FSX - my trip around the world

[MonteCristo]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Not going to China anymore. Change of plans?

[Antonov]

#8 ; 10/04/20 ; Tashkent (Uzbekistan) - Kashgar Prefecture (China) ; 325 nm


Take off from runway 08L in Tashkent, and immediately heading east to China!


Climbing to flightlevel 210 (21,000 ft) as the Chimgan mountains come into view.


Today's flight takes us from Uzbekistan, (ever so slighty) over Tadzjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and finally to the extreme west of China.


The mighty Ruslan is floating in the air.


As we are leaving the mountainous east of Kyrgyzstan, we enter Chinese airspace.


The landscape is very much steppe-like ; almost like a desert.


Final approach with runway 08 in sight.


Slight crosswind upon landing.


Touchdown in the Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.

[Antonov]

#9 ; 11/04/20 ; Kashgar Prefecture (China) - Lahore (Pakistan) ; 488 nm


Foggy/ smoggy conditions as I'm taxiing to runway 08 for take off to Lahore - the second largest city in Pakistan.


Very poor visibility indeed as I'm leaving China.


Today's flight takes me over the western edge of the Himalayas.


A view of the Nanga Parbat mountain peak (8.126 m).


Flying over the disputed (by India, China and Pakistan) territories of Kashmir.


Very hot as I'm starting descend for Lahore. A few thunderclouds in the area.


That's Armitsar's international airport in sight: an Indian airport located just a few miles from the Pakistani border.
Not out destination for today, but in sight as I'm making a right turn and further continuing descent.


Making another right turn before final approach to runway 36R in Lahore.
The shadow of the Antonov can be seen on the ground.


A bit hazy, but runway well and truly in sight.


Unloading the cargo in Lahore, with the airport terminal (built in nice traditional style) in the background.


The cockpit is shielded from the heat (about 33°C outside).

[Antonov]

#10 ; 12/04/20 ; Lahore (Pakistan) - Agra (India) ; 321 nm


This (Catholic) Easterday flight takes us from Lahore (Pakistan) to Agra (India) - about 200 kilometers south of the capital: New Delhi


Holding short for runway 36R departure, as a Tupolev 154 is on finals for runway 36L landing.


Take off and retracting landing gear...


... while turning east for India.


That's New Delhi we are passing, with the international airport named after Indira Gandhi in sight.


Scorching hot (40°C) as we are approaching Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport in Agra.


Ready for landing as we fly over Yamuna River - a tributary river of the Ganges, also with holy status.


You might wonder what Agra is famous for. In short: the Taj Mahal - the world famous monument to love.


Unloading our cargo. From Russia with love

[Antonov]

#11 ; 12/04/20 ; Agra (India) - Kathmandu (Nepal) ; 396 nm


Take off in the early evening from Agra airport - it also serves as an Air Force Basis, and is home to various military aircraft.


Off we go, with many Ilyushin-76s, operated by the Indian Air Force, parked in the background


Wind direction meant a take off heading south, but today's route needs us to fly to the north. It means we get to marvel at the Taj Mahal once more.


Passing over Agra airport, where minutes earlier we were still on the ground.


About 20 minutes into the flight, the 'roof of the world' becomes visible.


Some interesting traffic spotted underway, including this Syrian 747SP (a 'Special Performace' short version of the famous jumbojet)...


... and this classic Thai Sky Airlines L-1011 Tristar


Flying parallel to the Himalayas as the sun is starting to set ever so slightly.


Starting descent to Kathmandu, with quite some cloud cover beneath us.


Making my way through the clouds


Slight turn to the left...


... as a marvellous scene with beautiful colours and landscapes appears.


Flying close to some hill tops, with landing lights on and flaps fully deployed, ready for landing.


Low clouds, but no worries as I have runway 02 in sight for landing.


We made it to Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), some 1.338 meters above sea level.

[Antonov]

#12 ; 13/04/20 ; Kathmandu (Nepal) - Chittagong (Bangladesh) ; 480 nm


Pushback and startup approved for the flight to Chittagong: Bangladesh's second largest city, a little over 200 km south east of the capital Dhaka.


