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The Staff of SOH
Annuschka Adventures in the Orbx World
- Thread starter cavaricooper
- Start date
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Many thanks Roger!
Ok, we were up early, and just because this bit of the Orbx World is SO BEAUTIFUL we taxied down to the other end, to have a peek. Hopefully the coffee and breakfast sandwiches at the Flying Fork Cafe are hot!
Remember me mentioning High-Viz Balls.... here they are, UP CLOSE!
A turn at the end (we REALLY do NOT want to depart Runway 36!) to head back to the other end.....
And HERE'S WHY... there's this great big mountain in front of us! We'll duck out on 18 and head to Swanson next.... you coming along too?
Best- Carl
PS- If you REALLY want to see how beautiful this scenery is, RIGHT-CLICK and download to view in FULL 4K resolution.
Ok, we were up early, and just because this bit of the Orbx World is SO BEAUTIFUL we taxied down to the other end, to have a peek. Hopefully the coffee and breakfast sandwiches at the Flying Fork Cafe are hot!
Remember me mentioning High-Viz Balls.... here they are, UP CLOSE!
A turn at the end (we REALLY do NOT want to depart Runway 36!) to head back to the other end.....
And HERE'S WHY... there's this great big mountain in front of us! We'll duck out on 18 and head to Swanson next.... you coming along too?
Best- Carl
PS- If you REALLY want to see how beautiful this scenery is, RIGHT-CLICK and download to view in FULL 4K resolution.
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Superb shots! Really digging the addition of people at camping sites. You tell a great virtual storyline my friend.
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Thanks Matt!
Ok, this is one of my favorite views, my Annuschka clawing into the sky, making short work of obstacle departures...
This was such a beautiful place, that the only thing that prompted my departure was someone at the Cafe telling me that there were gorgeous views of Mt. Rainer enroute Swanson. The other thing he told me was that the airport was a tough approach.... great!
In the departure turn out of Cushman, it was so pretty, I forgot to be worried!
Here we are, cruising over some incredible scenery, and it's hard to remind myself that SeaTac is a skip and a jump away.... BIG BOEING contrails litter the sky.... I used to be up there A LOT, but at the moment, I don't really miss it that much.... shhhhh don't tell G-CIVX!
This stuff is so wonderful, that with the blatting of the engine, the movement generated by EZCA, the constantly changing atmospherics by AS16+ASCA and Alex's brilliant flight model... it's not that hard to smell 100LL again. I miss blue gas!
Ok, this is one of my favorite views, my Annuschka clawing into the sky, making short work of obstacle departures...
This was such a beautiful place, that the only thing that prompted my departure was someone at the Cafe telling me that there were gorgeous views of Mt. Rainer enroute Swanson. The other thing he told me was that the airport was a tough approach.... great!
In the departure turn out of Cushman, it was so pretty, I forgot to be worried!
Here we are, cruising over some incredible scenery, and it's hard to remind myself that SeaTac is a skip and a jump away.... BIG BOEING contrails litter the sky.... I used to be up there A LOT, but at the moment, I don't really miss it that much.... shhhhh don't tell G-CIVX!
This stuff is so wonderful, that with the blatting of the engine, the movement generated by EZCA, the constantly changing atmospherics by AS16+ASCA and Alex's brilliant flight model... it's not that hard to smell 100LL again. I miss blue gas!
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
I did say, constantly changing atmospherics, right?
That's Grey with a few BUFFs on the line.... the controllers were feeling magnanimous today, and cleared me across. Reminded me of early mornings in Tampa Bay when I'd bug the controllers at MacDill for a few GCAs. Truth be told, they needed to stay current, and so they were happy to oblige. My favorite was when they asked me to fly north of the runway for departing F-16s... the vapor of those wings as they pulled almost vertical was a roiling swirl of fascination.
Anyway... we did get to see Mt. Ranier after all....
Seeing Swanson, was another matter. It took a couple of twists and turns to find the blessed thing.... this PNW flying can be hard work... but the DETAIL that Orbx puts in more than makes up.....
