Got a chance to run that lengthy RWY 20 ILS DME Arc at SGAS/Asuncion, Paraguay, today.
The five hour flight left from SBGL/Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Once in cruise and autopilot established, I set the co-pilot loose with ATC and left it running on the TV while I worked nearby, glancing over every few minutes to check that all’s well and get a look out the virtual window.
Entries into and out of the arc have been getting less stressful — except for the reliable fact that ATC will call for next descent leg 15 seconds before you’re about to transition onto the arc. But turn-twisting through 150 degrees of that was great for getting more fluid with how much to correct when drifting long or short. I like the brief surprise moments of popping one’s head up to grab a glance at what’s going on outside before diving back to the instruments.
Then came landing after nearly 5 hours in the air, and as has been happening repeatedly the last few times, an enthusiasm crushing crash to desktop between runway and gate. By some mercy, the logbook recorded close to 3 of those hours. Not sure how it amortizes that after the lights go out. Whatever.
My plan next time is to shut off the battery as soon as I come to a stop off the runway. Then hot start the engines & attempt a run on the gates with at least a sensible logbook entry that doesn’t end in some distant midair location.