AVSIM's Round the World Race Forum

We'll try the new simulator again in a lovely area of the world. Starting at Pitt Meadows airport CYPK, we'll overfly the city of Vancouver, before heading over to Vancouver Island, where we'll visit the cities of Nanaimo and Victoria, before flying to the Gulf Islands and our destination of KORS. I have found the G36 Bonanza to be reliable and capable of handling the flight plan. The flight plan is here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6dfe5e104tjnomrf39e1o/VFR-Pitt-Meadows-CYPK-to-Eastsound-KORS.zip?rlkey=j6kwop2q6sumjsiawepmi8pww&st=jtnn05pc&dl=0 Recommended scenery: - Three Vancouver Island a…

NZ North Island Volcano Tour Today's flight will take us back to The North Island of NZ. We will be exploring the southern side of the Island and its many volcanoes. The flight is 311 miles with 11 stops. This is a Comanche flight but also you can fly what you like. Flight Plan: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/87r2wmfxlm295creto51n/ANXkwxa6K8W4NzxGQ55GsRE?rlkey=ljqg1j23opsfi8g5ku7ehxw57&st=rdtbnltg&dl=0 Scenery: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7fihh9eygo0ooi6fkyqn8/AFnq2kXDzcbrLGFQeQPOh3o?rlkey=mgvstg8b4ty1if8059ysgymez&st=q57ptre2&dl=0 most of you already have these. Time and Weather For takeoff on Saturday, set th…

Return to the Dolomites For Saturday, December 7, 2024 Michael MacKuen Today we have some fun sport-flying through the Dolomites (Dolomiti in Italian, Dolomiten in German) in the north-eastern part of the Italian Alps. This is a trip through steep jagged peaks and green alpine meadows sprinkled with clear blue lakes and fringed with firs. The mountains are distinctive for their pale grey limestone hue – the name stems from the characteristic mineral dolomite. [We return to the region that we visited in June 2023. This adventure is offered again because only a few of us were free that day. It emphasizes mountain flying in a beautiful setting. And it is desig…

We continue our tour along the east coast of Australia. We are now in New South Wales and depart from Ballina (YBNA). We follow the coast south for the whole trip to finish the flight at Williamston (YWLM). Enroute, we make stops at Evans Head (YEVD), Grafton (YGFN), Coffs Harbour (YCFS), Port Macquarie (YPMQ), and Taree (YTRE). We see two POIs: the Big Prawn near Ballina and the Big Banana near Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour's economy was once based on timber and agriculture. Over recent decades, tourism has become an increasingly important industry for the city. Once part of a region known as the Bananacoast, today the tourist city is part of a wider region known as…

We try the new simulator again to find out what is working properly and what is not. We fly around in the Swiss and Italian Alps. Our departure airport is Sion (LSGS), Switzerland, and we follow the River Rhone and land at Raron (LSTA) and Munster (LSPU). Some climbing is necessary to reach Ambri (LSPM) and Lodrino (LSML) before we land at Locarno (LSZL) at the Lago Maggiore. Heading west we stop quickly in Italy and land at Chavez-Marini (LICH). We head south, land at Vergiate (LILG), and turn north, back into Switzerland. We land at Lugano LSZA), and then turn east. We land at Sondrio (LILO), make a low pass at Passo de Tonale (LIQM), and continue east to reach tod…

We test our skills with the new simulator and try to determine what is working properly. We start at a position where we will most likely be alone, at Imbaimadai (SYIB), Guyana. We zig-zag around the area with the well-known Tepuis, cross over into Venezuela, and land at Santa Elena de Uairen (SVSE), Uon-Quen (SVQU), Kavac (SVUX), and Uruyen (SVUX). We finish the flight Canaima SVCN). The more adventurous pilots may want to try three add-ons, that are not “officially” compatible with 2024, but on my system, they looked good: https://flightsim.to/file/28405/svcn-canaima-airport https://flightsim.to/file/16690/campamento-uruyen-svuy https://flightsim.to…

Tumanguya [ Too-man-i-goo-yah ] " old Man" or "guardian spirit" Today's flight will be flying up the Kern River to its start on Mt Whitney then we will fly along the Kings Canyon down to the central valley eventually ending up in Oakland California. The flight is 313 miles with 7 stops. We will want touring airplanes for this flight about 160K I'll be in my Piaggio. Bonanzas are a good choice for this flight. Flight Plan: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/sme8ffcwd5ve6p8chgbme/AB-e-TU8h-l-f3zCT-2Krt4?rlkey=uf0huvbmke7pmb9j1gdyk7erg&st=qtwk5m9y&dl=0 Scenery: Most of you have these already https://flightsim.to/file/12308/kbfl-meadows-field-…