I was kicking rudder, pulling on elevator, cranking aileron, fisting the throttle and hammering her around in the curved hollow of a valley, so much so that I was throughly enjoying myself..... enough that the trolly-dolly poked her head into the den and demanded that I turn down that bloody racket. The sound set on my An-2 is glorious, and the blatting of the Shetsov is intoxicating. In all things however, beauty is in the eye (ear) of the beholder, and it would appear that I was the only entranced one.....
That's Grey with a few BUFFs on the line.... the controllers were feeling magnanimous today, and cleared me across. Reminded me of early mornings in Tampa Bay when I'd bug the controllers at MacDill for a few GCAs. Truth be told, they needed to stay current, and so they were happy to oblige. My favorite was when they asked me to fly north of the runway for departing F-16s... the vapor of those wings as they pulled almost vertical was a roiling swirl of fascination.
Anyway... we did get to see Mt. Ranier after all....
Seeing Swanson, was another matter. It took a couple of twists and turns to find the blessed thing.... this PNW flying can be hard work... but the DETAIL that Orbx puts in more than makes up.....
I was kicking rudder, pulling on elevator, cranking aileron, fisting the throttle and hammering her around in the curved hollow of a valley, so much so that I was throughly enjoying myself..... enough that the trolly-dolly poked her head into the den and demanded that I turn down that bloody racket. The sound set on my An-2 is glorious, and the blatting of the Shetsov is intoxicating. In all things however, beauty is in the eye (ear) of the beholder, and it would appear that I was the only entranced one.....
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
I was finally able to establish final, albeit more a curved carrier approach, and then the little ribbon of asphalt unwound ahead....
I let her roll out all the way down, to turn off at the very end...
One burst of throttle, together with the shhhhhhht of the pneumatic brake/steering and we poked into someone's BBQ gathering. As soon as we shut down, willing hands came up to push my Annuschka back into a convenient spot. She flies like a goddess, but taxies like an ugly duckling. Still, I wouldn't trade her for anything....
Throw out the chocks, shutter the cowl tight, make sure the coffee can catches most of the oil drips, and take one last look back.... time for a hot-dog!
I hope you came along for this one... it's hard to believe, but this Orbx World gets better and better.... mind-blowing!
Best- Carl
I let her roll out all the way down, to turn off at the very end...
One burst of throttle, together with the shhhhhhht of the pneumatic brake/steering and we poked into someone's BBQ gathering. As soon as we shut down, willing hands came up to push my Annuschka back into a convenient spot. She flies like a goddess, but taxies like an ugly duckling. Still, I wouldn't trade her for anything....
Throw out the chocks, shutter the cowl tight, make sure the coffee can catches most of the oil drips, and take one last look back.... time for a hot-dog!
I hope you came along for this one... it's hard to believe, but this Orbx World gets better and better.... mind-blowing!
Best- Carl
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
I did say, constantly changing atmospherics, right?
That's Grey with a few BUFFs on the line....
I always chuckled when seeing the BUFFs at Gray AAF...runway's a bit short for B-52s, but it was nice seeing Orbx at least populated military aircraft at a military field, though McChord is just a stones throw away and could very easily accommodate BUFFs. I just chalked it up as artistic licensing.
Thanks especially for this area, my house not very far from here at all. Missing home already.
Bjoern
worst developer ever
Wonder if the BBQ and kiosk crowd on the airfield is daylight and season controlled. Nights or winters might be a bit cold in the PNW.
G-CIVX. B744 (ER?), del 09/98, LN 1172, F14/C86/W30/Y145, RB211-524G; LHR-IAD, LHR-JFK, ORD-LHR...aaaaaand now I feel like a stalker.
G-CIVX. B744 (ER?), del 09/98, LN 1172, F14/C86/W30/Y145, RB211-524G; LHR-IAD, LHR-JFK, ORD-LHR...aaaaaand now I feel like a stalker.
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Bjoern-
I'm new enough to the Orbx detailed airports, that I do not know definitively, but im sure there are old hands here that can confirm. Keeping in mind Orbx's usual perfection, I would hazard a guess in the affirmative.
As far as G-CIVX, she has been my preferred airframe for over a decade, beginning with PS1, then the PMDG 744, PMDG 744 v3 and PSX. I have flown the paint off her- taking her to the far reaches of the world and having the time of my life.
