm waving through the city), if we have time, we’ll catch up with the Trans-Canada out of Abbotsford and head north east to Lytton BC and end our trip. The total trip today is only 251 nm and in two parts. Firstly, 150 nm Vancouver city tour weaving through the city and the second part a 101 nm following the Trans-Canada out of Abbotsford and heading northeast to end the trip in Lytton BC. Slower is best in this excursion. Aircraft Recommend utilizing a helicopter to be able to travel low and slow and to be able to navigate the twists and turns of the Vancouver city tour and visiting the many poi in the Vancouver area. We may want to make non-scheduled stops along the way. For non-helicopter pilots please use a slow STOL capable aircraft like a cub, C152, Draco or other that can travel slow and slow. Best @ 100 kts or a tad slower. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Add-on Scenery (All airports are in the default sim but there are a few scenery adds that provide some eye candy if you wish!!) (Payware is NOT required but if you have it, please feel free to use it!) Vancouver City CYVR Airport: https://flightsim.to/file/29246/project-yvr-vancouver-international-airport (by Project _SCNE) Vancouver Bridges: https://flightsim.to/file/5314/vancouver-bridges-vancouver-bc-canada (by FreakyD) Port of Vancouver https://flightsim.to/file/33073/port-of-vancouver-vancouver-bc-canada (by FreakyD) Vancouver Foliage & Water fixes: https://flightsim.to/file/23909/vancouver-foliage-water-clean-up-bc-canada (by FreakyD) OR CYVR: Vancouver Intl airport available as Payware (by various creators IE: FSDreamTeam, FSimStudios) CYVR: Vancouver City Times Scenery Payware (by SamScene3D) CYVR: Vancouver Bridges scenery is available as Payware (by RKBridger) Other CBC7: Helipad (by NightIntruder): https://flightsim.to/addon/101071/cbc7-vancouver-harbor-public-heliport CAK3: Airport (by PropellerBC): https://flightsim.to/addon/2390/cak3-delta-airpark-bc CYNJ: Airport (by PropellerBC): https://flightsim.to/addon/2481/cynj-langley-regional-airport-bc CZBB: Airport (by DaneSimAir): https://flightsim.to/addon/97101/czbb-boundary-bay-airport CYPK: Airport (by DaneSimAir): https://flightsim.to/addon/96577/pitt-meadows-regional-airport-cypk CYXX: Airport (by Ryanosaurus13) https://flightsim.to/addon/30091/cyxx-abbotsford-international-airport CYCW:Airport (by PropellerBC): https://flightsim.to/addon/1873/cycw-chilliwack-bc CYHE: Airport: (by DaneSimAir): https://flightsim.to/addon/64067/hope-airport-cyhe Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) would make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1700 (ish) local. (This time simulates early dusk and hopefully the lights will come on in the city of Vancouver yet we will still have enough daylight to make it to our destination under VFR conditions). Vancouver Skyline Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - (1400 EDST, 1300 CDST, 1200 MDST, 1100 PDST), (1 hr earlier for EU until they move to DT on Sunday, March 29, 2026). AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards March 5th, 2026

Pacific Coast Highway: Astoria, Oregon to Olympia, Washington USA, then a quick Ferry Ride to Canada to pickup the Start of the Trans-Canada Highway: For Wed. February 25th, 2026 Background These PCH trips (this one #5) total almost 1650 miles from San Diego, South California to Olympia/Seattle, in Northern Washington. This is the last portion of the Pacific Coast and US-101 Highway segment to cover but again a very scenic journey. This trip heads northward from Astoria, Oregon to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington (and more.) The coasts of Oregon and Washington are a virtual microcosm of the Pacific Northwest, containing everything from extensive wilderness areas to Native American fishing villages and heavily industrialized lumber towns. Out of Oregon, US-101 winds past rockbound coast, ancient forests, and innumerable towns and villages. While the region also has its share of strip towns and places where the timber boom went bust, the beach loops, historic restorations, and more state parks per mile than any place in the country soften its few hard edges. Every 20 mi (32 km) or so, you’ll pass through attractive, if moderately touristy, towns populated by at most a few thousand people. As a general rule, it’s the mileage between these hamlets that explains why most people visit: to take in one of the most dramatic meetings of rock and tide in the world. And into Washington we go! Northward following the coast for most part then highway US 101 loops west around the rugged Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. passing near the northwestern most point of the continental United States while allowing access to the unforgettable natural attractions—sandy, driftwood-strewn beaches; primeval old-growth forests; and pristine mountain lakes and glaciated alpine peaks, to name just a few. The roadside landscape varies from dense woods to clear-cut tracts of recently harvested timber. Innumerable