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Post by rattler1 on Jan 24, 2012 16:32:27 GMT -5
Finally through the clouds, Bulolo.  Finals. A short touchdown is not an option!  Airborne again; next stop Saidor.  Saidor, with the cruise ships in the harbour. 
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Post by jazzthom on Jan 24, 2012 17:00:16 GMT -5
LEG 4 early take off with fire works in the background and heavy loaded....  flying towards a wonderful morning scenery    WP 1  sunrise  its getting cloudy  approaching WP 2  just a quick touch and go, heavy loaded an adventure  but we made it......  flying north  leaving the high mountains  the northern shores in sight  descent  approaching from the seaside , downwind to RW 12  touch down on the grass within reasonable time  happy landed 
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Post by Allen Peterson on Jan 25, 2012 0:03:02 GMT -5
Leg 2 ARE over Aurukun YAUR  Uploaded with ImageShack.usLeg 5 Approach to AYMN, runway finally visable. Delivered 316 pounds of supplies.  Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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Post by paulvdberg on Jan 25, 2012 3:39:50 GMT -5
Leg 3: to Port MoresbyStarting up at Murray. The "competition" already taxiing out...  ...but soon after take-off spotted on the same course.  See you in the hotel bar, mate ! ;D  Approaching finals rwy 14R, a 'regular' takes 14L. 
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uhug
Member
I‘m only retired... but not out of service!
Posts: 265
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Post by uhug on Jan 25, 2012 10:19:11 GMT -5
 Some news about Leg #4 from Port Moresby to Saidor - early in the morning! Once more my plane will be heavily laden - up to my MTOW 1406kg, incl. fuel  So then, I reached the holding point rwy 14L  Airborne, and on course for the first waypoint "WTB" Woitape Airfield. Going up to FL125  150 kg of load in the back, and the same amount on the co-pilots seat - well secured!  Far below the Airfield "Woitape" - a new heading: 327° for the next 42 minutes.  I feel relatively confident up here - notwithstanding my engine is under-performing. KIAS: 89kts / Groundspeed: 121kts / Wind: 170°8kts. max lean Engine: 17"@2100rpm  Whether one wants to or not - I have to find my way: down to 2800ft QNH for a right hand downwind rwy 15 "BUO" Bulolo Airfield.  So far - so good! Check for approach..  Easy on the throttle - turning to final rwy 15, Gear is down, flaps are set..  .. short flair, touchdown - timecheck - apply full power (give everything one's got)  .. and up it goes for another FL125  ..free from giddiness?  Finally I negotiate the "Finisterre Ranges" and Saidor came insight!  Slowly but surely - down to 1500ft in a long final for rwy 12  I only would like to land now!  So I did, after 2'27" flyingtime!  Here I am Man, here dare it to be!.. at least for 24 hrs. Cheers for Leg #4
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Post by paulvdberg on Jan 25, 2012 11:31:08 GMT -5
Leaving Port Moresby on time.  10.000 ft...Gear down ! Rapid descend and gear acting as speedbrake to prevent shock cooling on engines because too low MAPs. Works great.  At full power after performing the required T&Go at Bulolo.  Starting the descent into Saidor. Again the ''gear down'' trick.   'Runway (almost) vacated' 
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Post by dadmod on Jan 25, 2012 20:21:50 GMT -5
A tribute to Milton Shupe and his team who built the A-26. What a beautiful bird. Unfortunately, I had to reduce the quality so much that you can not see the individually lighted instruments. Amazing quality construction! Actually, you can't see anything here ;D It's in the next post
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Post by dadmod on Jan 25, 2012 20:27:00 GMT -5
Here it is...and another to boot! Attachments:
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Post by dadmod on Jan 25, 2012 20:31:20 GMT -5
Ahhhh, 14L followed by a beer or two at the bar. Good flight... Attachments:
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Post by paulvdberg on Jan 26, 2012 5:47:13 GMT -5
Indeed dadmod, the A-26 is a fine bird ! But a thirsty bird aswell!! See below...  Lining up at Saidor. One of the GAAR DC-3s just airborne.  Circling over Saidor and gaining altitude (and burning too much fuel in the process.. !) to make it over the mountains.  Never had to do this in any GAAR!  Feathered the props to save precious fuel while gliding into the touch & go at Gusap deep down in the valley. This is the only way to make it to Goroka! 'Guess I did the fuelplanning a bit on the critical side... Where have I seen this before? Ah, movie Always!: "Pete, Pete... what do you need?" Reply Richard Dreyfuss: "glider experience!!!" [/i] Legendary.   Shortly before landing in Goroka... indeed not very reassuring.  Coming into Mendi...  ....with plenty fuel and in a good mood now. ;D 
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Jan 26, 2012 12:08:48 GMT -5
 Departing AYMN - Mendi  On final for touch and go at AYTA - Tari  On upwind leg for AYTB - Tabubil RW 32  Crosswind leg.  Final for RW 32  Touching down!
