EuroHarmony Community Forums

Community Discussion => Flight Operations => Topic started by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 26, 2014, 11:50:56 am

Title: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 26, 2014, 11:50:56 am
It's high time to get those birds in the air again and do some online flying together like we used to do. So after a chatsession on IVAP with David and Trevor, I promissed to look into a possible tour in Scotland. At first, to prevent having inventing a wheel, I searched the net for an existing one. There are some small tours, but what the hack, let's make a new one.

Exploring Scotland: don't know yet how many legs, but let's get started with a first one: EGPH (Edinburgh) to EGPK (Glasgow Prestwick), in normal conditions and in a hurry a 49nm distance, that can be done in 25 minutes. But we're flying VFR and plan to do some sightseeing. So if you look at the flightplan and the Visual Reference Points we have to follow up, it will take us 1H30 to reach Prestwick. Depending on the weather of course.

To enjoy the landscape at its most, I suggest we fly a single prop plane with an average cruising speed of around 120kts. Our Aeroclub fleet gives us the possibility to choose from the Cirrus SR20, the Piper Cherokee Arrow III and the Cessna172.

I prefer to take the "low wing wonder" Piper Cherokee I purchased from A2ASimulatios some time ago. It's as real as it gets!

I put some information in a zip file that is available via this Dropboxlink: https://www.dropbox.com/s/le9qm6al88vec4l/ScotlandTour2014.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/le9qm6al88vec4l/ScotlandTour2014.rar?dl=0)
It contains among others the flightplan with VRP's, a picture of the route, charts and some information about VRF-flying. Be sure to read the readme.txt file first!

To get things organized properly, here's the Doodle-link (Times in Zulu): http://doodle.com/ncpw9gp4vggs2q8g (http://doodle.com/ncpw9gp4vggs2q8g)

Anyone who likes to join, please do.

I hope to meet you all next week on Mumble!

Peter

p.s.

Forgot to mention:
sceneries for FSX: http://www.freewarescenery.com/fsx/uk.html (http://www.freewarescenery.com/fsx/uk.html)
sceneries for FS2004: http://www.freewarescenery.com/fs2004/uk.html (http://www.freewarescenery.com/fs2004/uk.html)

I can recommend for FSX: ORBX EU Scotland (payware); UK2000 Edinburgh Extreme
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on September 26, 2014, 02:22:05 pm
I been away from flying for a long time, but I have an updated computer now compared to before, I hope I can make it to this, it's been too long!

Once you know the schedule I'll see if I can join, but I'm pretty much free whenever, since I'm working from home.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 26, 2014, 03:16:32 pm
Welcome back Mariano. It certainly must have been a long time ago, because this is the first time your name showed up on the forum (at least as long as I'm a member of EHM). In the last years a stable number of pilots have formed a flying group that flew tours and events together online on IVAO. We surely encourage everyone to join that group; it's much more fun flying together.

Because Euroharmony lost its Company Channel on IVAO, we communicate by means of the so called Mumble software (thanks to Eric-Jan). The chatbox is an option too, but actually speaking to and with eachother is a lot nicer and prevents loss of concentration while flying.

If your interested, than you can get instructions how to obtain and install it via this link: http://www.fly-euroharmony.com/forum/index.php/topic,7244.msg55834.html#new (http://www.fly-euroharmony.com/forum/index.php/topic,7244.msg55834.html#new) or ask Eric-Jan to help you!

At the latest on next Sunday evening I will report when we will start this first leg.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on September 26, 2014, 03:52:23 pm
Roger that. I'm well rusty and my flying skills are those of a turtle now, but I got Mumble working.
Don't even have FSX up and running yet. Soon, hopefully. Any idea what kinda airplane we're gonna be flying? Twotter?
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2589 David on September 26, 2014, 06:42:10 pm
Thanks for this one Peter and I'll be there with the Piper PA28R-200 Arrow II   ;D
Specifications
Fuel Capacity: 72 gal/182 l
Stall Speed: 53 kts (dirty)
Max TAS: 145 kts
Cruise TAS: 137 kts (75% power)
Cruise Range: 880 nm/1630 km (with 45 min reserve)
Service Ceiling: 16,200 ft (100 fpm)/3,353 m
Rate of Climb: 649 fpm

A little question Peter about zulu times, for me 1900 zulu is 2100h, same as Netherlands...?  Amsterdam  CEST Central European Summer Time UTC/GMT +2 hours Difference:  Same time as Zürich, Geneva, Paris...
Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 26, 2014, 08:06:17 pm
Hi David,

