Cubana Clutching for Cargo – “Estrella de Oriente”

Time to resume flying

Taking off SLLP-SLCB.

Takeoff Weight: 58,369
Fuel: 2,344
Payload: 12,850 (12,500 + 350)
 
Nice easy flight. Had to divert from direct course twice but no problem with the excellent visability.

Fuel used 890 lbs
Flight time 00:40:42
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 20174 lbs
Total flight time 14:19:53
Total Cargo 26250 lbs (525 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 21
 
Arrived Sucre

Fuel used 1205 lbs
Flight time 00:40:38
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 21379 lbs
Total flight time 15:00:31
Total Cargo 275000 lbs (550 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 22
 
Arrived Potosi

Fuel used 396 lbs
Flight time 00:15:20
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 21775 lbs
Total flight time 15:15:51
Total Cargo 287500 lbs (575 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 23
 
Arrived Coposa. What a desolate location.

Fuel used 1319 lbs
Flight time 00:56:36
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 23094 lbs
Total flight time 16:12:27
Total Cargo 300000 lbs (600 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 24
 
Late afternoon departure for the Pacific Coast.

Taking off SCKP-SCDA.

Takeoff Weight: 58,369
Fuel: 2,344
Payload: 12,850 (12,500 + 350)
 
Clouds at I approached to coast, then descent and approach into the murky fog.

Fuel used 576 lbs
Flight time 00:38:23
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 23670 lbs
Total flight time 16:50:50
Total Cargo 312500 lbs (625 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 25
 
SCDA was a certainly IMC this morning when Bry & I left there... something like 800 OVC and couple mile viz if that.

Glad to see you made it in there ok Jeff
 
Another day, time to fly.

Taking off SCKP-SCCF.

Takeoff Weight: 58,369
Fuel: 2,344
Payload: 12,850 (12,500 + 350)
 
Easy flight over a lonely landscape

Fuel used 1142 lbs
Flight time 00:45:35Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 24812 lbs
Total flight time 17:36:25
Total Cargo 325000 lbs (650 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 26
 
Off to Salta. I've heard rumours of some tall terrain en-route.

Taking off SCCF-SASA.

Takeoff Weight: 59,449
Fuel: 3,424
Payload: 12,850 (12,500 + 350)
 
Almost there Jeff :) I`m really enjoying watching your excellent progress . Enjoy the run into Salta . A heroes welcome awaits , and I have a crate of finest Scottish single malt sitting in the c-54 waiting :ernae:
 
Estrella de Oriente has arrived in Salta

Arrived Salta.

Fuel used 1674 lbs
Flight time 01:12:01
Cargo 12500
Maintenance 0

Total fuel used 26486 lbs
Total flight time 18:48:26
Total Cargo 327500 lbs (675 Units)
Total Maintenance 10

Airports serviced 27

A very satisfying and exciting final leg. Every thing went well the first half of the flight. Selected a cruise altitude of 17000. Shot the gap to the right of Volcan Lascar and picked up the SAL VOR for my course adjustment to Salta. I could see the terrain on my direct course was higher than my cruise altitude so a diverted to the left seaking lower terrain. Then I noticed that my IAS which had been about 160knts had decayed to 140knts and was slowley falling. The throttle was maxed, I increased the prop pitch without results. I was still at 17K but my airspeed was closing in on 120knts. I didn't like that so I started a gentle descent (-300 fpm) to try to maintain speed. I was slowly passing the high terrain on my right but was not sure what was ahead. Finally I spotted the major road (Hgwy 81) and followed it around the peak and down a long valley to Salta. Once below 15000 feet my airspeed picked back up and it was easy approach and landing.

Great Fun. My compliments to the planners. A terrific event.
 
Superbly well done. Even the Tin Cup succeeded! Great work throughout in your getting that big bird down on, and then out of, these small strips.
 
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