PRB C2C Southbound

[Willy]

I'm seeing the same as Dil. But you do have a green Duenna, so I wouldn't sweat it. Probably a glitch somewhere. Unless you just want to run it by Miss Nellie. Your call.

[PRB]

That's strange about the EDDF - LOWI flight. I added the notepad file and the image, just in case Miss Nellie has any questions. Thanks for the HU. I didn't even check it after the flight. Made it to LIPB. Here's the details and a kodak showing the final approach.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...KjP8J7JtqMDimo

[PRB]

Headed for LMSI. I think I can get this one in before the weather (the real one) hits...

[PRB]

Well that was exciting. Took off from Bolzano and headed west. I made my first checkpoint, the airport at Samedan (LSZS) without any trouble. From there we took up a course of 279, more or less, depending on terrain and wind. The terrain forced me more and more south of track, but about half way through this leg I picked up the ADF station at BERN, which was a bit further than I needed to go. But I figured as long as I had that station I could double back, so I couldn't really get lost. Yeah right. Then I spotted an airport down in a valley, which I knew could not possibly be LSMI, as it sits between two lakes. With the runway numbers 5/23, this had to be LSMC, which meant I was way off course. I needed to head north, but the towering mountains kept me from doing that, and staying below 12,000 feet. So I turned around and flew back over LSMC northeastwards, and followed the valley as it turned north towards the two lakes. And of course the Valley of the Two Lakes had solid clouds at the bottom of it so it was difficult to find the airport. But I did, eventually. Pics show the climbout from Bolzano, somewhere over the Apls ("in the" Apls?), and final approach to LSMI.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...aOxcWB4R1671K8

[Willy]

Good show Paul! Finding the right valley can be a bit tricky.

[jt_dub]

Well Done Paul!

That is one very sharp looking Lockheed.

[PRB]

Thanks Willy & Jeff! I like this Lockheed 12. That instrument panel cowling thing with all the rivets on it is cool. I can almost feel my hand grabing hold it when it gets bumpy!

[Willy]

It is a pretty sharp looking ride. But then it does resemble a Twin Beech j/k

[PRB]

It does indeed, that's why I like it!

[PRB]

Off to Milan, Italy. I was going to head for France, then I remembered I had no otto the trip out of Swiss air space, so went looking for something a little closer...

[PRB]

Dang it. Couldn't find my way out of the mountains. Well I did eventually. And why is it the weather closes in only around those airports that don't have ADF stations situated to allow nice radio guided approaches to them? Not complaining or anything. Just sayin. Oh, and if you look at my duenna log, you can easily see where I trimmed the ship for perfect level flight, then went back aft for a couple of minutes to take case of some urgent business, came back and found the ship spiraling down into a giant granite wall. That was fun, let me tell you. All's well that ends well.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...axsXvIHHbEJVXo

[PRB]

Now I'm headed for LFML, in France.

[PRB]

Thought this one was going to be a “milk run”, after all that hand flying through the tall scary rocky pointy Alps, but I was mistaken. I adjusted my new fancy pants Sperry auto pilot unit pitch setting for a gentle climb, as I knew I would be crossing the southern end of those nasty Alps. I knew I had plenty of time before I got there... Well, 30 minutes later, I'm approaching another Giant Geologic Wall, I'm at full power, auto-pilot off, climbing to maintain 125 MPH on the IAS gauge, and still seeing the pointy ends of Italian pine trees poking up above the shiny nose of my Lockheed 12. It was all very distressing. Austin's “Proper Planning Prevent Plunging Into Mountains” mantra kept running through my brain. Something like that anyway... We made it through to LFML with no further drama. Kodaks show 1) Takeoff from LIML. 2) Approaching The Wall a second time. 3) About to turn final to LFML.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...7EqGOYtMSACIj0

[robert41]

Good to see you here in Marseille, Paul.

[PRB]

Thanks Robert!

Med crossing. Off to Es Senia (DAOO). I'm using the ADF station near Palma, on the island of Majorca, as a waypoint. Heck, Africa is pretty big, almost impossible to miss. What's the worst that could happen?