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Post by jazzthom on Sept 1, 2022 9:54:27 GMT
Hello fellow pilots!
how great to meet you again and many many thanks To Allan and his friends to prepare this Caribbeanrally! Yesterday I stood at my old friend Urs' grave and told him about this event! He would have had much fun ("Plausch" in Swiss dialect) to participate as well. He still is on my mind and in my heart,...so let's start up and have some fun leg01 Cuba: MULM La Coloma -MUCF Cienfuegos runup on a vaste morning runway.... just airborn turn into the sun and fly east thr caribbean sea in front crossing Ensanada Dayaniguas shores and passing Punto Carraguao Golfo de Batabano Parque National Cienaga de Zapata approaching Bahia de Cochinos ( see American Cuban Invasion, if you like some history ) I had visited Cuba early in this year and my memories are still quite present... Playa Larga a wonderful shore at the top of the bay ( rich of crab and fish ) crossing the border of Provinzia Matanza/ Cienfuego btw: matanza's meaning is "massacre".... Matanzas is the name of the "City of Bridges", for the seventeen bridges that cross the three rivers that traverse the city (Rio Yumuri, San Juan, and Canimar). For this reason it was referred to as the "Venice of Cuba." It was also called "La Atenas de Cuba" ("The Athens of Cuba") for its poets.So this City is situated top north a little east from Habana,...to bad we don't fly there, but we will see different other great places.... just to explain: The name Matanzas means "massacre" and refers to a putative slaughter in 1510 at the port of the same name, in which 30 Spanish soldiers tried to cross one of the rivers to attack an aboriginal camp on the far shore. The Spanish soldiers had no boats, so they enlisted the help of native fishermen. However, once they reached the middle of the river, the fishermen flipped the boats, and due to the Spanish soldiers' heavy metal armor, most of them drowned. Matanzas is known as the birthplace of the music and dance traditions danzón and rumba. soon we approach Cienfuegos at the so called Bahia Cienfuegos no more traffic...so easy direct approach turning base above the shoreline of CF. reality is way better than my PC generates the environement (LOL,...as always...) but I love the final with one eye at the clock.... smooth touchdown slightly left of the centre line ( next time both eyes in front instead on the clock....lol ) anyway, in the end we missed only ,02 seconds leaving the runway parking poition near some other aircrafts in quiet solitude.... that was fun, easy and full of anticipation sure Urs would have constructed a way better airfield than my PC, but that's life and we take what we can get! Cheers!
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Post by jazzthom on May 1, 2022 12:27:18 GMT
leg 10, from Maningrida ...to Darwinunbelievable, last leg of this years GAAR in many way, the most emotional leg, as today we would celebrate Urs' 67 th birthday... but all the past days and weeks I felt very close to him, his "work" his thoughts, feelings and intentions. I really lost one of my best comerades in real world,...so I tried to keep up his memory in virtual world. I know, he was a perfect story teller, he had an unexchangeable humor and always knew something challenging to tell, he knew many places personally and flew into many of all these GAARs places by himself and his charming wife.... and of course all his FSX sceneries are legendary ! I only could try to follow his path in short steps, and sometimes my emotions are overwhealming, cause I could not resist to take many many pictures.... so let him and his memory put a smile on his face when he visits our rallye from outer space.... startup in this legendary morning,..1st of May, 2022....Happy Birthday, pal! V1,...rotate... I feel my friend always close in this special cockpit !!! cheers to a cup of imaginary tea!!! cruising above and accross West Arnhem Land so many different places....East Alligator River,...South Alligator River,....West Alligator River,...Wildman Creek,....Love Creek,...Bamurru Plains,...Sampan Creek...Tommycut Creek,.... think, you are not angry that I did not post all the dozens of pics, I took ...lol Kens Bay meanwhile, the sun is sinking in the West; It's time for a pilot to dream... Darwin ATC .....approach configuration,...landing