Willy's How much abuse can a Beech 18 take in the Andes?

[Willy]

Fred and I left Curacao yesterday for Maracaibo in the mighty Twin Beech for a trial flight under load. It flew pretty good so I guess we've got the load properly balanced. Wnen we got to SVMC, I just followed a AVENSA DC-4 in on final. No sense in bothering the tower about clearance to land for both of us.

We should take off from here later on if the weather is cooperative.

[Willy]

Taking off SVMC -> SVBK
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs (Me, Fred & Sassy)

[Willy]

Landed safe at SVBK (Burger King?) Fogged up on me about halfway there and there's nothing like a fog - mountain mixture to get a pilot's attention.

Flight time: 00:51:34
Total Flight time: 00:51:34
Landing weight: 8350.8
Fuel used: 230.9 lbs
Total Fuel used: 230.9 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 2000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=xYqyICTg1mtWKczYgc5h6RmgZU

[Willy]

Taking off SVBK -> SVMD If I can get Fred away from the senoritas.....
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs (Me, Fred & Sassy)

[Willy]

That was an interesting flight. Climb like heck, then dive like heck. At least we made it in one piece without incurring any maintenance points. Navigation was easy enough. Just fly down the valley until I got to the next airport. Although there was a bit of a crosswind on landing and I had to crab it down between the buildings and trees and down the bank onto the runway. Heck of a way to run a airline!

Here's the particulars for those that follow that kind of thing:

Flight time: 00:28:29
Total Flight time: 01:20:03
Landing weight: 8455.7
Fuel used: 123.4 lbs
Total Fuel used:364.3 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 4000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=0ke24pWcjB4CJRO2SP7qPKHHTk

[Willy]

Taking off SVMD -> SKBG Time to get out of Venezuela!
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Oops, think I might have made a serious navigational error. I'll know for sure in a bit and have time to get my lies together.... er stories straight... er..... review the data. That's it! Review the data....

Still enroute to SKBG, I hope..

[Willy]

Somehow, it worked out okay. I was cruising along on altitude hold at 10,500ish following a ridge on it's northside with the plan of crossing the next ridge (north/south one) that was coming up in front of me, then hanging a left to the airport. Not really paying attention to the compass as I was following the ridge. Glanced at the compass and I was headed south instead of west and no idea how long I'd been going in the wrong direction. Turned back to the west and flew straight until until I got to the N/S ridge and hopped it hoping that I was still to the north of the airport. Sure was glad to see it come into view in the fog.


Flight time: 00:55:22
Total Flight time: 02:15:25
Landing weight: 8319.1
Fuel used: 265.0 lbs
Total Fuel used:629.3 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 6000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=VidXxMiLHEuHRTr6XVpVIWgsfuo

Think I'll stop here for a while. Got a bunch of maps to study.

[Willy]

Taking off SVMD -> SKBO
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Headwinds, deep fog, cumulogranite, flying VFR in IFR conditions, everything to make a pilot's life more "interesting". Navigated by mountain range again, but at the last, the RDF needle was pointing right between a couple of mountain peaks, so I went between them and found the valley that Bogata sits in. Then all I had to do was find the right airport in the fog. Good thing that SKBO has two runways.

Flight time: 01:07:38
Total Flight time: 03:23:03
Landing weight: 8261.7
Fuel used: 320.2 lbs
Total Fuel used:949.5 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 8000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=8TcdguahqjA7fetCsJUtXfiqM

[Willy]

Onward, before I get bogged down in Bogata.

Taking off SVBO -> SKMZ
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

My "Loadmaster" was feeling a bit out of sorts last night....

[Moses03]

A rare shot from inside the war room. The dog days of summer must be here. :cool:

[Willy]

Hopped the ridge I figured about 5-10 miles from SKMZ and there it was almost directly below us. OOPS!! Chopped the throttles to idle, lowered the speed to below 120kias, dropped the flaps and gear and made like an SBD at Midway. It was a pretty wild ride down that mountainside. Not one of my favorite ways to make an approach, but it worked... Although I think I stressed out my loadmaster a bit more.