We fly in the southwestern part of Germany and visit the Eifel Region The Eifel lies between the cities of Aachen to the north, Trier to the south, and Koblenz to the east. It descends northeast along a line from Aachen via Düren to Bonn into the Lower Rhine Bay. In the east and south, it is bounded by the Rhine and the Moselle valleys. To the west, it transitions in Belgium and Luxembourg into the geologically related Ardennes and the Luxembourg Ösling. In the north, it is limited by the Jülich-Zülpicher Börde. Within Germany, it lies within the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. Its highest point is the volcanic cone of the Hohe Acht (746.9 m). …

Baltic Defense For Saturday, November 23, 2024 Michael MacKuen We continue our flights over the new northern flank of NATO. We fly fast jets over the small Baltic states and then turn west over the sea to Sweden, Denmark, and the north of Germany. We begin at the newly expanded NATO base at Ämari [EEEI], just west of Estonia’s capital Tallin. Over the last decade it has been apparent that the small countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, are not capable of monitoring their own airspace – they are too small to have combat air forces. And the military threat has begun to rise. Accordingly, the rest of NATO has provided a system of Baltic Air Policing that i…

MSFS 2024 Scramble – Multiplayer Test Flight This will be a very impromptu flight. Assuming that some of us are successful in getting MSFS 2024 installed by Wednesday, we will attempt our first multiplayer group flight. I suggest that our first group flight start at Southwest Oregon Rgnl (KOTH) on the Pacific coast (this was where we attempted our first MSFS 2020group flight.) We scramble from there while discovering the idiosyncrasies of the new platform. Chose whatever default aircraft you prefer. It will come as no surprise that I will most probably be in the Cessna Caravan. We may wish to hop to other locations, but it would probably be a good idea …

We visit parts of the English Counties of Devon and Cornwall. We depart from Thruxton (EGHO) and visit Compton Abbas (EGHA) and Yeovilton (EGDY). We continue to the southwest and overfly Hemyrock Castle. Almost all POI are part of the ORBX GB South Region and may not be in the default simulator (whatever version). I included them anyway, the scenery is well worth a visit even without castles. We land at Dunkeswell (EGTU) and continue to reach Exeter (EGTE). Now the course leads us to many castles along the River Dart and then along the coastline. We land at Salcombe (EGZY) and Plymouth (EGHD). Plymouth Airport closed and ceased all operations on 23 December 2011. Si…

NATO in Twilight For Saturday, November 16, 2024 Michael MacKuen Today we fly fast jets over the North of Norway, Sweden and Finland. We shall get a chance to visit a number of air bases in the late Fall twilight of northern Scandinavia. And we have some fun in powerful aircraft. We begin above the Arctic Circle in Norway at Bodø [ENBO]. For three-quarters of a century, this air station had been the heart of the northern defenses for the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). With the introduction of the F-35, the main fighter base was moved south to Ørland. And in 2023 the NATO Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) was moved north to Evenes. We pay our respects to this l…

Today we visit the northeast of Pakistan and India and the Himalayas. We depart from Lahore’s International Airport (OPLA). Lahore is the capital and largest city in Punjab, Pakistan. It is the second-largest city in Pakistan with a population of about 13 million people. Lahore reached the height of its splendor under the Mughal Empire between the late 16th and early 18th centuries and also served as its capital city between 1586 and 1598. During this period, it was one of the largest cities in the world. The city was captured and looted by the forces of the Persian Afsharid ruler Nader Shah in 1739. Although Mughal authority was briefly re-established, it fell into …

Welcome to Mexico For Wednesday Nov. 13, 2024 Coast of Acapulco ‘Have never been to Acapulco or Mexico City but in this “fast put together excursion” we’ll do some sightseeing. From the port city of Acapulco de Juárez, (Acapulco) on the south coast of Mexico we will wind northward along highways, bi-ways and rivers to the Mexican interior to the capital city of Mexico, Mexico City. Along the way we’ll atop two volcanos: Popocatépetl an active stratovolcano, located in the states of Puebla, Morelos and Mexico, (central Mexico), in the eastern half of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt and Iztaccíhuatl which a 5,230 m dormant volcanic mountain locate…

During this flight, we will leave Queensland and reach New South Wales. We depart from Redcliff (YRED), a popular seaside resort. Redcliffe became Queensland's first colony in 1824; however, it was soon abandoned for Brisbane. Redcliffe holds the distinction of being the first European settlement in Queensland, first visited by Matthew Flinders on 17 July 1799. Explorer John Oxley recommended "Red Cliff Point" – named after the red-colored cliffs visible from Moreton Bay – to Governor Thomas Brisbane for the new Moreton Bay penal colony, reporting that ships could land at any tide and easily get close to the shore. The penal colony was established at Redcliffe on 13…

For Part II we will be in the German State of Bavaria. We depart from Schenkenturm (EDFW), Würzburg’s GA airfield. After departure, we overfly the Würzburger Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interiors considered masterworks of Baroque/Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art include the grand staircase, the chapel, and the Imperial Hall. Napoleon reportedly called the building the "largest parsonage in Europe". It was heavily damaged by the Allied bombing during World War II, and restoration has been in progress since 1945. Since 1981, the Residence has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its outstanding Baroque art, design, and architecture…