Through several PMDG beta cycles, I have referred to her... so I do it mostly out of habit
Best- Carl
I'm new enough to the Orbx detailed airports, that I do not know definitively, but im sure there are old hands here that can confirm. Keeping in mind Orbx's usual perfection, I would hazard a guess in the affirmative.
As far as G-CIVX, she has been my preferred airframe for over a decade, beginning with PS1, then the PMDG 744, PMDG 744 v3 and PSX. I have flown the paint off her- taking her to the far reaches of the world and having the time of my life.
Through several PMDG beta cycles, I have referred to her... so I do it mostly out of habit
Best- Carl
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Bjoern et al-
The 747-436 will always be my first love, but this An-2 is totally brilliant. What amazes me is the detail in the Orbx World. I spent so long in the FLs, that I did not realize that there was a chance to re-create my early days in aviation, where the smell of avgas and oil permeated my being. Where I lived for a few moments at the sticks (how many people would fly each of the rentals around the patch with the Hobbs off, just to park them at the other end of the airport)? I sincerely hope the statute of limitations has run out on that one.... Still, a case could be made to support my position that I was doing everyone a favor by "exercising" the props in the interest of their health....
I have spent so long obsessed with perfect flight, ETP calculations, EROPS (now only ETOPS) calculations and systems management during cascading failures; that the visceral feel of flight that the Annuschka transmits is a delightful change.
My big Boeings will always get time (currently they are suffering because of a certain Long Beach creation as well), but I shall continue to eke out a few hours for low and slow- it's mesmerizing.
All that said, where should I go next.... NE to Fall City and then Cle Clum... or head SW first, to go towards Walter Sutton's? Any suggestions?
Best- Carl
The 747-436 will always be my first love, but this An-2 is totally brilliant. What amazes me is the detail in the Orbx World. I spent so long in the FLs, that I did not realize that there was a chance to re-create my early days in aviation, where the smell of avgas and oil permeated my being. Where I lived for a few moments at the sticks (how many people would fly each of the rentals around the patch with the Hobbs off, just to park them at the other end of the airport)? I sincerely hope the statute of limitations has run out on that one.... Still, a case could be made to support my position that I was doing everyone a favor by "exercising" the props in the interest of their health....
I have spent so long obsessed with perfect flight, ETP calculations, EROPS (now only ETOPS) calculations and systems management during cascading failures; that the visceral feel of flight that the Annuschka transmits is a delightful change.
My big Boeings will always get time (currently they are suffering because of a certain Long Beach creation as well), but I shall continue to eke out a few hours for low and slow- it's mesmerizing.
All that said, where should I go next.... NE to Fall City and then Cle Clum... or head SW first, to go towards Walter Sutton's? Any suggestions?
Best- Carl
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Man, tough choice. If you go SW, you could ride the PCH. Curious how they modeled the Sequoia's and Klammath Falls. If you go NE, you'll leave the mountain regions for high sierra plains, though it's a beautiful transition in real life.
I am really beginning to think how errant I was in flying this region, for which I have spent about 10 years of my life, but always flying at such an altitude that I miss the great stuff you and Orbx have showcased in this region particularly. With the Colts great glasshouse cockpit, it's just more impressively immersive.
No matter which way you go, I don't think you'll be disappointed. However, you are nearing the region of Mt. St. Helen's, so perhaps let that be your intersection before deciding.
stearmandriver
Members +
I vote South towards Walter Sutton's and some of the other grass strips in northern Oregon. Then work back north, being sure to take a nice close up tour of the Columbia gorge and Mt. St. Helen's. I recommend a stop at Ranger Creek after a close tour of Rainier... all the volcanoes are rendered beautifully, you don't know how beautifully until you get up close! The terrain surrounding Ranger Creek, and the challenging approach, are modeled perfectly in Orbx... as for the airport itself, Ozx has a freeware version that looks a little more true to life if you're interested, but it's unnecessary... the terrain and approach are the fun parts and that's all Orbx.
