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El Alto


Stillwater

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After days of RL I finally found some time to continue flying in the Andes. Starting from Cochabamba it was a natural choice of plane and livery...: " DC-3-313 C/n 2173 painted as CP-1059 of Trans Aereos San Miguel of Cochabamba, Bolivia. It was built in 1939, and flew in the US as NC21785, N257H and N517DW before finding its way to Bolivia. It was damaged beyond repair after a crash on take off from San Ignacio de Moxos Airport in 1987.".

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So I set up a flight plan, put on some music ...

 

... and tried to climb. Tried to climb because the airport here is already at 8500 ft, and the DC-3 is not very keen to climb at this altitude, so I had to circle over the city first.

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But the Cordillera Tunari needed a climb to about 16500 ft. Hard work to monitor airspeed and engine temperatures.

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Made it. And headed north, in order to see some trees. Lots of them: The beginning of the tropical rainforest, just in the shadows of the mountains:
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Unfortunately flying in the Andes means you are not free in chosing your altitude. Quite a bumpy ride in the clouds...
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Rio Cotacajes. This water will finally find its way into the Atlantic.
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Closing in to the high valley of La Paz is a challenge, even simulated.

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I can see the city...

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... but the airport is harder to spot. I had to try an ILS landing at El Alto International, but it was not very successful. Somehow the altitude indication was lost. Good to know the runway is at about 13500 ft, but where...?
2018-4-28_20-36SLLP13500ft.jpg

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Thank you for commenting, @Iain Emms, @dolf8857 and Stewart @European Mountain Man !

 

17 hours ago, Sniper31 said:

What a wonderful and adventurous trip Gerold...whose DC-3 is that btw? I am enjoying your SA adventures, so I hope there is more coming :) 

Thank you Landon, I´ll surely spend some more time in virtual South & Middle America now.

The DC-3 / C-47 is made by Manfred Jahn (freeware), and I use the v2 version (the v3 has more realistic (ancient) instrumentation).

 

17 hours ago, Bermuda425 said:

Certainly a four-star set of shots! Time to pull out your instrument rating!

Thank you Bermuda. Well, you did not see my landing, you would probably change your opinion...!

 

15 hours ago, Jack Sawyer said:

That was spectacular Gerold!  I love the density of the cities and then that rain forest, that's one place I haven't even thought about visiting in SA yet, very beautiful!

Yes Jack, these details look really great. I´ll drop down in the central rainforests soon... :ph34r:!

But I fear there would be no bridges, in case someone is interested.

 

14 hours ago, flyingleaf said:

Great shots great tour Gerold. Love that DC 3 she is a tough old bird. As far as I know they're still flying in South America.

I think the same, Karl. Trusty old metal with an easy repair option - though not too powerful in climbing over these mountains.

 

10 hours ago, paulb said:

Super shots Gerold! That looked a challenging flight :)

Thanks Paul. Indeed getting out of the airport and into the final one was both a bit frightening. I have to get used to that... and maybe use a more powerful plane...!

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54 minutes ago, jean marc said:

really pleasant and interesting narration...and so you landed in a field around and all people is safe ? :P

To be honest I landed on the airfield, but before the runway began... maybe this works with a slow DC-3, but it did not look too nice...:o:D!

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