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In my previous post, I'd roamed over and across the Isle of Man (IOM), a tiny island which had received a special mention in the (MSFS) World Update XVII. It was good fun (and a serene feeling) to fly around the island's scenic coastlines, along its narrow central valley, and past the highest summit, Snaefell. Naturally, I then thought of heading out of IOM to the mainland (towards UK on the east), past the Irish Sea. I noted that the Isle of Man (Ronaldsway) Airport is serviced by Aer Lingus, easyJet, and "Loganair". I have not flown Loganair in a long while, but recall flying it often in the past SIMs. And, for destination, I chose EGSS, London Stansted, also specifically been mentioned in the WU XVII. I don't recall flying to EGSS in recent memory either...it is typically always into Heathrow (twice in RW too) and many times (virtually) into London-City. I could be wrong, but this tertiary international airport of London, seems to be located in a rural setting, nicely secluded away from the din-and-bustle of the other two (big city) airports...🙂... I did not find on record, any direct (commercial) carrier flights from IOM to STN. I observed just one flight, on FlightAware, flown earlier this week, with an (Embraer) Phenom 300. As I can tell, from IOM, Loganair flies (e.g., its ATR 72s) to Birmingham, Liverpool, London-City, and London-Heathrow, but not to Stansted. In any case, for my flight today, with the ATR 72, I've (effortlessly) uploaded a SimBrief generated flight-plan into the on-board FMC, via the aircraft's EFB (see shot #s 6-7). I've lifted off westward from IOM's Rwy 26, and then made a sharp (CCW) turn to align myself with the southeasterly route towards STN (see the inset VFR MAP shots for a general geographical orientation; IOM being located almost equidistant from the Ireland and England coastlines). Overflying the stretch of sea, I made landfall (shot #s 8-9) at the town of Hawarden (EGNR), and then carried on over some pretty (rural) lands towards Stansted Airport. Hope you enjoy this collection pictures, from my flight today, along with this ATR 72-600 in the unique (black/red/white) colors of the "Loganair Tartan" print on the tail...been always fond of those patterns...reminds me of the similar looking British Airways (Benyhone) tartan designs. EGSS (Stansted), though with just one 10,000 ft Rwy (04/22), seemed like a large and sprawling airport complex. Here, I've landed on its ILS Rwy 22. MSFS Default rendition of it looks (reasonably) good, but it's certainly not up to the standards of the payware quality airports, often seen in the posts around here. I've included a few pictures of EGSS airport (final 4 images). It was curious (and nostalgic) to spot the "Hampton Hotel" (last shot) ...the (local) "Hampton Inn", a short distance from here, been the place of stay for my first 3 nights when I had relocated to Chicago many moons ago...🙂... Overall, it was a nice (blemish-free) flight, start to finish, with this nice a/c for the average simmers like me ...🙂...! Thanks for viewing...!

I understand that the latest MSFS World Update (XVII) for United Kingdom and Ireland has been very well-received...🙂...Among the many notables in the Highlights Video, I noticed (honorable) mention of Isle of Man. Here is a small island, I've visited "virtually" in this SIM and prior SIMs, in the past. So, I wished to take a quick tour of it, lifting off Rwy 08 of EGNS airport, located on the southern edge of the island, and then tracking across the island coast-to-coast, past the highest summit of the island, Snaefell, on the central mountainous region (shot #s 10-11). Hope you enjoy this collection images from my tour of this picturesque Island in the Irish Sea, and also, of this (Canadian Registered) ...🙂...MU-2 (C-GAMC) Ambulance...in my favorite color..."Red"...🙂... Thanks for viewing. Happy flying...!

...OK...🙂...Sounds like a (clickbait) Title ...but it's all true in my (virtual) fight today. First, bit of explanation is due up front. In the a/c colors and liveries of our aviation world, birds galore (usually "stylized" or sometimes "real-looking"). And birds have been always a subject of interest for me. Around here, in Illinois, after the bleak winter season, the visiting birds of Summer seem refreshingly cheerful and wonderfully colorful, easily spotted around the lakes and ponds, in the trails of forest preserves, and even in the backyards. This post is about Aurigny (airline) with its Puffin bird that's found in the Channel Islands, busy breeding at this time of the year...🙂... BTW, regarding birds in airline logos, while looking a bit on-line today, I came across an interesting piece of (past) news, which has to do with the famous AA "Eagle" bird logo, "Thus far, the U.S. Copyright Office has refused to provide AA Copyright protection for its logo. While the office primarily cites the lack of "creativity" in the design as the reason for its denial, it also points to the widespread use of birds by other airlines in their logos, calling birds "a very common design choice for an airline logo". Thus, the AA design "does not propel the design into the range of copyrightability"". The author of the news article then adds, "Don't you love the use of the words propel and range? The Copyright Office was clearly having some fun with this..."...🙂... Anyway, besides AA's bald Eagle, here are a few (bird) example logos that come to mind: Lufthansa (Crane) JAL (Japanese red crown Crane) LOT (Also a Crane) Condor (Condor) Avianca (Andean Condor) Canadian Airlines (Canada Goose - Commonly found here in Chicagoland) Caribbean Airlines (Hummingbird) Iran Air (Homa - Mythical Persian bird that was said to be always in flight and never rested) Garuda Indonesia (Garuda - Also a mythical and reverent bird of Hindu scriptures...always loved that blue bird logo on Indonesian's 747 tails) Qantas (Flying Kangaroo - Oh well...it's not a bird but still one of my favorite logos...🙂...) So, on and on...and finally, of my post here, Aurigny's "Puffin" bird, not the (usual) stylized version, but a real-looking one (see below) This Aurigny livery caught my attention today, and I could not resist flying with the Puffin. I've previously made posts about the Channel Islands and of the Aurigny airline (flag carrier of the Bailiwick of Guernsey), with this bird that I know from my earliest days in this hobby. I distinctly recall often flying and enjoying the (Flight1) BN-2 Islander in this color, a nice (SIM) plane that was, along with one of the most authentic renditions of the "KLN GPS" based navigation. The FSX a/c is still listed on the F1 website, I checked today, for SALE price of $24.95 (original price $39.95) ...🙂...However, I recall there was not a (payware) Trislander, though there were freeware versions that I'd also flown. So, when I had got the C-46 Commando, in MSFS, several weeks ago, I had also picked up this BN-2 Trislander, but had not flown it yet...so, here we go...with the "Puffin" bird revisited on a RW (a/c) livery this time. BN-2 Islander was a "2 engine, 9 pax, 1 pilot" a/c, whereas the Trislander was a "3 engine, 18 pax, 1 or 2 crew" a/c. Indeed, I noticed, in my BN-2 cockpit, only one of my 2 all-women crew... (see last but one shot) ...the other pilot was missing...🙂...The Trislander, besides its peculiar look, was an extremely rare 3-engined civilian airplane (in fact, it was the only such piston plane of modern times, with a (curious) 3rd engine atop its fin)...reminds me of the B727 jet plane...🙂...I am flying here the (even more peculiar looking) Long Nose Trislander (Mk III-2), in the Aurigny colors of bright yellow with a red nose. You may also notice that its 2 wing engines have 3 blades each vs. the 3rd engine which has only 2 blades (see last but one shot). For my post, here, at the pilot's freedom and discretion...🙂..., this Trislander is not plying the (low) skies above the rough seas of Channel Islands, but instead flying in lands far-off from its homebase, in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains (a mountain range I'm familiar with from (RW) visits). I am flying from Aspen (KASE) east to Denver (KDEN) amidst these treacherous high mountains, with an en-route fly-over waypoint at the highest summit of the Rockies, Mount Elbert in Colorado (see my USR01 waypoint on GPS and VFR MAP and shot #s 8-9). The Trislander stood up to the challenge of the Rockies admirably well. With a Service Ceiling of 13,300 ft, and (STOL capable) takeoff distance of <1000 ft, in my flight today, from an airport elevation of nearly 8,000 ft, it took off with ease, and steadily and impressively climbed to 14,000 ft (off Aspen's Rwy 33 (see shot #1), then north up along the valley), keeping me safe from the mountain sides enveloping me from all sides...🙂...Flying in this space is surely not for the faint of heart...🙂... (for virtual aviators especially with piston planes). While above Mount Elbert, I have briefly climbed to 15,000 ft... likely not permitted for this a/c, but I didn't wish to take any chances with my (virtual aviator's) life...🙂...with an accidental collision into the high Rockies... This specific Trislander, the famous (G-JOEY), was retired in 2015, marking the end of an era in the history of Aurigny's Trislander operation. On its last flight, the a/c flew through 3 airports, and was met at each airport with "water salutes", an endearing testament to its 40-years long (remarkable) role in the aviation of the region. Hope you enjoy this collection of images from my flight today. BTW, everything (within my limited knowledge and use) worked out well for me with this a/c... climb, cruise, GPS navigation, descent, and (ILS) landing into KDEN's eastward Runway, while bathed in the glow of the golden sun. A refresher with the KLN GPS would have been nice...if this a/c were equipped so, but I certainly didn't mind the safety of its (basic) GPS unit for guidance and routing in these challenging environments. It was good (and simple) fun...from takeoff to touchdown... Thanks for viewing...! Happy flying...!

This post is triggered by a couple of (recent) C-46 posts of jankees, and also a post I'd made, here, a while ago about the famous (and historic) "Flying the Hump" operation. In my previous post, to fly to (and above) the (Himalayan) Hump, I'd used the (modern) Cessna CJ4 Bizjet...🙂..., a far cry from the DC-3/C-47/C-46 a/c types that the RW pilots had used for these dangerous missions. [Re-stating some text from my previous post...] This is one of the most fascinating events of aviation history...from a time when the legendary DC-3 ruled (air) transport, civil and military. For nearly 3 decades, a more reliable and capable replacement would elude aviation, so, the Pilots remarked, "The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3.” Meanwhile, the year 1942 arrived, and suddenly there was a critical need for airlift of supplies from India to China, across the deadly eastern Himalayan Range, leading to the so-called "Flying the Hump" operation. The "Hump", here, implies not the highest point of the passage, but actually the lowest-altitude routes that would take airplanes across these mountains. Humans looked and planned hard, but nature made it impossible to find low-altitude crossings across the Himalayas. The route over the intervening valleys, rivers, and mountain corridors, eventually led to the primary Hump, the "Hengduan Mountains" of China. When the pilots crossed the "Hengduan Mountains", the dauntingly towering peaks looked to them like the humps of camels. It is from this resemblance that the air route came to be known as the "Hump". The Hump crossings were first attempted by the venerable (and proven) DC-3s and then C-47s, but these a/c were found inadequate (and needed to be replaced) for these high-altitude (heavy-lift) cargo missions. The altitudes of the "Hump" mountain passes, such as for the "Hengduan Range", lie between 12,000 ft up to 20,000 ft, so parts of the Hump had to be flown at a safe minimum of at least 20,000 ft. The real glory and fame, for "Flying the Hump" operation, would go to the famous Curtiss C-46 Commando, with its cavernous "double-bubble" design (see pictures below) and its superior high-altitude performance (Here, for this flight, I could reach 20,000 ft effortlessly with this C-46). In the RW operations, nearly 3,000 C-46s were deployed to fly the Hump, as the type would be gradually replaced by the "4-engined" DC-4/C-54 towards the end of the operation. So, here we go, as I travel in my (symbolic) C-46, from Dibrugarh (VEMN), in Assam/India, to directly overhead of the "Hengduan Mountains" in China (Google Earth LAT/LONG co-ordinates (27.563, 99.198) of the Hengduan Mountains, entered into the Flight Plan), for this almost directly eastward route from Dibrugarh, from the flatlands to the high (and fast-rising) Himalayas, over a distance of 225 miles, from Dibrugarh to the Hump (see inset VFR MAP Magenta line in shot #s 2 and 7, below). These mountain passes are singularly desolate, inhospitable, and treacherous...creating one of the most hazardous transport routes that aviation had ever faced to that point. On top of it, the (atmospheric) elements of violent thunderstorms, constant cloud cover, torrential monsoon rains, and unpredictable wind currents, and weather that's said to literally change from mile to mile and minute to minute...had stretched the limits of aircraft and aviation to the extremes... However, for my flight, here, it's a picturesque trip...🙂...in serene weather...as I start off flying past the (massive) Brahmaputra River (see my shot #s 7-8), and I end with the gentle glow of the twilight beginning to glisten over the mountains and ridges of the Himalayan Hump, and also on the metallic skin of my C-46 Commando...🙂... (see my last shot) ... Hope you enjoy...! Thanks for viewing...!