Flight time: 00:29:26
Total Flight time: 03:52:29
Landing weight: 8445.3
Fuel used: 135.8 lbs
Total Fuel used: 1085.3 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 10,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=EJMYIiMVUuIuzlgmFURgIvu8

[Willy]

Need to move on before whatever passes for the FAA in Colombia catches up to me about that approach....

Taking off SVMZ -> SKPI
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well that wasn't so bad. Take off, turn left, hop the ridge over into the big valley and follow it to the airfield. Although I didn't spot the airport in the fog until I was right alongside of it. No biggie though. Did a 180 and landed. Too bad there's not much here. Probably have to spend the night in the plane.....

Flight time: 01:16:44
Total Flight time: 05:09:13
Landing weight: 8235.3
Fuel used: 348.0 lbs
Total Fuel used: 1433.3 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 12,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 6

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=iU1Lkc9CY0hRPAKzfMggYz8bQ

[Willy]

Taking off SKPI -> SKPS
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Had to shut down due to honey do.

Restarting

Taking off SKPI -> SKPS
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well, that was interesting. I got a bit confused in the mountains, got off my intended course and had to do a bit wandering between the peaks. Good thing that SKPS has a NDB or I'd still be up there somewheres.

Flight time: 00:31:04
Total Flight time: 05:40:17
Landing weight: 8439.2
Fuel used: 144.4 lbs
Total Fuel used: 1577.7 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 14,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 7

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=wBJpu6GDNLMRATFGD7wq7JxJFE

[Willy]

Off again, Ecuador or bust...

Taking off SKPS -> SEQU
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Once again saved by the Radio Compass. There I was feeling my way between the mountain tops in the fog and about the time that I'm figuring I need to start looking ahead for the airport, I glance at the needle and it's pointing to the right. I look out the side window and there's the airport. Oops....


Flight time: 00:43:11
Total Flight time: 06:23:28
Landing weight: 8371.7
Fuel used: 205.8
Total Fuel used: 1783.5 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 16,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 8

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=YVt9XF4YS6huZNJbSzTkDHJ1qA

[Willy]

Taking off SEQU -> SERB
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Milk Run....

Flight time: 00:39:29
Total Flight time: 07:02:57
Landing weight: 8422.4
Fuel used: 159.5
Total Fuel used: 1943.0 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 18,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 9

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=POfVzDqXpgOE0aGEWAYeyBqoN0

[Willy]

Taking off SERB -> SETM
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Another decent flight without too much trouble. Had some fun with the approach. Spotted the airport from a little ways out and flew down a valley before skimming a ridge and turning to final.

Flight time: 00:58:26
Total Flight time: 08:01:23
Landing weight: 8360.6
Fuel used: 223.3
Total Fuel used: 2166.3 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 20,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 10

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=eQYKBVrO8ksei6vkSWFfaFAYWjg

The screenshots got reversed in the upload....

[Willy]

The Ecuadorian Federales are nosing around. Time to head to Peru....

Taking off SETM -> SPJE
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Looks like I took off just in time. Had some kind of cop car trying to chase me down on take off with it's lights and sirens on. Fred was wanting to hang out the window with the shotgun in case they started shooting. Think I'll stay out of Ecuador for a while.

Flight time: 00:38:48
Total Flight time: 08:40:11
Landing weight: 8420.1
Fuel used: 163.7
Total Fuel used: 2330.0 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 22,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 11

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=b24lx72xHe101Kuk94r40zRago

[Willy]

Heading deeper into Peru. I've heard dim rumors of the airport at SPJB, have to see if there's any truth to them....

Taking off SPJE -> SPJB
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

I'm thinking some of the rumors were a bit overblown, but the stress levels did climb a bit trying to find the airfield. Didn't spot it until I was right on top of it. There is a little concern about getting back out of here with a full load. That might prove interesting.....

Flight time: 00:51:29
Total Flight time: 09:31:40
Landing weight: 8333.0
Fuel used: 251.0
Total Fuel used: 2581.0 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 24,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 12

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=tObqeASOfQ2RvOGbW5vuBdTlbb0

[Willy]

Time to get out of this place....

Taking off SPJB -> SPHZ
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well, the Twin Beech took off like it came out of the Republic factory. Took all the runway and a bit more to get off the ground. I was beginning to think I was going to make a drive thru out of that building.


