AVSIM's Round the World Race Forum

SW Colorado Farms and Ranches Todays flight will bring us into SW Colorado to visit some of the back country ranches. These strips will be a challenge especially being at High altitude. We will be spending most of our flight above 8000 ft, and also crossover some passes at 14000 ft. We will see a wide variety of landscapes on this flight. I am going to try my Aerostar for this flight but a caravan will do nicely. The Flight is 344 miles with 14 stops we will also view The Great Sand Dunes of Colorado along with a few other points of interest. Flight Plan: Here: Scenery None Time and Weather For takeoff on Saturday, set the simulator at 11:00am local…

This flight will take us along the coast of Luzon, Philippines, showcasing the diverse landscapes of the region, from coastal towns and mountains to more developed areas. We depart from Casiguran (CGG), a coastal municipality known for its beautiful bays and mountains. It's a key location in the province of Aurora. Our first stop is Dinapique (RPDI). It is a remote coastal town on the eastern side of Isabela province. It is known for its rugged terrain and is one of the four coastal towns of Isabela. Next up is Cauayan (RPUY). The city is a major commercial hub for the surrounding area. We continue and reach Palanan (RPPA). Palanan is a municip…

Iceland Tour – Part 1 – West The tour departs from Keflavik (BIKF) and proceeds north then west clockwise staying mostly near the coast. We will visit the capital city of Reykjavik, Akranes, and Borganes, before heading west for a tour of the Snaefells Peninsuala. The Snaefells Peninsula is traversed by a mountain range composed of both active and dormant volcanoes, terminating at the notable Snaefellsjokull glacier. Positioned atop a stratovolcano, this glacier's last eruption occurred approximately 1,900 years ago, significantly influencing the region's topography. The coastline features a distinctive combination of white and black sand beaches, complemente…

We continue our tour along the Carpathian Mountains The Carpathian Mountains, Europe's second-longest mountain range, extend approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) across Central and Eastern Europe, encompassing countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania. This majestic range is celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and profound cultural heritage. The region serves as a critical biodiversity hotspot, home to significant populations of brown bears, wolves, and lynxes, and hosts some of Europe's largest undisturbed forests, particularly prominent in Romania, where 60% of the European brown bear population resides. Beyond their …

Tour de France – Hors Catégorie For August 9, 2025 Michael MacKuen This afternoon we shall fly three scenic flights based on this past month’s Tour de France. Our emphasis is on the strenuous mountain climbs that almost always determine the overall winner of the Tour. These climbs are rated as categories 1 through 4 with 1 being the most difficult. But the truly extraordinary are rated HC or hors catégorie – those climbs too challenging to fit in the usual category system. The hors catégorie climbs are iconic – their length, height, gradient, and placement in a stage, all push riders to their limits and can identify the very best riders on any given day. …

Final Part of Our Exploration of the Mississippi River We begin this final segment of our journey at Little Falls (KLXL), a town that developed around the natural falls of the Mississippi River. Named after these falls, the town's early growth was tied to sawmills powered by several dams built along the river. Today, the Little Falls Dam operates as a hydroelectric station, supplying power to the region. Little Falls is also notable as the boyhood home of aviator Charles Lindbergh. Across from his former residence lies Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, named after his father, Charles August Lindbergh, a prominent Minnesota lawyer and U.S. Congressman. Foll…

We explore six West African Countries. We start in Senegal, which is often called the "Gateway to Africa." It's a predominantly Muslim country with a rich culture and a friendly vibe, known for its music, hospitality, and the legacy of Léopold Sédar Senghor. French is widely spoken, and Islam is the dominant religion. The landscapes range from Sahelian plains to Atlantic beaches. Our departure airport is Kaolack (GOOK), a major regional hub and a big deal for Senegal's peanut trade. It's located on the Saloum River and has a great market scene. It is also a center for a major branch of Islam, with a huge mosque just outside the city. Next up, we cross int…

South Dakota Todays flight we will be touring the Badlands and the Black hills of South Dakota visiting many sights and towns along the way. We will finish just over the border in Wyoming at the Devils' Tower. The Flight is 314 miles with 9 stops. Touring plane capable of 150 knts will do. Ill will be in my piaggio or similar. Flight Plan: Here: Sceneries: None Needed Time and Weather: Takeoff time 2PM Will use real weather and or a preset. Here: Particulars: · Date and time: Saturday, August 2, 18:00 UTC · Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel · Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com…

Hawaii Scramble Todays flight is a scramble we will first start off with a tour of Oahu in Helicopters and then leaving from PHNL we will begin the scramble in touring planes to the other islands. Oahu Flight Plan: Here: Scenery: https://flightsim.to/file/11142/daniel-k-inouye-international-airport-honolulu-hi-usa-phnl https://flightsim.to/file/33072/port-of-honolulu-honolulu-hi Dole Pineapple Plantation Wahiawa, Hawaii for Microsoft Flight Simulator | MSFS if you have scenery's for the other island activate it just in case we go there. Time and Weather: Will try real weather but have supplied a preset if want. Here: Take…

