TBM Around the World via the South Pacific

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You can see my route and photologs from each leg, along with notable points of interest along the way here: TBM 930 Around the World - Google My Maps

My original aim was not to fly around the world. I have a personal rule of only being able to fly from an airport I’ve already flown to, and I wanted to use different slow and short-range aircraft to explore various regions of the world. So I used the TBM to quickly travel around and “seed” my VFR regional aircraft in Europe, Africa, Australia, etc. When I got to Australia I realized the TBM could just barely make it across the South Pacific so I decided to complete the trip around the world. I did not carry any extra passenger or baggage weight. All these airports either have commercial add-ons from publishers like SimMarket/Areosoft or free add-ons from Flightsim.to (some of which I made myself).

Some leg notes in case anyone wants to try any or all portions of this route:
KPVC → CYBC → CZUM - this was supposed to be a single flight but I spent too much time at a low-altitude and ran out of fuel way before reaching CZUM from KPVC and had to divert to CYBC. Only had a few hours logged in the TBM at this point and this taught me how high-altitude aircraft can only reach its max range cruising at high altitudes

EGPC → LFLJ - this route was long and indirect to burn a full tank of gas and leave me light for arrival into Courchevel. I also avoided London and Paris due to performance concerns

LFLJ → LFMN - this leg is short on purpose so I could depart Courchevel with a light load of gas

HUEN → HKML - this was supposed to be HUEN → FSPP but headwinds were too strong and I decided to divert and check out Mt Kilimanjaro

SCIP → SCIR - Longest leg, requiring good fuel management and favorable winds - use Windy.com to check. You should be able to arrive with enough reserve for at least one go-around

SA01 → SPGL - A very long indirect flight and I actually ran out of fuel less than a mile from the airport because I failed to take into account just how long I would be flying through the valley on my approach to the airport

TFFG → TXKF - I only had a few days to complete my journey around the world before I had to pack away my desktop PC indefinitely so I jumped from the Caribbean to Bermuda to home. I would definitely suggest instead a trip over the large Caribbean islands and up the US east coast

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I am new to MSFS 2020 but have real life experience in the C152, 172 and 182 back in the mid '70s. I am intrigued by the TBM930 and it has become my go-to plane and your Around the World post got me fired up to do something similar. I’m using the Around the World experience to learn more about the aircraft, power management, winds, navigation, avionics and to also have some fun.

So I started my journey yesterday 2023-12-18 on a PHNL → KSMF leg. I chose PHNL to start as that is a tricky route over the Pacific to the US West Coast. I’d been paying attention to winds aloft and noticed a solid forecast of a 50-60kts tailwind heading east. I chose KSMF (Sacramento) because that is the largest commercial airport close to where I live. KSMF is 400nm beyond the TBM930’s typical range, but with a tail wind and good power management I was optimistic.

As it turned out, the tailwind was at times in excess of 100kts. I was able to dial down the power to a 38GPH fuel consumption at FL310 while maintaining 340kts ground speed. As I got close to the California Coast, the winds aloft reduced to the 30kts range and a less favorable direction. I was still looking good for a successful landing at KSMF barring something unforeseen.

As I passed waypoint BAART, Oakland Center ATC directed me to FL190 and upon descending the winds were not my friend. It became clear I wasn’t going to make it to KSMF so I re-routed to KSFO. Weather was poor, traffic was heavy, and I was instructed to hold twice north of San Francisco. I did make it safely down KSFO ILS 19R and made a bee-line to the closest available gate where the TBM immediately ran out of gas!

That was day One. Next time I’ll try not to cut it so close.

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Cool, nice start. I learned some good lessons on my first leg too. Good luck on your journey