Its time for another tour. For the first part of my journey I plan to make a leisurely jaunt from the top end of the Glacier Bay area in Alaska through a small part of Alaska into Vancouver and Seattle and down to Portland.

I haven't really planned where I will go from there but probably a big leap in something faster with longer legs (what Naki in a Tube!)over to Chicago - Boston and then down to Miami and into the Carribean.

I plan to do the first stage of the trip mainly in Dreamfleet aircaft as I like playing around with the GPS and the fancy avionics.

Following screenshots with Active Sky 6.5/RW weather/Dreamfleet Baron/Glacier Bay V2/Ultimate Terrain Canada/Alaska.

Day 1 Yaktukt (Alaska) to Carcross (Canada - Yukon)
Fantastic Day for flying and virtually cloudless (but bloody cold). I have filed a flight plan cruising at 11,000 ft - total flight time should be about 1 hour. The Baron is fairly well equiped for icing so ideal for this leg.

Before Departure @ Yakutat - quite a busy little airport - flying is the best way to get around in this part of the world.



Heres a couple of snap shots (taken later in the flight) of the GPS showing the route taken (sorry I cant be bothered mucking around with maps at this stage).





This will be a common sight for a while - snow & mountains!



..... and more ..............



Had thoughts of switching to IFR - but the cloud bank disappered rather quickly as I increased my altitude to 11,000 ft





Moving into Canadian territory I popped out into more excellent flying weather & switched to Edmonton Centre from Anchorage


About the only sign of civilisation during the whole flight - a road






Approaching my destination




Scrapping the side of a mountain




Parked and back on its feet! No photos of landing as I bent the nose gear! Perhaps I needed to refresh my landing techniques (Don't flare it like a 172!) in the Baron as I hadn't flown it for a while! - I'll just have to take another a/c on the next leg while it gets repaired.....

Nice sequence

You never know, we might pass each other...

We might get close Tim!

I have just realised I am breaking the rules of flights in this forum as it neither starts or ends in NZ. Whoops! If anybody gets grumpy with me continuing with this let me know and I will can it and I'll move onto something else (or continue the flight without posting screenies).

Since my Baron is broken I've borrowed an Archer 111 (yes I know hardly a bush plane - will have something more appropiate next leg) for this short leg - Carcross in the Yukon outback to Skagway in Alaska

An early morning start. Weather is fantastic (RW weather) - no wind, little cloud



Large hill at the end of runway requires a fairly prompt turn to the left after take off



Most of the leg will require me to follow this valley and lake (sorry had the name of the lake but didnt write it down).





Awesome reflections off the mountains and snow as the sun breaks through



The only sort of flat piece of land I see on the whole flight



Wow the sunrise dissappeared quickly



My destination pokes through the misty clouds - now if I had a Stuka dive bomber I might be able to get down to the runway from here



Instead I take the sensible route and fly down the fjord reducing height and I make a hard turn to fly back up the fjord towards Skagways not that easy airport. Imagine landing a 737 here! Just as well I am in a Archer which is easy as pie to land. There will be plenty of cruise liners (and other boats) to see and dive bomb in the next few legs





Hmmm a bush Archer and Mooney - where are the Beavers, 185s and Cubs?

Great stuff Naki, i'm enjoying watching this flight. Great choice of destinations.

Haha, not a chance. I think we can let you off this time seeing how good your screenshots have got! I haven't flown in Glacier Bay for a while but I think you have just given me motivation to do so again, keep up the great work mate

Nice shots, I'm liking this trip. I'm thinking of doing a big trip in FS but I don't know where/In what. Any suggestions?

That looks like an interesting approach and landing into Skagway.
How long is the runway there? Could a 737 fit in there?
Great shots there

Excellent shots there Naki

For VAC, what about trying something like a round the world? You could split it across multiple days (weekend? holidays?) or fly accelerated time. You could do a tour of NZ like someone else may have done, and go from coast to coast, or from the top to the bottom.

To my mate Daniel:

Thanks for the comments guys - I'll take that as an endorsement to continue.

VAC - my trip has been planned to take in my favourite North American Airport addons - most of them anyway.

Next flight is a short hop down the channel (fjord?)from Skagway and around the corner to Haines. I found this old clanger (the excellent Dornier DO-27 by Digital Aviation) in the corner of one of the hangers and eceided to take that for a spin.

Did a bit of research on Skagway - the runway is far too short for a 737 and it appears the only regular service out of there is with various Cessnas, Pipers, Otters, Beavers, Islanders and the like.

Weather conditions aren't as good today with a 22 knot wind and some low cloud .........



With a 22 knot wind blowing down the runway the takeoff was very short in this old STOL aircraft - only a few metres........



