Around the world by Helicopter

[Gatwicksteve]

We've all wanted to do it, and maybe some have already finished!

This will be a log of my trip around the world by helicopter, so it might take a while to finish! I'll be using a variety of choppers as the mood takes me, but will try to handfly VFR as much as possible in real weather.

I decided to start at Gatwick, my real world workplace, and don't have a fixed route in mind - I'll just head in vaguely the right direction and see where the flying takes me!

UK army Bell 212 for the first leg to EGMH (Manston)










Flight time 30 minutes...

Leg 2 EGMH to LFAC (Calais) across the English Channel
Country number 2 is France..
The mighty Chinook!











Flight time 25 minutes (TT 0hr55m)

Next leg is LFAC to LFOI (Abbeville) which is already flown and waiting for me to process the shots.....

Steve

[CBreuer]

Hi Steve,

once more some very impressive shots. I think you are planning something BIG this year, although you start with some small hops, I think these legs might get longer someday

Looking forward to some more of your great pictures and your flight route.

[TCA2050]

Great shots Steve... gonna be a looooong story I guess :-)

[Gatwicksteve]

Leg 3 LFAC to LFOI (Abbeville)



The weather took a turn for the worse..




Glad to be on the ground..


What the town looks like in better conditions




Another 30 mins for a TT of 1h25m

Much better weather for the trip from LFOI to LFOW (St. Quentin Roupy)




these wind farms get everywhwere!


The airfield is top right of this google earth image..






In the town centre of St Quentin


25mins, TT !h50m...

See you soon!

[CBreuer]

Very good pictures, Steve.

I do like the Agusta helicopter, but I don't like the panel
But the EC135 was another great choice once more and a fast flying helicopter as well according to your speeds

[Gatwicksteve]

Thanks Christian, I agree with you about the 109 panel, it's also got quite a twitchy flight model, but the EC135 is a joy - 130 knots cruise and handles beautifully!

Steve

[Gatwicksteve]

Continuing the flight, LFOW to LFOK (Chalon - Vatry)











another 40 minutes for a TT of 2h30m...

and then LFOK to LFSU (Langres)

A long way from home for the USAF Bell 412!


The ground's getting higher and it's still winter here


Langres is a medieval fortified town on top of a hill...




Famous for this!


The airstrip is just a small field, mainly used for gliding, but it's perfect for my needs.






35 minutes, TT 3h05m

That's it for this update, see you all soon!

Steve

[CBreuer]

Nice pictures again and one more another type of helicopter EC130 this time. You seem like to be a little fan of Eurocopter products
Also nice impression of most of your destinations and the cheese looks delicious.

[Gatwicksteve]

Another two legs completed, and I'm trying for a little more consistency with the types! Langres to Lons le Saunier (LFGL)..

Nice of the French army to loan me a Gazelle...




The snow soon cleared


Lons airfield




A very attractive little town...


Another 40 minutes for a TT of 3h45

And a different Gazelle for the flight to Chambery (LFLB) in the foothills of the Alps..


Misty conditions in the valleys


The weather has cleared


Chambery in sight at the end of the valley




This is an old picture of the airfield which has been upgraded now to cope with more ski flights during the winter...


What a lovely setting!


40 minutes again, TT 4h25, and not too long before I reach country number 3!

Steve

[CBreuer]

Wow Steve. Very impressive pictures once more and an even sper helicopter. The Gazelle is one of my favourites among all helicopters. It is quite silent it is very maneuvreable and it is very fast. Where did you get this from for FSX?