The Tourist from Down Under
Benalla, Victoria(YBLA) to Victoria(CYYJ), Canada.
DAY ONE & TWO
Day #3 - Babelthuap/Koror (PTRO) to Daniel Z Romualdez (RPVA) - 610nm
)
Mile after mile of open water. I am flying this leg with REX HD off in order to get an accurate reading of just how far the Buff will go. I set the auto pilot and auto throttle to, FL200; 180knts IAS, 240GPH; 1.08nm/gallon with 5 passengers. In other words an easy to remember, 1 mile per gallon in fair weather or a maximum range of 840nm in perfect conditions. I actually stopped at RPVA with 293 gallons in the tanks, so plenty to spare.
Day #3 - Daniel Z Romualdez (RPVA) to Taichung Aero (RCLG) - 818nm
)
I must make two fuel steps in this leg as my departure and destination airports do not sell fuel. The first will be at Calbayog (RPVC) 58nm away and then Chiayi Aero (RCKU) where I must refuel and do a 100 hour service. At least the next pay day is looking a little better as I have v$46,223 of passengers and cargo on board. But I will have to go into debt again for the service.
Day #4 - Taichung Aero (RCLG) to Kagoshima, Japan (RJFK) - 703nm
Away bright and early from Chiayi Aero with a full tank and 100 hour maintenance completed. As forecast I am back in debt again but have 24 passengers to drop off at Taichung Aero and then on with 5,794kg of cargo to Kagoshima (RJFK). Now I wonder where they got that ICAO?
Day #4 - Kagoshima, Japan (RJFK) to Osaka Intl, Japan (RJOO) - 297nm
)
Broken cloud at 15,000ft, no sign of rough weather yet although the weather radar shows that there are quite a lot of storms off to the north east of my flight path. Will probably run into turbulence on the descent into Osaka. ATC is very busy.
A Cessna comes a bit too close and is told to take evasive action. A bit bumpy but no where near as bad as Mount Hagen. I took a "happy snap" of a somewhat interesting traffic intersection on the way in. I could not see a tow truck anywhere, amazing.
Day #4 - Osaka Intl, Japan (RJOO) to Obihro, Japan (RJCB) - 600nm
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The first look at cold wet stuff. I think I am going to see a lot more of this over the next few months.
Day #4 - Obihro, Japan (RJCB) to Khomutovo (UHSS), Russia - 251nm
I am rapidly running out of work and will need to deviate to the big airport at New Chitose (RJCC) to pick up some passengers before crossing into Russia on the way to Khomutovo (UHSS). The weather is really closing in now and I am going to have to fly the 67nm leg on ILS and get over the mountain range on the way. I will climb to 8,000ft and watch the terrain radar very closely.
I only have four passengers on board and enough fuel to get to New Chitose so I ask the Buff to climb at 1,800ft/min. No problem. The ground disappears almost immediately. Heavy sleet drives against the windshields. De-Ice and all lights on. The Radio Altimeter flashes on at 1650ft but goes off almost immediately. The air speed indicator dies again. 40nm to go and 95 gallons in the tanks. I reduce fuel flow to 180GPH. There might be a problem if the controller sends me round.
Over the mountains and I start a shallow descent to 4,000ft. 27nm and ATC gives me a fly right base to 1R. Perfect the shortest way home. ILS logs on loud and clear. The sleet has stopped but the clouds are still very low. Getting glimpses of a very white ground.
There are two big airports (RJCC) and (RJCJ) here within a decent 3 iron of each other. I must remember to pull up quickly and stop the FSE Client. Down and safe with just 32 gallons left in the tanks. Load 35 passengers for Khomutovo (UHSS) fuel up, fix the speed indicator and I am off into Russia. Remember to start FSE client before I take off.
Nearly 100nm into the trip when a passanger yells "Hey mate, you gunna land in heaven?" (in Japanese of course). Forgot the undercarriage did'nt I? Embarrassing.
Day #4 - Khomutovo (UHSS) to Yelizovo (UHPP), Russia - 713nm)
Nothing to report, boring. Thank goodness for the flask under the seat.
DAY FIVE