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FLIGHT
INFO:
This
two leg flight is based upon an airstrip in the Canadian Arctic I came
across during my Round the World flight in light aircraft. After an
800nm journey in a King Air, I descended into Broughton Is. with no
approach plates etc. Also, I had never flown at these latitudes before
& didn't realise that dusk would occur so early in the day. The
approaching nightfall, a fast plane & a short strip meant I had 3
attempts before I actually landed!
For
this scenario however, you are a Bush Pilot thaht must fly urgently
required mechanical parts from a remote airstrip rto Qikiqtarjuaq
(Broughton Is.) & return. It's main challenges are having to use
basic NDB navigation (including a minima NDB approach) & landing in
small, remote airstrips where magnetic variation can be extreme!
To
test your navigation skills to the maximum, try not to use or refer to
your GPS. Use a flight computer to determine your descent points.
AIRCRAFT
USED: I used a Cessna C185 Skywagon, although any small aircraft capable
of operating into & out of 3000 foot gravel strips will do (even
Baron's, Twin Otters, DH3 Otters etc.).
LEG
1 INFO:
Departure
Airfield: Pangnirtung
(CYXP) at 1800Z, February 6th 2003.
Destination
Airfield: Qikiqtarjuaq (CYVM)
Weather:
Clouds:
4/8 stratus 700 feet to 1500 feet,
8/8stratus 1500 feet
to 3500 feet.
Winds:
270° at 10 knots, all altitudes.
Visibility:
20 miles, all altitudes.
Temps:
-7°C (20°F)
Flight
Info:
CYXP-CYVM,
Heading 069°, 93 miles.
Depart
towards the east taking care of nearby cliffs. initially, you can track
069° using the Pangnirtung (YXP) NDB on 218KHz. About half way to CYVM,
you should be able to receive the Broughton Is. NDB (YJI) NDB on 237KHz.
Descend to arrive overhead YJI NDB at 3000 feet. Be careful about
descending into cloud until close to YJI NDB or you may collide with the
terrain!
NDB
Approach Broughton Is.: This is my own approach & it worked fine
with several aircraft types. The trick is not to fly too fast during the
approach, particularly during the inbound leg. Overfly YJI NDB (237KHz)
at 3000 feet. Immediately turn to the outbound heading of 110° for 2
minutes. Turn left to intercept an inbound track of 260°. Start a slow
descent (500-700fpm) as soon as you start your inbound turn. You should
be
at
your final approach speed with 2 stages of flap & gear down by the
time you reach 1000 feet. This will enable you to react quickly once you
become visual. You should be slightly to the right of the runway when
you finally break clear of cloud. If you have to go around, make a
gentle left hand climbing turn to 3000 feet onto a heading of 170°.
Once established at 3000 feet, re-fly the approach. Once you have
landed, unload your cargo. If you are flying a piston-engine aircraft,
you may wish to keep your engines running during this so your oil
doesn't freeze!
You
must make the return flight as soon as possible to be back before last
light!
LEG
2 INFO:
Departure
Airfield:
Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Is.) CYVM
Destination
Airfield:
Pangnirtung CYXP
Weather:
Clouds: Clear
Winds:
270° at 10 knots, all altitudes.
Visibility:
20 miles, all altitudes.
Temps:
-7°C (20°F)
Flight
Info:
CYVM-CYXP,
Heading 249°, 93 miles
Depart
to the west as planned. Again, use your navigation skills & the
NDB's as required to track to Pangnirtung. The weather has cleared so
you can enjoy the scenery & make a visual approach to CYXP down the
fjords & ravines. With the westerly wind, you can land on runway 25
(290° magnetic), but it is a tight squeeze between the cliffs & the
threshold. You may prefer a downwind landing(!) on runway 07 (110°C
magnetic). (MSFS seems to not use the magnetic heading for runway
numbers here?)
Good
luck & I hope you have fun.
Peter
Stark
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