Aussie Group Flights Team - Classic Aircraft: Staggerwing Alpine Pass Challenge

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:airplane: Briefing Card — Staggerwing Alpine Pass Challenge

Aircraft: Beechcraft D17 Staggerwing
Scenario: Classic 1930s Alpine Courier Route
Region: Swiss & Italian Alps
Flight Rules: VFR Mountain Operations
Cruise Speed: 145–155 KTAS
Total Duration: ~1 hr 40 min (includes 15‑min break at Raron)

:world_map: Mission Overview

Phase 1 — Bern Region → Raron (LSGS)

Terrain‑following ridge run through the western Alps.

Leg Waypoint Remarks
1 LSGE Departure, climb to ridge altitude
2 WP1 Begin terrain‑hugging ridge run
3 WP2 Narrow valley, rising terrain
4 WP3 Ridge crest, strong updrafts possible
5 WP4 Tight turn between rock faces
6 WP5 Western ridge transition
7 WP6 Entering deeper valley system
8 WP7 Terrain funnels sharply
9 WP8 Scenic low‑level section
10 WP9 Begin climb toward Raron basin
11 WP10 High‑altitude ridge crossing
12 WP11 Final turn toward Raron
13 LSGS — Raron Land for 15‑minute break

Phase 2 — Raron → Lugano (LSZA)

Gemmi → Lötschental → Simplon → Italian descent → Lugano basin.

Leg Waypoint Remarks
14 WP12 Climb out of Raron valley
15 WP13 Gemmi Pass entry
16 WP14 High‑altitude pass crossing
17 WP15 Glacier valley transition
18 WP16 Lötschental ridge
19 WP17 Tight valley turn
20 WP18 Begin Simplon climb
21 WP19 Simplon Pass crest
22 LSTA Optional touch‑and‑go
23 WP20–WP41 Italian descent sequence
24 LICH Low‑alpine strip crossing
25 WP42–WP55 Final descent into Lugano basin
26 LSZA — Lugano Full‑stop landing, mission complete

:sunrise_over_mountains: Scenic Highlights

  • Gemmi Pass cliffs

  • Glacier‑fed Lötschental Valley

  • Simplon Pass ridgeline

  • Italian alpine descent

  • Lugano lake basin arrival

:gear: Operational Notes

  • Expect strong updrafts and crosswinds in passes

  • Maintain strict altitude discipline (13,500 ft cruise)

  • Staggerwing’s speed requires early turn planning

  • Lugano approach is steep and scenic

  • 15‑minute break at Raron for regrouping and screenshots

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PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY.

Regards, Paul

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Event: Classic Airplane: Staggerwing Alpine Pass Challenge
Sim: MSFS2024
Aircraft: Beech Staggerwing
Speed: 150 knots
Server: South East Asia
Sim Time: 8:00am
Route: See attached flight plan
Alt: 13,500'
When:  Tuesday 4th August
Start: 20:00z
Duration: 1hr 20mins
Distance: 199nm 


Take off from Belp(LSZB)
Track 238 deg to Ecuvillens(LSGE) 19.8nm
Touch and Go at Ecuvillens(LSGE)
Track 169 deg to Lac de la Gruyere(WP1) 7.9nm
Track 185 deg to WP2 3.9nm
Follow waypoints from WP2 thru WP6
Track 258 deg to Montreux(WP7) 1.9nm
Track 194 deg to WP8
Follow waypoints from WP8 thru WP10
Track 142 deg to Martigny(WP11) 3nm
Track 053 deg to Sion(LSGS) 12.4nm
Touch and Go at Sion(LSGS)
Track 061 deg to WP12 13.7nm
Track 350 deg to Gemmi Pass(WP13) 4.7nm
Track 069 deg to Lotschental Valley Entrance(WP14) 6.8nm
Track 148 deg to Wiler Lotschen(WP15) 1.7nm
Track 233 deg to WP16 1.4nm
Follow waypoints WP16 thru WP19
Track 097 deg to Raron(LSTA) 3.4nm
Full Stop at Raron(LSTA) +++15 min break +++
Take Off from Raron(LSTA)
Track 095 deg to WP20 2.5nm
Follow waypoints from WP20 thru WP24
Track 236 deg to Simplon Pass(WP25) 1.1nm
Track 200 deg to WP26 1nm
Follow waypoints from WP26 thru WP41
Track 358 deg to Aviosuperficie Chavez-Marini(LICH) 2.1nm
Touch and Go at Aviosuperficie Chavez-Marini(LICH)
Track 097 deg to WP42 1.2nm
Follow waypoints from WP42 thru WP55
Track 147 deg to Lugano(LSZA) 10.8nm
Full Stop at Lugano(LSZA)

Airport Details:
 
Belp(LSZB)
Elev: 1,669'
RW 14/32 Asphalt 5,015'
RW 16/34 Grass 1,692'

Ecuvillens(LSGE)
Elev: 2,281'
RW 09/27 Asphalt 2,612'

Sion(LSGS)
Elev: 1,572'
RW 07L/25R Grass 2,168'
RW 07/25 Asphalt 6,562'

Raron(LSTA)
Elev: 2,084'
RW 10/28 Asphalt 2,863'

Aviosuperficie Chavez-Marini(LICH)
Elev: 921'
RW 18/36 Asphalt 1,985'

Lugano(LSZA)
Elev: 903'
RW 01/19 Asphalt 4,642'
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Flight plans to support the event …

Little NavMap:
VFR Belp (LSZB) to Lugano (LSZA).lnmpln (10.6 KB)

MSFS2024:
VFR Belp (LSZB) to Lugano (LSZA).pln (16.9 KB)

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Event reminder …