Around the World VFR (ish) - now complete!

Leg 74 - Nice, France (LFMN Nice/Cote d’Azur) to Porto, Portugal (LPPR Francisco Sa Carneiro)


This leg: 1,216Nm, 4:50 flying time
Total so far: 84,573, 342:03 flying time

Today we are following the South coast of France and then nipping over to the Balearic Islands before flying around the South Coast of Spain and then on to Portugal, ending our trip in Porto. We are passing over many places on our way; Marseille, Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza, Murcia, Almeria, Merbella, Cadiz, Faro and Lisbon before landing in Porto.

It’s a lovely morning in Nice today, for our departure






First stop is Marseille






And on to Barcelona, across the Gulf of Lion






Heading South to Mallorca and over La Palma and heading to Ibiza





Over Ibiza and now heading back towards mainland Spain






On our way to Murcia in Southern Spain





Back to the coast now and the town of Almeria over some rugged, hilly and dry terrain








Next stop is the holiday destinarion of Marbella further along the coast, passing Malaga on the way







And on to Rota Navy at Cadiz, a major port city in Spain, crossing inland across miles of remote mountains and scrub








Here’s Faro





And our last stop before Porto - Lisbon









Heading North to Porto



Lining up for final approach







And down



Updated progress map and log

Leg 75 - Porto, Portugal (LPPR Francisco Sa Carneiro) to Courchevel, France (LFLJ Courchevel)


This leg: 755Nm, 3:04 flying time
Total so far: 85,328Nm, 327:07 flying time

Today we are taking a lazy winding stroll across Northern Spain and into the French Alps - passing by a number of points of interest in true sight seeing style. We start by heading East to Pamplona then into to Pyrenees. There we will fly by Lac de Cap-de-Long and Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory before heading on to Stadium de Toulouse. Then further East, we’ll have a close up view of the Millau Viaduct and then on to the French Alps. Mont Aiguille, Sanctuaire Notre dame de la Salette and Perret Tower all await before our final, tricky landing at Courchevel, high in the French Alps.

So a bit overcast and cloudy on the West Coast of Spain this afternoon as we take off, climbing and then turning right to head East towards Pamplona.





Heading across Northern Spain - some clouds, but not too bad






Here’s Pamplona and the Fuerte Alfonso XII San Cristobal


Our next stops are Lac de Cap-de-Long and Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory. We need to climb up to about 11,000 feet to get over the top of the Pyrenees mountains to reach them. Spectacular views of the mountains through the clouds









Aproaching Lac de Cap-de-Long - hopefully not hidden by the clouds - and no - the clouds clear perfectly to give us a fantastic view



And onwards to the observatory - which is, unfortunately shrouded in cloud today - just visible through the murk


North East to Toulouse, clearing the Pyrenees, still lots of low cloud about though





Onward to the Millau Viaduct - spectacular






Climbing now towards Mont Aiguille, crossing the Rhone valley





Unfortunately the airstrip is shrouded in mist





More stunning scenery as we head to Sanctuaire Notre Dame de la Salette




On towards Perret Tower - a little hard to see in the gloomy mist, but it’s there





And now our final approach into Courchevel, circling around to approach runway 22 - hoping visibility improves - passing right overhead before we turn back around






And down and parked



What a great flight! Loved that.

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Updated map and log

Leg 76 - Courchevel, France (LFLJ Courchevel) to Prague, Czech Republic (LKPR Ruzyne)


This leg: 635Nm, 2:43 flying time
Total so far: 85,963Nm, 329:50 flying time

Today we are sight-seeing across Central Europe, heading North initially to Geneva, and then cutting across East, all the way to Prague and Ruzyne Airport. On the way, we’re going to fly by a few sights. First is the Arc-Et-Senans, then on to Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg before we head to Strasbourg, Neuschwanstein Castle and finally Hohensalzburg Fortress before heading North East to Prague.

Unfortunately, the weather in Courchevel today is best described as “foul”



Well, if the weather doesn’t improve, we won’t be seeing too many of the sights we’ve picked out!



You can just about make out Geneva below us here, but a sudden break in the clouds reveals a stunning Lake Geneva



A little glimpse of sunshine maybe as we head North East, but it looks more ominous ahead



There, below us, is Arc-Et-Senans



Continuing North East to Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg…getting cloudier again!


Well, the Chateau is down there somewhere…honest!