Flight time: 00:40:13
Total Flight time: 10:11:53
Landing weight: 8403.3
Fuel used: 175.5
Total Fuel used: 2756.5 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 26,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 13

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=fRwR7rWGoGPApVDu8WVO67fkI

[Willy]

Once more into the peaks..........

Taking off SPHZ -> SPNC
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Tough flight in the Beech 18. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't be able to clear the mountain pass that was about the lowest spot I could find to get through. Just made it through and then it was follow the radio compass needle to SPNC. Once I get there, it's dusk and the airport is in a valley. Or to be more precise, in a hole in a valley. So here I go skimming the mountainsides hoping not to hit a tree or something and trying to fit the Beech into that hole.

We made it, but darned if I know if I can get it back out of here as heavy as we've been flying at these altitudes. Going to overnight here and try to fly it out in the daylight.

Flight time: 00:39:33
Total Flight time: 10:51:36
Landing weight: 8435.9
Fuel used: 148.2
Total Fuel used: 2904.7 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 28,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 14

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=PnaqI25mg5n2IDImrRJVJzDgX1E

[salt_air]

Slight delay in wishing you good luck Willy ... Good Luck Willy!!!


Taking off outta there will be like Doolittle taking off in a B-25 from the Hornet.

Maybe you'll have good wind?



:ques:

Cheers,

[Willy]

Thanks Salt! I figure worst case, I can dump some of the load off and try again.

Taking off SPNC -> SPVI
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well that turned out ok... Although I was skimming the rooftops in town trying to gain altitude after I got out of that hole. But I made it to SPVI with a full load....

Flight time: 00:24:40
Total Flight time: 11:16:16
Landing weight: 8468.7
Fuel used: 115.2
Total Fuel used: 3019.9 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 30,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 15

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=dOO8cU6oWWFgPSreQkMs8s40yYM

[Willy]

Taking off SPVI -> SPLP
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

At least Vicco isn't at the bottom of a hole and I don't have to do much more climbing....

[Willy]

For it to only be about 3000ft worth of climb, it took a lot of finessing to gain it. Then it was back downhill to the sea at Lima. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to get back up there.....

Flight time: 00:39:58
Total Flight time: 11:56:14
Landing weight: 8461.7
Fuel used: 122.1
Total Fuel used: 3142.0 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 32,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 16

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=mVuVsMNXhmvI23Wv7ibauFU

Think we're going to spend the night in the airport hotel before heading on...

[Willy]

Taking off SPLP -> SPHO
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well, that was quite the haul. Had to brush up on my step climb technique to get high enough to get through the mountain peaks. Then it took a bit of hunting around to find the airport when I got to the right valley.

Flight time: 01:14:56
Total Flight time: 13:11:10
Landing weight: 8278.3
Fuel used: 305.1
Total Fuel used: 3447.1 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 34,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 17

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=jRSqvofGQ8ItSRPG5cdNUtmO6U

[Willy]

Taking off SPHO -> SPZO
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

Some very tense looking guys were loading some boxes onboard and wanted these two humongous guys to ride shotgun on the flight. Last thing I need is 600 more lbs onboard. Finally convinced them that the gorillas couldn't come along as there aren't any seats back there.

[Willy]

Landed in Cuzco in the fog, taxied to the ramp where we were met by a couple more gorillas with a 4x4 truck who unloaded the Beech. While they were unloading, they were checking the boxes and I've never seen so many hand grenades in my life. They left a box behind and I slipped it under the left seat. Never know when you might want to toss a grenade out the window.....

Flight time: 00:54:11
Total Flight time: 14:05:22
Landing weight: 8366.7
Fuel used: 215.9
Total Fuel used: 3663.0 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 36,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 18

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=7sXiW4y8ktP9eomK1QSRiAtH1E

[Willy]

Heading out for the long haul....

Taking off SPZO -> SLLP
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Great Ozzie]

Never know when you might want to toss a grenade out the window.....

Or go fishin' :icon_lol: (i'll bring the beer and chips btw)

Also btw... from the looks of pic three above, don't you mean "landed on the ramp"? ;-)

[Willy]

from the looks of pic three above, don't you mean "landed on the ramp"? ;-)

Oops... was wondering if anyone would notice that....

