DHL Freight Run of the South Island - 2009/2010

[ScottyB]

DHL Freight Run of the South Island - 2009/2010

Hi guys,

I have recently purchased FeelThere's Cessan Grand Caravan Deluxe. One word - Amazing. So I am emabarking on a tour with it. This tour is going to be a DHL cargo delivery run around the South Island. I will be flying in real world weather etc.

The trip will begin in Wellington (sorry about the confusion with the 'South Island title - but we will be in the South soon enough). The journey will then take us cross Cook Straight, and the continue down the West Coast, Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Is, Central Otago, South Canterbury, Chch, Marlbrough, and back to Wellington. This is just my plan however.

Hope you enjoy a true kiwi adventure!

Cheers, SB.

[ScottyB]

LEG ONE

Wellington Intl - Nelson

I said my good byes to my family as I would be leaving them for a week or two, embarking on a solo freight delivery mission around the South Island of New Zealand.

Earlier, I had spent the day preparing the plane that I would be flying over the next few weeks - a DHL Cessna Grand Caravan. I returned home to a delicious meal and sat down with the family and waved goodbye. I drove out to the Wellington Intl thinking what may lie ahead. Perfect weather? Doubt it. Sun? Maybe. Storms? For sure. This is going to be a real adventure I thought.

I parked the car at the DHL depot and headed on to the tarmac towards my aircraft. She looked great. Shimmering in the evening light, and did not look out of place around the big jets across the other side of the runway.

"See ya in a while, me old fellow!" Yelled a voice. The voice of Billy Garvin, a mail handler in the depot. One of my close mates and a good old kiwi bloke.

"Righto Bill-man! Will do! She'll be a bit of an adventure I tell ya!" I bellowed back across the tarmac with a polite wave.

I ran through the pre-flights and fired the Cessna up. It sounded great. After the all clear from Wellington tower I taxied and held short of the runway as waited for a Jetstar A320 to touch down. After it passed, it was my turn. I had to hurry as another A320, this time Air New Zealand, was coming in behind me.

Full throttle and we were off. I departed to the north and swept around towards Nelson. It was nearing dark and I was flying VFR,so I had to hurry. The flight was pleasant with some patches of cloud and minor turbulance. Nothing too scary! The Grand Caravan steamed across Cook Straight and within a few minutes (maybe a tad more), we were coming into a warm Nelson.

After a smooth landing and taxi, I shut off the Cessna. The company I am delivering cargo to is bringing out a truck at first light to collect their freight. I had better hit the hay and get a good rest before tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am delivering some freight to Awaroa Lodge in the Abel Tasman National Park. They say thwey have a big enough strip for me to land...and I hell hope they do!

Goodnight all!


Here are the pictures.



















And please comment! So I know I'm not doing this for no reason.

Cheers guys!

[Naki]

Nice shots and story.

[pilotgallagher01]

Awsome mate!

Where did you get the DHL repaint from

[ScottyB]

pilotgallagher01, the DHL repaint came with the pack. But I have seen the repaint on flightsim i think. I will try find a link.

[deeknow]

Good stuff Scotty, sounds like a worthy adventure for the Caravan, hope you will get some company for those night flights so you dont go falling asleep.
Love the sunset pics by the way

[ScottyB]

LEG TWO

Neslon - Awaroa Lodge (Abel Tasman Nat. Park)

I was up bright and early as my first lot of cargo was being picked up by a truck at the airport at 7:00am. All went smoothly.

As it was going to be just a small hop over to Awaroa Lodge, I thought I would take in some sights of 'sunny' Nelson on foot. After a few hours, the temperature dropped suddenly. It went from a stifling 29 degrees to just 10 degrees in a matter of minutes. Thick cloud rolled in from the south, accompanied by showers, then rain, then hail and thunderstorms. C**p I thought...why didn't I make the flight earlier!

So I headed back to the motel where I picked up my gear, and headed off to the airport. When I arrived it was bucketing down. I ran through the pre-flights and jumped in the Cessna. Fired her up and taxied to the runway. I had to hold short for a while as first a Nelson Air Beech 1900D touched down, followed by a private Cessna 152. After the pair passed it was my turn. I pushed on the gas and we had lift off over Nelson. As soon as the wheels left the tarmac we got blown like buggery! I managed to gain control and lift up into the cloud.

I powered across Tasman Bay in some heavy turbulence. However, the Cessna handled extremely well. Finding Awaroa was going to be a hard task in the weather as the strip has no lighting. I buzzed around the area for a bit and finally managed to find the grass strip. It sure looked short from up high!

I eased off the throttle and extended full flaps. With a lot of anxiousness and nerves I touched her down and slammed on the brakes! I managed to stop! Phhheeww!

I switched the Caravan off and got her set for tomorrows flight to Greymouth.

The Lodge staff are collecting their cargo in the morning. Fortunately not at first light, so I get a slepp in...for a while anyway.

I'm off for a beer and toastie in the cafe. Catch ya tomorrow!

[ScottyB]

Comments?

[pilotgallagher01]

Oh my bad, I didn't see it was from Feel there lol

Is it worth the price Scott??

Handles better than the default?

[ScottyB]

It is definately my best payware addon so far. Love it!

[ScottyB]

I woke up this morning and went for a walk to the airfield. The wind was howling and rain was lashing down in gallons. I will have to delay the flight until later tonight.

[Snowman]

Its defianately a nice model, and yes, ............. far superior to the default 208.
Loads of freeware paintjobs out there for it too.

Lawrie.