Then you could continue to work north. When you get to the north Cascades you'll want to spend some time. And don't miss Israel's Farm.
And this is only the western third of the state... Orbx has done justice to the whole thing!
Anyway, just tossing out suggestions... you go to the places that interest you. If you keep sharing these vivid descriptions and enjoyable pics, we all win ;-).
Then you could continue to work north. When you get to the north Cascades you'll want to spend some time. And don't miss Israel's Farm.
And this is only the western third of the state... Orbx has done justice to the whole thing!
Anyway, just tossing out suggestions... you go to the places that interest you. If you keep sharing these vivid descriptions and enjoyable pics, we all win ;-).
vora
Charter Member
If you have all PNW airports (like me) I'd go south as there is another cluster of FTX airports around Portland. Misha's Vernonia O5S, Alex' Goheen W52 and Walter Suttons WA 79 by the boss himself. These 3 small airfields are not easy to find and might be a challenge even for the Anoushka. Walter Sutton's is quite interesting because Gordon Madison (our very own gman5250 here) did rework the place and added a corn field that grows according to season. Also, it includes another airstrip close by, Walter Musa's WA7M, that will definitely be a challenge for the old Russian lady.
A little further south you'll find Bill Womack's two fine airports Stark's Twin Oaks 7S3 and Siletz Bay S45. Further south you'll come to Creswell 77S, the most southern FTX airport in PNW.
A little hint: after Misha Cajic left OzX and just before he joined OrbX he actually released his own payware package incorporating 3 fine small airstrips in the Umpqua valley just south of Creswell but still well within and perfectly adapted to PNW. So, they aren't easy to find and land a fat biplane on. The package is called MCA Design's North American Airstrips Vol 1, and it's only sold on PCAviator for 10 bucks:
http://www.pcaviator.com/store/product.php?productid=19792
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Thanks all!
Southbound to Walter Sutton's then.....
I will install those other strips (Misha's) this weekend... she's portly btw... NOT fat. Nothing that flies like her can be anything but graceful. As far as getting in and out of small strips, I'll bet you a Ruble she'll be just fine. Now when it comes to taxing to the pumps.... that's another matter .
Will post the next leg soon.
Best- C
Southbound to Walter Sutton's then.....
I will install those other strips (Misha's) this weekend... she's portly btw... NOT fat
. Nothing that flies like her can be anything but graceful. As far as getting in and out of small strips, I'll bet you a Ruble she'll be just fine. Now when it comes to taxing to the pumps.... that's another matter .Will post the next leg soon.
Best- C
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
It was later in the morning when we got started. With this old radial, it's a good idea to motor the blades through a few revolutions (after pulling through first). I suppose if one isn't interested in the smell of Aeroshell Oil, one needn't bother with this lady. Anyway, we loaded up, thanked our new friends for the BBQ and taxied down to the end of 34 for a departure. As with most of my recent destinations, there was an unforgiving tree line ahead. This time however, my trepidation was minimized, with the experience I was gaining in my Annuschka. Trees were something to be wary of in a mere mortal aeroplane. This Annuschka would clear them in a flash!
We held brakes and brought up the MAP to 12kPa with the prop full forward, almost allowing her to pull 2200RPM. I had 14kPa at my disposal, but surely I didn't need that- we were 1 horse, 6 sled dogs and 3 babushka's short of anywhere near max take-off weight. Sure enough we clawed forward, and in less time than it took you to read these couple of lines, we had daylight under our wheels. Looking down crossing the threshold at the far end, the trees were a complete non-event.
We took off to the north, but Walter Sutton's was south of us, so a turn had us headed in the right direction. The multiple valleys, ridges and topographical changes that Orbx so superbly represents had me marveling... perhaps you will too?
Looking at the sectional, I had decided to work my way down to Alder lake whilst climbing to just over 1800M (or 6000') so as to follow the valley comfortably, weaving amidst the higher peaks, and working southwest all the while....
It was going to be a lovely day...
We held brakes and brought up the MAP to 12kPa with the prop full forward, almost allowing her to pull 2200RPM. I had 14kPa at my disposal, but surely I didn't need that- we were 1 horse, 6 sled dogs and 3 babushka's short of anywhere near max take-off weight. Sure enough we clawed forward, and in less time than it took you to read these couple of lines, we had daylight under our wheels. Looking down crossing the threshold at the far end, the trees were a complete non-event.