Zulutime means for the Netherlands +2 hours. As far as I can tell Doodle will adjust the time to local when opened. (see picture below). So the schedule starts at 19:00 for me. Zulutime = 19:00 - 2h
Londontime f.i = 18:00 =  Zulutime + 1h

Hi Mariano,

To adjust yourself  to your fysical limitations as a turtle  ;), maybe it's best to make a choice out of these three: Cessna172, Piper Cherokee P28 or the Cirrus R20. Unless you can find and manage a simular single prop plane. While flying we try to stay together as much as possible without trying to fly in close formation.
So get FSX running, install some addons and we will guide you from A to B.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter

Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on September 27, 2014, 02:27:30 pm
Great initiative, Peter!

Next week, I would only have time on Thursday evening, if I have time then (depends on a couple of other developments in both work and private life). So don't count on me, but if I happen to be around, I'll drop in on you guys :) I downloaded the info package already, just to be sure.
And the same goes for future legs of this private tour. I'll try to catch you all online, someday.

Welcome back Mariano ;D I see on the Mumble server log that you connected OK, so that's one thing down. Now "only" installing FS, haha!  ;D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on September 28, 2014, 04:36:46 am
Thanks Peter :D

Seems as if I had tried to get FSX to run on my computer before without much success. I'd forgotten all about it. Well i'll give it another go, and if it doesn't go smoothly, FS9 it is.

I've been away for a while but I'm still a seasoned guy around here :D Hopefully I don't need too much hand holding through the process.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 28, 2014, 03:42:21 pm
Sofar David, Trevor and I signed up in Doodle for leg01 of the 'Exploring Scotland' tour. Next Wednesday the 1st of October is scheduled at 20:00 h for David and me. That implicates at 19:00 h for Trevor and Mariano, if I'm correct!

I've attached a textfile containing the VRP's. Just copy and paste those in your flightplan.
My PH-PBL is tied down firmly at Edinburgh airport, waiting for you guys next Wednesday!

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2589 David on September 28, 2014, 04:10:56 pm
For me I think is 21h, because I choose 1900 zulu, and Geneva is +2 GMT = 2100 local time or I'm wrong ??? or maybe I'd choose wrongly, instead of 1900 zulu... :-[
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 28, 2014, 04:52:09 pm
Hi David,

If I'm correct you signed up on Wednesday for the same times as I did. Every time It seems to be a problemn or me to get the right worldtime: Zulu, GMT! summertime.? Still very confusing. My tablet with the app shown below, must help to get it right.

So I see you on Mumble at 20:00 h?!


Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on September 28, 2014, 08:35:03 pm
If you google "the time zulu" it'll tell you what time it is now, we all should use that for the base time and each one should check for conversions.

For me right now it's Zulu + 1, same as British Summer time.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2589 David on September 28, 2014, 08:43:58 pm
You're right Mariano and for me as Summer time, right now until Sunday 26.10.14 1900 zulu or GMT - UTC is 21h00 local time, and sorry if I'll be late for wednesday, cause family commitments until 1900 Zulu ::)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on September 28, 2014, 10:37:43 pm
Gents,
I have added this leg to the time table as a class 1 EHM flight, so you can assign yourselves the flight, and use Flight Logger to auto-PIREP ;)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on September 29, 2014, 03:36:37 pm
Thanks Eric-Jan, most helpful.

In the mean time Mariano has signed up in Doodle too. Wednesday the first of October at 18:00 h Zulu, I expect you all at the Club Parking area of Edinburgh airport then. Just for the record: we will fly daylight simulated; how else would we find our way along the route. Hopefully the weather will not act as spoilsport. If it's f.i. too foggy, the flight could get cancelled.