To coincide with the July 4th celebrations in U.S., MSFS released the latest USA City Update, on July 2nd. I noticed it has (thoughtfully) included Allentown, Pennsylvania, along with other major (northeastern) cities such as Washington, D.C. and Buffalo, New York (see my previous post for Buffalo). Folks outside U.S. (but greater followers of MSFS News and Updates than me...🙂...) might be wondering, yes, we get Washington D.C. and Buffalo, but why Allentown of all places, and, btw, where exactly is Allentown...🙂...Well...First of all, Allentown had played a central and crucial role in the "American Revolution", "Declaration of Independence", and as the "Liberty Bell's Secret Hiding Spot" etc., but that's all history. Equally interestingly, Allentown stands at the core of the region that was (originally) deeded to the "Penn" family, of which the patriarch was William Penn (Born: London, England, and Died: Berkshire, England), after whom, the U.S. State of Pennsylvania is named. In MSFS, I've already once visited (KABE) Allentown (prior to this Update). So, today, I wished to see any incremental changes of this town, airport, and vicinity. This eastern region of U.S. (along with the Appalachian Mountain Range), that such towns are part of, as I recall, was always neglected in our SIM (until MSFS). In fact, when Orbx first published sceneries of the west coast (PNW), and then of the Rockies, I held hope that Orbx would (slowly) advance eastward to these regions, to feature the local valleys, mountains, and townships etc. in the SIM that are of personal interest to me from my close encounters in the RW. It was, of course, a futile wait lasting more than decade (after a few such waits, this waiting game, for a/c or/and scenery, becomes bit of a pointless exercise...🙂...at least for some of us...so, it's always best to enjoy what is currently in-hand, before we begin to peel off this active SIM pastime of ours...for one or more reasons...🙂...) ... In this post, I've taken a short trip of about 140 miles from Hagerstown (KHGR) via Harrisburg (KMDT) to (KABE) Allentown (see MAP Route closeup shots in the Dual GPS units and the cockpit EFB (shot #3) ...OK...this EFB is not like that of the 777 and looks more like a Cell-Phone ...🙂...still...). Anyway, in my many (annually ritualistic) eastward road-trips of the yesteryears, from the midwest to the east coast, my destinations were either Washington D.C./Maryland, or New York/New Jersey. In the former case, I would leave Pennsylvania, crossing into Maryland, heading south towards Hagerstown, in the final stretch to Washington D.C. In the latter case, I would drive east across the whole length of Pennsylvania, and often pass through Allentown, crossing the NY state border, before being on the final stretch to New York City (or south towards New Jersey). Allentown is in a valley, may not be a deep valley like those in the Rockies and Alps, but it's a pretty valley with a pretty river, bound by mountains to the north and the south (see images). The Appalachian Range (finally) trails to flatlands of the east, near Allentown. The Lehigh River (shot #s 12-14) is the town's life blood, and Lehigh name is predominantly stamped everywhere around Allentown. The valley is called Lehigh Valley, the airport is called "Lehigh Valley Airport...", the county is called "Lehigh", there is "Lehigh University", "Little Lehigh River" (a tributary of Lehigh River), Lehigh Parkway, Lehigh Street, and even a Lehigh Valley Honda...🙂...just to name a few... Please find here a set of pictures as I travel from (KHGR) Hagerstown (never actually drove direct between these two cities), under the guidance of the GPS magenta line, first flying northeast, across and over some (transient) rolling hills and mountains (so-called Blue Mountains, the receding remnant traces of the (Great) Appalachians), to next overfly (KMDT) Harrisburg Airport, in the capital city, located on the bank of Susquehanna River (shot #s 7-8; I have never seen a major airport literally on the river's edge), and then east to Allentown. I've landed at KABE, just after crossing the Lehigh River, on ILS Rwy 06. This City Update seems to have added lot more buildings on the airport premises, and also a denser set of township elements (shot #s 10-11). See also the Route 22 bridge over Lehigh River, shot #14, which landmark was pointed out to me by a member here (a knowledgeable resident of the region), during my last visit/post of the Allentown airport. The image shows the bridge under (current) construction, with a (makeshift) service road for vehicular traffic. Hope you enjoy this collection of snapshots...in the (iniBuilds) Mitsubishi MU-2... Thanks for viewing. Happy flying...!

I noticed, today, a City Update, for USA, in my MSFS/Xbox, which I promptly installed. It makes special mention of several U.S. cities in the northeastern United States, including Washington D.C., Buffalo (New York), and Allentown (PA). Short of having lived as a resident in these places, I am quite familiar with all these locales, from my (multiple) RW visits. Here, I focus on Buffalo, New York. Additionally, today, I was looking for a small (and novel...🙂...) turboprop to fly, and this iniBuilds MU-2 caught my attention. Generally speaking, whether it's the iniBuilds' (standard fare) Airbus or their (awkward looking) Skyvan, I've, so far, enjoyed all their a/c. While once living in Columbus, Ohio, over the years, I'd visited the Niagara Falls, on several occasions, each time driving the 350 miles. U.S. has 3 major east-west highways (I-70/I-80/I-90), each 2,000 to 3,000 miles long, running across the length of the country. From Ohio, I would normally travel first north to Cleveland, catch up there with I-90 (the northernmost and the coldest...🙂.. of the 3 highways, I mentioned), and then drive further up along the eastern shoreline of (Great Lake) Lake Erie, all the way to Buffalo. I recall, once, as we (including a couple of family friends, visiting us) arrived in Buffalo, the city and the Falls were just thawing out of the winter season...🙂...In fact, when we got to the Maid of The Mist (boat) tour, on the Falls, that was the first day of operation for that year, of the seasonal boat tour service (i.e., the Niagara River was just deemed, by the authorities, fully "un-frozen" for transportation and the voyage...🙂...). We were among the first (early) visitors to reach the boarding dock, and I now recall that one of my guests expressed some reservations about getting on the boat. So, I called up the captain of the boat to bolster her confidence...🙂..., who gladly came by and said to my guest, "I've been piloting this boat for more than a decade, and I can vouch for its safety, so, there is nothing to worry. Do come along and enjoy...". That did the trick...but, to be honest, as one closes in on the Falls, it does get a bit unnerving indeed with a good chance of also getting fully soaked in the water-spray hitting you from the 3-sides of the high falls (feels as if there is a sudden rain shower), all this mixed in with a gentle swaying of the boast in the rough waters below. So, this is the real thing, and not the (simulated) Avatar Dragon ride of my recently visited "Animal Kingdom" Flight of Passage...🙂... also, featuring breathtaking waterfalls (fake but wonderfully 3D looking), while all the time seated on a (ground-bolted) rocking chair...with overhead sprinklers (gently) spraying moist vapors on the riders' faces...Oh well...most exhilarating, nonetheless...just like our SIM here...🙂... Been a long-time Chicago resident, I am no stranger to cold and snowy winters. However, Buffalo, I think, would beat Chicago, by more than a mile, in these respects...🙂...e.g., once, I was there visiting a friend on the University Campus in Buffalo, who had parked the car out on the street, when a massive snowfall came down on the city during the weekend. On Monday, when we went out looking for his car, all the cars parked on the street-sides, were buried in snow, top to bottom. There was no way to tell the cars apart...so, on which car, to apply the ice-scraper...🙂...we couldn't tell. By some trial & error, and guesswork, eventually, we located the car-of-interest, and dug a big-enough peep-hole into the thick ice-coating of the windshield, to pull our car away...with the defrosters and heaters going full blast... The Niagara Falls is about 25 miles from (KBUF) Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which is where both my takeoff and landing take place, for this post. Lifting off from Runway 23, first, I turn westward to (and overfly) the Peace Bridge (shot #s 7-8). This bridge has received an honorable mention in the MSFS City Update (one of the two iconic bridges around Niagara, along with the (other) Rainbow Bridge). These two bridges connect Canada to America (you might recall I love bridges...🙂...). During most of my flight here, I never flew higher than ~300 ft above ground level (this MU-2 competently obliging me in this task). I track along northward following the Niagara River (see images). The river splits into west and east channels at Grand Island (see shot #s 9-10), on which island I've spent pleasant evenings and strolls during each of my (RW) visits. For this flight, I've briefly tracked the west channel (aka: the Canadian channel; the east one being the American channel of Niagara River), then I cut across the island, past the Skylon Tower (shot #s 12), to finally reach overhead of the majestic Niagara Falls (shot #s 13-14). The Rainbow Bridge (shot #15 background) across the Niagara River connects the two sister cities of Niagara Falls (Niagara Falls (New York) and Niagara Falls (Ontario)), on the American and Canadian sides respectively (Sault Ste. Marie, further north, is another good example of such a twin-city pair around these Great Lakes area and the U.S./Canada border). There is a unique perspective and feel from each side of the town of Niagara Falls, which I've once experienced. Finally, I've tracked my course back to Buffalo airport, and landed on its ILS Runway 05. The (iniBuilds) MU-2, despite its legacy avionics (there is a rudimentary (old-style) autopilot panel below the pedestal; see shot #2), did its job well, nicely following the GPS magenta line (with user-defined waypointing to Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls, plus the ILS Approach fix), and also abiding by the Localizer and Glideslope signals for a smooth and easy landing...🙂....See my landing pictures. I liked this plane along with its oddities... My time spent (in RW) around Niagara Falls were always special. I recall especially the occasion when I'd visited both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls, when the Falls were lit up, on a balmy summer night, by colorful lights...making up for memories that do not diminish with time (and symbolically resembling here the twilight shots of my pictures set below). I wish I could visit it again sometime in RW...though, this time, I need to fly from Chicago, no driving...🙂...since the 350 miles of my yesteryears, has now turned into 550 miles... Thanks for viewing these images around the city of Buffalo and Niagara Falls...of this (ZK-PSR) Air Ambulance, flown by yours truly here...on a leisure tour, not on a life-saving mission...🙂...so, please ignore the heartbeat rhythm on the fuselage...which is a nice livery though...! Hope you enjoy...! Happy July 4th to the folks in U.S., and a good weekend to all...!

