Tailspin45 Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 We discussed flying up "The Slot", over "Iron Bottom Sound", to Rabaul because of all the WW2 history. But the consensus was to press on to Papua New Guinea (PNG). And so we did. After takeoff from famous Henderson Field, home of the Cactus Air Force (P-400 Aircobras and P-38 Lightnings), we were treated to a vision of what the area might have looked like during the war with a hospital ship and troop ships offshore. And there was evidence of the battles fought and lives lost on the island. 255º would take us to the south tip of PNG, where we could fly up the south side of the Owen Stanley mountain range. Mt Victoria goes up to over 13,000 and we didn't want to bump into it in the dark or in bad weather. We took off at 1400, and some haze was the only weather factor. We droned along for over five hours before someone yelled, "Land Ho," and sure 'nuff there it was. DR really is amazingly reliable even over more than 500 miles (assuming you have accurate wind forecasts). We made landfall about 40 minutes later With evidence that the widely scatter thunderstorm forecast was indeed accurate, too. But all we encountered was some benign mid-level cumulus and stratus. We held our course until we were sure we were offshore before starting down. It was getting dark and didn't want to letdown into some cumulo granitus We picked up the Port Moresby NDB, followed it in to a visual to 31L, and rolled out past a cargo C-130 Packed up quickly last night, so I came back out this morning to make sure we hadn't overlooked anything. Found we were blocking a cargo ramp and moved over near the old control tower. I know I'm really going to like PNG if AYPY is any indication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Another well narrated and illustrated set. I liked the shot of the towering thunder cloud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailspin45 Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 Check this CB out! Very obvious which way the high-level winds were blowing! The water in that sucker weighs, more or less, a billion pounds. The water in a typical fluffy fair weather cumulous cloud weight about 500 tons, believe it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Amazing that something that floats around can weigh so much. There again if you stop and think how much water is in a storm cloud and how much water weighs, then it all adds up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailspin45 Posted December 15, 2017 Author Share Posted December 15, 2017 Exactly. Luckily clouds are less dense than the air below them, so they float. My mind just played a funny animation of a landscape scene where the air density is suddenly turned off and all the moisture in the air and clouds suddenly falls. Spa-lash! But then my weird mind also loves to envision a snowfall that happens in seconds instead of hours. Thump! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifejogger Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 A great flight and thanks for the commentary. The screenshots were super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Great, great shots & weather once again, Tom. And now I am keen to see your week spent at New Guinea. There is enough to see for such long time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradB Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Marvelous set of shots Tom . Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebear Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 Great shots and story, Tom Cheers Bluebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Hall Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Glad you made it safe, more great information during the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sawyer Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Really well done again Tom! That's interesting about the clouds, when I first found out about that as a kid I could not believe it. It's still hard to believe but amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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