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1829 Trevor on September 29, 2014, 04:57:47 pm
 


                               Nice bit of planning there Peter. Looking forward to seeing you and the troops at the Edinburgh flying Club Bar on Wednesday. ;D


                               Thanks Eric for adding the flight leg to the system. ;)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on September 29, 2014, 07:53:09 pm
I have downloaded the sceneries and so on, so I will be flying the leg sometime this week. But not on Wednesday, because I have a board meeting at the flying club I was invited to because of my expertise in safety management systems :)
Meanwhile, we are als re-doing the upper floor of our house (sleeping downstairs for a while...), but I still have access to my FS PC for a couple of weeks, and I intend to use it :D
It will most probably be Thursday evening for me.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on September 30, 2014, 01:32:58 am
I dont mind flying it twice if you need company EJ  8)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 01, 2014, 10:31:45 am
Thanks, Mariano!  ;D
I'm not sure at what time I'll be flying, but it will definitely be in the evening hours. Best chance is between 1700Z (19:00 CET) and 1800Z (20:00 CET). Feel free to join, if you spot me on WebEye or something like that.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2155 Mariano on October 01, 2014, 08:39:18 pm
Bad news.
Bought a used processor for my motherboard (has to be used, cos it's quite old and they just dont make em anymore). It was supposed to be a nifty upgrade, about twice as fast as the one I had installed.
It only got here yesterday but too late to do anything about it, so I made it today's project to replace the CPU. Mr. Murphy was hitting full force today and everything that could have gone wrong absolutely did.
Long story short, my computer is totally inop, I will continue tomorrow, trying to do CPR and see if I can fix it somehow.

Wish me luck.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 02, 2014, 10:12:42 am
Bahhh! Bummer!
Look out with the defibrilator; Electrostatic Discharge can ruin your entire M-board (I know from experience).

Best of luck with reviving your machine, M.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 02, 2014, 02:51:25 pm
Hi Mariano,

I certainly wish you all the luck you need to get your computer running. We surely missed you last evening. It's always nice to see (hear) a new face (voice) on Mumble. What you missed, was a very enjoyable flight with Trevor, David and me, initually guided by Scottish_CTL. Thanks to perfect weather conditions, we made a beautiful tour with inside information about certain landmarks from our Scottish member Trevor. We saw and learned a lot about this part of Scotland. So, after this tour we all can say: "We're all Scots..."  ;)

I placed some screenshots below as usual; a Doodle-link for the next leg (EGPK-EGPU): http://doodle.com/dwipw52x42kau75w (http://doodle.com/dwipw52x42kau75w)
Here's the Dropbox-link, which contains the necessary info-files: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pks9fqrdm2nigc2/ScotlandTour201402.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/pks9fqrdm2nigc2/ScotlandTour201402.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter

B.t.w. Afb07 shows the town of Irvine; if you look closely left of the left wingtip you could see Trevor waving from the window of his house.

Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1829 Trevor on October 02, 2014, 09:03:40 pm
     It sure was a great evening in the company of Mr McBleekemolen & Mr McSifuentes
     to say the least; looking forward to the next Leg guys. ;D  
     Mariano i hope you manage to get your system up and running by then. ;)

     Still envious of your FS scenery Peter, the pics are very good.

     Have just noticed that Mr MacOud has just landed at EGPK.
     Congratz E-J ;)

     See you all on Mumble
     T
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 02, 2014, 09:13:24 pm
Yep, just finished scudrunning through valleys, followed by VFR on top, and finally an ILS approach into EGPK. What a challenge for flying an unfamiliar plane (took the C208 out of the barn today).  ;D

Love the scenery out here! gotta get me more  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 03, 2014, 02:19:13 pm
Is it me, Peter, or is there the same contents [EGPH=EGPK] as for the first leg inside the Dropbox linked RAR file?
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 03, 2014, 02:40:32 pm
Hi Eric-Jan,

No it isn't you; it's me. Obvious mistake if you use the same filename again. Uploaded the one you'll be needing for the second leg: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pks9fqrdm2nigc2/ScotlandTour201402.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/pks9fqrdm2nigc2/ScotlandTour201402.rar?dl=0)

Hope that'll do the trick. Thanks for your observation; it's no use flying the same leg twice.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter

p.s. to avoid confusion, I changed the original link on page1 as well.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 04, 2014, 06:51:23 pm
 ;D

I will be flying this leg on Monday evening. Sommething came up last minute, NOS only Monday remains for me.

I think I will re-introduce flightsim Mondays again, just to ensure I get to fly ;)

[edit]
Legs 2 and 3 are in the time-table already (yes, I know where we'll be headed for leg 3 already ;) )
[/edit]
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 05, 2014, 07:04:08 pm
For those who signed up and of course for all those who forgot to, the second leg from Prestwick to Tiree takes place on Wednesday the 8th of October at 19:00 h ZULUTIME.