[The motivations for this post are twofold: First, I noticed a Las Vegas City Update for MSFS/Xbox that I installed today. Second, having just flown the iniBuilds A320 V2, I recalled that I'd also acquired, from the Marketplace, a bundled livery-pack (40+ repaints for ~$2) for this a/c, a while ago, when I'd first seen the (freeware) iniBuilds A320 in my (MSFS) a/c list. There, in that livery pack, the striped "Condor" caught my eyes today. The Airbus (A320) repainters populating my MSFS/Xbox marketplace are surely a busy bunch of working ants...🙂...like what I see indoors, in home, this Chicago summer...🙂...Of course, I wish it were the same for the Boeing 737 liveries in the Marketplace. The A320 repainters have given me pleasantly surprising (bygone and nostalgic) liveries such as the (fictional) jellybean Braniff and the (RW) heritage United (see my previous post).] So, this post is about an airline that has sustained my interest since my earliest days in the hobby. Though quite a historic airline in its own right, it has been somewhat overwhelmed by its in-country (and better-known) airline, Lufthansa. Lufthansa, founded just a couple of years before Condor, was at one-time its de-facto parent (Condor been a wholly owned subsidiary of LH), before they bid farewell to each other (like a parent eventually lets go of the control of a child). Condor was mainly a leisure-flight operator, but an ambitious and pioneering one. It was one of the first such operators to deploy flights to almost every corner of the world. No wonder, it was also the first (leisure) operator in the world to acquire the B747 Jumbo. Pan Am had introduced the 747 to the world in 1970 on regular service, and it was Condor that, just a year later, in 1971, introduced the 747 into the leisure-sector. Condor had 2 747s and 2 707s (I especially recall, In the past SIMs, flying the 707 in the classic (Lufthansa look-alike) Condor colors). Condor's (impressive) destination list included far-reaching places such as China, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand etc. We know the ubiquitous "Bird-in-a-Circle" logo has always permeated airline liveries across the world. Condor has one such logo, the "Condor" bird in a circle. It's to be noted this bird logo, though similar, is not same as the "Crane" bird-in-a-circle of Lufthansa...🙂...though both are "big" birds indeed. I am now recalling the plentiful (native) Cranes (and pink Flamingos too...🙂...) that I'd spotted around the (multitude of) lakes during my recent Florida Trip. After a transient (and short-lived) co-existence with Thomas Cook Group, Condor has recently gone on its own separate way, with an entirely new (corporate) branding, bringing back, after 16 years, the (iconic) bird-in-a-circle logo (seen my images below) from its original livery, along with (fresh) eye-catching colors (whether you like the colors or not...but I like them...🙂...). The A320 (Marketplace) repainters have painted, all the striped "Condor" colors, which are 5 in number: Yellow (Sunshine), Red (Passion) - my choice for this post, Blue (Sea), Green (Island), and Beige (Beach). According to the carrier, these colors are inspired by "parasols, bath towels, and beach chairs..."...Oh well...sounds good to me. My Las Vegas (visit) memories go back more than a decade and half (not been there in recent years). Two distinct things come to my mind now: (1) During the descent of the United (TED) A320 into KLAS, the Pilots set up a quiz for the pax, "Who can guess the correct (in-flight) weight of the aircraft?" I recall, they provided some clues about fuel, pax etc. Having already conducted a "reconnaissance" A320 flight (I forget if it was Aerosoft or FSLabs), just prior to my RW (KORD-KLAS) flight...🙂..., yours truly came nearest to guessing the real weight of the A320 and was awarded two (pricey) tickets for the Blue Man Group performance, on the Las Vegas strip (2) I was glad to meet (and shake hands with) that "Jaws" character and henchman of the Bond film "Moonraker" (bit of a fan here of that (fictional) secret service agent...🙂...). Richard Kiel, the 7 ft+ towering figure with metal teeth (in the film only), (whom the ever-capable Roger Moore could not defeat in fair fight but somehow managed to switch his allegiance to his side), was sitting, next to a table, on the hallway of a Las Vegas building. He smilingly signed an autograph for me, and then gave me a death-defying bear hug... (now, I know how Roger Moore survived Jaws' deadly attacks...🙂...). The gentle giant from Detroit (MI), whom Roger Moore once called "a big man with an even bigger heart", passed away in 2014. Las Vegas airport (KLAS) and the Las Vegas Valley are surrounded by scattered mountains on all sides, of which, I took a thorough tour today, in the comfort of my (Condor) A320neo. These mountains are not continuous, so, I set up 5 custom waypoints for the 5 most prominent peaks (storing them first in the MCDU with labels "X11n", n=1-5, and then inserted into the FPLN; see my (cockpit shot) ND Route, shot #5). The tallest of these mountains is Mount Charleston (see shot # 11) of the Spring Mountain Range to west of the city. As I did a full clockwise circle, peak-to-peak, around the Las Vegas Valley, effortlessly and precisely guided by the MCDU of the A320 (takeoff/touchdown at KLAS included, see below), it became clear to me that this valley is devoid of greenery, being actually part of a desert. It gave me the starkly arid and desolate impressions (see shot #s 7-12) similar to those of my (recently viewed) Dune film's landscape...🙂... Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures, around Las Vegas, of this (flying) Condor (Passion) Red A320 (D-ANCZ), a (barely) 3-month-old new-born Neo bird...! BTW, do note my all-Women duo of Aviators (PIC and FO) in the cockpit (shot #4) ...🙂...these Avatars came with this livery bundle...! Thanks for viewing...!

United kept their promise on the assigned a/c for my trip booked months in advance...a 737 MAX 9 on the outgoing leg to Orlando and a 757-300 on the incoming leg back to Chicago O'Hare. It was refreshing to be back on the O'Hare premises after nearly 2 years, where one gets to see all kinds of aircraft...while travelling in the airport people-mover and during pre-boarding e.g., I caught sight of many long-haul series a/c of Lufthansa and United, the two (Star Alliance) airlines that were the staple of my trans-oceanic travels for nearly 3 decades, for business and pleasure. Over the next several years, Lufthansa is in the process of replacing its 330s/340s and United is also in the process of replacing its 777s... with more modern types such as 350s, 787s, 777Xs. Nonetheless, I owe a great deal, in my life, to the trio of (330/340/777 - hope to see the 777s here soon...🙂...), and always feel a nostalgic fondness whenever I catch sight of these hard-working planes (with proven track records) ...but nearing the end of their prime, if not already. Interestingly, I spotted a mix of both the United colored a/c sauntering around...with the iconic (Continental) Gold-Globe and the latest Blue-Globe tail-designs. My 737 MAX was blue-globed and the 757 was gold-globed. I could not tell much difference between the 737 MAX 9 and e.g. an (amply flown) 737-800 (inside or outside). I understand they are different, the MAX having more fuel-efficient and higher-performing engines, and higher seat capacity etc., but once seated it all felt indistinguishable. There were however personal seatback entertainment screens in the MAX, that was a refreshing experience on a narrowbody (domestic) a/c. It allowed access to all kinds of (3D) plane views and flight data (just as what we do in our MSFS Camera...🙂...with our make-believe 737s...) e.g., I noted that the cruise was at 35,000 ft and speed 450 knots. Then, having ordered a tiny (finger-length) bottle of tequila...at an elevated cost of $10...🙂..., and having mixed it with the free offering of some Tonic Water; while sipping the concoction, I switched on the film "Dune Part Two" on the seatback screen, feeling a bit sorry for having totally disregarded the same on the MSFS free offer...🙂...for months. Prior to start of the showing of the film, there were friendly pop-up messages, suggesting that my flight time of the trip would not allow me to finish the nearly 3-hour film, so, I should consider alternate suggestions of shorter duration films, which messages I ignored, and went on with the (somewhat) rough (and brutal) beginning sequence of the film...and onward to those special airships... When I'd earlier mentioned to my host family that I've flown "virtually" the ORD-MCO flight...🙂...they had asked, "Did you see the lakes on approach to Orlando Airport?" Of course, I did not mention to them that besides an A320, I'd also flown a Pan Am DC-3 between these two cities...🙂...because they would be baffled why would one fly a WW-II a/c on a modern route...Oh well...we understand around here. Anyway, Orlando is indeed home to nearly 100 lakes (small and big). These lakes were clearly visible in my past virtual recreations, here, of the flight. About 30 miles north of Orlando, around my temporary place of residence, there is a scenic lake (Lake Dora), which I visited (Lake Michigan is too big to feel like a Lake), and I took a (double-decker) Paddlewheel boat cruise on the lake...an enchanting experience, when the Florida summer weather is nice and the evening sky is brilliantly colored (yet to see these colors (exactly) in our SIMs...🙂...). While absorbed in the Sun's golden reflections on the waters just behind the paddlewheel vortex, and listening to John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads", sung by the on-board musical duo, my better-half had looked up on-line that this lake might have about 500 alligators, and whispered so in my ears...🙂... My return flight was in a 757-300, the beginning part of which flight, I've mimicked below in a Friend Ship (legacy) livery United A320 (iniBuilds A320neo V2 - will get both 737MAX and B757 when I can in MSFS). It was nice to fly (RW) in this classic (medium-haul) airplane, a very long airplane indeed, but with a single aisle (-300 is the longest single-aisle twinjet ever built). UAL has over 60 757s in active service. There was no seatback screen this time (as was in the 737 MAX), and I recalled the days of hanging TV-Monitors in the Cabins of long-haul aircraft, for display of films or/and flight path of the a/c. No, there were no hanging monitors here...🙂...There was an option to connect WIFI to your own personal device for entertainment, which I did not make use of. Instead, I opted to open up my unfinished book of Steinbeck, "The Red Pony" (please see my earlier Steinbeck Country visit post, if you wish), and finally got to finish the 100-page book, on this 757, at 33,000 ft...🙂... My return flight of the 757-300, per FlightAware, had the following route (SID/FATHE3, VIYAP Q69 GURGE Q93 BENBY DOOGE Q93 HEVAN BONNT VEECK5/STAR). The altitude filed was 33,000 ft and the distance was 1008 miles. I was able to enter the above route (including SID/STAR) manually into the MCDU of my Airbus A320. So, please see below the set of pictures of the (virtual) flight from lift-off to cruise altitude of 33,000 ft, following the same skyway that the 757 had taken on my RW flight. Do take note of the lakes visible (shot #s 5-6), and the Atlantic Ocean coastline also visible (last but one shot) on the starboard side of the a/c, on this nearly south-north flight, initially tracking the eastern edge of the Florida peninsula...in a late afternoon departure. In my shot #1, you may spot the palm trees, ubiquitous in Florida, but I haven't seen one around here in 25+ years...neither have I ever spotted an alligator...🙂...As the (setting) Sun was shining on my port side and the sky was darkening on my starboard side (see the last four shots), I closed my eyes for a bit and mused about that thrilling and spectacular (3D) Avatar Flight of Passage, on the back of the flying Dragon in Pandora's universe, in Disney's Animal Kingdom...with waterfall spray sprinkling in my faces...🙂...when I heard the cockpit announcement that the 757 was about to start its descent to O'Hare, so, I need to now stow away my tray-table... Hope you enjoy this collection of UAL images...based on my (recent) RW flight...! Thanks for viewing...!

