salt_air's Mountain Mission Expedition ... " Looney in a Gooney"

Leg 22 SLCB - SLSU

Stud Llamas to Sucre .... yeah!


Taking Off: SLCB - SLSU

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 23,125

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 640.0

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Safe and sound at Sucre

Straight line 15000' tailwinds ... a few less clouds would have been perfect ... but it could have been a LOT worse too.

Thunder and Lightning after exiting the runway.


Landed: SLSU

Distance: 107.6

Fuel Used: 376.4

Flight Time: 00:39:18

Maintenance: 0



Total Airports Serviced: 22

Total Cargo: 132,000

Total Fuel: 10196.7

Total Flight Time: 17:57:04

Total Maintenance: 0




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Leg 23 SLSU - SLPO

A quick uphill run to Potosi with a load of hay bales.


Taking Off: SLSU - SLPO

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 22,967

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 482.4

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Safe at Potosi

Short flight packed with all the fun MSFS demons that you've come to love ... much like me.

Locked screen ... only for a second, but after the fiasco on the beach in Peru ... my "cheeks" may be welded together for days.

Of course the white out on approach ... either on base or short final ... and how can we forget the phenomenal surface turbulence in no wind.

At 140 indicated from where I took off and a rate of climb around 500 fpm, I barely was able to make the top of the mountain just in the direct path to Potosi.

If the viz is low watch out! ... the autopilot was off way before it would have needed to be ... no time for that "dance" switching it off in the face of a climb only to have the plane nose straight down ... no thanks!


Last stop in Bolivia



Landed: SLPO

Distance: 41.3

Fuel Used: 179.2

Flight Time: 00:16:18

Maintenance: 0


Total Airports Serviced: 23

Total Cargo: 138,000

Total Fuel: 10375.9

Total Flight Time: 18:13:22

Total Maintenance: 0




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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?flight=2stKu5eCBBbB8Lk5FkndOjiEHs
 
Leg 24 SLPO - SCKP

Busy flight ... not much for nav aids on the last part of the flight ... you can pick up the VOR at Diego Aracena Int'l for orientation the whole way, but w/o DME it's only minimal help ... just keep left of it ... if the plane had 2 nav radios I could triangulate some way between the VOR at El Loa .... or busy up and switch back and forth with just 1.

Going to need to stay on top of wind drift, ground speed/time for distance after losing the NDB signal from Potosi and still manage terrain and the hard ceiling of 17500'.

Possible twist and turns will hamper navigation whose figures will be predicted on a fairly straight line.

Add in the lack of landmarks and ability to know your there until you see the airport ... that means you'll have to be a minimum of 10 nm from the airport as you pass .... know which direction to look ...

Pile on the possibility of low viz at just the right time and you will not see the airport or know you are there unless you've navigated yourself directly to it ... even then it's sittin' down in a bowl ... or ..... Plan B.



You could by the rules switch up the order so that you leave Potosi and go straight to Iquique on the coast, then back to Coposa with direct nav aids for the entirety of each flight and (ballpark) something close to 50 nm extra as a trade off .... hmmm. :wiggle:


There's no distance category to consider and it won't be enough to jeopardize total time figures with penalty, but will cost on fuel which is a strong point if I even have one so far ... thinking some more ... a miss attempt at finding Coposa for any of the reasons above could run up a 50 nm "bill" or close real easy.

If the winds were out of the east at a good clip this would be THE way to go, but they have been out of the NW pretty steady for the last couple of days.



Note to self: [Okay dummy, this is just one more on a long list of reasons to get a stinkin' grip on sextant navigation]



You will burn extra fuel on plan B ... no way out of that ... you at least give yourself a chance not to by going straight to Coposa




Take extra fuel ... pack a lunch ... pay attention and stay one step ahead on navigation while watching out for the granite trees ... no worries.

Another cup of coffee and one to go ... then we're out of here with a dismantled barn that was purchased by an individual that lives near the airport ... headed straight for Coposa ... just navigated the Pacific Ocean ... I'll find it!




Taking Off: SLPO - SCKP

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 23,725

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 1240.0

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Safe At Coposa

or .... you could just stay south of a direct path ... booby trapped with terrain issues even at 17000' ... parallel to it in a bit of a trough .... not really a valley and still a hazard or two and enough clouds to add a few years to your life .... then with your OBS set to the VOR at Iquique for 290 ... turn towards it when the needle centers.

Watch out for terrain (duh!) on descent ... clouds will add immensely to your already high pucker factor ... and get set up for RWY 35 (if your winds are the same) ... there's some room east of the airport for a real tight left downwind if needed.