Meet you all next Wednesday on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 07, 2014, 06:23:57 am
It now appears that I CAN fly on Wednesday after all, so I didn't fly the 2nd leg yesterday.
I'll try to be there at the same time you guys are. If not, then I'll be on my way already, but we'll meet on Mumble anyway :D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1882 Gian on October 08, 2014, 09:42:03 am
I hope to be present this evening ;)

Gian
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 08, 2014, 08:08:13 pm
An impression of my PPL progress we were talking about on Mumble:
http://ericje.blogspot.com (http://ericje.blogspot.com)
[EDIT]: published the English translation at http://ericjesppl.blogspot.com (http://ericjesppl.blogspot.com)

And attached: my flown route for leg 2 of this marvelously scenic tour :D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 09, 2014, 09:45:15 am
From Prestwick to Tiree we flew last evening, David, Trevor, Eric-Jan and me and although we started with rain - an 'exception' in Scotland -, along the way the weather cleared and gave us the opportunity to look around a lot and to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Hopefully we fly leg03 next week under the same, or better circumstances. We fly from Tiree to Stornoway, a 146nm distance, hopping from one island to another. With an average speed of 110kts, it would take us 1h and 20 min., but there are some challenges along the way.

Barra Airport (Scottish Gaelic: Port-adhair Bharraigh) (IATA: BRR, ICAO: EGPR) (also known as Barra Eoligarry Airport) is a short-runway airport (or STOLport) situated in the wide shallow bay of Traigh Mhòr at the north tip of the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The airport is unique, being the only one in the world where scheduled flights use a beach as the runway. The airport is operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, which owns most of the regional airports in mainland Scotland and the outlying islands. Barra Airport opened in 1936.

Watch this to get an idea: www.youtube.com/watch?v=STqmbc8k9rU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STqmbc8k9rU#)

We're making a touch and go on this one, like we also do at Benbecula Airport (Scottish Gaelic: Port-adhair Bheinn na Faoghla) (IATA: BEB, ICAO: EGPL), located on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, off the West Coast of Scotland. It is a small rural airport owned and maintained by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

The link for the Scotland201403.rar-file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4grkhocvz1yasbw/Scotland201403.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/4grkhocvz1yasbw/Scotland201403.rar?dl=0)

The link for Doodle: http://doodle.com/635ckdqx54kiiwiz (http://doodle.com/635ckdqx54kiiwiz)

Hope to meet you all next week on Mumble!,

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 13, 2014, 02:24:46 pm
Next Wednesday the 15th of October at 19:00 h Z is scheduled for leg 03: EGPU (Tiree) to EGPO ( Stornoway).

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 14, 2014, 10:19:18 am
Wiil sure try to be there again, this time. No guarantees, though ...
If I can't fly, then I'll try to at least break in on Mumble for a bit ;)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 15, 2014, 10:04:03 pm
Sorry I had to bail on you guys without saying goodbye. My entire PC froze up so I just called it a day at that point.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 16, 2014, 09:42:06 am
Like in the old days, we started our third leg from the ' Exploring Scotland'-tour with five pilots: David, Trevor, Eric-Jan, Gian and me. Unfortunately only three of us arrived (online) in Stornoway; Gian lost contact with IVAO and EJ with his computer. Partly because of the exceptional fine weather, we had a very enjoyable flight.

The Fourth leg brings us further north to Kirkwall, the biggest town and capital of the Orkney Islands.

The Doodle-link: http://doodle.com/kkrh8vykhtvhht6m (http://doodle.com/kkrh8vykhtvhht6m)
The Dropbox-link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/laxwd6nrqs13zno/Scotland201404.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/laxwd6nrqs13zno/Scotland201404.rar?dl=0)


Meet you all on Mumble next week!

Peter

afb01: A last briefing of the route
afb03: a touch and go at Barra airport; EJ and me did an attempt to only 'touch' 
afb04: Gian right behind me
afb06: Trevor's landing with 21kts crosswind
afb07: David's under the same conditions
afb08: The Three Musketeers at Stornoway airport.

p.s. Thanks EJ for the Mumble-info. I first updated the program to version 1.2.8., changed the address, connected and it works fine! Piece of cake.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 19, 2014, 03:57:44 pm
Luckily, I managed to save my FS recorder file before my PC crash :)
Here's a little movie of our (Peter and myself) close encounter of the 5th kind ;)

http://youtu.be/JWIujjgNWQA (http://youtu.be/JWIujjgNWQA)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 19, 2014, 07:13:04 pm
Close, EJ, but... still, as far as I'm concerned, we can get a lot closer ;) We try that again next time. Nice video.