On now to Strasbourg…and unfortunately for us today, the weather is not playing ball. Not had many trips like this so far - let’s just call this one as unlucky. But, for the record, here is Strasbourg

Neuschwanstein Castle is next up, and really hoping the clouds clear a bit before we get there. Maybe we’ll get lucky…or maybe not





There’s the castle, at the foot of the mountains


On to our last visit to Hohensalzburg Fortress


Spectacular views of the Alps and some improving weather too





And here is Salzburg and the Hohensalzburg Fortress



And our final leg towards Prague, scooting under the low cloud



Turning to take up final approach, lining up nicely on the glideslope


Coming in nicely



And down





Cool. Next we will be heading North to Scandinavia think

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Leg 77 - Prague, Czech Republic (LKPR Ruzyne) to Vaasa, Finland (EFVA Vaasa)


This leg: 1,166Nm, 4:45 flying time
Total so far: 87,129Nm, 334:35 flying time

Today we are heading North from Ruzyne and into Scandinavia. First we are heading to Malmo then turning to the North East and taking in the Oland Bridge and Kungsangen before onwards to Stockholm. Further East from there to the Bomarsund Bridge and Turku Castle before Helsinki. Lastly going North to Ylisto Bridge before finally heading West to Vaasa.

Should be a fun flight. Much better weather in Ruzyne today too.





Pretty flat here in the Czech Republic and the River Elbe


Crossing back into Northern Germany, still following the River Elbe and approaching the Northern coast of Germany






Heading across to Malmo and our first sight of the Swedish coast and the Oresundsbron Bridge






On to the Oland Bridge, the bridge between the Swedish mainland and the island of Oland








North to Kungsangen





East on to Stockholm







Bomarsund Bridge




Into Finland and Turku


Finland is very flat, much like Sweden, at least this far South


Clouds coming in as we come over Helsinki






Ylisto Bridge





Cloudy now as we head towards Vaasa


Landing in this could be tricky




Coming in for approach and a big crosswind






And down, with a big crab on!



Cool flight. Next leg will probably be further North to see more of the Scandinavian sights

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Latest map

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Great photos, many thanks

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This is brilliant, enjoyed reading. Inspired me to try and do this once I get to grips of the game a little more (I only bought it on Thursday). Made my first real successful smooth landing last night so I am getting there! :slightly_smiling_face:

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Awesome! Glad you’re enjoying it. I found it a great way to learn the game and I now know the TBM really well!

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Leg 78 - Vaasa, Finland (EFVA Vaasa) to Bergen, Norway (ENBR Flesland)


This leg: 1,033Nm, 3:18 flying hours
Total so far: 88,162Nm, 337:53 flying time

Today we are heading further North to the some of the picturesque islands of Norway, before following the Norwegian coast South West to Bergen. On the way we are going to fly by Kiruna Church, Stornappstinden, Mengelsdalstinden, Helgeland Bridge, Trondheim, Storseisundet Bridge, Hardanger Bridge and Fyksesund Bridge.

Looks like a nice day here in Vaarsa - hopefully that continues and we can get to see the sights






Heading North over the Gulf of Bothnia and some much thicker clouds here as we approach Sweden



And here is the East coast of Sweden





Kiruna Church is our first destination




Climbing through the murky cloud as we head North into Norway




Stornappstinden and Mengelsdalstinden are next in a stunning series of islands on the North coast of Norway - still cloudy, but some gaps, so hopefully we’ll get some good views

Stunning views through the clouds though - what an amazing place































Turning South towards Helgeland Bridge, still pretty murky







And South West on to Trondheim - and more low cloud






Storseisundet Bridge





Hardanger Bridge




Fyksesund Bridge






Finally, our last leg and on to Bergen through the low cloud and setting sun





Lined up for final approach







Down and parked



That was an awesome flight! Some great scenery!

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Updated world map and log

Great leg with plenty of great scenary! :+1:

Leg 79 - Bergen, Norway (ENBR Flesland) to Paris, France (LFPG Charles de Gaulle)


This leg: 863Nm, 2:40 flying time
Total so far: 89,025Nm, 340:33 flying time

Today we are making an evening flight from Bergen to Paris. On the way, our route will take in quite a few landmarks: Aalborg Stadium, Cere Park Aaarhus, Lego House, Afsluitdijk, Houtribdijk, Rijkmuseum, Erasmus Bridge, Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, Palais de Justice Brussels, Citadelle of Lille, Amiens Cathedral.

Hoping for less cloudy weather today, as that was a bit of a problem over Norway and Sweden on our last leg. And it is indeed a beautiful late afternoon in Bergen with clear skies around







We take off to the North before turning 180 to head back South towards Aalborg, our first destination - but unfortunately heading back into heavy clouds






Crossing Southern Norway





Crossing the Skagerrak towards Denmark



Here’s Aalborg and we fly right over the top of the football stadium



Onwards to Aarhus and we can see just how flat the terrain is here - which does mean we can fly nice and low over Aarhus and Cere Park







Heading South West towards Billund and the Lego House




And on to the dykes in Netherlands, Afsluitdijk and Houtribdijk. Leaving the Danish coast and heading across the North Sea




Approaching the Dutch coast and the cloud getting lower again in the sinking sunlight

And here are Afsluitdijk and Houtribdijk, just visible through the mist (which I’m really hoping clears soon!)









