Leg 17 - VNKT-VNLK
Departed: 11:15z (RWY 02)
Arrived: 12:04z (RWY 06)
Weather: Fairly cloudy departure and at cruise; clear arrival
Aircraft: DHC6-300
Route: VNKT N0174A110 IGRI1B 2733N08643E 2734N08642E 2734N08641E 2735N08640E 2737N08642E 2740N08642E VNLK
Approach: Visual, with chart below as a guide (found here)
Remarks:
- With the Aerosoft Twin Otter now available for MSFS, I decided to use that for my hop across to Lukla from Kathmandu instead of the Cirrus SR22 originally planned
- Although I used the instument departure from VNKT (IGRI1B SID), I flew the rest of this flight visually using a route I found online. After departing VNKT on RWY 02, I flew the 96 degree radial from KTM VOR (113.20) for ~70km before finding the valley running North towards Lukla airport.
- I was a little high on my approach into VNLK, so ended up having a pretty steep final descent path, but still managed to almost miss the end of the runway!
- The runway gradient is much steeper than I expected and I needed plenty of throttle after landing to taxi up the runway for parking.
Fueled up and ready for our short hop over to Lukla
Taxiing out to RWY 02 for departure
Climbing out over Kathmandu
Stunning views from the window seat!
The Himalayas looming large out of the flight deck
Perfect weather for a flight to Lukla
Spotting the valley that would take us North to Lukla airport
Turning north
A successul landing at VNLK!
Parked up and ready to check-in for the night at the Buddha Lodge
Distance completed: 15,214nm Distance remaining: 31,377nm