Across the Andes – Reverse This is a reprise of a flight we made three years ago but in the opposite direction with a few different airports. We start in San Miguel de Tucumán (SANT) in Argentina. The route proceeds southwest with multiple stops, crossing several foothill ranges of the Andes until we reach Rodeo (SAQL), our last landing in Argentina. The route turns northeast and climbs over the main ridge of the Andes and frontier with Chile. We land at Tres Quebradas Airport (SCTQ) an extremely high elevation (11689 ft) airport serving mining operations in the Atacama Region. It is only 35nm south to the next high-altitude airport El Indio Airport (SCVC) at 1…

Running With The Wind I say, how can you say Where I'll be from day to day When I don't even know myself But the life that I lead Is so full of mysteries That's why I'm always on my way And I'll be running like the wind Today's flight will be In Southern California. This is a low too the ground flight, meandering all around. There are 9 stops over 323 miles. I will be in my stearman with the wind in my face. Any touring type plane will do that can do 130mph will be fine, but a open air aircraft is what you really want. Flight Plan: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ulep84090fvq5b34bhiy3/AFzlgevC6CRBtmFu2R9BOVI?rlkey=qr3f8jznn9m5ll29yvy5rwrz7&am…

Scotland Tigers-9: UK-Scotland-Shetland Islands: Sumburgh (EGPB) to Unst (EGPW) Shetland Coat of arms: Background: This is our final Scotland trip and upon conclusion we will have covered the entire county of Scotland that being: the country on the mainline island of the UK, to the Inner and Outer Hebrides Isles in the west, to the Orkney Islands in the North and finally in this trip we discover the northernmost part of Scotland, (and of the entire UK), Shetland. Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway. It is the northernmost region of the United Kingdom…

This flight is for November 3, 2024 This is our second tour in Wales. The flight was planned without the extra add-ons with the ORBX Region GB South. However, for the benefit of those owning that region add-on, I included some of the POIs situated close to the planned route. Even with that add-on installed, some POIs are very hard to spot. We depart from Shobdon (EGBS) and head southwest, visit the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, and land at Abergavenny Airport (EGAG). Now we head east to reach the Wye Valley National Landscape and follow the River Wye south until it flows into the Severn. Waypoint 6 should be at the Tintern Abbey. The Severn Bridge needs an i…

When Gunter's away, we scramble on Sunday. Meetup at Brown Field Muni (KSDM). Sim Time 2pm. Real Weather. I will be in a Caravan. You can be in whatever aircraft strikes your fancy. DTP Themepark for voice. Jeff

Western Australia Tour – Part 3 We resume our tour at Bruce Rock (YBRO) a town in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Our first stop is Cunderin (YCUN) 48nm to the west, followed by longer 79nm leg south to Narrogin (YNRG). The route proceeds 75nm southwest reaching the Indian Ocean coast at Bunbury (YBUN). Heading south we reach the famous wine region of Margaret River and land at Margaret River Airport (YMGT). Continuing to the south we reach the holiday town of Augusta on the southwest coast. Turning eastward and somewhat inland we reach Manjimup (YMJM). A long last leg will take us to historic Albany (YABA) located on Princess Royal Harbor …

Tanzania Wildlife Mission For Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Michael MacKuen Today we fly a transport mission for the Kenyan and Tanzanian wildlife agencies. There is apparently some sort of disease threat in the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. (Caution: this is fiction.) The local agents have been gathering dung samples from the elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, and hippos. Our mission is to visit a number of gathering stations and then transport the fresh time-sensitive cargo to Arusha for laboratory examination. In addition, we take some carefully-sealed matter to the Kilimanjaro Airport for shipment to European specialists. As some of the stations are at remote s…

This is part II of our flight around Germany, visiting the new WU 18 POI. For the second flight, we depart from Cottbus (EDAP). 12 miles further southeast we reach the Rakotz Bridge. This bridge has been featured on one of the loading screens since WU18. With its reflection, the bridge forms a complete circle. From the video, you can imagine that it is really hard to see in the simulator. We reach the river Elbe and the well-known Elb Sandstone Mountains. One of the main attractions is the Bastei Bridge, which connects many prominent formations of the mountains. We overfly Dresden with its two prominent churches, the Frauenkirche and the Catholic Church. We land at t…

Today we will visit 8 of the 10 islands of the Republic of Cabo Verde. Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, is a volcanic archipelago located off the west coast of Africa, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the mainland. The country consists of ten inhabited islands and five uninhabited islets. The archipelago was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century. It was a Portuguese Colony until 1975. The islands were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Cabo Verde has a hot and dry climate with little rainfall, especially in the islands' interior. The coastal areas have fertile plains suitable for agriculture. Tourism is a major industry, attract…