The fourth leg from Stornoway to Kirkwall will take place next Wednesday the 22nd at 18:30 H Zulutime. Thirty minutes earlier than before. I hope, David, that you'll find the time to join us anyway.

Meet you all on Mumble, next Wednesday!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 19, 2014, 08:44:14 pm
Cool!  ;D

The video looks a bit blocky, as if anti-aliasing is turend off. Not like my sim, but maybe Fraps, or Pinacle Studio got in the way there. Ah well no more time to change it anyway...

Mumble probably works again, for now with both the "no-ip" adress as well as the "mycloudnas" address. In the future, that will only be the "mycloudnas" one.

Meanwhile, I have flown the reminders of the leg to Stornoway, so I'll be there on Wednesday. Hope to "see" you all then and there :)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 24, 2014, 08:45:30 am
I'll be away for a couple of days. So, no time right now to send you all the information about the next (leg05) flight from Kirkwall to Scatsa.

Nevertheless I have the Doodle-link: http://doodle.com/u4cphzwrf4ei2g2k (http://doodle.com/u4cphzwrf4ei2g2k)

The rest I'll place on this forum problably next Sunday.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 26, 2014, 08:46:57 am
Here's the promised link to the information of leg05: https://www.dropbox.com/s/smugj271adbg4ue/Scotland201405.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/smugj271adbg4ue/Scotland201405.rar?dl=0)
And, though a little late some screenshots of leg04 below.

Later today I'll let you know when we'll fly!

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter

Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 26, 2014, 03:18:15 pm
Tuesday or Wednesday evening, I could join in, most probably :)
After that, I'll be dissassembling my FS PC to protect it from dust... The ceilings come off in the next coming weeks...
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 26, 2014, 09:18:07 pm
The next flight is planned for next Wednesday the 29th of October at 19:30 h ZULU.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 27, 2014, 04:15:14 pm
Today David filled in his possibilities on Doodle. If Trevor and E.J. have no objections we'll start at 20:00 H ZULU! next Wednesday, instead of the previously announced 19:30 H.

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1829 Trevor on October 27, 2014, 05:50:15 pm
     


      Sounds good to me Peter. ;)
      Gian, I hope you can make it on Wednesday, and anyone else that's interested in an easy-osey  flight. ;D
     
      Trevor
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 28, 2014, 06:29:20 am
2000Z it is! I'll just take an extra hour leave on Thursday morning ;)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1882 Gian on October 29, 2014, 10:44:25 am
Hope I can make it this time:)

Gian
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 29, 2014, 10:56:13 am
Nah ... !!!
I have to work this evening. IT decided they need to do an update of a license server, TODAY (as opposed to during the weekend). This means I have to wait until they are done (they start after work hours), and then I need to run a test scenario to see if everything works again. Cannot wait until tomorrow morning, because some 65 engineers rely on this CAD software to work, when they come in tomorrow morning from 07:00 AM..., and the testing takes about one hour (if everything works OK). So we cannot take the risk of something not working and 65 ppl doing nothing for a couple of hours during repair and re-testing.
Bummer, because after that, I will definitely need to dissassemble my FS PC, because the whole "taking down the ceiling" bit is planned for this weekend...
Not sure how long it will take before the PC will be back up and running, but I don't expect it to be before New Year's.

I will still have my laptop and tablet, so I'll monitor the forum and the website. But that's about all.
As far as flying is concerned, I'll only be flying in real life ;) FS will be hybernating as of now...
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 30, 2014, 08:27:56 am
An installation of FSRecorder meshed up my FSX configuration yesterday evening. . After deinstallation the addon menu with IVAO, Linda and Fsuipc  was gone. No working controls. Trevor, David and I decided to postpone our flight till today. In the meantime I'd managed to sort things out and did a small testflight together with Trevor.

So, this evening at 2000h Z we'll have a second attempt to fly leg05 of the "Exploring Scotland" - tour from Kirkwall to Scatsa. If anyone would like to join us, please do.

Meet you on Mumble!,

Peter

Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on October 30, 2014, 09:46:09 am
Ah, that explains the circle I saw you guys make from/to Kirkwall, on Webeye. Saw David joined Mumble for a while, in the Mumble log file. By the time I was done working, you were all off Mumble already. So I did not get to pop in on your little test flight anymore.
Next opportunity for me would be next Monday evening, but I will be using that evening to dismantle my PC.
Have fun this evening!