There was a Howard 500 taking up homesteading on the runway, so I took the taxiway.

[Willy]

Left in one of Real Weather's infamous 15,000ft tall fog banks, that eventually cleared before I got to Lake Titicaca. But naturally Flight 19 weather was in full force when I got to SLLP.

Flight time: 01:35:59
Total Flight time: 15:41:21
Landing weight: 8196.7
Fuel used: 385.1
Total Fuel used: 4048.1 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 38,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 19

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=MmMEErnudNb6pn7XtrwAfO3Aiq8

[Great Ozzie]

Oops... was wondering if anyone would notice that....

There was a Howard 500 taking up homesteading on the runway, so I took the taxiway.
Hey nothing wrong with that! :mixedsmi:

Seriously tho...

I think it was during the summer I was working on my private pilot license... was headed from KLAF to (I think it was) KBMI - Bloomington/Normal, IL.

At any rate, I somehow got the word (thru ATIS or Unicom... man can't remember all those years ago) that "they" were using the Runway for Drag races... and landing / departing aircraft should use the taxiway.

Well... you have no idea what an uptight, rigid student I was... and how this threw me for the proverbial loop. I can't land on some bloody taxiway! "'You' can't do that! No way!!!"

So I circled near the Airport and headed back to Lafayette.

It was a long time before I learned this was sometimes necessary... runway is closed for repairs "and so" you use the taxiway... no biggy. Kind of fun tho to do something different.

[Willy]

Time to move on...

Taking off SLLP -> SLCB
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well, that was interesting. Thought I was going to have to bust the ceiling to clear a ridge for a bit there, but I managed to find a relatively low pass to fly through.


Flight time: 00:48:30
Total Flight time: 16:29:51
Landing weight: 8398.8
Fuel used: 182.7
Total Fuel used: 4239.8 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 40,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 20

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=OYb2oGjWhU1Kw1VRcHVK3KQWQc

The kodaks loaded in reverse order...

[Moses03]

Nice job in finding a pass to slip though Willy.



The kodaks loaded in reverse order...

I discovered a while back that after you upload the screenies, you can drag and drop in the order you want. Try that.

[Willy]

Thanks Moses, I'll give it a whirl.

Last night on the flight from La Paz to Cochabamba, I was thinking it sounded familiar. I looked in Ernest Gann's "Fate is the Hunter" and in it he describes the same flight in a new Lockheed Lodestar although apparently he was flying a little bit higher than I did. He goes on to tell of an abandoned Junkers Ju 86 at Cochabamba that he'd been asked to check out the possibility of flying it back to the states and decided not to press his luck.

[Willy]

Some missionaries are needing their annual supplies delivered.

Taking off SLCB -> SLSU
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Moses03]

He goes on to tell of an abandoned Junkers Ju 86 at Cochabamba that he'd been asked to check out the possibility of flying it back to the states and decided not to press his luck.

Here is one of the four LAB Ju 86Z-7's parked at Cochabamba. Date unknown. Could very well be the one Gann spotted. (I think the engine covers were missing by then).

[Willy]

Thanks for the pic Moses. The Junkers was long gone by the time I landed there ;).

Got the sacred texts safely to Sucre. Typical Flight 19 weather with thick fog all the way so there wasn't much sense in taking many pics. Picked the wrong runway end to land on and had to deal with mountainsides on the approach which made the landing interesting. Bounced the heck out of the D18 when the wheels touched the runway, but Virtual Beechcraft makes them tough so nothing major was broken.

Got a car at the airport car rental agency so me and Fred can go into town and check out the local cantina situation....


Flight time: 00:36:24
Total Flight time: 17:06:15
Landing weight: 8417.8
Fuel used: 166.3
Total Fuel used: 4396.8 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 42,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 21

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=CzIoutFU82cXoyBwinv3kR0ec

[Willy]

Taking off SLSU -> SLPO
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Shortish flight that I spent most of trying to climb higher.

Flight time: 00:24:16
Total Flight time: 17:30:31
Landing weight: 8481.2
Fuel used: 99.8
Total Fuel used: 4496.9 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 44,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 22

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=4PpB0VVPqBCl5vVtYs7Ts6sijE

[Willy]

Taking off SLPO -> SCKP
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8479 lbs
Fuel: 604.32 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Had a CTD while setting up the flight. Restarting from scratch.