lights on.... clockpit view... lets have a dream.... turning to base,...the inevitable end of this flight.... turning to final Darwin' skyline.... just a "romantic" landing sequence.... taxi to the GAAR celebrating "camp" incredible crowd of spectators, aviators, friends and a wonderful warm scenery (C°by Urs Hug/ad. Th.B.) here a selfie from our this years crewmembers.....and Cheers to Urs !!!!! Happy 67 !!!!!LET ME THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE ABILITY OF THIS WONDERFUL EVENT, ALL IN FRONT ALLAN LOWSON and please excuse my emotions and maybe unprecise research of landscapes, names or events; do't forget: this all seems to be a dream to come true,... in a better not so cruel and harmful world.... peace for all of you !!! I' (we'll) ll be back Thom
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 29, 2022 19:21:34 GMT
leg 9 Groote Eylandt - Maningrida
well, the morning started nicely with coffee and a perfect breakfast, in the Groote Eyland Lodge, a wonderful place to stay more than a night,....but soon everything should turn..... and become tense and adventureous: here you see our DC3 wide open for a not planned transportation ..... the deputy manager of the "Groote Eylandt Lodge" was in a little hurry to catch our departure and she didn't really watch the stopping car in front of her, so the two cars crashed and she hurt her leg at the dashboard and fainted shortly; as she lives near Darwin, we offered to take her with us, as Darwin is our target anyway.... so everything is prepared to lift her up into our aircraft,..stow the additional aircargo and organize the docs in Maningrida... although she's feeling better the authorities insist in a medical examination with CT scan of her neck and brain, the knee and ankle,... and every possible treatment,..... she agrees to come with us. Even the knee, neck and leg aches are getting better, but this can be due to adrenaline in her body,...so no choice: we've got a passenger and our stewardesses offer all her charm just for her! after about half an hour, we're ready for departure.... it was always a dream, my whole life long, to be part of "Australian Flying Doc. Services",...so here we go: "Austrians" Flying Doc Service....LOL I have a special feeling, that Urs, my friend had been here before, as all the sceneries are properly made, as if he was in his duty! not only airfield scenery, but the environment was perfectly set up, you can see the construction works of the new airport road in the background turning NW again rain has stopped, ....a wonderful sunny day smooth running engines with our "special guest" on board bizarre shores down there just enjoy the wonderful landscape towards East Arnhem Land Walker River on the left entering the 5th continent again.... everywhere some dust and damp clouds hanging around, as the rain was heavy the last days.... a little fog here and there and huge water "ponds" Annie Creek.... some of these "holes" must be old craters, as we read about "Liverpool Crater" a little up to the North,...but no way to pass over there, cause we are an "emergency aircraft".... this must be Blyth River.... just the rest of bad weather clouds dissapear slowly as we reach YMGD ATC some of therse water "spots" are really bizarre like aliens or ancient ghosts from outer space descent,........landing lights "on" masses of overflooded areas beneath, but airport in sight.... entering landing pattern with turn to downwind rwy 14 checking from left cockpit window turning to final, flaps set, gear down, ..... just follow the landing sequence.... ...... ...... touch down...... soft braking....... taxi back ...via radio the Australian Air rescue team was informed and flew in from Darwin.....so half way ours, the rest theirs..... unusual parking situation.... "Royal Flying Doctor Service Of Astralia" what a wonderful feeling !!!! paperwork, as usual....lol transfer of "Miss Eylandt Lodge"..... everybody satisfied !!!!!!!!!!!! kind of relief and peace, as they left for Darwin immediately.... aircraft parked for overnight's stay..... although...ATC is busy.... airtraffic, four incoming planes..... alltogether comerades from the rally first,...a Grumman Goose.... the second Goose.... the "crowd"...lol .......as awaited.... Cessna one and..... ...two finally all quiet and peaceful,...let's say a prayer for Urs, my best friend! Good Night!
