April 16, 2020 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello and welcome back to installment 6 of my COVID-19 Relief Flight Series. I’m happy to report that both my wife and I are still healthy and alive. Best of all, being cooped up with each other now for three weeks hasn’t caused any frustrations between us. We both go about our work days and then spend time together in the evenings. It’s all good!
Our flight today is from Moscow (UUWW) down to Abu Dhabi (OMAA). I picked up the Abu Dhabi International airport scenery and this is the first time I’m flying into this airport. In the real world, much of the cargo operations within the UAE is handled via the newer Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) also known as Dubai World Center. But there are a few cargo flights going into and out of Abu Dhabi and that is what we’re simulating for this flight today.
Our flight today will be in an Etihad Cargo Boeing 777. This is a fictional flight as this flight does not operate between Moscow and Abu Dhabi. But that’s OK (as I’ve explained in the past).
Route:
Ready?
Before we can go, we must load cargo.
The ground crews here in Moscow are top notch.
Almost done!
We’re all buttoned up. Pushing back.
Still a bit of snow on the ground from the storm yesterday. Love the attention to detail the developer of this scenery thought to include some tire tracks through the snow. Just make the immersion even better.
Ready to go on runway 01.
While we’re heavy with cargo, our fuel load is relatively light for the 5 hour flight.
A snow covered Moscow as we climb out and make our turn to join the departure.
Our engines are gently purring along.
The big girl is doing well.
In no time we’re in our cruise. Should have smooth skies for the rest of the trip.
High above the Caspian Sea.
Down to the last 150nm as we are leaving Iranian airspace and about to cross the Persian Gulf.
Abu Dhabi International just off the starboard side.
Sand everywhere…
Runway insight
What that saying about when the big Triple Seven sees its shadow? Many more happy landings!
Touchdown!
Slow her down…
Another successful cargo flight is in the books.
Yep, another successful cargo operation is in the books. Where do we go from here? Well….you’ll just have to tune in next time to find out.
Until next time….please take care of yourself and your family. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe.
Jerry
Credits
Flight Simulator: Prepar3D v4.5 (hotfix 1)
Aircraft: PMDG 777 Freighter
Airline: Etihad Cargo (ETD)
ATC: VATSIM
Airport Scenery: UUWW (Moscow) JustSim , OMAA (Abu Dhabi) Simbreeze
Terrain Scenery: Orbx Global Base, Orbx Vector
Sky/Cloud Textures: REX 5 SkyForce and REX 5 Environment Force
Immersion Effects – Parallel 42 737 Immersion
Weather Generation: ActiveSky (ASP4)
Flight Planning: SimBrief, Navigraph, FlightAware, FlightRadar24
Note: If you are interested in any of the above mentioned add-ons. Visit my P3D Add-ons directory for links.
April 14, 2020 / admin / 0 Comments
With our 5th installment of this COVID-19 Relief Flight Series, we’re bringing in the Queen. The Queen of the Skies, the awesome Boeing 747-400 freighter by PMDG. I really don’t get enough opportunities to fly the Queen. But this is about to change as we’re going to be flying her on a few different routes coming up over the next week or so. As I mentioned in an earlier installment, I’m working from home due to the self-isolation policies and while I’m busy during the time I’m actually working…I can kick off these longer haul flights and either land during lunch (as is the case with this flight) or after my day is done with the truly longer haul flights.
My gaming machine sits just behind me and once we’re in cruise, I turn things over to my first officer (autopilot) and just let it do its thing. I can work, take calls or do whatever and P3D and whatever flight I’m flying just runs behind me.
Flight Planning
Our flight today is a medium haul flight from Liege, Belgium (EBLG) to Moscow, Russia and the Vnukovo International Airport. This is a new airport in my collection of add-on scenery. I picked it up free as part of the “Stay at Home” flight sim developers sale that has been taking place the past week or so. While ASL Airlines Belgium doesn’t fly to this airport, other cargo airlines do connect between here and Liege.
Route:
Back in the USSR
The ground crew is busy loading up our Boeing 747 freighter for the trip to Russia. They are taking advantage of all cargo doors (including the nose section) in getting us loaded as quickly as possible.
My first officer and I walking over to our aircraft.
We’re loaded, all doors are closed and locked. Our ground crew here at Liege is pushing us back from the cargo stand.
Lined up on 05R and ready to go.
Our four engines working hard to get us airborne.
Leaving Liege, next stop Moscow.
Making our turn to join the departure.
The Queen is majestic in any livery.
Descending over the greater Moscow area.
Looks cold down there.
Runway ahead…I think!
It’s snowing!
Almost touchdown!
This was another awesome flight with a nail-biting finale. Visibility was pretty much zero until the very end. I failed to capture shots on the ground during the unloading process. But will endeavor to do better next time.
For our next installment, we’ll depart Moscow and head down to warmer climates to Abu Dhabi. I hope you’ll join me. Until then…thank you for reading and please take care of yourself.
Credits
Flight Simulator: Prepar3D v4.5 (hotfix 1)
Aircraft: PMDG 777
Airline: ASL Airlines Belgium (TAY)
ATC: VATSIM
Airport Scenery: EBLG (Liege) Orbx, UUWW (Moscow) Justsim
Terrain Scenery: Orbx Global Base, Orbx Vector
Sky/Cloud Textures: REX 5 SkyForce and REX 5 Environment Force
Immersion Effects – Parallel 42 737 Immersion
Weather Generation: ActiveSky (ASP4)
Flight Planning: SimBrief, Navigraph, FlightAware, FlightRadar24
Note: If you are interested in any of the above mentioned add-ons. Visit my P3D Add-ons directory for links.