[This is a topic close to my heart, and additionally, I also wished to fly this likeable Cessna Twin for a second time here (if you wish, please see my previous post of this same a/c climbing away from San Jose (KSJC) airport, with a thankful correction from a member...🙂...In my defense, lately all kinds of issues have impacted my SIM activities and my attention to details, and I don't mean RL issues...🙂...). First, my Xbox/MSFS has been more problematic than normal e.g., error loading start-up screens and loss of (Garmin/GTN) avionics displays in the cockpit. On top of it, the Avsim server issues (of past week) complicated any posting activities. Now, with Avsim issues already resolved, I had a very good flight today on this (special) topic that has been long on my mind. So, here we go...] It's well known that Steinbeck's (most significant) work that immortalized central California, centered around a small geographical region, the so-called "Steinbeck Country", about 100 miles down the California coastline from Monterey Bay to Morro Bay, and about 50 miles across to the Gabilan Mountain Range. At the heart of the "Steinbeck Country", the source of his inspiration, lie the Salinas Valley and the Salinas River that flows through it, the focus of my flights today. For the first flight (see shot #s 1-10 and the Garmin Map in shot #4), I start off from San Jose (KSJC), a place frequently mentioned in his novels, then fly south to the city of Salinas, Steinbeck's birthplace, and then west to the coastal city of Monterey (KMRY), the location of some of his most significant works of fiction. For the 2nd flight (see Garmin Map in shot #11), I fly to the Gabilan Mountains, and then south along the Salinas Valley, via the town of Soledad (shot #18) of "Mice and Men" to King City (KKIC). King City is the plot location for "Red Pony" which I've been coincidentally re-reading lately. Regarding the naming of the Pony, there is a reference there to the Gabilan Mountains (shot #s 13-16), located on the eastern side of the Salinas Valley..."I think I'll call him Gabilan Mountains..."..."It's a pretty long name. Why don't you just call him Gabilan...?". So, I thought, my trip, here, would not be complete without visiting the Gabilan Mountain Range...🙂...and its highest summit, Fremont Peak (shot #15), which is mentioned in "Travels with Charley" (Charley was Steinbeck's pet poodle). We know that Nobel Prize for literature, unlike e.g., the Booker or the Pulitzer, is not given for a single work of fiction, but for a whole body of work. Nonetheless, there is always one novel that stands out as the cream of the crop that gets a special mention e.g., for Albert Camus, it might be "The Stranger" (translated for me...🙂...), for V.S. Naipaul, it might be "A House for Mr. Biswas", and for Rabindranath Tagore, it might be "Gitanjali" (also translated) etc. And for Steinbeck, it was "The Grapes of Wrath"...the plot of which was partly set in the valley down from the same Gabilan Mountains of "Red Pony". After today's (virtual) exploration, I surely got to know and appreciate the Steinbeck Country lot better than ever before, along with its natural beauty, and the story of struggles and emotions of people that was infused into it, in a bygone era. From my unique (aerial) vantage point, as I flew over these valleys, mountains, rivers, and cities, while watching the sunset and the moving shadows on these mountains, there was a unique satisfaction...of places I've only read and wondered about through the magical depictions of Steinbeck....🙂... My concluding few pictures, below, are from the heart of the Salinas Valley, as my Cessna is flying down this valley and the Salinas River (shot #19), with the Sun setting behind the Gabilan Mountains and the silver Moon shining over the wing of my Cessna (last shot #20) ...🙂.. Thanks for viewing ...!

This airliner fan, here, with an alter ego named after the Boeing 787-8...🙂..., has been always a great fan of twin props too (pistons and turbos) since the earliest times of my involvement in the hobby. This is, of course, within my limited (virtual) knowledge and familiarity with such a/c... unlike a few of our esteemed Twin GA experts, aficionados, and RW pilots around here...🙂... Frankly, I am bit of a greater fan of the Piper Twins...But this Cessna built C414A rendition by Flysimware seemed irresistible... (I have owned many Flysimware a/c in my past SIMs and been always impressed by their attention to details and realism of SIM a/c... including both prop and jet types...distinctly and especially recall flying their Falcon 50 and Learjet 35 to my heart's content...🙂...) ... So, please find this collection of pictures with a C414A of my lift-off and departure segment of a (test) flight today from San Diego (KSJC) to Los Angeles (KLAX). Somewhere within just these (limited) 300 miles of space, most of John Steinbeck's stories were based on...🙂...of life and events in one-time California, that was enough to get him his Nobel Prize... (if you wish, please also see my previous post for a bit of background). Anyway, this Cessna Chancellor felt like a wonderful plane to experience in MSFS...in fact modelled in the SIM, for our pleasure and enjoyment, after a RW C414A version (see the "RAM" and "AW" markings in the images, under the Pilot windows) ...owned by Flysimware's own tech pilot and consultant. Reportedly, just collecting the images, measurements, and sounds from the real bird took 2 years... I am barely scratching the surface with this a/c for now, but hope to fly and learn...lot more... In my concluding scenes, just after gears up, I've activated the [Dir-To], for test and fun...🙂...straight to the FAF of KLAX ILS Rwy 07L...and the a/c is faithfully and instantly banking hard over the Pacific Ocean, to southward heading from its initial westward takeoff from San Diego's Rwy 30L... So, if you were seated on those luxurious seats, you might feel a bit stronger pull of the force...🙂...Oh well... Hope you enjoy these images from my flight today. Thanks for viewing...!

We know there are multiple A320s (ceos and neos; freeware and payware) available in MSFS these days. And myself, not being a puritan simmer nor an aspiring Airbus pilot...🙂...these are all viewed as one (nearly indistinguishable) lump in my eyes. However, I was indeed a puritan simmer at one point, decades ago. I vividly recall flying the PMDG and iFly 737NGs, 3 times a week, like clockwork, for nearly a year or more, with all the bells and whistles (such as enhanced scenery, FS2Crew, on-line ATC, rigid fuel calculations, identical RW routes etc...). I do recall on FS2Crew, pressing that Flight Attendant button meant for requesting a "Cup of Coffee"...while being fully absorbed in my (hectic) pilot duties in the virtual flightdeck of the 737. Unfortunately, no Coffee ever appeared...🙂...neither did any Flight Attendant, nor even my better-half...🙂...and, in fact, once, such a request had elicited a reply like something as follows, "That is not a real 737, and you're not a real pilot...So, go get your own Coffee..."...🙂...My make-believe world of aviator-hood had suffered a reality check...🙂...Oh well...I'm still at it... Anyway, I'm lately warming up to this MSFS/iniBuilds A320neo V2. It has a better overall feel about it than the original MSFS/Asobo A320. And it's not just the EFB. I am able to use the EFB for performance calculations etc. but have to use the MCDU/ATSU Menu to upload the SimBrief FlightPlan data (since still getting some error while uploading directly from SimBrief into the EFB, will continue to examine that issue...not a deal-breaker for me). Most importantly, this iniBuilds A320neo V2 came free with MSFS Update, so, I cannot ask for more than that... Colorful (and trail-blazing) Braniff Airways has been a favorite of mine since my earliest days in the hobby. The airline had taken roots in 1927, when the founder Paul Braniff (also the sole pilot) flew a group of business executives and investors around on fishing, hunting, and business trips in a six-seater Stinson Detroiter out of Oklahoma. Braniff Airways, during the 50+ years of its existence, went on to operate almost all types of a/c, starting from the vintage Ryans and Stinsons, through the legendary 727s/707s, all the way to the supersonic Concorde. Though the 10 Concordes that it operated were all leased from Air France and British Airways, they were indeed flown by Braniff crews, with Braniff Reg. numbers, mostly subsonically within the domestic U.S. sectors. How could Braniff be not part of the most exotic commercial aircraft travel of the time...🙂...? Braniff had also made deposits with Boeing for two B2707 SST (Supersonic Transport) a/c, a program that would be eventually cancelled. Clearly, the airline was determined to be on the cutting edge of air transport. The catchy company slogan was, "The End of the Plain Plane", and their advertisements proclaimed (justifiably so), "We have blue planes, orange planes, yellow planes...You can fly with us seven times and never fly in the same color twice...". Now, without worrying about the complex statistical rules of conditional probability...🙂..., there is some truth to this claim. Braniff had a total repertoire of 15 "Jellybean" colors (actually 16, Lavender was short-lived). So, simply put and without taking the claim to heart, with a choice of 15 colors, you would need to fly with Braniff roughly 7 times, to run into the same-colored a/c twice. So, I was looking today into an add-on set of "Nostalgia" liveries for this A320neo that I'd purchased several weeks ago, on Xbox/Marketplace, when I'd seen this A320neo V2 the first time. In that livery collection, I caught a Blue Jellybean A320neo repaint. We should note that Braniff ceased all air operations in 1982. Even the original A320 (aka the ceo) would not take to the sky until 5 years later in 1987, and this A320neo would not appear (another 27 years later than the ceo) until 2014. So, this here is of course an entirely fictitious livery (nonetheless, I wish to thank the unknown repainter who contributed this Braniff color to the set of liveries; surely, that (Braniff enthusiast) repainter would jump on the chance to repaint Braniff colors on (RW) 727s/707s/DC8s etc. when these iconic a/c become available in MSFS...). In my images of the A320neo below, the registration (N1804) you see, is indeed a RW (Braniff) number, that once belonged to a (Medium Blue) Braniff DC-8-62. During that aircraft's lifespan of 35 years, I find (on record) only one blemish for it...a runway excursion at (old) Quito airport, in its very first year of service, where improper braking action, forced it into a ditch, causing substantial damage, but it was repaired and bounced back to service as if new. This original DC-8 was once plying the high skies above the Pacific Ocean, between Dallas-Fort Worth and South American cities, just as my A320neo did today, wearing the same uniform and carrying the same ID. That's why this A320 felt dear to me today...🙂..., because it made me think of Braniff's (multi-colored) Douglas DC-8s, and in particular about the life-story of that N1804 DC-8-62(F), a (hardworking) a/c that that had served faithfully as a passenger aircraft for over 22 years, and then (untired) as a converted freighter for another 13 years. It would eventually end its life in 2003, salvaged and broken up into pieces and dissolved into history...until we might fly it here again in MSFS, hopefully someday soon... Please find this collection of images of this A320neo on a flight of my choice, from Lima (SPJC) in Peru to Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW), both these cities been "Hubs" of Braniff during its heydays. The (SimBrief) flight distance is 3,400 miles, while my A320neo (quite up to the challenge) has a range of 3,900 miles...so, I'm covered. I wished to visit the majestic Andes, before heading back to the homeland, so, please also see a set of pictures (shot #s 4-8) of these Andes Mountains, which are in close proximity of Lima, on the (eastern) inland side of the continent (Lima is the coastal (capital) city overlooking the vast Pacific) ... In mid-flight today, while my a/c was paused and suspended over the Pacific, and I was off and away for some life-sustaining grocery activities...🙂..., MSFS/Xbox opted to close my "Game" saying curtly that some syncing of data is required for my better "gaming" experience, and hence the current session will be terminated...No arguments...Oh well... Still, I've included, below, a few pictures of my touchdown into KDFW, from an independent flight.... Thanks for viewing...! Happy flying...!

