Grand Case-Princess Juliana International

After spending the night in Grand Case, it was time to head across the island to the Dutch Side. I taxied out to runway 30 and took off. I flew runway heading until I leveled off at 900 feet. I then banked left to heading 270 for the downwind leg. I flew a long downwind, then turned base, and finally lined up on heading 090 for the famous runway 9 approach over Maho Beach. The approach went smoothly. Another good leg completed.

TFFG-TNCM

Wallblake Anguilla-Grand Case

Last time I did a night flight, I ended up in the trees in western Virginia. Now that my skills have improved, I figured I'd try one again. I taxied out to runway 28 at Wallblake Anguilla airport (AXA/TQPF) and took off. After leveling off at 800 feet I entered the base leg for runway 12 at Grand Case (CCE/TFFG) on the french of St. Martin. The approach went great. Progress is a beautiful thing.

TQPF-TFFG

Auguste George-Anguilla Wallblake

As the sun would soon set, I taxied back out to runway 9 at Auguste George airport (NGD/TUPA) on Anegada for one last day leg. I took off, climbed to 1600 feet, and banked right to heading 120. The flight went smoothly, and after about half an hour, I was on the downwind leg for runway 28 at Anguilla Wallblake (AXA/TQPF). The pattern and approach went decently. Those Caribbean sunsets never fail.

TUPA-TQPF

Virgin Gorda-Auguste George

After turning my plane around to runway 3, I took off for Auguste George airport on Anegada, the northernmost of the Virgin Islands and my destination for this leg. I leveled off at 900 miles, and continued on runway heading. I planned on staying on runway heading until I reached Anegada, but I encountered turbulence mid way (I guess I have been lucky-I haven't hit turbulence since befor the Dominican Republic), and I ended up 10 degrees to the left (north) which put me in a better position for the approach. The approach went decently, and the flare was my best ever.

TUPW-TUPA

Terrance B. Lettsome International-Virgin Gorda

After spending night on Tortola, it was time to head east to Virgin Gorda. I taxied out to runway 7 at Terrance B. Lettsome International airport (EIS/TUPJ) and took off. I leveled out at 900 feet, and continued on runway heading. After about 5 minutes I banked right to heading 210 for the final approach into Virgin Gorda (VIJ/TUPW). The grass runway was difficult to see, and I ended up starting the descent too late. I made a go around, and landed on the second attempt, although it ended up being one of my worst landings in a while. At least the go around was my best ever.

TUPJ-TUPW

Henry E. Rohlsen Airport-Terrance B. Lettsome International

After a quick stop on St. Croix, I taxied back out to runway 10 and took off for Terrance B. Lettsome International airport (EIS/TUPJ) on Beef Island near Tortola (the largest of the BVI) in the British Virgin Islands. I banked left to heading 030, and continued to climb to 1600 feet. As I headed towards Tortola, I was able to witness a beautiful sunset. I entered the base leg for runway 7, and made a decent approach. For better or for worse, Tortola has no elevation in FSX.

TISX-TUPJ

Cyril E. King-Henry E. Rohlsen

After spending the night on beautiful St. Thomas, it was time to head south for St. Croix, the largest of the US Virgin Islands. After taking off from runway 10 at Cyril E. King airport on St. Thomas (STT/TIST), I banked right to heading 180. I leveled off at 1500 feet for the half hour flight to Henry E. Rohlsen airport (STX/TISX) in Christiansed on St. Croix. ATC directed me to enter the right base leg for runway 10. I ended up being high, but thanks to runway 10's 10,000 foot length, I continued on the approach and landed without incident, even if it was halfway down the runway.

TIST-TISX

Benjamín Rivera Noriega-Cyril E. King

Next, I headed to one of my favorite places in the world, the US Virgin Islands, and one of my favorite airports, Cyril E. King Airport (STT/TIST) on St. Thomas. After taking off from runway 31 at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport on Culebra, I turned right to intercept the ILS for runway 10 (my first simulated instrument approach-ironic that it was at the location of one of my most favorite visual approaches in the world). The line up went pretty well for my first time using ILS outside of the FSX lessons, and I made a decent glide into runway 10. The beautiful Caribbean sunset was the perfect complement.

CPX-TIST