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uhug
Member
I‘m only retired... but not out of service!
Posts: 265
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Post by uhug on Jan 27, 2012 6:39:31 GMT -5
 Sadior to Mendi - PART ONE! After a very close look to the map, I decided to fly the most secure way to cross the "Finisterre Ranges" into the valley for a touch and go at Gusap - because I know about the efficiency of my engine in this kind of altitude...  Once more:HB-DBL "heavy". Full load and fuel - that brings me up easy to my MTOW: 1204kg  Take-off on rwy 30 - slowly apply full power..  .. and up I go to 4500ft. Following the coast to the north.  Not easy to squeeze through the clouds and remain VMC..  In the vicinity of "Bengum" I was able to turn left to cross the Ranges on 4500ft.  As Andrew said: "Exercise caution at all times" - I really not want to fly into "cumulus granitus" (for Swisspilots a synonym for mountain peaks encased with clouds.)  Well, I did it - and the valley is situated right in front of me!  Well then: Check for approach and down to 1500ft.  The runway of Gusap comes in sight - ready for just a little touch on the soil...  .. so I did - and up I go again - 5500ft this time! (no time to make pictures during the maneuver - too busy in the cockpit!)  After passing the "Bismarck Ranges" dense fog came up! A first enquiry to land at Goroka, turned down flat. IFR conditions!  Now I need some good advice. I still had a minimum of ground contact - my decision: go-ahead  The second enquiry to land at Goroka was successful!  Landing with no further minor complications. Timecheck and taxi to the ramp.  "Fill her up please"! - and the first offload.. I take a little rest here and a nice brekki.. see you for PART TWO
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Post by Rattler on Jan 27, 2012 12:56:04 GMT -5
After landing at Saidor. Obviously popular with the cruise ships.  Next day, more mountains. Looking for altitude from Saidor.  En-route Gusap  My navigation was right; this is Goroka!  As Andrew said; equatorial snow.  IFR (I Follow Roads) approach to Mendi.  Mendi, in a bowl.  This is going to be tricky!  Made it! Safely down at Mendi. 
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uhug
Member
I‘m only retired... but not out of service!
Posts: 265
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Post by uhug on Jan 27, 2012 20:34:04 GMT -5
 Saidor to Mendi PART TWO! After a good break, I was ready to leave Goroka in direction to Mendi. TOW: 1129kg  At 10.50 am: Ready for departure rwy 17 exit south.  To stay alive, I have chosen FL125.. (one more time)  My efforts are to follow more or less my planned track! Still going up..  After a while, time is come to descent - rwy 35 is my target..  Especially to rattler1: "I did suffer with you - but now I'm self-pitying.." killing me softly!  That speaks for itself..  .. this as well!  .. and this as well too, but cautiously "check for approach"!  And then, I glimpsed something like a runway to my left..  Turning to that direction - it must be there, hard to see.., but I'm sure! - that must be the landingstrip of Mendi!  Stressed-out.. I hit something like a gravel runway..  I parked my plane alongside the runway! No huts, no people - very desolated up here! Can of tinned food this evening! Target times? Who cares!!!! Cheers from Mendi!
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Post by rattler1 on Jan 28, 2012 11:46:07 GMT -5
Climbing out of Mendi. Is that a road or a mountain-goat track?  Here's Tari, nice easy one.  More snow.  Tabubil is in another bowl! 
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