Blue Skies! :)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1882 Gian on October 30, 2014, 10:09:58 am
Sorry for you guys not completing the flight yesterday, but good news for me ;) as I missed it anyway (returned home too late...). So I hope we have more luck this evening and hopefully we meet on Mumble!

Gian
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on October 31, 2014, 09:01:22 am
Getting to know Scotland also implicates, dealing with weather conditions in which a VFR-flight in reality would not take place. Rain, fog and winds up to 30kts we encountered last evening while flying our fifth leg of this tour. Gian, who was airborne somewhat later than Trevor, David and me, didn't finish the leg, due to an unfortunate FS-crash. But, like David mentioned during the approach on Scatsta, flying in these conditions makes it a lot more exciting.

Hopefully leg06 gives us the same challenges as last evening:

The Doodle-link: http://doodle.com/yfnbnbwpqyg4u8cy (http://doodle.com/yfnbnbwpqyg4u8cy)

The Info-link to the zip-file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ifoy02kzvgii9w1/Scotland201406.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ifoy02kzvgii9w1/Scotland201406.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter


afb01: just left Kirkwall, staying very low;
afb02: had some refreshments while Waiting for Gian at Papa Westray airport;
afb03: Gian finally arrived;
afb04: continuing the rest of the route;
afb05: one of the airports on one of those many islands;
afb06: out of the fog the cliffs of the isle of Fola looms up;
afb07: that's how it looks: a crosswind landing;
afb08: Scatsta airport.
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 02, 2014, 08:26:20 pm
So far three pilots filled in their preferences in Doodle to fly leg 06.

Wednesday the fifth of November at 20:00 h Z is the most common date and time.

So, meet you and anyone else who wants to join next Wednesday on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 03, 2014, 03:51:48 pm
Perhaps I was a little too fast to announce date and time of leg06. Meanwhile Gian Doodled his preferences and according to that new situation, the most common date and time is tomorrow the fourth of November at 20:00 h Z.

In the future I 'll wait till monday evening before announcing the final choices.

If no one objects we'll fly tomorrow evening at eight.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1829 Trevor on November 03, 2014, 06:09:08 pm
 

     No worries, see you guys tomorrow. ;)

    Trevor
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 05, 2014, 09:59:20 am
Trevor, David and I flew in reasonable fair weather the sixt leg of the " Exploring Scotland"-tour last evening. A little belated, because we waited for Bruce, who appeared on IVAO, but had some problems getting connected. That was a pity, because every new member of our online flying team is more than welcome. Hopefully, Bruce, we'll see you next week again.

Here's the Doodle-link for leg07: Stronsay to Dice: http://doodle.com/qww5h6tkuwcf3hun (http://doodle.com/qww5h6tkuwcf3hun)

...and the link to the info-file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/690u4f9dyicnq2c/Scotland201407.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/690u4f9dyicnq2c/Scotland201407.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2589 David on November 05, 2014, 02:14:56 pm
Thanks Peter and Trevor for this nice flight and shots P.
I've 3 with different scenery FS9.1 ;D
See you next week guys ;)
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 10, 2014, 05:58:27 pm
Next flight (leg07 from Stronsay to Dyce) is scheduled for Thirsday the 13th of November at 20:00 H Zulu.

Make your preflight check, fill her up and meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 14, 2014, 09:36:05 am
Just the three of us - Trevor, David and me - left Stronsay airport around 20:15 H Zulu last evening. We did wait for 15 min. for you to show up, Gian. A nice flight, as the screenshots below show and without a drop of rain (except for Trevor who was flying in a different world with rain and with much lesser wind), which is exceptional for Scotland this time of year.

Next week leg08 of this tour from Dyce to Scone.

The Doodle-link for leg08: http://doodle.com/uizrcc6dr8t5wv3r (http://doodle.com/uizrcc6dr8t5wv3r)
The Dropbox-link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6rr2mwjnsq5x47/Scotland201408.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6rr2mwjnsq5x47/Scotland201408.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 17, 2014, 07:55:41 pm
Next Wednesday the 19th of November at 20:00 H Zulu is scheduled for the next leg (leg08: Dyce to Scone) of the "Exploring Scotland" -tour.

