ARD's Logbook WT2026 -(001)

[Ard-WT]

FL01 LFML - LIMJ
This flight has a challenging T&G at Mont Dauphin Saint-Crépin LFNC, in a deep valley. To make it possible, you will have to descent earlier enough into the valley in order to make the descent and come to the airport elevation. I could only make the wheels touch down on the last 300 ft of the RW
After the T&G another challenge is to climb fast enough to pass the mountains to the East. I had to fly through the valley till Briancon and turn right into the valley of La Cerveyrette river to climb to 11,500 ft for the further flight. We made it and concluded with a safe landing.

 
Fly over the snow mountains on the top of this flight

[Mike-WT]

I agree that touch and go at LFNC is challenging.  On my second flight there, I decided at the last minute to try the T&G on RWY16 instead of RWY34.  It was challenging and exciting and I was able to do it successfully, but my passengers didn't appreciate the steep base turn to final at all.

You cannot view this attachment.

[Ard-WT]

that is great, must be a very sharp turn with steep descend. I am surprised you gained again sufficient height to cross the mountains to the East.

[Mike-WT]

am surprised you gained again sufficient height to cross the mountains to the East.

I flew down the valley to the east to gain the altitude but it was close.

[Ard-WT]

FL02 LOWG - LQBK
Route: LOWG GBG MR RK BRZ TNJ KOS
This flight goes with NDB navigation overflying the beacons. No T&G, nor other big challenges such as deep narrow valleys. Luckily my radio is working fine, and distances are within range of this or that beacon, so no worry in getting lost. There is one sharp curve to make on top of BRZ NDB beacon, where we turn East to our destination.
As we departed around 18:00 hrs, we had to make a landing in the dark. Luckily all aircraft lights were working and the RW lights we bright enough to see it from afar.


turn over BRZ

approach LQBK , in the dark.

[Ard-WT]

FL03 NZAA - NZNR , 260 Nm
Route: NZAA RO(Rotorua) Mount Ruapehu ONEGA NZNR. 98 min

Flying New Zealand normally is challenging with a lot of mountains and deep gorges especially the South Island. Today however we start on the North Island with rather flat terrain to start with. We fly to Lake Rotorua and turn right to the direction of Mount Ruapehu; which is actually an active volcano and also the highest mountain in New Zealand. For safety reasons we do not fly over the top of this volcano and risk an eruption, but rather around it over its flanks. We have a small destination airport Napier on the Eastern shores.



Flying around snow capped Mount Ruapehu

Mt. Ruapehu

[Ard-WT]

FL04 KDEN - KLXV ; 246 Nm
Route: KDEN BJC 20V RLG AXFAL NUPCI KRIL DBL KLVX , flying time 01:36
todays flight is on higher altitudes and the challenges are the T&G's and the landing at arrival airport in a mountainous terrain. Going high for crossing the mountains and going low for the T&G, so we oscillate on altitudes. The VOR after Mc Elroy is asking a steep climb as it sits on top of a mountain.
The approach to KRIL is after some high mountains and requires a proper distance for descending to the RW and afterwards  a sharp turn and steep climb again. And all the time enjoying the beautiful scenery of mountains, valleys, rivers and fields. There is a nasty High-Voltage line in the approach path to KLXV RW 34.


FL04 T&G at KRIL

[Ard-WT]

FL05 LFGA - LSGS, 151 Nm
Route LFGS WIL RNAV GS608 SIO GRANA LSGS  flying time: 01:01
This flight promises to bring a challenging end. First we fly to a high altitude, 14,500 ft, and than we have to descent into a valley to prepare for a landing at Sion airport at an elevation of 1582 ft. We follow the valley and ......



Img top1250410_25.jpg flying over highest peaks


Img valley1250410_26.jpg descending into the valley


mayday-mayday-mayday;
we have a gear problem; not extending. So we had to make an emergency landing with a retracted gear, and as shown that is possible with the DC3



Img landing1250410-29.jpg had to make a emergency landing

[1161 Roy Möhlmann]

I wonder how you can make a screenshot from the side while you are landing the aircraft. Do you do a replay?
Roy

[Ard-WT]

I managed to bring the aircraft to a safe stop at the RW. Only after that I made the picture.

[Ard-WT]

FL06 RJTT - RJNT,  188 Nm
Route RJTT Mt.Fuji MBE TOE URUSI IF20 RJNT  , flying time 01:12
This flight will bring us right over the top of Fuji Volcano. I will check on any plumes as I do not like to confront a lava fountain neither the ashes to destroy my engines.
We can see the Fuji volcano from far, with a nice snow cap. There are no plumes so a crossing looks safe. The approach is controlled and we easily can make the top.
We shoot some pictures  and pass safely and continue our flight and conclude with a save landing in RJNT


The approach towards the snowcapped Fuji volcano


Turning over the top of Fuji volcano


we leave the Fuji sleeping behind us.

[1161 Roy Möhlmann]

These shots are much nicer without the instruments in view. Well done..
Roy

[Ard-WT]

thanks a lot Roy. Agree fully and will try to keep this quality up in future


and have improved some earlier images as well

[Ard-WT]

FL07 SCBQ - SAME, 158 Nm
Route: SCBQ Santiago TBN Aconcagua DO83 SAME, flying time: 01:06
This flight brings us to the top of high Aconcagua mountain. The altitude is high, imho even beyond the normal reach of a DC3. Anyway, we have to prepare our oxygen as this is way beyond the 10,000 ft level.
We doubt that we will reach the top , so we start our climb already over two lakes short before Tabon (not as per the instructions), reaching 8,300 ft at TBN.

Approaching Aconcagua mountain, we see that we will not make it

The top of this Mountain could be seen before but is now coming closer "lost in the ceiling", for me an indication that we will not make the top !


so we make a detour to gain miles to be able to go to 23,500 ft and clear the top. At least that is working. This will increase our time, but at least we can finish this flight.

Note: My DC3 Classic has a blower but only a low blower permanently engaged; per T.O. No 01-40 ND-10. Later versions seems to have a 2 speed blower with better performances.

The descend starts straight after passing Mt. Aconcagua and the descent further brings no further problems and we make a smooth landing at El Plumerillo  airport, SAME.


diversion to make the top of Mt. Aconcagua

[Francois-WT]

I had the same pb, but i  start to climb to 23500ft at the beginning of the flight and i reached just at time to overflight  Aconcagua !