The Carpathian Mountains in Romania Our journey takes us to the northeastern part of Romania, starting with a flight from Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (LRBS), one of Bucharest's two airports. This airport, named after the Romanian engineer, inventor, aircraft constructor, and early pilot, was Bucharest's sole commercial airport until 1969, when Otopeni Airport (now Henri Coandă International Airport) opened to civilian traffic. Aurel Vlaicu International served as Romania's second-busiest airport and Bucharest's hub for low-cost airlines until March 2012, when it was repurposed as a business airport. Heading north, we make a short stop at the local aeroclub (LR…

Gulf Breeze #2 Todays flight will take us thru 4 states as we fly along the coast. We will visit the towns of Biloxi, Daupin Island, Mobile, Pensacola, Destin, and Panama City along with a few others. The flight is 332 miles with 10 stops. We will fly the planes that we took last week or anything at about 175 in speed. Flight Plan: Here: Scenery: https://flightsim.to/file/78319/kgpt-gulfport-biloxi-international-airport\ https://flightsim.to/file/68171/ocean-springs-mississippi-usa-5r2 https://flightsim.to/file/75148/kbfm-mobile-international-airport https://flightsim.to/file/16523/kcqf-hl-sonny-callahan-airport https://flightsim.t…

Our journey along the Mississippi River continues at La Crosse Regional Airport (KLSE) in Wisconsin. French fur traders were the first Europeans to explore the La Crosse region in the late 17th century. The area wasn't officially documented until 1805, when Lt. Zebulon Pike led an expedition up the Mississippi River for the United States. Pike recorded the name as "Prairie La Crosse," derived from a Native American game played with sticks resembling a bishop's crozier, or "la crosse" in French. We cross into Minnesota and reach Winona (KONA). European immigrants, primarily from New England, settled the area in 1851, with the town being formally laid out between…

Ultima Thule and the Wrangells For July 23, 2025. Michael MacKuen We visit the western section of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in southern Alaska. This flight is over a wilderness populated by black bears and grizzlies, moose, caribou, and mountain goats with rivers rich in salmon and trout. Starting at Valdez on the coast, we fly into the interior, visit several bush airstrips and the remote Ultima Thule Lodge, climb up mountains, land on a glacier, and finish at Gulkana on the Copper River. (Thule was the northernmost point in ancient Greek/Roman literature, somewhere beyond Ireland and Britain. In classic and medieval literature, Ult…

Exploring Minas Gerais: A Journey Through Mines and Masterpieces Our adventure begins in Minas Gerais, Brazil's mineral heartland, as we depart from Conselheiro Lafaiete (SNKF). Our first stop, just 3 miles away, is an iron ore mine boasting expansive steel facilities, a testament to the region's rich geological bounty. From there, we head to the city of Congonhas, home to the magnificent Sanctuary of Bom ******* de Matosinhos. This basilica is renowned for its grand outdoor stairway, adorned with compelling statues of Old Testament prophets. Inside, seven side chapels vividly depict the Stations of the Cross, each featuring a polychrome sculpture crafted by the cel…

Gulf Breeze Todays flight will bring us to Texas and the Gulf Coast. We start with a quick tour of the sights around Houston Tx, before heading out to Galveston Island and turning east visiting the communities along the coast. We will end up in New Orleans where will take a tour before landing at KNBG. The flight is 414 miles with 9 stops. I will be in my 414 so any fast twin will do. Flight Plan: Here: Scenery: https://flightsim.to/file/81333/lake-charles-regional-airport https://flightsim.to/file/16818/kara-acadiana-regional-airport-new-iberia-la https://flightsim.to/file/82564/scholes-at-galveston-intl-kgls https://flightsim.to/f…

A Beach Vacation in France – the Atlantic Coast For July 12, 2025 Michael MacKuen Today we fly down the northwest Atlantic coast of France in the fine summer weather of July. Each year the French typically take a month for an extended family vacation in either July or August. The two types of people, set by family tradition, divide into the “jullietists” and the “aoûtiens.” The two argue about which is best. We start on Quiberon on the south Brittany coast and go southward through the classic beach resorts of La Baule and Les Sables d’Olonne and the coastal cities of Saint-Nazaire and La Rochelle. And then down the famous wine region the Médoc and finish nea…

Mex Jets Tour - 3 This is the third part of a tour down the Pacific coast of Mexico. We depart Puerto Vallarta (MMPR) and head inland to Guadalajara (MMGL). Then we turn back to the Pacific coast to Mazanillo (MMZO). We continue down the coast to Ixtapa (MMZH), Acapulco (MMAA), and Puerto Escondido Intl (MMPS), before heading inland to our final airport Oaxaca (MMOX). FlightPlan(s) Here This tour was designed for business jets. I will fly the default Pilatus PC24 in Ryan B’s N84KE livery. The default Cessna CJ4 is also a good choice as is the Longitude. As always you are free to fly whatever you like. Optional Freeware Downloads …

