Codrington-VC Bird International

Now that I've gotten comfortable with VFR flight in the Cessna, I thought it was a good time to start to doing simulated IFR flights. I used the FSX flight planner to plan an IFR flight from Codrington (BBQ/TAPH) on Barbuda to VC Bird International (ANU/TAPA) on Antigua, the other Island in the federation. I would take off from Codrington and climb to 2500 feet. I would intercept the 189 course to the VC Bird VOR (ANU). From there I would fly the VOR approach to rwy 7. This had me fly outbound on the 262 radial , to a procedure turn to the right (still at 2500 feet), then track back in on the 082 course. The initial line-up with the VOR didn't go so great, but eventually I got it. ATC then asked me to climb to 4000 feet. I continued along until I was about 10 nm out, when ATC asked me to do an expedited descent to 2500 feet. I continued at 2500 feet and before long I was over ANU. I turned to the 262 radial (again with some difficulty) and tracked outbound for aboug 7 nm. I turned right to heading 307, flew that course for a minute, turned back to heading 127 to interecept the 082 course. The final line-up went great. The approach went great as well, and I made a beautiful landing on runway 7. Not bad for the first time.

Vance Armory International-Codrington

My next leg took me east for one of the longest flights since Puerto Rico. After taking off from runway 10 at Vance Armorty International (NEV/TKPN) on Nevis, I turned to heading 070. This would put me just south of Codrington Airport (BBQ/TAPH) on Barbuda. After about 25 minutes I was closing in on the island, and entered right base for runway 10. The approach went ok considering the airport was unlit. Which means it was an all out nose dive to get down. At least my flare was good.

TKPN-TAPH

Robert Bradshaw International-Vance W. Armory International

My next leg took me straight from one traffic pattern to another. After taking off from runway 7 at Bradshaw International (SKB/TKPK) on St. Kitts, I climbed to 750 feet and tuned the tower at Armory International (NEV/TKPN) on Nevis, the other Island of the island Federation. I immediately asked for landing clearance, and was told to enter left base for runway 10. I did so, and continued on that heading (190) for about 10 minutes, by which point it was time to turn onto final approach. The approach went beautifully, and I landed right in between the 1 and the 0 on the threshold. And with a full moon out as well.

TKPK-TKPN

F.D. Roosevelt-Robert Bradshaw International

My next leg took me east to the Island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. After taking off from runway 6 at F.D. Roosevelt airport (EUX/TNCE) on St. Eusatius, AKA Statia, I turned right to heading 175. This led me along the south side of St. Kitts and would set me up for the base leg for runway 7 at Robert Bradshaw International Airport (SKB/TKPK). Before long I was on final for runway 7. I made a decent approach, landed, and parked my aircraft at GA parking, glad to be at an airport that had it.

TNCE-TKPK

Juancho E. Yrausquin-F.D. Roosevelt

This leg started with a bit of a hiccup. After selecting to start on the active runway a Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB/TNCS) on Saba, the game loaded, only for me to find myself parked on the terrain next to the runway. I wasn't surprised after encountering problems with ATC at the airport on the way in. I taxied back onto runway 30 (which proved to be an interesting trek) and took off. I climbed to around 900 feet and turned to heading 150, which would lead to the base leg for runway 6 at F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX/TNCE) on St. Eustatius, better known as Statia. I flew at about 90 knots since it was a short leg. The line up was iffy, but the glide went great and made a smooth landing at TNCE. There were no parking spaces there, but perhaps after TNCS maybe its not such a bad thing.