A while ago, I'd purchased several airport sceneries from the Xbox/Marketplace (on SALE for $1.99 each), one of which was KCRQ (McClellan–Palomar Airport); see my first shot below. KCRQ is located just inland of California's Pacific coastline, and about 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Beginning just northwest of this airport, extend the Santa Ana Mountains, northward for about 60 miles, towards Los Angeles. Today, while wishing to fly out of (and into) this (KCRQ) airport, my thoughts somehow wandered to the California based novels of Nobel Laureate, John Steinbeck, one of my most favorite authors. The legacy of Stenbeck's literature centered around the valleys, country sides and mountains of California. He was born and brought up a couple of hundred miles north of where I am flying today, and his stories (unlike those of the Globetrotter, Hemingway...🙂...) are almost entirely set in the Central California region, just north of my small California excursion here. I've been also meaning to fly the (PMDG) 737-600 Boeing demonstrator for some time. Demonstrators play a significant role in research and validations, whenever a new type of product is envisioned (e.g., here the 737 NG Series). Note the prints "EXPERIMENTAL" and "BuildingOnSuccess" on the front fuselage images of this Demonstrator...the former expression refers to the fact that it was the -600 variant that had heralded the 737NG Series (i.e., first member of it), and the latter expression refers to the (earlier success) of the predecessor 737 Classic Series. The registration of this a/c that you see in my images below is appropriately numbered "N7376". Now, usually, on my Xbox, I am unable to trace the repainters of the livery packs that I typically purchase in bundles (as opposed to via freeware contributors). Nonetheless, I'm always grateful to those (unknown) repainters (the Braniff (Blue) A320Neo of my previous post was one example). In this PMDG case, however, it was easy to find the repainter, on Flightsim.to. In fact, I found that this repainter has done many other PMDG 737 liveries, including some for Alaska Airlines. So, I wasn't surprised to see, in the comments section over there, a note of thanks from our "Alaska738" here...🙂...addressed to this repainter...for an Alaska livery...🙂... Please find a set of pictures, here, of the Boeing 736 Demonstrator, flying out from KCRQ airport, headed directly towards the highest summit of California's Santa Ana Mountains, Santiago Peak (shot #s 7-10). Santiago Peak (Lat/Long) is denoted by the (custom waypoint) "WPT01" on the (accompanying) Navigational Display of my flightdeck shot. After overflying past the Santiago Peak, I've circled back to KCRQ airport for my touchdown. This (nameless) Boeing Demonstrator 737-600 "N7376" (RW) a/c, built in 1998 at the Renton Factory, would be originally delivered to SAS as "SE-DNR", then to be christened as a proud Viking, with the name "Ragnfast Viking". It would then go on to serve with SAS (airline) for over 21 years, re-registered as "LN-RRX". SAS was the launch customer for the 737-600 variant and was also the world's largest operator of it. Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures. Thanks for viewing...!

I'm not exactly sure how this (default freeware) Asobo/iniBuilds A320neo V2 (in my Xbox system) is different from the earlier Asobo version, but I've meaning it to give this V2 a try, so, I did it today. It looks like the EFB is one major difference, however, I could not get the EFB to work properly today, neither could I upload the SimBrief FlightPlan (it could be pilot issues...🙂...). I will look into it again later... Otherwise, on a test circuit flight, including a takeoff and an (ILS) touchdown, the plane behaved well. And, at least, unlike my iniBuilds A310, I could capture some screenshots (to show you) ...🙂...without losing complete control of the a/c... Please find below a collection of pictures of this A320neo in the easyJet livery... Thanks for viewing...! Hope you enjoy...!

The two most important rivers originating from within the heart of Swiss Alps (like arteries) are Rhine and Rhône (contributing life-sustaining blood-like flow to major parts of Europe). They have been also an integral part of the local legends and myths since the Roman times. Though their sources are located in two different (so-called) cantons of Switzerland, within 50 miles of each other; curiously and sensibly, they quickly bid farewell to (and part ways from) each other, heading out in (totally) opposite directions. We have to realize that this region contains some of the densest parts of the entire Alps. In other words, escape routes there (for newborn rivers) are hard to come by...🙂...So, Rhine found a way northward to Lake Constance, then across multiple countries, and finally, far away in Netherlands, empties into the cold waters of North Sea. Rhône chose to fight its way out west through these Alps mountains to Lake Geneva, and then southward through France, eventually merging with the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to MSFS, I've now sufficiently raised my familiarity with these two rivers, without ever been in the vicinity of either river ...🙂... Here is a curious fact that may not be known to the non-natives (as I'm one). Even though Rhine and Rhône empty into the Seas, on diametrically opposite (North-South) edges of Europe, they are connected via a man-made system of canals (Rhône-Rhine Canal) in France, and hence are the means for connecting the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea via waterways alone. So, find these sets of images, below, from my tour across Europe today, with Rhine River as my guide: (Shot #s 3-5) A short trip as I travel to the easternmost terminus of the Rhône-Rhine Canal, where in my images you would notice Rhine flowing on northward, and the Canal diverging away westward to eventually meet the Rhône River, at the westernmost point of the Rhône-Rhine Canal. (Shot #s 6-14) A most enjoyable trip, I had, in Netherlands (my first time ever there in the SIM in 20+ years), from Amsterdam (EHAM), through Rotterdam (EHRD), following the Rhine River up north to the North Sea. However, I quickly got disoriented (pleasurably so...🙂...) in the land of Canals, Windmills, and Tulips. I saw plenty of the first two (see my images, including shots of the famous North Sea Canal that connects North Sea to the city of Amsterdam, and the farm of Windmills, shot #s 13-14, at Kinderdijk), but, alas, none of the Tulips (actually I didn't look for them...🙂...). Nonetheless, this virtual trip brought back the memories of a RW trip to the (namesake) city of "Holland"...nearer to me...🙂...in the state of Michigan, a beautiful city known for its Dutch heritage, and for its annual Tulip Time Festival (one week in May), which I'd once attended. There, I'd also seen an actual Dutch Windmill originally brought over from Netherlands back in 1965 (touted to be the only authentic "working" windmill in U.S.). That entire locale is enchanting enough that I wish I could visit it again. (Shot #s 15-18) A trip from Friedrichshafen (EDNY) on the northern shore of Lake Constance, as I lift off past the famous Zeppelin Hangar...flying south over this famous lake (while musing a bit about Ferdinand von Zeppelin, whose first (rigid) airship Zeppelin (named after him) had flown over this same lake for the first time in 1900). Then, I (and my trusty Skyvan) entered the heart of Swiss Alps into the canton of Graubünden, the source headwaters of Rhine River. As the Skyvan climbed gradually to higher altitudes within the narrow valleys, the mountains, around my shoulders, got taller, and the hamlets and villages, below, got tinier (see my images) ... In my last 2 images, I've finally returned with my Skyvan to Amsterdam (EHAM) airport (an airport I'd once transited through, decades ago, in a KLM MD-11, following an unforgettable Atlantic crossing, where the MD-11 might have just saved my life...a story...I'd recounted before). Anyway, here, recalling that I've been flying the "Skydiving" variant of this iniBuilds a/c, I'm next getting ready to take my bunch of (colorfully attired) brave souls (see the last image), for their tryst with adrenaline and excitement...Of course, I'm not taking them to the Swiss Alps...🙂 ... (though, don't know why but I feel a bit like that Junkers 52 pilot flying into the Alps, in the opening title sequence of "Where Eagles Dare"...🙂...). Anyway, I would take this bunch somewhere over the pretty countryside of Netherlands...away from those multitude of canals...if I can indeed find such a place...we'll see... Thanks for viewing...!

Pilots and afficionados of aircraft often come up with nicknames for aircraft (because either they love them or maybe they hate them...🙂...). Either way these nicknames resemble the namesake aircraft in some characteristics (or should we say idiosyncrasies), by look or trait. A long while ago, inside the O'Hare Terminal, as I was walking down the concourse and past the gates, towards my own departure gate, and wanting to know the Gate No. of my flight (since the information was not listed on my Ticket or probably the gate was changed for some reason), I happened to ask a staff member of the same airline, walking from the opposite direction. He took a look at my Ticket, and said, "Just keep walking...past a few more gates. You will see your plane waiting for you on the right-hand side...", and then smilingly added, "You cannot miss it. It's a thin and long aircraft, and we call it the "Flying Pencil"...". He was referring to a 757-300, the same type I am scheduled to fly in a few weeks... This post is also about one atypical looking aircraft that was nicknamed "Flying Shoebox". Now, I rarely get influenced by "Marketplace" (MSFS) ads, but, yesterday, the SC.7 Skyvan sales-pitch photo triggered my interest enough to acquire it. First of all, the a/c is by iniBuilds, and I've generally begun to like the realistic look and feel of all iniBuilds a/c, in spite of some issues (personally) encountered during their operation. Anyway, this little (and strange looking) a/c has the slogan "the van that flies" printed on the fuselage (see my images below and check for yourself the validity of the nickname and the slogan). The (SIM) a/c flew very well on my first attempt, as I did a full race-course pattern, lifting off (LPPR) Porto Airport northward from Rwy 35 (Porto, btw, been one of the airports specifically mentioned in the latest (MSFS) City Update), then completing a U-turn, over pretty (coastal) landscapes, washed by the evening glow of the setting sun...🙂...and finally landing back on Porto (ILS) Runway 17 (this SC.7 version does have GPS units equipped and the aircraft's pedestal contains an authentic looking autopilot panel...see my interior cockpit images below). Since my earliest days in the SIM, I've been particularly interested in the "boxcar" look alike a/c of the Short brothers. I'd flown the S330/S360 often and also posted about (I believe Carenado had them). These a/c kind of look like the (more familiar) Cessna Grand Cravan, but the Caravan is of much smaller capacity. And if you overlook the front propellers and the tapering back ends of these Short models, these a/c indeed remind you of a (railway) boxcar...🙂...We know that the circular cross section is the most optimized shape for pressurized aircraft flying in high altitudes. However, the Short Skyvans were not aimed for such purpose (nor to win any beauty contest) but intended for lower-altitude utilitarian (cargo) operations. Indeed, they proved versatile and popular (on both sides of the Atlantic), and believe it or not, among all the British aircraft of comparable utilities (prop or jet), the Short propliner models (S.330/S.360/SC.7/C-23) far outnumbered (and outsold) each of the venerable ones such as BAe 146/Avro RJ, HS 748, Vickers Viscount and the BAC 1-11...a lasting testament to the heritage and the objectives of the original design. However, like all good things come to an end, these aircraft had to eventually bow out of the market, as the (pressurized) a/c became commonplace, and the simplicity that was the forte of Short a/c, turned into its cause of downfall. While you hopefully enjoy the pictures below of this (specific) Short a/c SC.7 variant, we should also probably think a bit about the Short brothers (3 of them) ...just as we think of the Wright Brothers (2 of them). There is a link between these 2 sets of brothers. The Short Brothers were the first to be awarded a contract by the Wright Brothers to build (licensed version) of six (Wright Flyer) biplanes, which were the first to be used in UK to grant the first pilot's licenses in UK. The Short Brothers would then move on to their own unique designs of a/c... Boxcars, Sheds, Shoeboxes...whatever nicknames you may call them by...🙂... [Historical (Nostalgic) Note: On a lonely (and peaceful looking) stretch of grass-fields on the Isle of Sheppy, at Leysdown-on-sea, in Kent (UK), there stands a statue of the 3 brothers, wearing Chesterfield style coats, arms outstretched in a flying motion...a short distance from which on the adjacent land, they had constructed their (and Britain's) first aircraft factory and completed Britain's first ever circular mile of flight. And who knew those aviation roots planted on those fields of Leysdown (Kent), would travel first to Belfast (Ireland), and finally via Bombardier acquisition, would eventually end up in the farmlands of midwestern U.S. with Spirit AeroSystems of Wichita (Kansas)...🙂..., who btw now make fuselages for Airbus and Boeing...787/350 included...] After my own successful (short) "circular" flight with the Short Brothers' Skyvan, the city of "Porto" makes me now think of a glass of "Port" wine named after this city...just for celebration...🙂... Thanks for viewing...! Happy flying...!