Another cruise ship it betcha nobody will be swimming in that pool - my temperature gauge tells me it is 3 degrees celcius outside



The view back to Skagway





Out of the fjord and towards Haines.....



Pass a marina - the other way of transporting yourself around here



Haines airport..



Bit tricky landing this thing in a bit of wind and I float down the runway a fair bit after side slipping slightly to get lined up properly



I surprised myself and landed without the slightest hint of a bounce



Any flight time in this thing always requires some maintenance afterwards..........

Heck Naki ! that really shows off the little Dornier , pleasant change from the regular Pipers and Beech's jezz the weather their is bit like Christchurch yesterday

Well Done!

NOW you're talking - great scenery and a/c shots Naki.
I've held off buying the Dornier because I don't have empathy for the plane, but it looks a stunning FS model.
Great to see some good shots of it.

I tried it at dad's mates house while babysitting and couldn't get it started- otherwise I'd buy it. Again great shots!

Yep the Dornier is a rather nice piece of modelling and is rather realistic - too realistic (you over rev it breaks, you put the flaps down at the wrong speed it breaks etc). For what ever reason I don't fly it too much - probably too slow and Im scared I wil break it as it takes a while to get it fixed if you do (I guess you can turn the realism down though - but that takes all the fun out of it). I cheat a bit though - I get my "co pilot" to turn the thing on and off!

Next leg - Haines to Gustavas. Flight time approx 30 minutes. Weather is overcast but little wind.

Taking something with a bit more in the climb department and a lot more reliable as I need to get over some steep mountains - thats the plan anyway........

Realairs ACA Scout with Tundra tyres - a true bush plane - a bit shiny though - maybe its brand new and yet to beaten up in the bush.



Overcast as the weather report said but not too bad


Down the channel to gain some height before crossing the ranges


Climbing ........


One of the many glaciers around here.


The cloud disappears and it turns out to be a pretty good day for flying




I take a slight diversion to avoid some more cloud (rock hard clouds no doubt) and see a gap down the other side of the mountains into the flats where Gustavas Airport is located




Descending..




...approaching the runway for yet another crappy landing. I broke the tail wheel off this time! I seem to be going through my aircraft and undercarriage. Must do some tail dragger landing practice before I take this up again.


Parked up

Breathtaking scenery, sorry Paul, it's probably time for a map, you've lost me now.
Ain't that a goofy lil' plane, with those oversize feets??
Probably touched down a half minute before you realised it, no wonder you broke its appendage.

OVERSIZE TYRES put on to bounce off the mountains

My favourite corner of the sim world- did a tour down the Lynn Canal for the Sim Pilot magazine a while back which can be viewed here: Arctic Cargo Run - Explore the Fiords of Alaska. There's a map on the page to sort out your confusion Charl

All my flights in the region where during the summer months, so it's great to see the alternative winter texture perspective Paul.

Nice pics! Looks like fun!

Thanks for the comments guys

Searched everywhere for a decent map - but no luck - any clues anyone? Where did you get yours Andrew?

I wasnt going to fly out to Wood Lake Research Station on this trip but I couldn't resist another flight in the Dornier to try out its STOL capabilties into a shorter grass strip.

Once again the weather is not too bad -overcast and litle wind - still havent seen any rain or snow.

Very early morning start from Gustavas - still dark - I rush to the runway to get ahead of the Dash-7 taxiing down the runway for take off.

Sorry lots of pics couldn't decide which ones to delete and ended up posting most of them - hope you like them.



Climb out - the light in the backgroud is the landing light of the Dash-7 rushing down the runway - I quickly bank to the left to get out the Dash-7s way



Over Gustavas township - note the cruiseship in the background.


I take a rather long scenic route on my way to Wood Lake.










The sun breaks through




Approaching the channel/valley on which to fly up to Wood Lake






I am pretty high - but I throttle right back and drop the flaps and she sinks rapidly towards the runway


Another sweet landing in the Dornier - strange - its usually harder to land than the other a/c I have flown on this trip but Im doing greaser of landings in it - maybe I am concentrating more when I land this thing.


Ahhh but its not all that sweet as I jam the flap and its back to the hanger for more repairs.

Included in the Glacier Bay v2 folder under documentation- great screenies once again!

After reading Kiwibarguys & Towerguys continuing world tours I thought I would resurrect my little tour (might be interesting how my new tree and water textures look in Alaska):

After spendng a good part of the Alaskan summer and spring at the Wood Lake research station hunting, fishing and researching (??) it was time to hoon off to Hoonah which is located not far away to the south of the research station. Choice of aircraft Carenado's excellent Cessna 206





Been a fair while since I have flown the 206 and forgotten how good it is - should of gone on refresher flight as my STOL take off wasn't the best - just about clipped some trees.










hmm frozen lake in Alaska at this time of year? - must check the Glacier Bay configurator






A bit of traffic here - the ever common Beaver floatplane


A nice sleepy little fishing village


Tricky approach


..but safely down

Great going Paul , heck , Craig (towerguy) sent the maps .. ive scanned and formatted the NZ ... found an ideal way to post , but with the many maps wold be a great incentive to spread my own wing s for a world tour due to my changed working week .. jet lagged due to work times .. hahaha ... heck sometimes feels bloody true !