Take off from runway 20 heading south. A left turn brings me close to the Godavari forest-clad mountains.


Continuing to climb, with some impressive landscapes around us.


Clearing the southern flanks of the mighty Himalayas.


Left turn for today's destination: Chittagong, Bangladesh.


Bangladesh Airlines traffic in sight. My Antonov Ruslan can be seen in the distance, heading the opposite way.


The descent for Chittagong has commenced, with some typical mangrove forests in sight.


Low visibility for today's landing. I have runway 23 in sight, with just 6 nautical miles to go.


Flying over the Karnaphuli River, ready for a smooth landing.


A spotter photographs the Antonov-124 Ruslan from behind the fences of Shah Amanat International Airport.

[Antonov]

#13 ; 16/04/20 ; Chittagong (Bangladesh) - Dawei (Myanmar) ; 611 nm


Limited infrastructure and small ramp at Shah Amanat International Airport. Push back approved.


Off we go to Myanmar (also referred to as 'Burma').


Climbing as we make a left turn over the Bay of Bengal.


Passing some beautiful tropical landscapes and waters.


Cruising altitude as we fly over mainland Myanmar.


The sun is shining brightly on todays trip south.


Passing over Yangon (also known as Rangoon) - the country's most populous city and former capital.
(the capital was moved to Naypyidaw in 2005, and is located some 300 km north of Yangon)


Descending over the Moscos Islands - an island chain in the Andaman Sea.


As the sun is setting, I am making a left turn for landing on runway 34.


Final approach with a slight crosswind for landing.


The Dawei airport is quite small, necessitating a cargo unloading on the runway.

[Antonov]

#14 ; 16/04/20 ; Dawei (Myanmar) - Pattaya (Thailand) ; 184 nm


Later in the evening, we are substantially lighter, and are ready to fly to neigbouring Thailand on a positioning flight.


Climbing through the night sky. We are to level off at 17,000 feet, given the short distance of this evening's flight.


Just over half an hour after take off, we are already starting our descent to U-Tapao Airport in Pattaya.


The traffic on the ground already indicates that this is a very popular tourist destination - well known for nice weather, beaches and nightlife. The crew is informed to steer clear of ladyboys once we are on the ground


Many international carriers also fly to Pattaya.


Runway 18 in sight; cleared to land.


Make no mistake - we are in Thailand, with various Thai Airways planes surrounding us. Meanwhile we are taxiing to parking position.


There is loading to be done still, but some well deserved time off awaits the crew.

[Antonov]

I haven't forgotten about this thread. With the pandemic certainly not over yet, I'm continuing my voyage

first a report of two flights I still did last year

#15 ; 25/04/20 ; Pattaya (Thailand) - Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) ; 350 nm


After some good time in Pattaya, the crew is all set to fly to Vietnam!


Although slightly overcast, conditions are perfect on take off.


Looking down on the pristine waters of the Gulf of Thailand.


The flight path takes us over Cambodia...


... and some increasingly unsettled weather.


Starting the descent toward Vietnam's largest city: Ho Chi Minh City.


The weather is far from ideal for landing - thunderstorms are in the area.


On finals for landing on a drenched runway 7L while lightning struck in the area just moments before.


Arrived in Vietnam, and taxiing towards the cargo stand during a downpour.

[Antonov]

still one more from last year!

#16 ; 26/04/20 ; Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) - Brunei (Brunei) ; 604 nm


Good morning Vietnam!!!
The bad weather has moved away as the crew prepares for the flight to the small nation of Brunei.


Taxiing towards the runway with planes of the flagship carrier Vietnam Airlines in the background.


Taking off from runway 25L which is oriented towards the west...


... meaning we have to make a full turn, as Brunei is to the east of Vietnam.


A view of the Mekong Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City


Leaving the Eurasian continent behind us!


Some weather fronts forming over the South China Sea.


Including some menacing cumulonimbus clouds.

Starting the descent towards Brunei International Airport



Tropical scenes emerge, but so do the clouds and a quite strong wind.


On finals for landing in Brunei!


Smooth touchdown.