Onwards to Amsterdam and the Rijkmuseum, which is unfortunately shrouded by the low cloud





I suspect Rotterdam and the Erasmus Bridge will be the same…but it turns out we are in luck and the clouds clear a little





Maybe Antwerp will be the same and we’ll get good views of the Cathedral of Our Lady - but not really - it’s down there somewhere I’m sure




Brussels may be just as bad, or indeed worse





Heading further West to Lille, and maybe, just maybe, the cloud will clear a bit. We may be in luck, although it’s getting darker than I thought it would. We can just see the Citadel of Lille below




Last stop before Paris is Amiens and a good view of the Cathederal




And on to Paris and definitely clearing cloud, which is great



Turning on to our final approach








And down and parked


I think we may be on our last leg for our next flight!

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Updated map and log

Leg 80 - Paris, France (LFPG Charles de Gaulle) to Edinburgh, Scotland (EGPH Edinburgh Airport)


This leg: 725Nm, 3:10 flying time
Total so far: 89,750Nm, 343:43 flying time

Well, the time has come. This is our final leg - coincidentally our 80th (Around the World in 80 Days anyone?). It seems like a long time since I first left Edinburgh way back on 20th August last year, just a couple of days after the sim launched. But now we are finally heading home. Obviously we are not doing that in a very direct route and will be fitting in a long list of sights that we’ll be taking in along the way.

Heading North from Paris, we’ll take in:

  • Cliffs of Dover
  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • Archbishop’s Palace Maidstone
  • Tower Bridge
  • Waterloo Bridge
  • Vauxhall Bridge
  • Albert Bridge
  • Wandsworth Bridge
  • Wimbledon
  • Wolvesey Castle
  • Stonehenge
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge
  • Principality Stadium
  • Warwick Castle
  • Villa Park
  • Iron Bridge
  • Jodrel Bank
  • Anfield Stadium
  • Blackpool Tower
  • Fountain Abbey
  • Durham Cathedral
  • Tyne Bridge
  • Floors Castle

Finally, of course, we’ll land at Edinburgh Airport.

So, we should get going. And guess what, it’s a bit cloudy in Paris. Hopefully, for our final leg, it won’t be like that this the whole way







Heading North towards the English Channel




Some low cloud as we reach the French coast, but then it clears as we start to cross the Channel - albeit with some thick dark clouds ahead perhaps



Our first place to visit is the Cliffs of Dover




And on to Canterbury Cathedral




Next stop is Maidstone and the Archbishop’s Palace - and the clouds have come in with some rain too. The Palace is down there through the heavy cloud


So on to London, and quite a few sights to see here of course including Tower Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Albert Bridge and Wandsworth Bridge

















Further South we can see Centre Court of Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association


Heading further West towards Wolvesey Castle and the typical British weather continues - a mix of cloud, rain and sun





The day does seem to be brightening up a bit as we head to Stonehenge


Further West now to Bristol and the Clifton Suspension Bridge






Into Wales and to Cardiff and the Principality Stadium, first crossing the Bristol Channel






Looping back around to the North East towards Warwick and Warwick Castle


On to Birmingham and Villa Park Stadium





Passing a small village called Iron Bridge with…an Iron Bridge - a famous industrial landmark



And North to Jodrel Bank radio telescope


On to Liverpool and Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool Football Club




Further North to Blackpool Tower





East to Fountain Abbey



North to Durham and the Cathedral there



Newcastle is next up




In Southern Scotland, Floors Castle, is our final stop before heading, at last, for home





On our final leg now to Edinburgh






On final approach








And down and parked



Well, that’s it. We are back home. Nearly 90,000Nm and nearly 350 flying hours. What a marathon journey. We’ve seen some incredible sights, got to know the TBM 930 really well and had an absolute blast.

I’ll post a wrap up shortly, once I’ve had a stiff drink at the bar and a fish supper!

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Final world map and last leg on the log book

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Brilliant mate. I only started on MSFS on Thursday and joined this forum the same day so joined your run late but went through the lot, going to miss the updates. Great stuff :+1:

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It has been a real pleasure to follow your trip around earth (since the beginning for myself :wink: ). You’ve been a great inspiration for many places I went to.
Thank you for sharing this with the community !

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Thank you so much for your kind words, and glad you got some enjoyment from my ramblings and many (5,014, 11Gb!) of screenshots!