Sunday Scramble – Gunter AWOL - TdF Edition It’s July, it’s hot, and Gunter has abandoned us. Let’s have some fun. I suggest we fly in whatever region of France the Tour is currently racing in. The tour started in Lille on Saturday and will be heading towards the Channel at Dunkirk. I have a suggested route that includes whatever POI’s I could find that very generally follows the direction of the tour. It should give us a nice sense of the landscape the riders will experience. FlightPlan(s) Here I suggest we fly this in slowish open cockpit aircraft. I will be in a yellow jersey colored de Havilland Tiger Moth. No special scenery required but …

High Sierra The High Sierra refers to the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range in eastern California, known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and dramatic landscapes. It's a vast wilderness area encompassing some of the highest peaks in the contiguous United States, including Mount Whitney. Todays flight will take us back into the High Sierra backcountry. The Route is 368 miles with 6 stops. We have done similar flights in this area but 2024 brings new vistas and scenery with much better detail along with a new route. I will be in my Cessna 414 Chancellor so any plane that can do 170kts is fine like the piston Duke the PC12 i…

Chasing the Golden Glow of Midnight For July 5, 2025 Michael MacKuen This evening we shall seek the golden glow of Norway’s midnight sun. We start north of the Arctic Circle in the Lofoten Islands and proceed up the coast through Tromsø and then on to Hammerfest and the North Cape. Having flown the region before, we shall take this chance to enjoy the textures and lighting of FS2024 to make this a new experience. Midnight at the North Cape We depart from Leknes [ENLK] and do a quick hop to Svolvaer and its airport Halle [ENSH]. The Lofoten Islands have long been the center of Norway’s core cod-fishing industry. During the winter months, cod migrate…

Inspired by our recent Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage and back, we are going for a sightseeing flight over the Kenai peninsula. There are two cruise ports serving Anchorage: Seward and Whittier, and we will visit them both. On our trip, we stopped at Whittier, and it was a rainy day, as the pictures attest. Flightplans here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/73whwkec8ju3hwvvpt3z8/PFCB_PAWD.zip?rlkey=0yoy8egty1ixdklvrywd75zp3&st=8w17roh4&dl=0 Multiplayer Particulars Date and time: Wednesday, July 2, 2025. 1900 UTC RTW…

We continue our flights in Brazil. We depart from Piracicaba (SDPW) and head east. Piracicaba is a key industrial hub in the region and home to several universities. Beyond its economic significance, Piracicaba is a prominent cultural center in its region. The Central Mill, a former sugarcane mill, is now a protected historical and cultural site, serving as a venue for cultural, artistic, and recreational activities. Our first landing is at Americana (SDAI), and after departure, we reach the first POI, the Moinho Povos Unidos, a typical Dutch windmill. The Holambra Mill was built over 20 months under the direct supervision of Dutch architect Jan Heijdra, who was re…

Snake River - Hells Canyon Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, offers pilots a unique opportunity to access some of the most remote and striking wilderness in the United States. With several backcountry airstrips nestled along the Snake River and in the uplands, this region is a haven for those with guts and grit, seeking solitude and adventure. This tour features all airstrips in the Blackwood Studios Hells Canyon Scenery. We depart from Lewiston-Nez Perce County (KLWS) and follow the Salmon river south into Hells Canyon. Many of the airstrips are short and quite challenging. FlightPlan(s) Here This tour was designed…

Juneau Icefields and Glacier Bay NP Todays flight is a sightseeing adventure into some of Alaska's best glaciers. The flight is 343 miles with two stops. I will be in my Piaggeo but any plane that can do 150 will do. Juneau Icefield The grandeur of Alaska’s epic glaciers will thrill and delight you. Your adventure begins the moment your plane departs the waters of the historic downtown Juneau waterfront. En route, you will soar over the lush wilderness that is the Tongass National Forest until your first glimpse of five distinctly different and majestic glaciers within the 1,500-square-mile Juneau Icefield. Glide past deep crevasses and azure blue meltwater p…

This is a slightly adapted flight we took in December of 2022. We explore the area between Curitiba and São Paulo, Brazil. We depart from Joinville (SBJV). It is the third largest municipality in the southern region of Brazil, after the much larger state capitals of Curitiba and Porto Alegre. Joinville is also a major industrial, financial, and commercial center. We head north and arrive at Curitiba, the capital and largest city in Paraná, in Southern Brazil. The city sits on a plateau at 932 m (3,058 ft) above sea level. Curitiba is an important Latin American cultural, political, and economic center and hosts the Federal University of Paraná, established in 1912…