A while ago, I'd recreated here in the SIM, reminiscences of one of my longest (RW) road-trips, from Chicago to New Orleans (I'd thought it was my longest drive, but someone...🙂...corrected me...with slightly better long-term memory). The distances between 2 cities are calculated and displayed for us on-line, probably using some fixed references within each city, not necessarily the geographical centers of the two cities. When I search on-line for "Chicago to New Orleans Distance", it comes up with "928" miles. However, I remember the door-to-door distance was closer to 1,000 miles one-way. Now, with an upcoming ORD-MCO flight on the wing for me, deliberations within the family brought up the fact that I'd also made one (round-trip) road journey, decades ago, from Chicago to Orlando. The on-line sources tell me this one-way (driving) distance to be "1,154" miles. So, the (Chicago-Orlando) round-trip distance of over 2,300 miles would supersede my earlier mentioned record...🙂...unless I'm reminded of yet another one from the long-past...faded into my distant memory and my grey (eh...greying...) hairs...🙂...Anyway, I'd (recently) recreated, here, my one (RW) ORD-MCO flight, with 2 heritage liveries of United Airlines, using an A320neo in the SIM (since I do not have either a 737 MAX (actually a -9) or a 757 (actually a -300) at my disposal, the two a/c types that UAL has assigned, as of now, to my upcoming round-trip legs). I'd flown that A320 (SIM) flight at 30,000 ft. following the RW airways as much as I could, so, for this post, I fly the DC-3, but at steady 3,000 ft, in the nostalgic colors of Pan Am. Moreover, I am (roughly) tracking my RW en-route cities (See my GPS FPLN page display shot, below, showing just a few waypoints [KORD (Chicago) -> KIND (Indianapolis) shot #10 -> KCHA (Chattanooga) -> KATL (Atlanta) shot #12 -> KMCO (Orlando)]. If you examine the MAP of U.S., you will notice that both Chicago-Orlando and Chicago-New Orleans routes, are pretty much north-south oriented across the whole breadth of U.S. The former distance exceeds the latter, only because of the peculiarity of the Peninsular shape of Florida (which reminds me very much of the similarly shaped Italian Peninsula...🙂...from a recent (virtual) visit to Rome). Florida is a state surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on 3 sides. For New Orleans, the U.S. mainland ends in New Orleans at the mouth of Mississippi River, while for Orlando, I had to traverse the so-called "Floria panhandle", the part connecting to the mainland, and then drive further south into the Peninsula (just for curiosity, during my trip from Andorra to Rome, I had to also dip further south of mainland Europe into the Italian Peninsula, both Rome and Orlando located roughly half-way down their respective Peninsulas). My pictures, below, reflect what I saw as I'd travelled the (RW) 1000 miles. Here, I flew over mostly the flatlands of the vast midwest and southeast regions, touching six different U.S. states on my path. Here is one remarkable thing to note; though I travelled 1000 miles, (noting that I already start near 700 ft at KORD) my highest elevation was less than 2,000 ft for the entire route, which would occur around Chattanooga (KCHA), in Tennessee. This is the only place, where I expected to have a brief skirmish...🙂...with the trailing ends and ridges of the Appalachian Range (and the Great Smoky Mountains). Chattanooga is the juncture where the mountains of the east (on my port side), end, and the vast plains, of the west, start, so, I knew, there was nothing to worry on my starboard side, for 1,500 miles across...all the way till the formidable range of the Rocky Mountains begins in the wild west...🙂... To simplify my flight, soon after I lifted off KORD 28R, I retracted my gears (leaving the flaps on for slow speed), and set climb to top off at 3,000 ft. Then I did not (have to) touch the altitude again until I was ready to capture the ILS signals at the FAF fix of ILS Runway 17R of KMCO. Of course, around Chattanooga (KCHA), I was cautious...on the lookout for that (aptly named; and RW visited) "Lookout Mountain"...🙂...of 2,300 ft height just south of KCHA. I did not look for this mountain, but gingerly travelled on per my GPS magenta route, watching the emerging ridges and hills (see my shot #11) gliding below my a/c (transiently and harmlessly), while my GPS pointed me next to Atlanta, 100 miles further south. There are indeed stretches of (hazardous) steep-grades (descents and rises) on the freeway, around the mountains of Chattanooga, that I recall well from my RW trip, but of no concern to me on this flight ...🙂... One landmark I was (eagerly) looking to meet was my old friend "Tennesse River" (see shot #15), which passes by Chattanooga north of the city. The river has its tributary, the "Little Tennesse River", that courses through the Great Smoky Mountains, a place (and both these rivers) I've had chance to visit on several occasions. You may inspect my pictures (shot #s 13-14; a lonely shot of windmills included) for this mostly unchanging and repetitive landscape of these meadows and flatlands. Again, I must point out, travelling across such plains, by air (either virtual or real), is no substitute for the actual road trip experience and impromptu stops. One point comes to mind from my RW trip. Near Kentucky and Tennesse border, there is the "Mammoth Cave", the longest known (400+ miles) under-ground cave system in the world. I'd detoured to visit it. Deep inside it, there are rivers and streams, which, I recall, are home to a species of "eyeless" fish that have adapted to these lightless environments by ceasing to grow any eyes...completely blind... Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures from my tour and of this Pan AM DC-3...! Thanks for viewing...!

OK...🙂...First of all, NO, this is no heart-rending drama of human separation and reunion, but actually reflects the story of my (local) United Airlines. I've been meaning to illustrate this interesting aspect of United Airlines, since a long time, but never got to it. So, here we go... I distinctly recall in 2012, when Continental Airlines and United Airlines (officially) merged together to form the new United. Many of us would also remember the good old Continental Airlines and might have even flown in the SIM many of Continental's classic liveries (such as the "Golden Jet Livery" or the "Contrails" livery) with classic airplane types (such as the B727 or B707). However, the livery that is probably most familiar to most folks around the world is Continental's "Golden Globe Livery" with the golden globe spinning on a blue background, on the tails of their aircraft. It's the same globe logo that has survived to this day, though not with bygone Continental Airlines, but with United Airlines. The origins of both Continental and United go back to the same (genetic) roots. It's the same aviation pioneer, Walter Varney, who founded the forerunners of both these airlines, and in fact, you would find him listed in the Wiki, as the "Founder" of both airlines (an amazing credit indeed). United (the older sibling) was born first in 1926 from "Varney Air Lines", and Continental (the younger sibling) arrived 8 years later in 1934 from "Varney Speed Lines"; note the common denominator "Varney" in both names...so it's the same parent, and just two siblings, so to speak...🙂...Parting ways (just like siblings do), Continental would eventually make its home in Houston (TX) and United would move to Chicago (IL). The roots of both airlines, however, trace back to the same Varney Air Lines, Walter Varney, and to Boise, Idaho, on the west coast... The two airlines would continue their independent existence for more than 75 years. Ironically, however, they would be finally re-united into a single entity in 2012, long after the death of their parent, Walter Varney...not driven by emotional ties, but due to extenuating circumstances driven by financial factors... Just as Continental, United would also wear many different colors throughout its illustrious past. We virtual flyers might recall the "blue and white wedge" livery of United 727s from our past SIMs (we miss here the trijet 727 in MSFS...🙂...). One specimen of this type and this UAL livery is immaculately preserved in the local Science Museum (inside the building and cleverly suspended in mid-air as if it is still flying). Whenever I visit this Museum, I always linger a bit around that exhibit, getting to touch those P&W JT8D engines...🙂..., engines with noise that would have woken up the neighborhood at one time, but now gone silent...🙂...One of the memorable United logos, that most of us would easily remember to this day, was the so-called "Tulip" (flower)...a "red-white-blue" stylized Tulip in the shape of two overlapped letters (U), which is the first letter of the airline's name (for this livery, see my middle set of images, below). That famous logo would eventually go away (in favor of the golden globe) when United merged with Continental. So, the older sibling's name lived on while the younger sibling's spirit (the logo) lived on too. The former's survival was granted by the latter's demise, so to speak. This golden-globe liveried 777s of UAL, I recall most from my RW (long-haul) travels. Then, about 5 years ago, in 2019, following a much-anticipated announcement, United would reveal the new "globe", the same "globe" but with its color changed from "gold" to "light-blue", which is what you see today on the tails of UAL aircraft. Many then thought the "Tulip" would be back instead, but it's as if the older sibling deferred to the memory of the younger sibling's spirit...at least for now...🙂... Please find 3 sets of images below (1) Continental's final golden globe livery lifting off from (KIAH) Houston, its final headquarters and hub (2) United's classic Tulip livery in mid-flight cruise (3) And the latest light-blue globe livery of United touching down into (KORD) Chicago, UAL's current headquarters and hub. ...all these pictures in the colors of an Airbus A320neo (so, only the last set would be considered of a real A320 color, while the others are fictitious). Nonetheless, my hats are off to those (knowledgeable) repainters of the A320neo, who have contributed such a massive repertoire of colors, real and fictitious, (I wish it were also true for the 737 colors in my xbox). This color palette aligns more with my interests, and, of course, the intricate mechanics (and realistic fidelity) of any plane also certainly has a place in this great hobby of ours...🙂.... Anyway, we now need, those DC-10s, B707s, B727s etc., flying in this SIM too, to make some of these fictitious liveries to be real...We'll have to wait and see... Hope you enjoy this collection of images and these bits of history (if you cared to read it...🙂...) ...about my local airline...! Thanks for viewing...! Happy flying...!

