Aussie Group Flights Team - National Parks Expedition: Yellowstone Geothermal Run

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:blue_square: YELLOWSTONE GEOTHERMAL RUN 2026 — BRIEFING CARD

Yellowstone Airport (KWYS) → Jackson Hole (KJAC)

:small_airplane: Aircraft

H125 • GA (Scenic variant)
VFR • 10 500–12 500 ft MSL mountain cruise
Optimised for geothermal overflight and wilderness transition

:compass: Route Overview

Leg Waypoint Remarks
1 KWYS – Yellowstone Airport Departure; climb toward Upper Geyser Basin
2 Old Faithful Geyser Begin geothermal segment; eruption plume visible
3 Grand Prismatic Spring Midway Geyser Basin; vivid thermal colours
4 Firehole River Corridor Follow geothermal runoff north
5 Yellowstone Lake (West Bay) Wide‑basin crossing; mirror reflections
6 Yellowstone Lake (Central) High‑altitude basin; smooth air
7 Hayden Valley Wildlife zone; maintain altitude discipline
8 Lower Falls – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Overfly canyon rim; screenshot formation
9 Lamar Valley Premier wildlife region; broad open basin
10 Luckinbill Airstrip (WY06) 15‑minute break — land or hover‑hold for group regroup
11 Teton Wilderness Transit Remote alpine foothills; forested ridges and basins
12 KJAC – Jackson Hole Airport Scenic valley arrival; group photo with Tetons backdrop

Total Distance: 203 NM

Flight Time: 1 h 55 min @ 120 knots (+ 15‑min break)

:bullseye: Mission Objectives

  • Maintain stable geothermal‑basin overflight at safe AGL

  • Execute scenic passes over Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic

  • Demonstrate terrain awareness over Yellowstone Lake and Hayden Valley

  • Conduct 15‑minute break at Luckinbill Airstrip (WY06)

  • Complete wilderness transit through the Teton Wilderness

  • Full‑stop landing at Jackson Hole (KJAC)

  • Capture group photo with Tetons in background

:sunrise: Scenic Highlights

  • Old Faithful eruption plume

  • Grand Prismatic Spring colour bands

  • Yellowstone Lake mirror surface

  • Hayden & Lamar Valleys wildlife corridors

  • Lower Falls canyon rim

  • Luckinbill Airstrip break segment

  • Teton Wilderness ridge transition

  • Jackson Hole valley arrival

:airplane_arrival: Event Notes

  • Scenic heli/GA event with geothermal and wilderness themes

  • Ideal for pilots of all skill levels

  • Formation spacing recommended over geothermal basins

  • Wildlife zones require altitude discipline

  • Expect density‑altitude effects near Yellowstone Lake and Teton Wilderness

  • Optional hover‑pause at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic

  • 15‑minute break at Luckinbill Airstrip (WY06) before final leg to Jackson Hole

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If you are not a member, to join for FREE, click here: Aussie Group Flights Team - On-line Flying

Details to follow. Hope you can join us.

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

Regards, Paul

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Event: National Parks Expedition: Yellowstone Geothermal Run
Aircraft: Heli of your choice
Speed: 120 knots
Server: South East Asia
Sim Time: 7:00am
Route: See attached plan below
Alt: 12,500' for avoiding terrain 
Start: 03:00z
Duration: 1hr 55mins
Distance: 203nm 

Take off from Yellowstone(KWYS)
Track 127 deg to Old Faithful(WP1) 18.5nm
Track 343 deg to Grand Prismatic Spring(WP2) 3.9nm
Track 349 deg to Firehole River Corridore(WP3) 0.9nm
Track 106 deg to Yellowstone Lake(WP4) 14.3nm
Track 066 deg to Yellowstone Lake(WP5) 7.6nm
Track 331 deg to Hayden Valley(WP6) 12nm
Track 326 deg to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone(WP7) 4.4nm
Follow waypoints WP7 thru WP35 along Yellowstone river
Track 226 deg to Tower Junction(WP36) 0.5nm
Track 076 deg to WP37 5.1nm
Track 116 deg to Lamar Valley(WP38) 3.7nm
Track 085 deg to Luckinbill Airstrip(WY06) 26nm
Full Stop Landing at Luckinbill Airstrip(WY06) +++ 15 min break +++
Take Off from Luckinbill Airstrip(WY06)
Track 196 deg to Teton Wilderness(WP39) 54nm
Track 213 deg to Jackson Hole(KJAC) 35nm
Full Stop Landing at Jackson Hole(KJAC)

Airport Details:

Yellowstone(KWYS)
Elev: 6,639'
RW 01/19 Bituminous 8,387'

Luckinbill Airstrip(WY06)
Elev: 6,599'
RW 09/27 Grass 2,802'
RW 06/34 Grass 1,896'

Jackson Hole(KJAC)
Elev: 6,429'
RW 01/19 Asphalt 6,299'
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Flight plans to support the event …

Little NavMap:

VFR Yellowstone (KWYS) to Jackson Hole (KJAC).lnmpln (8.0 KB)

MSFS2024:

VFR Yellowstone (KWYS) to Jackson Hole (KJAC).pln (11.7 KB)