It's pretty clear we have arrived at our destination

[Antonov]

#17 ; 03/07/21 ; Brunei (Brunei) - Bali Denpasar (Indonesia) ; 823 nm


After a long pause, we are back underway for 'my trip around the world'


Taking off from runway 21 on a southwestern direction.


A few turns as we leave Bruneian airspace, and fly over Malaysian territory


And it looks absolutely beautiful, with mist hanging in the hills below


Passing over a mountainous area


Most of Borneo, the island we must cross to reach Bali, is covered in clouds


Traffic nearby (a Qantas Jumbo Jet) undoubtedly heading to @Everso Biggyballies and @MonteCristo


Leaving Borneo - one of world's largest islands - behind us


Cruising at 31,000 ft over the Java Sea, due south to Bali!


The northern part of Bali is in sight!


Making our descent into Bali, with the Agung volcano in the background.


Some scattered low hanging clouds, as we are just miles away from Denpasar International Airport.


On approach for landing, awkwardly close to a passenger jet


But all went well, and despite some crosswinds, there was a soft landing on runway 09.

Some well deserved rest for the crew now, as they make their way to the recreational facilities and the many sights and attractions the island has to offer!

[Antonov]

#18 ; 09/07/21 ; Bali Denpasar (Indonesia) - Dili (East Timor) ; 614 nm


The flight of Friday July 9th took me from popular tourist destination Bali to relatively unknown Dili in East Timor (or Timor-Leste).


The crew obviously got a bit too enthousiastic over the oil fill, but it limits itself to a smoky start-up.


We leave Bali behind us and make a shallow climb.


A relatively small cumulonimbus cloud nearby, but all in all the flight was marked by excellent throughout.


The volcanic landscape of the Indonesian islands


The sun sets quickly near the equator. Amazing how quickly night falls.


Almost no sun left to be seen as we start our descent to Dili - capital city of Timor-Leste.


Almost there. The entire approach to the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport took place over the sea.


And there we are - an early evening touchdown!


Next up is a flight to the dangerous island where @Everso Biggyballies and @MonteCristo live.
We're going to fly to McArthur River Mine airport, via Darwin, with some mining equipment. Following that, Cairns airport on the east coast is next. Then we leave dangerous Australia behind, and head to the safety and comfort of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

[Michael Ferner]

Will you have to quarantaine in Oz?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Will you have to quarantaine in Oz?

I think he will find all flights into McArthur River Airport are currently suspended and will remain so until further notice..

[Antonov]

Will you have to quarantaine in Oz?

Yes. Hence we are spending the nights inside the Antonov for the duration of our Australian venture.

I think he will find all flights into McArthur River Airport are currently suspended and will remain so until further notice..

Correct:
* Please note that scheduled regular passenger flights between McArthur River Mine and Darwin have been suspended until further notice*

We are a scheduled irregular cargo flight with essential mining equipment and holding a permit for this flight.

[Antonov]

#19 ; 12/07/21 ; Dili (East Timor) - Darwin (Australia) ; 393 nm


The flight today takes us from the tiny Timor-Leste International Airport to Darwin International Airport in Australia's Northern Territory.


Taking on as little fuel as possible to make the crossing over the Timor Sea to Australia.


We're full with mining equipment for Australia, and are take off!


A beautiful sea and mountainous landscape as we climb out of Dili...


... and leave behind the volcanic islands.


Less than 100 nautimal miles into the flight, and already switching over to Australian ATC (Brisbane Center).


Australia comes into sight! (the Tiwi Islands to be precise).


We make our way above Bathurst Island, and near 'pleasant-sounding' places like Snake Bay.


Our plane enters its third continent on this voyage: Oceania!


Starting descent for landing at Darwin International Airport, ILS runway 29.


Final turn before fully lined up for landing.


And here we are then - touch down in Australia!


Given our journey and country of registration, we are ordered to park remotely and stay within these confines.


Our plane is ventilating, and the crew can't go anywhere. But with places like Snake Bay, Humpty Doo, Bees Creek, Gunn Point and Wak Wak in the area... it isn't too much of an issue not to be allowed out.