Who wouldn't like a city called "Nice"...🙂...though the meaning and the historical origin of this name is different. Anyway, Nice is the gateway to (and the queen of) the famous Côte d'Azur (aka: the French Riviera) region of France. For this post, however, instead of focusing on the coastal stretch to the west of Nice (which is essentially the French Riviera), I've travelled, from Nice, eastward across the Italian border (the border is <20 miles away), and onward to Genoa in Italy, for a total distance of about 100 miles, along the pristine coastlines of the Mediterranean Sea, skirting the 2 mountain ranges: first the Alps of France and then the Apennines of Italy. I've two motivations for this post...First, I've been lately touring the (MSFS default) France quite a bit. And, from the long past, I am aware of the so-called "France VFR" that was available in our old SIMs, but, for one or more reasons, I never really got into it (though, I recall, French VFR also had a few excellent freeware (touring/VFR) a/c that I had made use of). Anyway, I've tried to make it up for myself, here in MSFS, by exploring France from the Normandy Coasts in the northern edge of the country, down across the valleys, mountains and rivers that dominate the topography of France, south to the southernmost edge along the Mediterranean Sea. My second motivation...after the SU15 Updates stabilized on my (xbox) system (including the City Update 7, which btw includes the city of Nice), I wished to explore the coastlines east of Nice towards Italy (I have been meaning to do it for a while). These coastal regions are indeed of spectacular beauty touched by the primary mountain range of France, the French Alps, extending northward just north of Nice, and been sea-bound in the south by the Mediterranean coastlines that I am tracking for this post (see my Cockpit VFR MAP inset). No sooner, on my route, I've passed by the Alps Range of France, the Apennines Range of Italy takes over, spread near the city of my destination, Genoa. For this flight, I've maintained steady 3,000 ft cruise, without venturing inland into these mountains, but you can spot these mountains in many of my images below, in addition, of course, to the (inviting) azure, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. I've started out from (LFMN) Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (see my shot #1), and at the end of my route, for approaching (LIMJ) Genoa airport, I'd to revert my course (skillfully on the mountain side...🙂...skimming the Apennines, see shots below), back to westward direction (see my Cockpit VFR MAP inset). I have finally landed my Piper Seminole on the ILS Rwy 28 of Genoa airport (LIMJ). Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures from my excursion...travelling the beautiful (southern) seaside edges of France... (and Italy) ...! Thanks for viewing and happy flying...!

In my previous post, while exploring the passage and exploits of Charlemagne...🙂...across Europe and into Andorra, I'd opted to use an Air Europa 737-600 as my mode of transport and discovery. And today, I just wished to fly my namesake aircraft, the 787...since I don't recall flying it for some time. I was pleasantly surprised to find, in my hangar, an Air Europa 787-10. It seems Air Europa has already in service 11 787-8s, and also 15 787-9s, with 5 more -9s on order, to operate not only on its European destinations (per its name), but also on its extensive and extended long-haul network into North and South American destinations. However, Air Europa does not operate the 787-10 variant, so, to be precise, the below is a fictitious livery in that sense. Nonetheless, a repainter has offered it in this airline's colors, and it's one of my favorite jetliners, so, I wished to fly it today on a short flight....and this a/c is my namesake too...here...though sans the exact variant...🙂...Oh well...it will do... Thanks for viewing...!

In my earlier Andorra post, I'd remarked that this tiny landlocked country (an independent and sovereign principality) is nestled within the borders of France and Spain, deep inside the eastern Pyrenees mountains. Andorra's ancient roots and culture go back to the Roman times, and the country was actually at one point part of the Roman empire. Therefore, over the centuries, all three countries (Spain, France, Italy) have played a strong part in its development, with the (genetic) roots of its culture having started with the Romans. Geographically, both Spain and France are just with 10 miles of Andorra, its size being roughly equivalent to an area of (13 miles x 13 miles). For example, my entire (earlier) post on Andorra explored the remarkable and rugged geography of the country over no more than 15 miles of flight distance. So, today, I was curious about Andorra's historical association with Italy, and specifically with Rome, which is more than 800 miles away from Andorra, across the Mediterranean Sea. To travel from Andorra to Rome on the ground (as in the olden times), one had to take a roundabout route, by starting out first northward negotiating several (high) mountain passes leading into Europe, and then eastward skirting the northern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and finally down into the boot-shaped Italian Peninsula. Andorra is believed to have been created (and its independence granted) by Charlemagne, the supreme Emperor of the medieval times. How did Charlemagne reach Andorra...? Charlemagne had (must have) travelled from his Capital, Aachen (Germany), south into France and then into Andorra. Reportedly, in the final segment, Charlemagne's troops came from Toulouse, the Airbus Headquarters...🙂..., and entered Andorra through the "Fontargente Pass", located just north of the Andorra-France border in the Pyrenees (see shot #s 5-8 below as I overfly this part). The nearest airport to Andorra is LESU (La Seu d'Urgell), but with a ~4,000 ft runway, and nearly 3,000 ft elevation above sea level, I did not wish to do any daredevilry with my 737...🙂...The next near (major) airport is Barcelona (LEBL), ~120 miles south of Andorra. So, for this post, I've lifted off Barcelona (LEBL), heading directly 80 miles NW to a custom-defined user waypoint (see "WPT01" on my (on-the-ground) ND close-up shot with the (LAT/LONG) co-ordinates of "Fontargente Pass" entered into the FMC). This is the mountain pass in the Pyrenees, through which Charlemagne had entered (and colonized) Andorra. I've next flown on northward some more towards Toulouse across the plains, past the mountains, musing about Charlemagne's passage over the same land...🙂...back in the 8th Century...after all, it's the same land that is the silent witness...🙂...before redirecting myself east towards Italy, and finally to Rome Fiumicino airport (LIRF) where I've landed on its ILS Runway 16L. Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures from my trip (and of this 736 in the colors of the well-known Spanish airline, Air Europa) ...! Thanks for viewing...! [Note: I observed lots of blurriness and washed-out appearances today, for the ground textures. Southern France definitely did not look like what I'm used to from my past virtual visits (so no pictures of it here) ...will re-examine the issue later...]

[Note: First, been away for a couple of days, when I returned, the SU15 had hit my (humble) Xbox system. However, the first ~10G came and went in less than 15 minutes without any issues at all, but then for the later 16G World Update, I noticed the projected install time to be an hour or more, so, I went to the local park for a stroll, and when I returned, it was all completed...no hung (blue) status bar, no ever-spinning white circle...except for that lingering Sci-Fi DUNE thing...🙂...Oh well...I can live with it for a bit. To test the SU15 with something new, docile, and simple...🙂...I picked up an old love of mine...the Piper Seminole PA-44 Twin-prop (the Carenado version) for this post...] There was a period of about a year in my life when I drove between Chicago (IL) and Columbus (OH), almost every weekend. I would leave Chicago at ~3pm Friday afternoon, so as to sneak through the downtown Chicago traffic which gets to a (nasty) snarl during late Friday afternoons, with folks eager to get an early start to their weekend. I would then return on Sunday, departing Columbus also around 3pm. At the start of each trip, before I pull away, I would re-set my trip odometer to "0", and then the (door-to-door) distance would show up to be 397 miles (+/- 1 mile)...depending on where exactly (i.e., at which exit off the freeway) I decided to take that one break for filling gas into the car, getting a snack, and stretching my limbs a bit...🙂...The driving time is about 6 hours, so, I would reach the Columbus city outskirts around 10:00pm local (please note, not 9:00pm, but 10:00pm). This is because I would lose one hour, somewhere in the middle of cornfields and farmlands of Indiana, as I moved from Central to Eastern time zones. Since I would know (a-priori) the mile marker where that momentous transition would occur, I would be glancing at my (smart) phone for that magical switch of time...🙂... (sometimes, I miss those younger days of carefree travel and abandon...) ... I'm calculating now a bit (please excuse any math error...🙂...) ...assuming 52 weeks per year, and counting about 40 of those weekends, it would have been 80 trips of 400 miles each (since one roundtrip per weekend). That yields (80x400) or 32,000 miles total that got added to the mileage of that (trusty) Camry of mine. Eventually, when I parted with that car, with a touch of sadness, it had amassed ~230,000 miles (nearly equal to the distance of the Moon...from my home...or your home...🙂...as well...) ... For this post, here, I have flown from KORD to KCMH, not direct, but as I would have driven in the long past. So, first, I fly (see GPS shot), past Lake Michigan, from Chicago south to Indianapolis, see (overfly) shot #10 for KIND, then east from KIND to KCMH (Columbus, OH), past the city of Dayton, OH. It's worth noting that there are two Airports in Dayton: the main one (KDAY) and the more significant one (KMGY) which I've overflown here (see shot #12). For me, KMGY, Dayton–Wright Brothers Airport (named after the two famous aviation pioneers; MSFS should do a better job of this airport, I think), has a special place in my memory. On its grounds, there is the Wright B Flyer Museum, which houses a replica of the (legendary) Wright B Flyer. And, just 10 miles north of this airport, is located the (original) Wright Brothers Bicycle shop, now a museum, where the two brothers built (and sold) their own brand of bicycles, that had given them the mechanical experience and financial resource, to eventually become the first people to fly a heavier than air, power-controlled machine, known to us as the Wright Flyer. I've visited these 2 museums a couple of times each. Still, every time I would pass by that (Dayton) exit in Ohio, on the freeway, I would never forget to take a glance at that sign board for the Wright Bicycle Shop & Museum (Orville was born in Dayton and died at age 76, in Dayton, while Wilbur was born in Indiana but also died in Dayton, at age 45). So, I got to know (and expect) every dip and every rise on those 400 miles of freeways connecting these two cities. For my Sunday returns, I would have to consider the Football Season games (mind you, this is American Football, not the "Football" that is known the world over...🙂...). Once, driving back on such a Sunday, around Indianapolis, I got swamped by the massive car-flow of 70,000 visitors all headed to the local team "Colts" stadium, and I was forced (must abide by the hand-signals of the traffic police...🙂...) to roads, totally opposite to my destination of Chicago. I learned my lesson the hard way. Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures below, from my trip, captured from steady 3,000 ft. cruise. After my (recent) "Andorra" visit, these (familiar) lands of the flat Midwest appeared flatter than ever...with no worry of mountains or highlands to block my path...🙂...in fact, from 3,000 ft itself, I directly captured the ILS signals for landing on KCMH's Runway 16R... culminating the reminiscences of my most-travelled road trip ever...from many moons ago... Thanks for viewing...! Happy Memorial Day to the folks in U.S....!

In my previous post, I'd shown (via an ATR 72), the Delta colors of its livery previous to the current livery. Here are 10 pictures of the Delta A310 that I came across, in 2 other Delta liveries. Delta that has now a significant Airbus component in its fleet (ranging the spectrum from A220 to A350XWB), had introduced Airbus into its fold for the first time, via the A310 type. The A310 flew in Delta colors for the first time in 1991. However, this twinjet would fly for Delta for only short 4 years. Please find below: 9 pictures of Delta's "3D widget" current livery (lifting off in rain and cloud) 1 picture of Delta's classic "Dark nose" (Cheatline) original livery (shining in the morning light, on the ground) Thanks for viewing...!!

