So some short hauls are in order today with Thai Airways in the 747-400.
Leg one is THA#560, VTSB (Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport) to VVNB (Hanoi Vietnam).
Weather at VTSB this early AM was wind 130/02kts in haze and 5 miles visibility. Clouds were 2'000 few and 12'000 scattered and a very mild and humid 25C.
Pushing Back from the gate VTBS
Using the JORGE1B SID from runway 01L that takes you straight out on the runway heading to the R474 airway. Talk about direct!
Only thing is some altitude restrictions due to the close proximity of the still in use VTBD (Bangkok's Don Mueang). For the first thirty miles or so your stepping into your climb very slowly. First to 6'000ft and then in 18 miles your only going up to 8'000ft. In fact for the first 42 miles you cannot bust FL160! Once at the ALBOS fix you're on the R474 airway and free to climb as you wish.
Cimbing to FL160
Couldn't see much on the way up anyway due to the haze. Once in cruise I could see convection all around but no thunder storms. It was a short cruise phase and we are headed back down in no time. ATIS at VVNB was not looking that great.
Weather reported as wind 131/04kts, 3/4 mile visibility in light rain. Clouds 200 scattered and 500 broken with a cool 16C, and a dew point to match. Using the MC1A arrival on to runway 11L ILS approach.
Short final, 300ft VVNB runway 11L
As I made my way down the slope I seen nothing until just after the 300ft call and then I took over hand flying, again setting up a bit of a float down the runway as I flared just a touch too early. But with 11L being over 10'000ft I had little problem with the landing.
Not pretty but we got there!
Spotters shot VVNBThe visuals today were just as immersive as the ones in FSX yesterday! Only exception being I was getting well over 40FPS, all this while capturing HD video to boot!
Checking out the Russian Iron at VVNB
After 1hr and 36min of flight time we are doing a quick turn around and heading back to Bangkok but this time to VTBD, Don Mueang airport.
Oh yeah, the HD video of my terrible landing can be seen by clicking HERE
And leg two can be seen by clicking HERE
4 comments:
Great flight!!
Neat touch with the video too.
I love the clouds and rainy landing.
Of to leg 2...
Yeah my I7 is great for capturing video while flying. Zero frame rate hit. I also have it loading on a second HDD so the save the main FS9 drive from the thrashing the HDD takes while recording.
Still a smooth landing in the rain right there! Yep, 747s have really carved their way on some captains' list of favorite aircrafts. And right now we're still anticipating another addition to the family. I'm sure it will have a strong adherence to the quality and certification that 747s are known for.
Thaanks Josh. I agree the 744 is an awesome bird to sim fly and to look at too. Thanks for posting!
Post a Comment