FS9 World Tour: September 2011

Friday, 23 September 2011

Progress report

American legs progress so far...

Progress for the tour so far

Legs: 50

Total time: 98:36

Total distance: 27677nm

Fuel used: 41966kg / 92325lbs

It is our final leg of the day now allowing us to night stop in the beautiful island of Bermuda. The island lies over 600 miles from the nearest point on mainland America and is a British Overseas Territory and playground for the rich. There are several flights a day between Teterboro and Bermuda and we are definitely the lowest and slowest. I decided to fill up with fuel at Teterboro for the long oceanic crossing but weather at our destination was forecast to be good. With one runway and no nearby alternates we would have no choice but to wait if the runway were to be shut for any reason when we arrive. We start the flight with some incredible views of Manhattan.

After making our way northbound past the eastern edge of Manhattan we turn right to overfly JFK and then head out to sea.

Approaching JFK.

Overhead JFK.

Leaving the east coast of the US behind.

Shot of the underside of the aircraft.

A cruise ship moored in Bermuda.

Port Royal Golf Club.

Wyndham Hotel.

Hamilton Town, the capital of Bermuda.

A rubbish barge just outside Hamilton with birds flocking around it.

Bermuda Aquarium.

Bermuda Airport with a British Airways 777 parked on stand having just arrived from London Gatwick.

On downwind overflying the St Georges ferry terminal.

KTEB - TXKF stats

Take off time: 1448

Landing time: 1731

Flight time: 02:53

Fuel used: 1085kg / 2387lbs

Niagara to Teterboro

DAY9, LEG 49 - Niagara to Teterboro

Now for the short hop east into the very crowded airspace of New York. Teterboro is the main general aviation airport for New York and is home to a number of corporate jet companies who fly from Teterboro to destinations around the world. It is a good place for us to stop since it is less crowded than other New York airports and allows us a quick turnaround.

On a very long final approach to Teterboro flying past Newark Airport. We have been asked to slow down by ATC to allow a Gulfstream V from San Antonio, TX to land ahead of us.

As we pass Manhattan in the distance the ride becomes a little bumpy with gusts up to 17kts from our left.

You can begin to see the busy ramp area on short final.

Holding for an outbound Gulfstream as we taxi in.

Parked at Teterboro with the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

KIAG - KTEB stats

Take off time: 1330

Landing time: 1432

Flight time: 01:32

Fuel used: 472kg / 1038lbs

Minneapolis to Niagara

DAY 9, LEG 48 - Minneapolis to Niagara

The next couple of legs promise to squeeze in as much scenery as we can starting with the Niagara Falls. The falls are the largest in North America by volume and stretch across the border between the USA and Canada. It is estimated that the falls erode up to 60 tonnes a second of rock during their travels from Lake Erie meaning in 50,000 years time the falls may even cease to exist having eroded themselves level. Just as well we got here when we did!

After a brief delay in the holding bay near the runway we are authorised by Minneapolis ATC for takeoff.

Takeoff from Flying Cloud.

Climbing out over the vast twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul.

Crossing the St Croix River into the state of Wisconsin. At this point we have an incredible groundspeed of 333kts which is the fastest so far on our trip.

Crossing the West Coast of Lake Michigan. The tailwind has increased to 84kts which means our groundspeed is now 372kts! Still some way off the fastest real-world recorded groundspeed of over 437kts though.

Approaching Toronto in the early stages of descent.

Downtown Toronto and the busy City Airport.

Niagara Falls on the border with Goat Island and Rainbow Bridge.

Another shot of the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side near the Skylon Tower.

Taxi in at Niagara International with the tempting look of some fried chicken just outside the airport!

KFCM - KIAG stats

Take off time: 0951

Landing time: 1307

Flight time: 02:16 (+1 hour time difference)

Fuel used: 954kg / 2099lbs

(Slightly higher than forecast fuel usage due to low-level sightseeing at Niagara).

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Wichita to Minneapolis

DAY 9, LEG 47 - Wichita to Minneapolis

Thanks to Beechcraft we have a new interior for our passengers to enjoy on our return to Tanzania and they have also carried out our most recent maintenance check which means we can continue our tour without any further delay. We head to the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota. Normally we would have landed at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport but the landing charges were so expensive we decided to stop at Flying Cloud Airport, a short distance from Minneapolis city centre.

Parked first thing in the morning outside the Beechcraft hangar where the aircraft was first built.

The new cream leather interior courtesy of Beechcraft.

Departing Wichita.

Climbing out over Wichita city.

Passing a Jet Blue A320 en route to Oakland, California.

Passing Offut AFB.

The new cabin in the cruise

Just north of Offut, we pass Omaha International Airport.

As we enter the state of Minnesota some of the "10,000 lakes" become apparent.

The largest shopping mall in the USA, the "Mall of America".

Approaching Flying Cloud Airport with Minneapolis city centre in the background.

Turning final at Flying Cloud Airport.

Parking at Flying Cloud Airport next to a Citation pushing back for departure to Asheville, North Carolina.

KICT - KFCM stats

Take off time: 0743

Landing time: 0932

Flight time: 01:49

Fuel used: 773kg / 1700lbs

Las Vegas to Wichita

DAY 8, LEG 46 - Las Vegas to Wichita

This is to be the final leg of the day as we have been invited to the "home" of the B1900D, Wichita, Kansas. Overnight our aircraft will be fitted with a revised interior which we will take back to Tanzania for use by our customers. The weather in Vegas has deteriorated in the last few minutes and the departure will mean us dodging a few thunderstorm clouds on the way out.