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 27, 2022 8:26:04 GMT
leg8
from YMTI to YGTE .... Island hopping without sight.... takeoff with acceptable visual conditions last glimpse back to Mornington turning northwest soon we get into a grayish nearly completely dense rainy soup feeling secure in my old bird and under Urs' protection.... we are glad to be well equipped, cause this sight will be for more than an hour....tiring and annoying at last a sign of a coast line... Groote Eylandt still not inviting VMC in the end we can "see" the PAPI lights relief!! entering the landing pattern out of our tailwind... turning to base..... checklist done.... fuel pumps on, flaps pos 1, landing lights on, gear coming down.... still no ideal conditions.... coming in high and fast to catch the time.... wheening brakes.... unawaited busy airfield.... parking position recommended via radio near the Grumman Goose.... sharp ground turn and breaks set, engines off.... another Goose coming in,...there might be a crowd... a wink and a smile,..let's meet authorities.... nobody is really interested in coming into te rain.... all welcome talk is done,...so let's have some fun,...rain will be gone tomorrow.... see ya!
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 23, 2022 19:00:25 GMT
leg 7
Kowanyama to Morninton I.
strange names, strange country, strange weather.... I enjoy the different landscape appearances from different PC versions, as I told befor..... so here are my screenies departure in heavy rain....dust and water all mixed up from the bladethrust... take off flying low to have earthview,...soon changes to "waterview".... leaving the shoreline visibility just....nearly below VFR cond.... windshield wipers,...senseless lonely bird above the ocean.... in front there is a ball??? the sun is in the back,...so what.... incredible view ...."let's have a moondowner".....cheers! approaching land....at last... the sun is really "behind us" unknown landscape,..."the island"....still rainy,...miserable view.... Mornington airfield... deep sigh.... turning to downwind..... pretty busy airfield,...hmmm??? turning to base,...all systems "go",... very good timing have to increase speed as headwind gusts are against us okay,..that's it,...flare out... taxi to ... whereto??? oh,...friendly marshalling in front of the gasoline station... friendly welcome comittee!!! it's really busy over here,...although only a small island let's meet some friends and have some fun....Urs would have prepared a wonderful BBQ....Cheers to him and all of you!!!
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 21, 2022 20:54:24 GMT
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 16, 2022 7:45:56 GMT
leg 5 YGTN-YCKN after a short, but wonderful time, we are in the sky again.... a run with so many crossed rivers, creeks and dry "serpents" I cannot rename all of them, but just look and identify Einasleigh river, Dickson creek, Lynd River, Tate river, Muldiva creek, Mitchell river, Walsh river,...OMG,...so many names...Palmer river, Lakeland, ...Mount Windsor National Park.... and at last the ocean and Cooktown friendly welcome....
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 14, 2022 17:34:42 GMT
Thank you, Luuk!
I appreciate your kind words! You are right, we had a lot of fun; and it still is, as I try to keep up Urs' memory. I'm trying to do as good as possible.... love your screenies! See you !
Cheers!
