2012 Cape-to-Cape - Nick - CavalierDuck

[CavalierDuck]

Arrived FZAB N'dolo, Kinshasa.



Duenna:
http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...08lOod1ZpK923c

Set out in clear weather but thunderstorms developed during the flight. This seems to be a pattern emerging; as when I usually fly is in real time late afternoon/early evening in Africa, this is why I'm getting hit with the t-storms. This might be handy for the southbound guys to be aware of when making their way eastwards across equatorial Africa.

Now time to have a think about what time I'm going to declare....

[CavalierDuck]

I'm declaring a Precision Race time of 34:08. This is 4 minutes shorter than my reference time of 34:12.

By my calculations I'm a little way ahead of my reference time at the moment, but I expect to lose most of what I gain doing the flights in the Alps.

[CavalierDuck]

Leaving FZAB Kinshasa heading to FOGO Oyem, Gabon, for my required intermediate stop.

[CavalierDuck]

On the ground at FOGO Oyem, Gabon. Slightly relieved as there's thunder and lightning all around me.



Duenna:
http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...8OLpQBdLRioQpM

[salt_air]

You're making nice progress here CD.

It should be a relief to get away from all this jungle and dessert and into the Alps to cool off.


Good Luck!

[CavalierDuck]

Thanks salt, you're doing pretty well yourself! That flight across the Sahara especially.

Leaving FOGO for DRRN Niamey, Niger. Preferably away from the thunderstorms which seem to be plaguing me....

[CavalierDuck]

Flight aborted due to real world intrusion. Will have to do it again tomorrow.

[CavalierDuck]

FOGO - DRRN, take 2.

[CavalierDuck]

On the ground at DRRN and it looks like I've left all the central African thunderstorms behind at last! Nice flight actually. That's the second longest flight in my route done, I had a nice little tailwind most of the way. Hope that stays because the longest flight is up next.



Duenna:
http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=D9tQLXeBdkE521n BZZznJVcgA

[jt_dub]

Nice run up to Naimey. Looks like you got a nice tailwind push. Hope to see some more screenshots of your legs.

[CavalierDuck]

Here we go for the long one, Niamey to Bechar across the Sahara. Isn't air conditioning great?! This is close to the edge of the range for the Socata, I could be in trouble if a strong headwind shows up; I've checked out the conditions en route and it looks OK to go. Maybe I won't need the camel food I was going to take just in case...

[CavalierDuck]

Down safe at DAOR Bechar, Algeria. That's the long one done, with no need to hitch a camel ride to finish. I did a pre-dawn takeoff to see the desert sunrise - that was well worth it. There wasn't much fuel left in my Socata by the end though as there was a headwind for a section of the cruise. I throttled back just a little in the last hour and a half to give me a bit more reserve in case the wind shifted again but fortunately the wind gods let me off after just giving me a scare.



Duenna:
http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...BpbGUaNhFwVLg0



Next stop Europe!

[jt_dub]

Well done Nick! You shatterd my time and speed on this leg. I had a bit more headwind (15.7 knts average) but there is no denying that the Socata is one fast bird. Looks like it has spoilers too. Very nice for controlling speed in descent.

[CavalierDuck]

Leaving the African continent now, flying DAOR to LEPA, Palma, Majorca. Looks like the Balearics are a popular choice for the intermediate stop in the Modern Era.

[CavalierDuck]

Arrived LEPA, Palma, Majorca. A bit murky coming in to LEPA but ILS made sure there were no mishaps.

I might be staying in Majorca a few days as the next leg is into the Alps and I'd like good weather for that - not just for the flying but also for some nice screenshots.



Duenna:
http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=dQJg17D39XlDWVc YTMkS7b6eas