...OK...Let me clarify right away a couple of points (1) First, it's a very (very) small country, but it's indeed a (sovereign and independent) country (2) Second, mountains are not the only things there, this small country is steeped with incredible history and rich culture (a unique amalgamation of the cultures from Italy, France, and Spain). I'm speaking of "Andorra", the "13 miles x 13 miles" landlocked country, sandwiched between France and Spain, in the thickest of the eastern Pyrenees mountains. With an average elevation over 6,500 ft, all of Andorra is truly mountainous...a mountain lover's paradise...🙂...Now, I've to travel from here 1,000 miles west to Denver to really see mountains of 10,000 ft or higher...while the highest point of my own state, near Galena, Illinois, at 1,200 ft, does not qualify...🙂...yes, just as the Wiki says, I recall it being a "gentle" hill...and..."Mound" is its befitting name...Oh well... I've heard of Andorra before, and to be honest, though I've flown over this part of the Pyrenees, especially high above "Andorra" many times, virtually of course (in the SIMs - past and present), I've never thought of looking closely into this (tiny) tract of a country. When I'd once posted about bits of my experience with the (MSFS) World Update for Spain and Portugal, I had come across the honorable and specific mention of "Andorra" in the description of that Update. So, I wished to explore the Geography of Andorra for this post. The high and beautiful peaks of Andorra, and its land dissected by (exactly) "three" Y-shaped valleys, dotted with charming villages and parishes, I read, would stun even the most seasoned travelers. However, I also read that not many travelers find their way into Andorra, and those who do, could boast about visiting a gem that most don't even know about. Andora does not have an international airport of its own, so, you go there by bus or car from either France or Spain. The primary (and nearest) serving airport, also my jumping point for this (aerial) exploration, is LESU, Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport, not surprisingly (also) nestled within the mountains, but located in Spain. So, I take off from Rwy 03 of LESU, northward, (gingerly and expertly...🙂...) guiding my V-Tail Bonanza along the narrow valleys...climbing slowly and steadily upward into the dense mountains reaching elevations of 10,000 ft... sometimes feeling as if I could just reach out and touch the mountains...🙂... Please find this collection of pictures...from Andorra...a special country and place on earth...geographically, historically, and culturally... (along with these images of my trusty (V35) Bonanza that helped me discover it...) ...! Thanks for viewing...!

I'd recently posted bits about TWA and United. The United post was about an upcoming (domestic) flight of mine where I am, as of now, scheduled to travel, to my pleasant surprise, on the (old gold) 757-300 (I didn't know United still operates the 757). I'd also noted on my post that though that would be my first 757 flight with United, I do recall having flown domestically on Delta's 757s on a few occasions. I looked up just now the 757 fleet of United and Delta. United has 61 757s in its current fleet (plus 99 historic), while Delta has 125 in its current fleet (plus 80 historic), both massive operators of the type, in the world. Anyway, United has been my major international carrier (exclusively flown on their 777s), but I've flown with Delta only domestically. Though, Delta has an extensive international network too, because of my allegiance to Star Alliance (vs. Delta's SkyTeam), I never got to fly internationally with Delta. One 757 flight of Delta, however, I especially recall, from Chicago to Atlanta (or maybe Miami) because of a curious coincidence. At the Gate, I got upgraded, in the last minute, to the Business Class. As I settled down on my comfortable seat, in the front section of a/c, being served refreshments while still on the ground, and feeling a bit guilty as I watched the economy pax (myself been a veteran of that status...🙂...) squeezing through with luggage and children in tow, a gentleman showed up and took the seat right next to mine. After we took off, we exchanged a bit of pleasant chitchat, and he was curious that I was reading an aviation magazine (it would have been likely either "Airliner" or "Airways"). We did touch on the subjects of aviation and aircraft. After we landed in our destination, just as I was saying goodbye, and "nice to meet you", he said with a smile, "Now, I need to pilot this plane from here to San Juan in a couple of hours..."...🙂...then shook my hands and walked out. So, I was talking with a Pilot of the same 757, I was on...! At least he was polite enough throughout our conversation...not pointing out any mistaken observations I might have made...🙂... Delta is the oldest operating airline in the U.S. I also recall when I flew once on one of their DC9s, and within weeks afterwards, read in the news that they would be retiring all their DC9s (Delta's last DC9 flight was on January 6, 2014; Delta was the first (and also the last) U.S. airline to fly the venerable DC9), so, I was probably on one of the last DC9s in U.S....in fact, coming to think of it, that DC9's engine noise was a bit abnormal compared to what I am used to as pax...🙂...(it sounded tired like the a/c surely looked forward to retirement...🙂...). Though Delta (Air Lines; two words) originated in Georgia, and is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, (its main hub), it is named after the so-called "Mississippi Delta" region of the U.S. Of course, around there is also the massive Mississippi River "Delta", which I've visited in RW (and virtually here). The airline was born serving as a crop-dusting company (first such in U.S.) to become one of the 3 largest airlines in U.S. Having visited so many rivers in the MSFS lately...🙂..., and having seen many "Deltas", the so-called triangular landform near the mouth of a River, the "Delta" name has always greatly appealed to me. Delta's first ever flight, back on June 17, 1929, was from Dallas, Texas, Delta's hub till 2004, to Jackson, Mississippi. The Travel Air S-6000 took five hours to make the historic 427-miles flight, while making two 2 intermediate stops, including one for lunch (no food service on board). That was also the first ever air service between Dallas (KDFW) and Jackson (KJAN). In contrast, on the FlightAware, today, for just Thu/Fri of this week, I spotted 11+ flights between these 2 cities. Please find below this Delta ATR 72 (Delta's ATRs stopped flying in 2008) in Delta's "colors-in-motion" livery (prior to the current "3d-widget" livery), flying here between the same 2 cities. On this route, there are no snow-capped mountains...🙂...to show. So, these are basically the flatlands of Texas and the lowlands of Mississippi Bayou, the most significant landmark is the mighty Mississippi River that I've overflown on my way (the river looking "shapelessly flat" and "docile" in my shot #s 8-10). I've (RW) visited this River and the Bayou country on several occasions... (not counting my favorite Hallmark Bayou country romantics that I've also seen more than once...🙂...) ... This ATR was a delight to fly from take-off to touch-down (no blemishes found) ...certainly one of the best (MS/Asobo/Hans Hartmann) turboprop commercial planes for us virtual flyers. And, of course, many of us might also remember Hans Hartmann's "trendsetting" F1 ATR from the glory days of (FSX) SIM...🙂...I found, still around here, the Avsim post from "November 2004". The Title says, "Flight1 ATR RELEASED !!!..." (note capitalization)"...followed by "30"...Yes, thirty..."!" Exclamation marks, if I counted right...🙂...Oh well...only 20 years have passed since...for the better in our SIMs... Thanks for viewing my set of ATR pictures. Hope you enjoy. Happy flying...!

In my previous post, I'd travelled the (legendary...🙂...) coast-to-coast route, symbolizing Canada's first ever Atlantic-to-Pacific (overland) flight, from Halifax to Vancouver. I had overflown (in a B748) high above, the vast (so-called) Central Plains of Canada, nearly 1,000 miles across the region west of Winnipeg, aiming myself (I mean requesting my FMS) directly to the apex of the highest of the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson. You might also recall that one of the significant segments of that coast-to-coast (original) flight was between the cities of Winnipeg and Calgary. So, once you get to Calgary, only then you would have to face the high Rockies to further west. In this (central) plains region, however, the elevation is not high (~4,000 ft or less). For example, to get an idea of the gently rising ground westward, Winnipeg (CYWG), my ORIG, is at 800 ft, Saskatoon (CYXE) in the middle is at 1,600 ft, and Calgary (CYYC), my DEST, is at 3,600 ft. For this post, I have flown here from Winnipeg to Calgary, over these plains and prairies, at ~3,000 ft. This flight reminded me strikingly of a long (virtual) flight I'd posted about, mimicking a RW drive of mine, across the Texas Plains, from Austin (elevation 500 ft) to El Paso (elevation 3,700 ft), across similarly sloping ground to the west. Now both these regions are basically flatlands, and to some extent featureless and repetitive. Nonetheless, from the Texas Plains experiment, it was clear to me that there are certainly (interesting) things you can do and places you can visit along the route (which I had done during my a RW trip), only if you're on the ground driving (vs. in the air). I am quite sure the same applies to the route I've flown here today between Winnipeg to Calgary. Now, one of the most fascinating facts about Manitoba (Winnipeg being its capital city) is that there are more than 100,000 lakes around there, including Lake Winnipeg, the largest one. As bodies of water, lakes are always great fun IRL to visit, with their simmering calm surface, a source of peaceful feelings...🙂...less boisterous than rivers and oceans, and less complex to visit on a daily basis e.g., maybe small lakes, nearabout where you live. There is one in a local park that I often visit. During these summer months, my day does not seem to be complete without catching sight of the Mama and Papa goose leading their baby geese either out of (or into) this lake...🙂...or the many colorful species of (Illinois) birds that appear, seemingly from nowhere, around these lakes (today I caught sight of a bird, red around the neck, and also red under the black wings which I noticed only when it flew away...it made my day...). Imagine having thousands of lakes around your city, so, you can visit one new one every day of your life. Anyway, having also visited all the 5 Greak Lakes up north near the Canada-U.S. border (amazing vast bodies of water that look and act like oceans), naturally I wished to fly over the lakes on my route, here, by diverting slightly northward after lifting off from Winnipeg airport. Lake Winnipeg is to the northeast of the city, and two others nearby, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis, are to the northwest of the city (see my flightdeck closeup (MAPs) shot #7 and the shot #s 8-12, including one shot of my PC-12 and its shadow directly on top of Lake Winnipeg). BTW, I wonder why Winnipeg is not one of the Great Lakes (apparently, one reason being "Eutrophication"...a new word I learned today...🙂...). On my route, I also crossed many rivers (both Winnipeg and Calgary are situated near the confluence of rivers, and I have special affinity for such cities) e.g., here, notably the (serpentine) Assiniboine River (see shot #4) near Winnipeg, and Bow River (See shot #s 15-18) that passes by Calgary. In between, there was not much to see (shot #s 5-6) ...no mountains...🙂...except that as I was flying merrily along this monotonous terrain, the avionics of my PC-12 abruptly (rather unceremoniously) went dark on me, without a warning, and I could not recover it. That's why you see an eerily identical looking...🙂...TBM-930 (except for the PC-12's T-tail) in my later set of images, arriving in Calgary. [I wish I could say that the (stock) landmass textures, here, are well-rendered in the SIM, but it did not appear so, seemingly, inferior (in my Xbox case) e.g., to the beautiful experience I'd in the southwest England regions (also flatlands), from my many recent virtual visits there. Nonetheless, these regions around the Manitoba Lakes, would be wonderful to visit in RW. They are densely forested, which fact and other general topography, you can hopefully infer from my set of pictures below. Thanks for viewing. Hope you enjoy...!