01-25-2010, 10:02 AM
Well, we had to deliver a load of 10 straw bales and 10 cases of HEET to Rainy Pass Checkpoint. After delivery we should reposition to McGrath, which means we now have to take some private equipment with us.
The weather forecast showed good weather conditions for most part of the flights and so we went to the flight-line and checked the already loaded Bell 412. A quick walk around showed no anomalies and so we were ready to start the engines and head out for Rainy Pass.
At 20:43Z we were airborne and set course to Rainy Pass and gently climbed to 5000 feet. And indeed we had beautiful weather for flying today.
[attachment=1099]
[attachment=1100]
[attachment=1101]
[attachment=1102]
[attachment=1103]
Then after some time and still in clear weather we could also see Finger Lake on the right side.
[attachment=1104]
[attachment=1105]
A short time thereafter whilst nearing Rainy Pass we had the common FS9 crash due to terrain.dll and after restart of FS9 we continued (lower) to Rainy Pass. We were maybe indeed to low as we weren't able to see the lake in front of us, but a cross check with the GPS revealed that it must be to our left and indeed there it was. We turned to the left and prepared for a 'downwind' approach.
[attachment=1106]
Almost 'on final' to the landing zone.
[attachment=1107]
Near touchdown:
[attachment=1108]
We landed at 21:32Z after 49 minutes of flying time and shut down and went for a short draining
After successful draining we were ready to go, but not without a coffee to go - ehem - to fly.
Now that we are less heavy we climbed to 6000 feet and set for direct routing to McGrath mainly following the Radial of the VOR MCG (115.50) inbound.
[attachment=1109]
And once more we were able to enjoy the beautiful mountainous landscape of Alaska.
[attachment=1110]
If I remember correct this must be Delzell Gorge.
[attachment=1111]
Next we were passing Rohn Roadhouse.
[attachment=1112]
At around 26 Nm outbound from MCG we started to descend from 6000 towards McGrath. Now we had some nice puffy clouds around us...
[attachment=1113]
[attachment=1114]
Now we are only about 4 miles out and it is time to disengage the autopilot and do a little hand flying.
[attachment=1115]
We approached the airport mainly to the West and arrived over the first third of RWY 34 and followed it on the left side down to the area where the hangars and the helipad are. At 22:39Z we gently set the Bell 412 onto the helipad.
[attachment=1116]
After a total flying time of 1:33 for both flights we now can do the post flight checks on the Bell and secure it for the night as there are no more assignments for today.
Time to get a place at the bunkhouse and get a bite to eat and maybe earn (or lose) some money in a good poker game with Vic later on tonight.
The weather forecast showed good weather conditions for most part of the flights and so we went to the flight-line and checked the already loaded Bell 412. A quick walk around showed no anomalies and so we were ready to start the engines and head out for Rainy Pass.
At 20:43Z we were airborne and set course to Rainy Pass and gently climbed to 5000 feet. And indeed we had beautiful weather for flying today.
[attachment=1099]
[attachment=1100]
[attachment=1101]
[attachment=1102]
[attachment=1103]
Then after some time and still in clear weather we could also see Finger Lake on the right side.
[attachment=1104]
[attachment=1105]
A short time thereafter whilst nearing Rainy Pass we had the common FS9 crash due to terrain.dll and after restart of FS9 we continued (lower) to Rainy Pass. We were maybe indeed to low as we weren't able to see the lake in front of us, but a cross check with the GPS revealed that it must be to our left and indeed there it was. We turned to the left and prepared for a 'downwind' approach.
[attachment=1106]
Almost 'on final' to the landing zone.
[attachment=1107]
Near touchdown:
[attachment=1108]
We landed at 21:32Z after 49 minutes of flying time and shut down and went for a short draining
After successful draining we were ready to go, but not without a coffee to go - ehem - to fly.
Now that we are less heavy we climbed to 6000 feet and set for direct routing to McGrath mainly following the Radial of the VOR MCG (115.50) inbound.
[attachment=1109]
And once more we were able to enjoy the beautiful mountainous landscape of Alaska.
[attachment=1110]
If I remember correct this must be Delzell Gorge.
[attachment=1111]
Next we were passing Rohn Roadhouse.
[attachment=1112]
At around 26 Nm outbound from MCG we started to descend from 6000 towards McGrath. Now we had some nice puffy clouds around us...
[attachment=1113]
[attachment=1114]
Now we are only about 4 miles out and it is time to disengage the autopilot and do a little hand flying.
[attachment=1115]
We approached the airport mainly to the West and arrived over the first third of RWY 34 and followed it on the left side down to the area where the hangars and the helipad are. At 22:39Z we gently set the Bell 412 onto the helipad.
[attachment=1116]
After a total flying time of 1:33 for both flights we now can do the post flight checks on the Bell and secure it for the night as there are no more assignments for today.
Time to get a place at the bunkhouse and get a bite to eat and maybe earn (or lose) some money in a good poker game with Vic later on tonight.