A good opportunity for me to show off  ;) my newly obtained, just released, Cessna180T Skylane from A2A Simulations. And like its Cessna172 Skyhawk and the Piper Cherokee 28a it really is not only a beauty, but a joy to fly.

Meet you next Wednesday on Mumble!

Peter

Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2387 Eric-Jan on November 17, 2014, 08:36:59 pm
Looking good, Peter. looking good!  ;D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 20, 2014, 10:09:30 am
Just for a change, I flew leg08 of the "Exploring Scotland"-tour last evening - together with Trevor and David - late in the afternoon. Simulated time of course, because we left Dyce airport around 20:15 H Zulu. Didn't regret this choice, as you probably can see looking at the pictures below. After a very stirring flight, accompanied by various historical and geographical facts, thanks to our Scottish fellow-pilot and tourist guide Trevor, I was the first to put my plane down at Scone airport after having witnessed a beautiful sunset. Extraordinary weather for this Scottish regions.
Unfortunately the wonderful scenery obvious consumed too much memory: my flightsimulator frooze and that's why I wasn't able to see Trevor and David land. Too bad, no pictures at Scone airport.

Leg09 will be from  Scone to West Freugh. Let's have a look at the border regions.

Here's the Doodle-link: http://doodle.com/4386c99acv7dhc3v (http://doodle.com/4386c99acv7dhc3v)
and the Dropbox-info-link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5kp3zowh2sol0ar/Scotland201409.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/5kp3zowh2sol0ar/Scotland201409.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all on Mumble next week!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 25, 2014, 08:23:31 pm
What a relief... pffff.... back online after four days. That must have been a problem. Solved now, I guess.

That makes it possible to announce that we can fly leg 09 tomorrow evening at 20:00 H Zulutime: Scone to West Freugh.  Anyway three pilots have let me know via Doodle to be present. But don't hesitate if you want to join.

Meet you on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on November 27, 2014, 09:32:13 am
Still going strong: last evening Trevor, Davis and me flew from Scone to West Freugh in typical Scottish weather conditions: rain and fog. But at the end the sky cleared up which gave us the opportunity to have a good look around. Afterall we're still flying the "Exploring Scotland"-tour.
Of course some screenshots below, though my FSX ran at of memory for the second time, and for next week, when we hope to fly our last leg of this tour, the two links you'll need:

http://doodle.com/ci6gbpb9kgk3pf4v (http://doodle.com/ci6gbpb9kgk3pf4v)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2w8ggp7lqstazpt/Scotland201410.rar?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/2w8ggp7lqstazpt/Scotland201410.rar?dl=0)

Meet you all next week on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on December 01, 2014, 07:53:22 am
Gian, Trevor, David and me will fly the last leg of the "Exploring Scotland"-tour tomorrow the 2nd of December at 20:00 h Z. For those who like to join us tomorrow and make the flight from West Freugh to Edinburgh, you're more than welcome.

Meet you all on Mumble!

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on December 03, 2014, 10:47:25 am
The four of us (Trevor, David, Gian and me) landed savely on Edinburgh airport last evening, our last destination  of a wonderful tour over Scotland. In ten legs we've seen much of the Scotish landscape, the highlands, the many islands and the flat south. Must do this tour again in a couple of years.

No awards for this one, but a whole lot of pleasant experiences. Hopefully our next tour will give us as much pleisure as this one did.

Meet you all on Mumble for the "Give a taste to France"-tour.

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2589 David on December 03, 2014, 11:21:02 am
Thanks for this tour Peter et à la prochaine ;D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1829 Trevor on December 04, 2014, 01:48:22 pm
 

      A most enjoyable tour Peter, thanks, ;)   and flying in a group added to the experience.
      Looking forward to the French tour, with the prospect of seeing a few more faces.

      I see by the pics,  David has a part time job with the coast guard. ;D
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-2758 Peter on December 04, 2014, 02:10:42 pm
You're welcome, did enjoy it very much too.

BTW didn't know Switserland had any coasts, so what is David guarding?  :D
Very nice pictures, though!

See you on Mumble next week,

Peter
Title: Re: Exploring Scotland: online VFR-tour
Post by: EHM-1882 Gian on December 04, 2014, 05:58:46 pm
Although I could not join you for all the legs and suffered some frustration with FS when I was able to be present (breakdown of FS while almost landing), it was a very enjoyable experience. Indeed, we have really built a group and are just keen to increase the number of members now;)

A bientôt en France les amis!

Cheers,

Gian