Thom
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 11, 2022 20:27:46 GMT
leg 4 Hughenden to Georgetown as a surprise and a devotion to my friend Urs Hug, Austrian Airlines Authorities agreed to the changement of my aircraft's name "Erika" to "Uhug", my pal's nickname.....so you see the result of the new "birth" of my bird: everybody proud and in anticipation of Champagne and caviar buns.... and now,...towback, as the Swiss Military pilots taxi to a short airshow it's really a wonderful gesture and everybody is happy about the renaming... if you have seen the parking aircrafts, there are the two birds, Urs flew throughout some of the last GAARs short parking position in front of the "B25 Mitchell" and the "C119 boxcar" Urs will always be with us! emotional getting together.......... in the meantime the Swiss birds are taking off for their show secure on blocks, to watch the show.... at last it's time to say goodbye to Hughenden in my "Uhug bird",...engine startup.... ready for departure roaring engines during take off..... wonderful new old feeling... "Urs would have had his "Plausch"" "empty" landscape towards Blackbraes National Park smooth running..... Northead at Gilbert river and....approach to Georgetown at Etheridge River en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Queensland on long final "clockpit" view touch down tiny small airfield.... but nevertheless comfortable and very welcome.... perfect stay overnight with all the GAAR's stories of more than 15 years! Cheers
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 9, 2022 10:09:17 GMT
leg3 YMRB-YHUG, ...an emotional leg for me: as my dear old friend's name was Hug! Urs Hug; so you see: this Hughenden is a wonderful concidence; he would have loved this and made us a wonderful story of it...RIP Urs! all systems checked: ready for departure... take off looking back, as gears are travellin' up turning to a new adventure... a steady vaste landscape.... would have loved if my PC had the resolution of the P3D owners....with theyr great landscapes my PC still is the ancient XP with FSX from way back.... cannot find someone to discuss an alternate thing...just started the discussion with Urs, befor he passed away,... all seems to be to green over here.... thats Lake Buchann, salty and flat... some smaller watery areas " no name",...maybe Torrens Creek ...( the name reminds me of Torrance Ca. where I once had a nice GF ...) but this is Torr ence..... after a while....another shiny serpent in the distance.... Flinders river....(P3D is way more realistic with its dry and dusty appearance...) but: this is HUGhenden..... incredible famous for the real dinosaur !!! more info to be found here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughenden,_Queensland downwind Rwy 12 Urs would have a great story,....so I am is just in good memories.... on long final... gear down my "clockshop" touch down........ as XP is only delivering a vaste environment I tried to "construct" an addon scenery which could respect Urs; as he was the scenery master then... the ones of you who know the "old GAARs" certainly recognize some of Urs' specials... and maybe himself.... well,...taxi to my parking place and having Swiss army's trainings aircraft on my right wing.... a lot of friends awaiting "Erika" thinking about some "commemorative measures"...... parking position and welcome to Hughenden!!!!!
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 5, 2022 17:42:47 GMT
so, well, the stop overnight was not to bad; and as this area is a wonderful place to celebrate nature and peace it was just the perfect place to stay a short time. leg2 from YMIT to Moranbah straight northern route... payload exchange and everything prepared coming back to my bird, Austrian Airlines "provides" stewardesses not a bad feling in this bird...to be ... accompanied by female air attendants in red uniforms,...lol...Urs would have fun..."the Plausch" in good old Swiss language... okay,...everything arranged and ready for departure.... friendly spectators....the GAAR is a very welcome event over here... taxi.... my working place for the next weeks.... rotate... "On The Road Again"...there is a song for everything.... "Come Fly With Me"... approaching Carnavon National park.... must be great down there,...unlimited wilderness.... Today, Springsure is a pastoral settlement serving cattle farms, and sunflower, sorghum, wheat and chickpea plantations. Springsure is the hub for several coal mines such as the Minerva Mine and the Rolleston Mine. Significant exploration is ongoing in the district. It is also a staging point for expeditions to the Carnarvon National Park....thats what Wikipedia tells,..I never was there,..to bad.... in the distance...Lake MARABOON If you love fishing, you're going to love this holiday destination. Lake Maraboon is stocked with eight different kinds of fish including barramundi, ... in the distance you can see Emerald airfield.... Emerald is a service town for a large number of industries in the area. Extensive coal mining operations are carried out in the district. Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities include grape, citrus and grain growing..... after a while we reach Moranbah....turning to base... on final Rwy 16 touch down within pretty good timing.... Moranbah airfield is operated by the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance,a coal mining company..... friendly marshalling nice parking position.... let's have a visit of Moranbah's bars,...cheers!!!