Good to see you back in the seat mate! Great shots and loving the scenery!

Great going mate

I like the idea of changing to so many beautiful aircraft per leg.



Cheers for the awesome shots.

Cool series.
I also have the Carenado, but always fly it in NZ, without the pod.
Nice to see it out there in the cold.
I recognize Wood Lake, but...where's Hoonah?
Time for a map, yes.

Thanks guys - heres the long promised map (the flight routes are in red) - not that great but shows where I am in relation to the rest of Alaska and Canada - next leg is Hoonah to Juneau - the capital of Alaska ..and a lot busier airport. To retrace my routes have been Yakutat - Carcoss - Skagway - Haines - Gustavas - Wood Lake (not shown on map) - Hoonah - and next up Juneau

Cant go flying in Alska without going in a floatplane and since I am enjoying the Carenado 206 I may as well go for another flight in the amphibian version - even if FS9 seems to treat water a/c going through water like its in golden syrup. This leg Hoonah floatplane base to Juneau floatplane base.



Not sure where the runway is so Ill just follow the ever present DHC Beaver



Hmm - looks like a bit of photoreal scenery





Pulled up next to this Beaver and then left it for dead


Approaching Juneau -note the glacier in the background - also note the extra bracing in the cockpit of floatplane 206s

Juneau - and Juneau Airport

whoops I still need to unfreeze my lakes - the floatplane base runs parallel to the main Juneau runway



At rest at the busy Juneau float plane base with the airport in the background

Hey

Cool screenshots there Naki. The carenado cessna 206 is ideal for alaska and bushflying.

I still reckon that the piper super cub or in my case super pacer is the way to go.

PiperDriver

Thanks Piperdriver - yea dont have a decent Super Cub - I prefer Realairs ACA Scout (as per my earlier screenshots in this thread) for my tail dragging - comes with optional tundras and floats.

Next leg is to relatively unknown airfield just south of Juneau - choice of aircraft the Dreamfleet Cessna 310 (and very fast 200+ knots) - an oldie but still a real nice add on.

A bit wet but the weather not too bad for Alaska


Very busy airport with a lot of movements - Beavers, Otters, DC-3s, Cessnas, Pipers, Beechcrafts and Mooneys of all shapes and sizes and Alaskan Airlines 737-200s and 300s.






A bit of low lying mist


One of many cruise ships you see around here - this one is docked at Juneau's harbour








Theres an airstrip around here somewhere down this channel/fjord


..around this corner


..and there she is - a nice long gravel airstrip - dont need no bush plane to get in here - just as well, as this thing dosent exactly do STOL like landings


..must say my landing was a greaser this time.

Is that the Flight1 Cessna 310? I have that in my hanger somwhere.....

yes (Dreamfleet was the maker - Flight 1 the publisher) - its rather good - only just got it as bought disc off trademe. I have most of the other Dreamfleet/Flight 1 GA aircraft - all are very good.

I think your tour has made me drag the C310 out of the hanger.

A very nice aircraft though.

PiperDriver

Todays flight is from the "unknown airstrip somewhere south of Juneau" to Sitka on the Alaskan coast. WE are also saying goodbye to the Glacier Bay region and saying hello to the Tongass Fjords area. Todays aircraft is the Carenado Cessna 182RG. Maybe I should of taken the 310 on this leg as its a bit longer...anyway once again I have great flying weather.

Another bush Mooney!


For what ever reason this shot wants me to be in Alaska at this spot fishing or just admiring the view.


I love watching the gear go up on high wing Cessna retracts.











Ahhh the wide open spaces of Aalska - hate to have an engine failure around here - its either very rough terrain or a very cold dip in the water




Long flight - put the plane on autopilot and lounge in the back!










Over yet another cruise ship - this one is docked just south of Sitka


Good to see -the US Coast Guard heading out on another mission - thers Coast Guard station at Sitka


Approaching Stika's airport

Holger Sandman's hand on the scenery sure doesn't hurt when making a screenshot huh?
Now your problem is going to be to maintain this standard on the rest of the trip!

Sitka is great Nice pics

Cool shots Naki. I deciding if should a tour of NZ or Oz. might have to wait until Snowman has completed all the airports for NZ

To appreciate Sitka I really needed to hop back into a floatplane & fly from Sitkas large floatplane base - so the choice this time is Realairs Scout amphibian - this leg Sitka to Kake

yet another Beaver breezes past - the weather is looking a bit dodgy








Passing over Sitka


The many islands dotted around Sitka's harbour


Taking a short cut and flying down this valley - wont go over top because of cloud




Hmm maybe I should of studied the maps better as I dont think I am going to make it over the ridge!