rivers and streams are perhaps the most obvious signs of the immense amount of rainfall (about 12 feet) the region receives every year. There are scattered towns, from Grays Harbor in the south to Port Angeles and the cities on the northern coast. They are staunchly blue-collar communities almost wholly dependent upon natural resources—not only trees, but also salmon, oysters, and other seafood. Though the tourism trade has been increasing steadily, visitor services are still few and far between at times. Port Angeles is the largest city on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, serving as the primary, year-round gateway to the 1-million-acre Olympic National Park. Located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this seaside-meets-mountain town offers direct access to Hurricane Ridge, providing a base for exploring rugged coastlines, ancient forests, and alpine peaks. From here, where might we go, you might ask? “Go North Young Man, Go North! Our Trip This is part five of the Pacific Coast Highway which covers the highway segment between Astoria, Oregon and Port Angeles, Washington, USA USA. Once we reach Port Angeles, the Pacific Coast highway ends, some 1650 miles we will have travelled along the Pacific Coast from Southern California to Northern Washington. But our trip will not end here. We rest for only a moment at Port Angeles then we head across the Strait of Juan de Fuca of the Salish Sea of the Pacific Ocean crossing from US waters into Canadian waters to Vancouver Island, Canada to pick up the Trans-Canada Highway. The Trans-Canada Highway is a 7,821 km (4,860 mile) federal-provincial highway system connecting all ten provinces between Victoria, BC, and St. John's, NL. Opened in 1962 and completed in 1971, it is one of the world's longest national highways, traversing diverse landscapes from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast. In this first Canadian portion of the Trans-Canada Highway we’ll visit Victoria, Duncan, and Maple Bay which is home of our C-BERT then finally across the Strait of Georgia to British Columbia’s mainland and to the city of Vancouver. This fifth and segment of the Pacific Coast Highway and start of Canada’s Trans-Canada Highway is 339 nm with 6 stops before our final destination: Departing KAST (Astoria, Oregon), Stops in Washington at: 2S9 (Willapa Harbor), KHQM (Bowerman!), S18 (Forks), KNOW (Port Angeles), USA, then crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca into Canada stopping in the province of British Columbia at CYYJ (Victoria Intl) and CYCD (Nanaimo) before our final destination of CYVR (Vancouver Intl), British Columbia, Canada. FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Aircraft: Any GA fixed wing aircraft that can travel at least 170 nm. (I will likely use a Turbo Bonanza or Baron or Duke in a stock livery). Add-on Scenery: (ALL airports are in the default sim but there are a few scenery adds that provide some eye candy if you wish!!) (Payware is NOT required but if you have any, please feel free to use!) KHQM: https://flightsim.to/file/62459/bowerman-airport-vintage-edition-khqm (by vbazillio) KCLM (Fly-Over): https://flightsim.to/file/67788/fairchild-international-airport-port-angeles-wa-usa-klcm (by FreakyD) USCG Port Angeles: https://flightsim.to/file/89993/u-s-coast-guard-air-station-port-angeles (by Headshothunte678)** (**Required Lib for USCG Port Angeles: PADQ: https://flightsim.to/file/32972/padq-kodiak (by projectzero3923) CYCD: https://flightsim.to/file/101066/cycd-nanaimo-regional-airport (by Minhbui)** (**Required Lib for CYCD Nanaimo: CYXH: https://flightsim.to/file/101064/cyxh-medicine-hat-regional-airport (by Minhbui) CYWH: Victoria Harbor SPB (Fly over): https://flightsim.to/file/49204/victoria-seaplane-base-part-1 (by MazerMart) CYYJ: Victoria Intl Airport is either default, which is suitable, or available as Payware by various creators IE: Roman Design, Simaddons) Vancouver/Area: CYVR Airport: https://flightsim.to/file/29246/project-yvr-vancouver-international-airport (by Project_SCNE) Vancouver Bridges: https://flightsim.to/file/5314/vancouver-bridges-vancouver-bc-canada (by FreakyD) Port of Vancouver https://flightsim.to/file/33073/port-of-vancouver-vancouver-bc-canada (by FreakyD) Vancouver Foliage & Water fixes: https://flightsim.to/file/23909/vancouver-foliage-water-clean-up-bc-canada (by FreakyD) OR optionally: CYVR: Vancouver Intl airport is also available as Payware (by various creators IE: FSDreamTeam, FSimStudios) CYVR, CYYJ: City Times Scenery is available as Payware (by SamScene3D) Vancouver Bridges scenery is available as Payware (by RKBridger) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) would make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates a dusk flight and so that the sun will set on the ocean side (left side) as we travel northward!) This should prove to be very scenic as dusk falls and lights illuminate the city areas. Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 - 1900 UTC, (1400 Eastern, 1300 Central, 1200 Mountain, 1100 Pacific) AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Last but not least, a single pictorial tribute to our friend in Maple Bay: (It is so nice to have you back!) (On this flight we'll definitely drop in for some pizza and wine! lol) Maple Bay BC Norm Richards Feb. 17, 2026