Lights and a generous runway (2 miles long) help out a lot.




Very interesting flight ... I started before dawn with clear skies and a good image of the horizon .... depth perception was not good at all, but I had checked the distance to the terrain yesterday during daylight.

Winds as predicted with the exception of two instances of rapid direction changes ... kind of spastic ... lasted almost a full minute (forever) each with the second one just at the above described waypoint and of course all the way to short final.




Two more Chilean stops and I can just about see them both from up here ... a little stress relief flying out to the coast next and then more "gravy" flying up the river to Calama from Iquique ... jeeze what a fantastic event!!

I could fly exclusively in South America in vintage and historical aircraft for the rest of my life and never get bored.





Landed: SCKP

Distance: 181.8

Fuel Used: 630.3

Flight Time: 01:10:47

Maintenance: 0


Total Airports Serviced: 24

Total Cargo: 144,000

Total Fuel: 11006.2

Total Flight Time: 19:24:09

Total Maintenance: 0



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Austin, both the "strategery" post and the telling of the tale are music to the designer's ears. Superbly well done.
 
Austin, both the "strategery" post and the telling of the tale are music to the designer's ears. Superbly well done.

Why Thank You Sir!



As I have progressed through this event it has become apparent to me that a lot of thought and consideration was put into it ... not just a random or haphazard list of airports.

There is a lot of design that could go unnoticed if one were to rush through or just adopt a "well ...what's next?" attitude and merely press on to the end.

I have and continue to enjoy the planning and thought processes that had to have gone into this event and excited as well to find what the extra consideration will afford those who will just take a look.

That facet is just as much fun as the flying itself.



Indeed, compliments to the Chef!



:guinness:
 
Leg 25 SCKP - SCDA

There is a lot of mining that supports the economy in this part of the continent (even still today).

The plane is loaded with nitrate that has been bagged up and ready for export ... trucks will be meeting us at the airport to take the cargo the rest of the way to the waterfront to be loaded on waiting US flag vessel headed back to the "States".


No added fuel ... we need to burn off what we have so it doesn't loose it's punch.

We'll add some at Diego Aracena Int'l



Taking Off: SCKP - SCDA

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 23,109

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 534.3

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Safe and sound at Iquique

Clouds covering the coast and far enough inland to make descent a challenge as the elevation stays high ... then drops off like a cliff.

Looks like the truck that is here to pick up the cargo of nitrate has brought something along with him to go further south.




Landed: SCDA

Distance: 85.5

Fuel Used: 286.3

Flight Time: 00:37:53

Maintenance: 0


Total Airports Serviced: 25

Total Cargo: 150,000

Total Fuel: 11292.5

Total Flight Time: 20:02:02

Total Maintenance: 0



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The original idea for this event was DC-3s in the Rockies. The Andes have worked out much better.
 
Leg 26 SCDA - SCCF

So ... what's in these crates? ... What the heck is a "tratar con cuidado" anyway?

Juan looks up at me while he's loading the plane ... between setting down a box and going for another ... and says in broken English ... it's a dynamite ... then gets right back to work.

Great ... no pressure on this next landing at Calama I thinkin' ...

Juan looks up again on his next trip and says it's okay ... you can drop it .... just don't light it.

[could have sworn I heard him snicker as he walked back down the ramp]




Taking Off: SCDA - SCCF

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 23,209

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 724.8

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Down safe at Calama

Follow the coast to the river and turn left was working okay until the clouds meet with the haze and then it was just flying on instruments all the way in ... with no break in viz.

The closer to the ground the better I could see, but the less time I had to duck.

The gained vision (as well as heart rate) for flying at 300' AGL at around 140 IAS did indicate that I needed to stop the descent and fly leveled out almost until I had visual on the airport.

Short - tight right hand pattern in to RWY 27 and we were done for the day and have completed the last stop in Chile.

The journey will draw to an end after this next flight into Salta where I'll not only be delivering the last of Miss Nellie's revenue heavy cargo, but the entire aircraft itself.


Starting to feel a little bit ... little ... I'll be in Argentina with no aircraft and a long way from the one I left in Curacao ... I'm sure the good Mr. Trippe hasn't forgotten what he said about getting me back there ... with pay.

Now I just have to wonder how ......




Landed: SCCF

Distance: 137.8

Fuel Used: 602.4

Flight Time: 00:57:20

Maintenance: 0


Total Airports Serviced: 26

Total Cargo: 156,000

Total Fuel: 11894.9

Total Flight Time: 20:59:22

Total Maintenance: 0


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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?flight=OxNkBiNZvQ0TOBZFLWTSsZ1Lqg
 
Leg 27 SCCF - SASA

What to me has been a fabulous journey ... one of my personal favorites ... will draw to a close as we land in Salta later this morning.

Sally, my very capable co-pilot, has asked to stay on with me until we get back to the US ... I have agreed of course.



The cargo for this last flight is being guarded closely by officials from Argentina who will accompany the items ... billed as radio equipment ... I don't know - I don't care ... it's just another load of cargo to me.

Sad that the Andes Airways' mission will be complete, but looking forward to spending some "Quality" time off while I wait to hear what Juan Trippe has in store for me.

Caught by surprise at my arrival ... sooner than expected ... he is currently en route to Salta from New York with several stops of his own to make along the way.

Could be "camped out" in Salta for several days or longer, but by being a guest of the Peron family and thought very highly of by the owners of this DC-3 that I have "brought home", I'll be well taken care of and likely spoiled rotten before he arrives.

I will be receiving messages from Mr. Trippe as he travels via shortwave radio from his aircraft to the Pan American facilities ... then by wire to Salta.



Looking over my shoulder at the last cot, bench or floor that I will be sleeping on for a while, I grab my satchel, and flight bag and start towards the plane.



Taking Off: SCCF - SASA

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 26,200

Takeoff Weight: 23425

Empty Weight: 16,145

Fuel: 940.3

Payload: 6,000

Crew: 340
 
Austin,
all the best for this last leg of a long trip done with style.
It was a pleasure following allong your flights, and learn a thing or two about flying the DC-3.
Hats off to the Pelican. :salute:
 
Safe and sound at Salta

Across the room when the engine noise stopped ... a glance at the monitor from there found the DC-3 at a comfortable 17000' and at least 3 or 4 thousand AGL.

Started toward the the computer to switch tanks and ran the toes of my right foot right into the leg on a chair ... now I'm holding that foot up to my belt line (why?) ... with both hands and drawing air in rapidly past clinched teeth ... sounds a little bit like a snake or cat maybe and hopping on the other foot (again why?).

Funny, looking back, but by now the DC-3 is completely out of patience and is pointed upwards to the sky at about 60 degrees doing every bit of 70 kts. under no power at all ... with the exception of what ol' man Gravity is willingly providing while rubbing his hands together with anticipation and drawing air between his teeth much as I described myself.

Already grabbing for keys before I'm completely in the chair, age, fresh injury, and by now a good bit of anxt setting in, I miss the chair landing straight on the floor looking up at the monitor like a small child with butt cheeks getting ready to turn a blueish color for a few days.

My language has drawn a particularly unfriendly crowd to the doorway .... never mind I about came through the floor to the room downstairs below me after dislocating a toe (immediately set when I grabbed it) ... let's just address the language issue that is now getting out of hand ... even by my standards .... the crowd marches off ... Good!




Meanwhile ... turned off the Lear ... caught the plane that had somehow gotten dangerously close to the hard ceiling turning it nose down and switching tanks for an engine restart .... power back up and re trim ... engage Lear and try to figure where I am as the course I was on is a memory.

Lost .... now I get oriented and find a valley I hadn't seen in planning that took me south and west of the airport .... careful wide left hand into RWY 1.




Hope you guys have had the fun that I have ... :wavey:




All finished ... mission complete ... I'll collect my pay and settle in ... waiting to hear what adventure will get me back to Curacao and on my way home.



Excellent Event! ... One of my favorite parts of the planet in one of my favorite aircraft ... able to participate in an event that "somebody else" put together and managed (icing on the cake).

I've put a few events together myself and know first hand what it takes of everyone involved .... you guys did a wonderful job ... I appreciate it ... had a ball!





Landed: SASA

Distance: 235.5

Fuel Used: 792.9

Flight Time: 01:27:09

Maintenance: 0


Total Airports Serviced: 27

Total Cargo: 162,000

Total Fuel: 12687.8

Total Flight Time: 22:26:31

Total Maintenance: 0



Posted totals are of course subject to review and edit by the General Manager of Andean Airways.


Good Luck All!


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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?flight=mq1KnhS4JDRRsfdbyHwm8eO4
 
Austin,
all the best for this last leg of a long trip done with style.
It was a pleasure following allong your flights, and learn a thing or two about flying the DC-3.
Hats off to the Pelican. :salute:


Roger on that Gunter!


Get your bags packed brotha ... we got some hikin' to do pretty soon to get back to Curacao.


Thanks mate!
 
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