TNCS-TNCE

St. Barthelemy Island-Juancho E. Yrausquin

Next I headed east to Saba, home of Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB/TNCS/SABA), which in turn is home to the world's shortest commercial runway at 1300 feet. Fortunately I was in my C172, so I shouldn't have had any problems. Or so I thought. I took off from runway 10 at St. Barth's (SBH/TFFJ) flying a full departure leg, than an extended right crosswind leg, than turning due west for Saba. After about 20 minutes in the air, it was time to start the pattern. I flew the pattern way too high and way too short. I put myself in a nosedive to land, but realizing (at about 50 feet AGL) that I'd never stop on the runway, I decided to make a go around. I actually made a proper go around, climbing to 800 feet and flying the pattern, as opposed to my usual loop around at 300 feet. I flew a wide pattern, but do to terrain on the approach path for runway 12, my next approach needed to be vacated as well. Realizing that the approach to runway 12 (which in real life would be against the winds-hence I decided to use it her) wasn't going to work out, I climbed and looped around to make and approach to runway 30. This one was pretty low, and at the last minute I had to swerve around a tree that was right in front of the threshold. I managed to stop with a little bit of runway left. At least it isn't Balcony Downs.

TFFJ-TNCS

Princess Juliana International-St. Barthelemy Island

Once again, after a long break, it feels good to be back in the air. After a long layover in St. Maarten (SXM/TNCM), I taxied back out to runway 9 behind a Boeing 737 (coming a bit too close for comfort at times). After waiting for it to take off, I took off from runway 9, climbing to 1200 feet and turning to heading 135 for the short flight over to St. Barth's (SBH/TNCM). I entered the base leg for runway 10. The approach went quick and smoothly, and after stopping near the end of the runway and back taxied to GA parking. It is good to be back indeed.

TNCM-TFFJ

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

FAO Blog Readers

Hello. Due to other commitments during the summer, updates will be sperratic and inconsistant. However, I am not discontinuing the tour or the blog. Please keep checking for updates. I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read the blog, and I can't wait to keep you posted on new portions of the tour.

Antonio Rivera Rodríguez-Benjamín Rivera Noriega

This next flight is the first of several that take me straight from one traffic pattern to the next. After taking off from runway 9 at Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS/TJVQ) on Vieques, I continued on runway heading until I leveled off at 1100 feet. I then turned to headed 040 to make a base leg for runway 13 at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport on Culebra (CPX), the second biggest of the Spanish Virgin Islands. My approach was terrible (high and off-center). It was, surprisingly, one of the smoothest landings I've ever made.

Note: This is the first leg where I used Irfanview to reformat the screenshots. They will be a bit bigger and definately higher quality. If you have any feedback, let me know.

TJVQ-CPX

Luis Muñoz Marín International-Antonio Rivera Rodríguez

Next I headed southeast for Vieques, in the little-known Spansh Virgin Islands. After taking off from runway 8 at Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU/TJSJ), I turned right to a heading of about 120. I continued across Puerto Rico, and almost as soon as I crossed the Puerto Rican coast, It was time to enter the pattern for Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS/TJVQ) in Vieques. I entered a base leg for runway 9, and made a crappy approach. All because I was trying to get a screenshot.

TJSJ-TJVQ

Rafael Hernández-Luis Muñoz Marín International

After a quick layover in Aguadilla, I taxied back out to runway 8, and took off for Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU/TJSJ) in San Juan. After leveling out at 1500 feet (I decided to stay low as I would be shortly beginning my descent), I turned right to heading 105. I continued along this heading for about 30 minutes. As I approached San Juan I was given clearance to fly the straight-in approach for runway 8. I remained 1500 feet and heading 105 until I intercepted the end of the ILS feather on the GPS (I wasn't actually using instrument procedures), when I turned to ruwnay heading and began my descent. My approach was better than the one into Punta Cana, and after landing I taxied over to General Aviation parking, satisfied with another great leg.

TJBQ-TJSJ

Punta Cana International-Rafael Hernández

After a relaxing break in Punta Cana, it was time to head east to Puerto Rico. I was anticipating being able to fly straight across the Mona Passage on runway heading, but it turned out Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN/TJBQ) was a bit further south. I banked a bit south, but that ended up not being enough. About 20 miles out from runway 8 (I had selected the runway for a straight-in approach-strangely this commercial airport is uncontrolled in FSX) I entered a pseudo-base leg. I lined up for the final approach just north of Isla Desecheo, an uninhabited Island to the west of Puerto Rico. I flew a decent approach and taxied through the uninhabited airport to a parking stand by the terminal. I need to turn my AI up.

MDPC-TJBQ