..the story so far...

[Mark Sheppard]

...embarked on the "World Challenge" ribbon last week in the old Mooney Bird..have taken a few shots of the trip so far..what have I got myself into!!??
....scroll to the right 

Cheers
Mark

[Ty Cochran]

Mark,

Do you fly any of your legs online on FSHOST or VATSIM?

I am also doing the round the world trip and am about the same stage as you. If you fly online it would be good to arrange a day to fly a route around the same time. I am flying a Navajo which has similar legs and speed to the Mooney.

I am starting think winter may not have been the smartest time to fly around the world in the northern hemisphere as i have had some marginal approaches so far.

[Mark Sheppard]

Gidday Ty
Certainly know what you mean about marginal approaches..especially up in that high country! The old Mooney gets a bit gaspy up there!
Happy to hook up on FSHost sometime mate. I generally do most of my flying in the early part of the week due to work commitments. Noticed you were on my tail yesterday ! 
I'll keep an eye out for you on teamspeak.
Cheers
Mark

[Mark Sheppard]

Parked at PAEH for a few days Ty.....watch out for those honking winds on the North Pacific legs!
Cheers
Mark

[Ty Cochran]

I didn;t have too many worries with wind coming across the Bearing Sea/North Atlantic but picked some up from Atka to PAEH. I have just flown PAEH to K55 ( Thomsons Pass) and had some good headwinds. With a TAS of 190 i could only get a ground speed of 170 knots. The planned winds were not that strong and swung more to the abeam a little higher so i climbed to FL130 and picked up a better wind. It still took me a little longer than planned tho. Time permitting i might press on to Faro (CZFA ) although it sure gets dark early up this way.

[Ty Cochran]

CZFA is interesting. I had a bit of an easterly wind so decided to approach on 09. There is a large hill on finals and the runway appears to be almost boxed in at that end. Lucky i was nice and slow and passed low over the high terrain and then dropped down before levelling for a smooth landing. I think i will be taking off on 09 regardless of the wind on the next leg.

[Ty Cochran]

Mark,

Just a word of caution, the ribbon flights are incorrect at the moment and have you arrive at CBH2 ( Helmet ) and the next leg is to Key Lake but it leaves from CHH2 which does not exist. Hopefully something can be done to fix it as i am currently unable to move on.

[Mark Sheppard]

Thanks for the heads up Ty, looks like we've since both had a chat to Tony and it's charters from here on 
Cheers
Mark

[Mark Sheppard]

A few more happy snaps....





Cheers
Mark

[Ty Cochran]

OK, see if i can do that. turning finals in to CYKJ.

[Ty Cochran]

Hmmmmm, That didn't quite work out as i expected.

[Mark Sheppard]

Looks like you had a bit of weather to deal with there as well Ty? 
Cheers
Mark

[Ty Cochran]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57281912@N08/6545150835/

You could say that.

[Ty Cochran]

Only one more leg to go, and a short one at that. After i had to fly the CYFH to KART leg three times due to a corrupt PIREP and then a computer hang on the second attempt i was very relieved to arrive safe and sound at KART just now. With only an hour and a half leg left i think i might try to get that doen tonight but failing that definitely tomorrow morning and then my plan to have it completed before Xmas will be complete.

I think the next thing will be some very easy NZ legs for a bit before my next challenge.

[Mark Sheppard]

Well done mate, sorry I couldn't catch up. Pirep system thinks I'm in Brisbane for some reason!
Cheers
Mark