We took off to the north, but Walter Sutton's was south of us, so a turn had us headed in the right direction. The multiple valleys, ridges and topographical changes that Orbx so superbly represents had me marveling... perhaps you will too?
Looking at the sectional, I had decided to work my way down to Alder lake whilst climbing to just over 1800M (or 6000') so as to follow the valley comfortably, weaving amidst the higher peaks, and working southwest all the while....
It was going to be a lovely day...
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cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
We cut down our chosen valley, planning on flying past Mineral and over Carson, and worked south in the bit of low ground we had. All around us the glory of nature, captured and presented in a fashion only pilots are allowed to appreciate, rolled beneath my Ceconite. There was a clean fresh look to everything, so very different from the brown and concrete I am used to in the Sunshine State. With the thermometer outside habitually over 90, the lush green was a welcome respite.
We took one long look at beautiful Mt. Rainier... so cool and majestic...
Then as I looked ahead to see what was to come, this is what I saw, framed perfectly. Isn't the world a lovelier place when framed by two wings?
Mt. St. Helens was ahead and thankfully she looked asleep!
We took one long look at beautiful Mt. Rainier... so cool and majestic...
Then as I looked ahead to see what was to come, this is what I saw, framed perfectly. Isn't the world a lovelier place when framed by two wings?
Mt. St. Helens was ahead and thankfully she looked asleep!
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
For someone who spends a lot of time in a hot, flat state, these hills are quite something! Here is Mt. Adams off our left wingtip....
We're a little closer to Mt. St. Helens now....
The sectional says this area is where one can see landslide debris... seemingly innocuous... yet, when I look at what Orbx has done- AWESOME and FOREBODING spring to mind!
I spent several years in Darjeeling, in what feels like another lifetime, and the topography is both unfamiliar and very familiar at the same time. At least here, I'm not worried about two leaves and a bud.... that reminds me, time for a cuppa. Don't forget to look at these at full 4K!
We're a little closer to Mt. St. Helens now....
The sectional says this area is where one can see landslide debris... seemingly innocuous... yet, when I look at what Orbx has done- AWESOME and FOREBODING spring to mind!
I spent several years in Darjeeling, in what feels like another lifetime, and the topography is both unfamiliar and very familiar at the same time. At least here, I'm not worried about two leaves and a bud.... that reminds me, time for a cuppa. Don't forget to look at these at full 4K!
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cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
Take a look at the next two photos and the words, "Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man" spring to mind..... what awesome power it took to create THIS!
A twig in a torrent....
A twig in a torrent....
cavaricooper
SOH-CM-2023
As I have been warned about the difficulties in finding Walter Sutton's I plan to fly to Lake Merwin (even I should be able to find that!) and then follow the lake in. The entire area is full of gorges, valleys and peaks, and I am staying comfortably above, but even at 5kPa... she might not be descending quick enough!
Where is this blasted strip? I've kept my neck on a swivel, and yanked and banked for the past 10 minutes- NOTHING! Then I had an urge to look DOWN... and there it was!
Orbx has done such a good job blending textures, that you can't just look for the mismatched rectangle and find your airport. You had better chart your position carefully, and even then, cheat with a GPS every now and then just to keep the "picture"...
Detail, glorious detail abound... a feast for the eyes. This trip is just an appetizer... I will have to come back and fly these valleys and hills for the main course. This stuff is too good to experience only once..... just look!
Where is this blasted strip? I've kept my neck on a swivel, and yanked and banked for the past 10 minutes- NOTHING! Then I had an urge to look DOWN... and there it was!
Orbx has done such a good job blending textures, that you can't just look for the mismatched rectangle and find your airport. You had better chart your position carefully, and even then, cheat with a GPS every now and then just to keep the "picture"...
Detail, glorious detail abound... a feast for the eyes. This trip is just an appetizer... I will have to come back and fly these valleys and hills for the main course. This stuff is too good to experience only once..... just look!