Jerez to Gibraltar

DAY 5, LEG 21 - Jerez to Gibraltar

After one too many sherries the night before, I arrived at Jerez airport early to take advantage of good weather at Gibraltar in the morning.  The Rock of Gibraltar gives the airport some unique weather patterns, especially during southerly winds, but today the wind is from the west and thankfully the cloud has stayed away as well so it looks like a good day to go!  Thanks to the good weather I decided to fly the route without the autopilot for the first time on the tour!  The aircraft had been fully fuelled for me and I left with full tanks.

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory and historically played an important strategic role in the Mediterranean by guarding all access from the Atlantic Ocean.  The territory has been subject to much discussion between Britain and Spain and flights inbound to Gibraltar used to be prohibited from Spanish airspace, making access very difficult.  Thankfully the restrictions have now been lifted and our flight today can fly directly from Jerez.

Taxi out at Jerez.

 Departing Jerez and turning west towards Rota.

The city of Jerez.

The port city of Cadiz.

Rota Airport - a joint Spanish / US Naval base.

Rock of Gibraltar visible on the horizon.

Over the city of Algeciras looking at the Rock of Gibraltar with the airport located slightly to the north of the rock.

Downwind at Gibraltar.

Crossing the road at Gibraltar.  This road runs across the runway and is the only access route from Gibraltar to the Spanish border.  It closes during scheduled aircraft movements!

Parked at Gibraltar with the huge rock in the background.

LEJR - LXGB stats

Take off time:    0832

Landing time:     0856

Flight time:         0:24

Fuel used:          165kg / 363 lbs

Fez to Jerez

DAY 4, LEG 20 - Fez to Jerez

Leg 20 finally takes us onto the European continent.  Originally the plan was to head to Gibraltar, but since the flight is running slightly later than planned, and Gibraltar has no lighting, I decided to land in Jerez slightly to the north of Gibraltar and spend the night there.  Jerez is located to the south of Seville in Andalucia, southern Spain.  It is most famous for the drink Sherry which originates in the city.  All the more reason to spend a night there!

Parked at Fez before departure.

Last of the setting sun over northern Morocco.

Climbing from FL170 to FL210 to avoid cloud build-up.

Landing runway 21 at Jerez and looking forward to a cold beer.

GMFF - LEJR stats

Take off time:    1745

Landing time:     1942 (+1 hour time difference)

Flight time:        0:57

Fuel used:          423kg / 931 lbs

Lanzarote to Fez

DAY 4, LEG 19 - Lanzarote to Fez

Leaving the Canary Islands behind, the last daylight leg of day 4 brought the last African destination until the end of the tour.  The city of Fez in northern Morocco is the second largest city in the country and is a growing tourist destination with the airport serving many French cities.  The weather was forecast to be very good for the flight with a strong tailwind giving us a groundspeed of 340 knots!  Thanks to this, the flight time was forecast to take under two hours.

Taking off from Lanzarote and turning right to avoid overflying the city after departure and allowing good terrain clearance from the mountains on the extended centreline.

Graciosa island, just off the northwestern coast of Lanzarote.  The town of Caleta de Sebo can be seen on the south-eastern part of the island.

Approaching the west coast of Morocco with the Atlas Mountains clearly visible on the horizon.

Overflying the capital of Morocco, Casablanca.

Descent into Fez as the sun sets.

Misty approach into Fez.

Parked at the general aviation apron at Fez.

GCRR - GMFF stats

Take off time:    1537

Landing time:     1731

Flight time:        01:54

Fuel used:          803kg / 1767lbs