To the end of the world (May 1st 2017)
It was an afternoon when I finally decided to make a trip I wanted to for quite a while. EETN-ENMH-ENSB-EETN.
The requirements for the aircraft were: fast enough and with a good range, because I had to fly ca 2400 nm. Decent take-off and landing performance (runway at Mehamn is only 800m long). And the most important - which would look good among the magnificent landscape of the Northern edge of Europe.
For me there was only one option:
And since auto-pilot decided to take a day-off, the flight was to be conducted manually.
I was looking forward to enjoying the great view of Norway coast from FL200. However, shortly after I took off, it was complete overcast all the way.
But once I started to descend for Mehamn, which was an intermediate stop and the northernmost airport in continental Europe, the view was more than rewarding.
HD scenery at its best...
The airport itself seems to be a little small for Connie. But since traffic so far North in FG realm is non-existent, that was not a problem.
End of the continental Europe. Ahead is just the Arctic Sea. And my next destination: Svalbard.
Along the edge of Europe, headed North, over the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean.
After some time over the Arctic Ocean, I was descending for Svalbard airport of Longyearbyern.
Although scenery for Svalbard deserves better fate, it is still an impressive view.
Eyes may be deceiving in these lands, without points of reference. Sometimes it felt as if I was to touch those hills. But a look at the radio altimeter told me I've still got enough room below.
Svalbard airport, Longyear. Hills, ocean and permafrost. The northernmost airport with regular passenger traffic in the world.
Connie and her crew prepare for a long journey back home. This time directly to Tallinn.
Unfortunately, the town of Longyearbyen is absent from FG. Maybe in future...
Leaving Svalbard behind...
...back to South, into the darkness of night
So gnadenlos ist nur die Nacht.
Am Ende bleib ich doch alleine,
Die Zeit steht still
Und mir ist kalt
kalt
kalt...
(Rammstein, "Seemann")
The airport objects of Mehamn and Longyear (Svalbard) are not in TerraSync yet, but I can submit them at any time if needed (traffic seems to be scarce around here).