This whole tour should of ended at that point as I hit the top of the ridge - didnt really take into account of the extra drag and weight of the floats - but hey this is flightsim and I have miraculously recovered and dropped over theother ide of the ridge




Passing over a high level lake




....and over one of many tiny settlements only assesible by boat or aircraft




Oh oh - the weather is closing in as I get closer to Kake


Passing over Kakes airport - but Im not landing here as intend to get my feet wet


Passing over a ferry at Kake's port


Another DHC aircraft - this time an Otter


Parked up next to some other DHC products - a Turbo Otter and a Twin Ottter - DHC must of done some brisk business in Alaska in the 50's to 70's - now that these aircaft are getting on a bit and need replacement the Twin Otter is going back into production with Viking aircarft of Canada and they are even thinking about putting the Beaver back into production.

Is that Tongass by Holger Sandman??

Yes they are very nice - there is way of getting around this problem - you jump in something faster and jump to the next great scenery - to be revealed later.



Yes

I've been meaning to get that. Glacier Bay runs bettter on my machine than any NZ sceney

Finally squeezed another flight in - a quick jaunt from Kake to Petersburg/Johnson.

I have seem to of missed most of Alaska's Autumn and its now heading into winter (its 1 degrees celcius outside) - I need to get a hussle along and head south.



A few milestones
- first flight in the Carenado Cessna 182Q (my favourite Carenado a/c) on this journey
- first flight on this journey with my new FS set up
- first flight ever with Active Sky running properly

Some low cloud expected enroute







Hmm this cloud is getting a bit worrying


Now thats more like it








Approaching Petersburg


Passing Petersburg's large fishing boat fleet


I fluffed my first landing (too busy admiring the scenery) and had to go around - meanwhile a 737 was rapidly approaching .......




Down in one piece - note the 737 on the go around! - thanks to me holding everything up


The Alaskan Airlines 737 eventually made it - I better go before the 737 captain sees me


Petersburg was named after Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant who arrived in the late 1890s. He built a cannery (thanks to the plentiful number of icebergs from the nearby LeConte Glacier which would provide a source for cooling fish), a sawmill, and a dock between 1890 and 1900. His family's homesteads grew into Petersburg which, by 1910 was incorporated and was populated largely by people of Scandinavian origin thus giving Petersburg the nickname "Little Norway". May 17 (Norwegian Constitution Day) is celebrated annually in Petersburg on the third weekend in May. The cannery, along with three others have operated continuously since their completion. Petersburg is one of Alaska's major fishing communities. pop 3200 and has its own Alaskan Airlines jet service (it would be like Air NZ have a regular 737 service to Katikati!). Petersburg can only be accessed by air or sea hence the 737 service.

now thats what ya call COOL travels , Miltons Dash7 parked there ? AI , guess it deffinetly suits the terrain , be the choice aircraft type for the area

Is that the FSX 182?

Check out this free HD panel and paint:

4th one down
http://fullterrain.com/freeware.html

Only works for FSX native version.

Nice screenshots Naki. Good see your getting closer to completing your journey

Sure suits the terrain but the Shupe Dash7 would break the sim.
Picking it's PAI which I think was Dee Waldron...



Paul your FS9 is looking very good these days.
AS...I am getting sorely tempted - ANOTHER Christmas prezzie for the stocking?
Maybe the dog feels a need to reward the boss, he's getting a nice bone after all.

Good stuff Naki, i really like the second shot! The morning sky, clouds and mountains give it loads of atmosphere.

Keep it up Naki, it's great to see you flying!

Thanks guys - I am flatterd that Nick etc thinks it's FSX...and yes Nick if I had FSX and the FSX Skylane (the RG version not the fixed gear version pictured here) I would grab that high resolution cockpit

Long way to go yet on my trip C152...

Charl - yep the water textures are great and now that I am understanding Active Sky better (and no more CTDs since the rebuild) it is very good but I think I am still only skimming the surface of it.

Charl/Ian it is Miltons Dash-7 but it has been stripped out for AI use in Tongass and Glacier Bay areas.

Not FSX....wow! I though it was because of the water, looks amazing!

What's the latest specs? Your graphics card is really working it's butt off because everything's sooooooooo smooth.

Great job, pics are all great.

Cheers Nick - my specs:

AMD Dual Core 4400 2.3ghz, 2 gig RAM, 256mb Nvidia 8600GT, XP Home

The water textures are courtesy of Zinertec as is the world enviroment plus I have Active Sky 6.5 running.