Flying Circus / Transocean Air Lines / DC-4 / North America (West)

Talked to Orvis Nelson about flying the Andes in unpressurized aircraft. He pointed out that Panagra made a good living in the region when they relied on DC-3s. Passengers who want to go to La Paz won't mind a bit of thin air.

As to the matter of flying an overloaded DC-4 in these trying conditions, Nelson indicated that "anyone's brother can fly in perfect conditions...why do you think I picked you to fly the Andes?"

We shall fly at 10,000 until we get to the mountains. Then we'll climb to a minimally safe altitude and weave through the passes in between the peaks. (Remember, we're flying an old war surplus C-54A and not the brand new DC-4-1009. The critical altitude for the P&W R-2000s is something like 7,000ft.)

Pilots who want to fly by the book should look for a job at Pan Am. :d
 
Safely in San Juan--"where the Americas meet". Apologies to my fellow TALOA drivers. Had to burn some gas to make the deadline (don't ask).

Landing Weight: 63153.6
Fuel Burned: 5886.4
Flight Time: 02:57:03

Commercial Centers: 5
(KLGA, KDCA, KMIA, MKJP, TJIG)

Next scheduled stop: Curacao's Hato (TNCC), 410nm away, where the Dutch Oil Boom should provide great business opportunities. (If the next pilot sees a good chance to make contacts in the Antilles, then he should go ahead. We can easily track back. We are in no hurry.)
 
Tally ho!....West we go!

MM said:
Talked to Orvis Nelson about flying the Andes in unpressurized aircraft. He pointed out that Panagra made a good living in the region when they relied on DC-3s. Passengers who want to go to La Paz won't mind a bit of thin air.

As to the matter of flying an overloaded DC-4 in these trying conditions, Nelson indicated that "anyone's brother can fly in perfect conditions...why do you think I picked you to fly the Andes?"

We shall fly at 10,000 until we get to the mountains. Then we'll climb to a minimally safe altitude and weave through the passes in between the peaks. (Remember, we're flying an old war surplus C-54A and not the brand new DC-4-1009. The critical altitude for the P&W R-2000s is something like 7,000ft.)

Pilots who want to fly by the book should look for a job at Pan Am. :d
Click to expand...

Sounds Good to me Mike,

Told ya I'm game,,,shot through there in a "Gooney Bird" in 1941 (Pan Am Race) and we'll do it in the Skymaster too.

Think I'll have the windshield removed and just wear goggles so I can take it all in.....can't look any worse than Rob's avatar....:icon_lol:.

Besides it will remind me of the first car I ever owned in real life,,,the goggles were less expensive than the glass replacement. I thought it was a good idea, my girlfriend didn't,,,,,,got it fixed with the next paycheck.
 
Transocean crew makes turn to the west

Nice weather for an early mornin' cruise DC-4 style to Willemstad/Hato In't'l.

TJIG-TNCC

TOW= 67076 lbs

Payload= 18300 lbs
 
Safe in Curacaos

Flying Circus makes it to Curacaos after a low a lazy flight from Puerto Rico.

Strong x-winds from the east for the majority of the flight then after setup for RWY 11 at TNCC find on the ground there was no wind at all.

Gotta love flying around large bodies of water, the winds will change on ya in a minute,,,,,,maybe twice.

The DC-4 is a fuel sipper compare to the chug-a-lug Connie.
 
Departing: Curaçao / Hato Intl (TNCC) :netherlandsantilles:
To: Panama's Marcos A Gelabert Intl (MPMG) :panama: :running:

Takeoff Weight: 68.330
Payload: 17.300
 
Safely Landed Marcos A Gelabert Intl (MPMG) :panama:

Panama!

Landing Weight: 63347.1 lbs (¡Ay, caramba!)
Fuel Used: 4955.4 lbs
Flight Time: 03:07:20

No Penalties ( :applause: & phew! btw)
 
From the "Top"

Telegraph sent directly to the airport here in Panama includes directions for a previously unplanned stop on our route.

The Colombian Government is very disappointed that no effort has been made to service the fine city of Bogota. Therefore,,,,from the "Top",,,,Transocean's efforts will need to include Columbia in it's route to Buenos Aires.

Not only are thoughts of providing excellent service throughout South America, but an opportunity to try the "Skymaster" at some higher altitudes exists and needs to be pursued. This info can be used as input for the planners to consider the fact that there are two sides to the mountains,,,,can we fly along the eastern side as well?

We'll look at this as the day progresses, but for now we take advantage of clear skies and depart for Bogota, Columbia forthwith. Probabaly too many coastal airports to make it worth our time, but we'll see.

MPMG-SKBO

TOW= 67076 lbs

Payload= 18300 lbs
 
Capital idea!

I'll be happy to take her back over the hills to Ecuador. Do you have an ETA?
 
Ballpark Figures...

MM said:
Capital idea!

I'll be happy to take her back over the hills to Ecuador. Do you have an ETA?
Click to expand...


I'd say an hour from this post,,,,,give or take. 1045 EDT

Ballpark figure. :mixedsmi:
 
On-Time

Just passed Medellin NDB....one-one-thousand-five-hundred with headwinds at 14kts.

Clouds begining to pile up.

Beautiful scenery.

Should be on time.
 
Ready to go at Bogota

The "Circus" is in town Mike!,,,,, have a green duenna at SKBO. :jump:

Files and pics to follow.

Finally, 30min after take off, the skies clear off as we settle into to cruise at 11500' with 14 kt winds right in the ol' mug and they stayed right there all the way to landing at Bogota.

The aircraft performed very well and climbed near effortlessly to altitude. Very promising for what's in store for us later in the journey. Had to use a little bit higher MAP setting than normal, but still managed a 300-350 GPH rate of fuel usage in a 14kt headwind.

Clouds would pile up and then thin out reveling some great looking scenery much to the delight of the passengers.

Good to be on the ground, I'll hand the operation off to a worthy comrade who is headed back for the coast.

Landing weight= 63494.6 lbs

Fuel used= 3507.9 lbs

No penalties incurred

Very enjoyable flight!
 
Good job, Austin. Beautiful snaps.

Real life delays here... :rolleyes: ... Will pick up in a few minutes...
 
After a few interruptions...getting under way.

(Thought about Quito, but that leaves only a very short dull leg to Guayaquil. So we'll thread the needle to Quito for a "fly-by" and then go to the coast.)

Will have to fly in thin air on this leg.

Takeoff Weight: 68,275
Payload: 17,300
 
Over the hills and through the passes, to Guyaquil "784" did go...

Tried to keep below 12,000 feet for the passengers' comfort, but just missed. (12,360 max). Hope they enjoyed the tight twists and turns.

Landing Weight: 62957.0
Fuel Burned: 5302.3
Flight Time: 02:44:30

Commercial Centers: 8
(KLGA, KDCA, KMIA, MKJP, TJIG, TNCC, MPMG, SEGU)
 
Awesome

Great job Mike,

I'm thinking from looking at the "squiggly" line on the duenna map that the autopilot didn't get much use.....:icon_lol:

Well done!
 
Long milk run down the coast to Lima.

Takeoff Weight: 69,638
Payload: 17,800
 
Safely down at Las Palmas. During the 1940s and 1950s, Lima was a favorite vacation spot (and watering hole) for Hollywood's finest. (John Wayne met his wife here; she was dating a Panagra pilot when she met Wayne.) So off to the beach and a bit of relaxation.

Landing Weight: 63254.0
Fuel Burned: 6368.8
Flight Time: 03:09:40

Commercial Centers: 9

Perhaps there exists a different sort of passenger ready for air travel...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top