Tailspin45 Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Almost busted my ass today. Locals said you could head south at 10,500, no problem. Not on the route I took. Didn't want to try dodging mountain peaks and ridges in the dark, and cool night temperatures would help the density altitude, so we planned takeoff at sun-up (0554). Pushed the power up at 0600 on the dot. No fuel in the eight 100-gallon internal tanks we have in the back, but even with 804 gallons in the wings, we used an awful lot of the two-and-half-mile-long runway. MP on takeoff was only 34", and density altitude was just over 12,000 feet! The Sky was getting light but just because the sun is above the horizon doesn't mean there's sunlight in the mountains. However, we could, at least, see the 19,890' peak of Cotopaxi volcano beyond the far ridge as we turned south. As the sun finally came up behind us if only served to illuminate the peaks ahead of us, and remind us that it was a long walk in an unfriendly jungle to anywhere. There were thunderstorms around too, just to complicate things. Not much wind, but still a plenty rough ride. And it wasn't long before we were balls to the wall trying to scrape over ridges. Learned to fly in New Mexico, so mountain flying isn't a novel experience, but these suckers pushed us up to 14,500 and, still heavy, she wasn't going any higher even though I was leaning forward and holding my tongue just right in the corner of my mouth. Crossed the last ridge with less than 500 feet between us and the snow under us, and then we started to have room enough to breath. Not that there was a lot of oxygen, which probably accounts for my poor decision-making and navigation. We knew we'd be droning along for hours over the ocean at 8,500 or lower so we didn't think O2 bottles would be necessary. As we came out of the mountains the jungle was beautiful in the dawn's early light Let down to 8,500 so we could breathe again, and ended up dodging a few build ups Had to shoot the ILS, but broke out at 1,300' AGL and shut her down seven minutes shy of six hours after takeoff. Long flight tomorrow to Valparaiso, Chile, on the coast near Santiago. That will be our jumping off point for an even longer flight to Easter Island and the South Pacific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bermuda425 Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Oh gosh, oh gee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 What an amazing series of flights. Top class images and dialogue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sawyer Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 13 hours ago, Tailspin45 said: holding my tongue just right in the corner of my mouth These are the best yet. B&W, framed and then color, and outstanding narrative, you've got real talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
European Mountain Man Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Wow what a super set of screen shots well done looking good regards stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Outstanding narration and shots, Tailspin. This post must be classified as "great piece of work & art". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farman Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Great, great, great!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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