Bangor, this morning: It’s a bit hazy on the ground, not dramatic, but also not ideal. Still, it promises to be a beautiful day. A direct flight to Goose Bay would theoretically be possible, but I decide to first fly to Deer Lake and refuel there in peace.
Bangor itself seems relatively calm, but don’t be deceived. The USAF is present with C-17s, and Bangor serves as a starting point for many ferry pilots. Repo flights also have their main base here. One of the major companies in this business is also based in Bangor and delivers captured aircraft here after successful operations, including in Europe. For us, Bangor is also important because of customs and immigration, especially when leaving or entering the USA.
The takeoff is smooth, and I follow my strategy: starting at 10,000 ft, I limit the climb rate to 1,000 ft/min to save fuel. At FL310, I further reduce consumption to 50 gallons per hour. That’s still fast enough, and today the wind direction is favorable – a tailwind makes this leg comfortable.
The weather in this area is incredibly beautiful, and the visibility is stunning. I’m thrilled. It’s been several years since I flew much lower in a Piper Seneca V coming from Keflavik in the opposite direction. Back then, every decision, fuel calculation, and leg planning had to be done meticulously – today, the Vision Jet allows me to focus fully on the scenery, the weather, and the flight itself.
The approach to Deer Lake is challenging. For you, I’ve activated the map view and zoomed in to illustrate the complexity of the approach. If the FMS has been correctly “fed,” you can sit back: the Vision Jet follows the planned route precisely into the final approach, executing all turns and waypoints smoothly.
I come in incredibly slowly for a jet, but never feel unsafe. I see in time that everything fits, and I enter the flare cleanly, touching down gently.
Microsoft “Ground” seems to be sleeping today: I don’t get an assigned parking spot and park – which, of course, would not happen in real life – between a CRJ 200 and a Dash 8 Q-400 at a gate.
The rest of the stop is routine. With a flight time of 2 hours 25 minutes, this leg is very reasonable. Deer Lake offers a long runway and refueling facilities – ideal for checking the aircraft and preparing for the next leg.
Conclusion: The day starts promisingly. The aircraft runs smoothly, the weather cooperates, and the combination of technology, scenery, and flying experience makes each leg a small adventure.