Taking off SLPO -> SCKP
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Sure was an interesting flight right after take off. I was needing to climb to clear the terrain, but I couldn't seem to get over 80kias for anything. Only thing I could do was keep slight climb on while struggling to gain speed. I eventually got some ground clearance and was able to level off and gain speed.

Then when I was getting close to where I figured the airport should be, all I could see was a cloud on the ground. Turned out that was where the airport was. (see pic)

Two more airports to go...


Flight time: 01:20:26
Total Flight time: 18:50:57
Landing weight: 8271.5
Fuel used: 306.9
Total Fuel used: 4803.5 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 46,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 23

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=HfE15N8HFcWNr7fbtECsoBN6w

[robert41]

Good flight Willy. I thought it was one of the harder ones. Long run across that dry lake with no landmarks and NDB's.

[Willy]

Thanks, I studied the heck out of the default FS map when I set the flight up to figure out my way into those mountains and to the airport. It was pretty much holding my course across the dry lakebed and hoping that I was entering the right pass. Luckily I did.

[Willy]

Oops my bad. Three more legs. So let's get it down to two.

SCKP - SCDA
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

Still trying to find a bowl of chili in Chile.

[Willy]

Made it safely back to the coast at SDCA. Had to circle a bit at SCKP to get enough altitude to clear the mountains on the way though.

Another oops. Seems that I missed SPNP between Cuzco and La Paz. As it's not a mandatory airport, I'm not going to worry about it overly much.

Flight time: 00:40:55
Total Flight time: 19:30:53
Landing weight: 8428.3
Fuel used: 154.6
Total Fuel used: 4958.1 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 48,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 24

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=mQx2j7RaTNTs22rM2BvB1dQ

[Willy]

Off again into the mountains...

SCDA - SCCF
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Well that was easy enough.. Just barely broke 9000ft altitude.

Flight time: 00:52:10
Total Flight time: 20:23:03
Landing weight: 8325.9
Fuel used: 253.6
Total Fuel used: 5211.7 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 50,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 25

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=Je4wTgCc7GYrMqXU70BTSF5B0NY

Last leg next!

[Willy]

Getting ready to put this to bed.

SCCF - SASA
MTOW: 8750 lbs
TOW: 8585 lbs
Fuel: 710.62 lbs
Cargo: 2000lbs
Crew: 348 lbs

[Willy]

Safe at Salta! It was an excellent flight with outstanding weather that allowed me to find the mountain passes from a good distance away.

It's been a fun event that I hope we can do again sometime.

Now off to the hotel bar with Fred and Sassy.....


Flight time: 01:32:27
Total Flight time: 21:55:30
Landing weight: 8230.4
Fuel used: 351.4
Total Fuel used: 5563.1 lbs
Cargo delivered this flight: 2000 lbs
Total Cargo delivered: 52,000 lbs
Maintenance Points: 0
Total Airports: 26

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=Fq3tNb2SUG7NE5fAdezb6SUVls

[MM]

Congratulations Willy. Great run in a classic aircraft. And spot-on vintage AI throughout made for a wonderful atmosphere. Terrific.

[Moses03]

Good show Willy.:icon29:

[robert41]

Congrats Willy on bringing her home.

[Willy]

Thanks yall! I'm studying about taking another run at it in a different aircraft.

[PRB]

Bravo Zulu Willy!
:ernae:

[jt_dub]

Great run Willy.:salute: Congrats.

:icon29::icon29::icon29:

[teson1]

Congrats :salute:

[Great Ozzie]

yeah was very :cool: to see the Beech 18 run.

:salute:



Still trying to find a bowl of chili in Chile.

I can show you where's there's a talking llama in Peru...

[salt_air]

Congrats Willy ... The Beech 18 just might be my second favorite to the DC-3.

It was good to watch in the hands of a well seasoned and competent pilot.



Yeah that dish (or bowl) you were looking for got lost in the translation.

The wait staff is used to "Outsiders" talking about the weather ... Oh Well.


Toss another one back on my tab ... well done!



:icon29: