Well, I had to try those airfields you mentioned in another topic: Tim's FlightSim Challenge.
I decided to fly a bigger aircraft to get some feeling of the difficulties, so choosen the ATR-42.
1.) For 1st I tried the Volcano crater, SESM.
I made a full power takeoff and made a steep left-right air-chicane at the end of the runway and turned back. I made it at the other end of the hole too. At the end of this 1 whole circle I was already at half altitude to get out. The rest of the route I could climb in-line and finally got out:
For landing, I wanted to do the same. I bounced into the hole and started a little agressive descend for 1st part:
I was able to do another turn and get to the bottom of the hole but finally I crashed the plane. Turning was so steep that I lost speed and fallen down next to the runway... :{
2.) For 2nd, I tried VNLK, in Nepal.
Prepared for takeoff at the end of grass runway:
Takeoff was just like on an aircraft carrier. At 90 knots it was end of runway in FS, but a small strip left in front of me. At 100 kts land left above me and I started flying/stalling. After falling of 1000' the aircraft gained some speed and I made a steep left turn into a deep canyon:
For first run I made a full turn, gained some altitude and slowed down for landing:
First try was not so successfull. I landed about 50 meters off the runway, but I could stop in line with its end:
I decided to do another run. Look at these manouvers in the canyon:
Turning toward 2nd run. What a hill there! Perhaps, is that the Mount Everest?
For 2nd try I was more careful:
But I was not sharp enough. I missed the runway at 120 kts, but it was really closer than before:
Because of extra speed I could not stop the plane in time:
3.) I decided to do a really successfull flight. There is not LFLJ in FS2002, therefor, for last run I choosen SABA in the Caribbean Sea.
I think it is the only runway in FS with STOL signs at the ends. Not to mention the procedure: full power, full brakes, full flaps, full trim...then release brakes and... At 85 kts the ATR started to roll and I got airborn at 90 kts, with STALL warning:
The plane almost flew lineary while it could not gain altitude for a while. Then I finally managed to push it up:
It was turnbacktime for landing:
Prepared for landing. I tried to set 110 kts as approach speed. Flaps and gears out:
The speed was not enough...before the target I swimmed the plane...:
Ready for 2nd try, from the other direction:
This time I tried 115-120 kts. Prepared for landing:
And finally success! Touchdown, right at the end fo the runway at 105 kts:
Applied full brakes, and stopped within an incredible short distance:
Officials on-board were applausing and pukeing the same time
Finally a successfull landing. For next time I will try a Kai Tak approach on a 747.