Sorry about that Mike.. Either need to fix that TDS!! or get the US highways dept to straighten their very badly curved highways!! lol Yep, this section has plenty of directional alterations, twists and turns! but is gorgeous trip trying to navigate the highway. Thanks for the extra scenery Jeff. 👍

Pacific Coast Highway: Between Klamath Glen, California and Astoria, Oregon For Wed. February 11th, 2026 Background The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), primarily California's State Route 1, is a legendary 650+ mile scenic drive famous for dramatic ocean views, rugged cliffs (especially in Big Sur), historic landmarks like Bixby Bridge, redwood forests, and charming coastal towns, offering iconic California experiences from San Francisco to Southern California, ideal for road trips with stops at beaches, aquariums, and state parks for unforgettable sunsets and natural beauty. This is US Highway 101, which stretches on the west coast of the US from California to Washington (state) and is referred to as CA-1 in California. (https://www.roadtripusa.com/pacific-coast/) Our Trip This is part four of the Pacific Coast Highway which covers the highway segment between Klamath Glen, California and Astoria, Oregon. We are travelling northward and will follow the route of the Pacific Coast Highway US-101 or CA-1. The drive between Klamath and Astoria along U.S. Route 101 covers roughly 400+ miles of dramatic, rugged coastline, featuring Redwood National Park, Oregon's "Dune Country," and scenic spots like Cannon Beach and the Tillamook Creamery. This northern section offers cooler weather, massive cliffs, and forested vistas, distinct from the central California Highway 1, and if we were going to drive it would take roughly 8-9 hours. In this trip, some 13 nm (8.5 miles) north of KECE Jack Mc Namara Airport, California, we will cross the state border from California into the Oregon (POI Marked). The highway is still designated as U.S. Route 101, but now named Oregon Coast Highway and it is a scenic 363-mile (584 km) route running the entire length of the Oregon coastline between California and Washington. (Oregon portion of highway completed in 1926) This fourth segment of the PCH is 320 nm with 10 stops before our final destination. Depart S51 (Klamath Glen, California), Stops at KCEC KBOK 4S1 5S6 KOTH 652 KONP S45 KPFC KTMK 3S7. Destination KAST (Astoria. Oregon). FP, itinerary, etc can be found HERE. Aircraft: Any GA fixed wing aircraft that can travel at least 170 nm. (I will likely use a Turbo Bonanza or Baron or Duke in a stock livery). Add-on Scenery: (All airports are in the default sim but there are a few scenery adds tp provide some eye candy if you wish!!) KBOK: https://flightsim.to/file/73283/kbok-brookings-state-airport (byBullfrogSim) 5S6: https://flightsim.to/file/47147/5s6-cape-blanco-state (by Junglist) KOTH: https://flightsim.to/file/34994/koth-southwest-oregon-regional-airport-oregon-coast-usa (by AlphaRecon) 6S2: https://flightsim.to/file/20432/6s2-florence-municipal-airport-oregon-coast-usa (by AlphaRecon) KONP: https://flightsim.to/file/18251/konp-newport-municipal-airport-oregon-coast-usa (by AlphaRecon) S45: https://flightsim.to/file/17684/s45-siletz-bay-state-airport-oregon-coast-usa (by AlphaRecon) KPFC: https://flightsim.to/file/78954/kpfc-pacific-city-state-airport (by mg747) KTMK: https://flightsim.to/file/46179/ktmk-tillamook (by Junglist) 3S7: https://flightsim.to/file/5335/nehalem-bay-state-airport (by xDalle) Time and Weather Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds, high clouds OR Jeff-Partly Cloudy-Jeff-1.wpr preset (included) would make a nice choice. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1630 (ish) local. (This time simulates a dusk flight and so that the sun will set on the ocean side (left side) as we travel northward!) This should prove to be very scenic especially around the San Francisco and Oakland areas as night falls and lights illuminate the cities. Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 - 1900 UTC, (1400 Eastern, 1300 Central, 1200 Mountain, 1100 Pacific) AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1 Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: SOUTH-EAST-ASIA 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). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks! Norm Richards - Feb. 05, 2026

Killer flight MM.. My mechanic is upset with my performance today!! 2nd time in the C185.. but cost 5 new props, and lots of welding: due to two bent struts and bent main cross member on the c185 fixed gear required straightening and welds. Fun but not exactly a stellar flight..downright dangerous!! but there is always next time! Thanks Mike for a a very adventurous flight!! Norm