Leg 6: CYFB Iqaluit to CYGL La Grande Rivière (second attempt)
This was maybe the most challenging leg so far. On my first, aborted attempt, the weather would have been great, but it deteriorated during my stay at Iqaluit. There was now icing forecast for most of the route, and weather at the destination was close to LPV minimums for the RNAV runway 13 approach. The weather at Wemindji, my alternate, wasn’t great either, but good enough. And ferry pilots don’t get paid to sit around.
I had already lost enough time, so it was an early start. Props were turning by 5:45 am local time, and departure was shortly after 6:00 am. 100% on the power check this time.
An early start
Taxiing out
Power check: 100%
Climbing out
Goodbye, Iqaluit
I had planned to cruise at only 6000 feet to stay below the icing level. On the second third of the leg, the bases lifted, allowing me to climb to 10,000 feet for a better TAS. As I got closer to my destination, the bases lowered again, and I descended back down to 6000 rather than brave the icing.
There’s ice in those clouds
Airways? Where we’re going, we don’t need no airways.
A welcome break in the clouds
Getting closer to La Grande Rivière, NEXRAD showed precipitation ahead, and sure enough, I spent the last 50 miles or so flying through rain. I set up for the RNAV to runway 13, knowing it going to be close whether I was going to make it. There was a break in the clouds near the FAF, but there were more clouds between me and the airport, and I was soon back in the soup.
And back into the clag
Solid IMC on the approach
With the altimeter winding down towards my DA of 920 feet, I was getting ready to execute the missed approach when, just below 1000 feet, I saw the runway lights through the murk. A welcome sight indeed!
Relief
About to touch down
Taxiing in
On the ground at La Grande Rivière