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Post by jazzthom on Apr 1, 2022 20:09:00 GMT
So, now here my official HELLO to ALL of you! It's great that Allan had made all his efforts to thrill us during the upcoming month! The ones of you, who flew the Great Europen Air Rally saw my farewll to Urs, my friend... he would have told us: "Hey pal, start up and enjoy! Have fun!"... So, that's what we are going to have! leg 1This was the end of last years rally and still some of the ancient planes are located here.... I for myself have good friends at Austrian Airlines; so my bird of this rally is the famous "OE LBN" DC3 which was perfectly restored... her name "Erika"....it's not my taste,..but,..let's see what happenes startup early in the morning: taxi along the famous GAAR BBQ strip, as every year.... ready for departure and airborn after some work in my cockpit to get to know all the new instruments, we reached Lake Broadwater Conservation Park Condamine State Forest Yuleba State Forest,....a lot of wood overhere.... passing Roma Airport nearby..... and after a non spectacular flight and perfect training to get accustomed, we enter YMIT Mitchell landing pattern on downwind RWY 11 on final and touch down....that was easy,....so far.... Mitchell is a small airfield in Queensland and all the useful information is kept by Urs, my friend... just friendly people here and enough space to park for a few hours,.... lets go downtown and look for a nice hostal and a cool beer see you guys!!!!
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 31, 2022 21:06:21 GMT
Hi Roggeberg! Great Startup and phantastic screenies! ...meet you soon !!! Thom
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Post by jazzthom on Dec 13, 2021 22:58:00 GMT
thanks again to all of you !!!!! especially to Allan!!!
We'll be back!!!
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Post by jazzthom on Dec 12, 2021 21:31:49 GMT
leg 10 Gorizia-Vienna/Schwechat LOWW
the final leg of this rally just begins,.. push back, checklist, done, starting up and feeling Urs with me.... these days were a real gift for me, to think about our friendship, doing the things, we always have done, laughing and crying, feeling hím close, just having fun.... roaring engines as we rotate and climb up into the skies, leaving Gorizia behind us; who knows, if we'll be here again weather has changed, temperature was getting lower and the first snow is covering the landscape...we are facing winter.... how wonderful to share a cup of hot tea with my best friend, pal, copilot forever! Urs! the ceiling of clouds is coming down and we pass LJLJ between a thick cover of grey and a shady white of snow down on earth we reach Austria again, this time under a thick blanket of peace and white silence WP 2, Kapfenberg, a small airfield nearly unvisible directly underneath the port wing,...hometown of an old, long retired friend of medical school... I never was there, but he told many funny stories during our time in hospital; these days and long nights were always full of confidence and trust, as we treated many injured people on our emergency duties... a glimpse of the sinking sun, as the days get shorter and we feel a warm and endless atmosphere in our cockpit like dancing through the clouds on the last indigo blue in the sky, before the upcoming night all turns to gold.... the last few golden miles coming from the Prealps and reaching ATC Vienna.... turning on final RWY 34 Urs and I, we both enjoy this wonderful working place in the DC3/C47 and we laugh and talk about all the details we have created within the last years GAARs.... short final, like a Christmas tree... quite a strong crosswind, but our bird glides steady like on railway tracks.... always a good feeling, the smooth touchdown when your dreams are safe on earth again huge airport,...loooong taxiway to GA parking place.... there must be sort of lockdown, as this huge place seems vaste and empty.... ATC tells us to stop behind this refueling truck,...so it is... shutting down the engines, parking brake set, all switches off,....usually there should be a firework at the end of a rally,... we don't care,...we don't need,...we just had THE best rally on earth.... we are just told to wait, when we exit the aircraft...?!?! okay?! soon there is a hustle and we are surrounded by a crowd of people,... all wanting to congratulate and meet Urs, and thank and laugh and have fun!!! incredible overwhelming situation,... just a wonderful gesture of all pals, friends, cowerkers, sympathizers, pilots and crewmembers, to say HELLO and cheer us !!! our private little golden party to cherish ..... URS ! my best friend!
--------------------------and please let me thank ALL of you to have been part of this wonderful rally, especially Allan LOWSON
hopefully:
We'll be back !
Thom BZ
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