Leg 36 - SAEZ - SUMU

Leg 36 - SAEZ (Buenos Aires, Argentina) to SUMU (Canelones, Uruguay)

Departure
METAR SAEZ 181300Z 28010KT CAVOK 17/06 Q1014; SUMU 181300Z 31015KT CAVOK 19/11 Q1011
Flight Plan ... SAEZ EZE DORVO CRR SUMU (125 nm)
Cruise Alt... 3,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg), 100 lb cargo
Hobbs 072.3 hrs
Block Time 1409Z
Flight  1421Z
Depart rwy 29

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 261 deg at 27 kt, tail wind 24 kts
Groundspeed ~164 kts, indicated 134 kts

Arrival
Right hand circuit for rwy 24
METAR SUMU 181500Z 28020G30KT 9999 FEW017 21/09 Q1011
Fuel = 73 USG
Flight 1514Z
Block Time 1516Z
Hobbs 073.5 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 14 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.2 hrs
Distance = 125 nm
Cumulative Distance = 9218 nm
Country Count = 17

Journal Notes
- A nice flight across the water
- Nice crosswind on landing
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.
- AME says "excellent shape",
- In RW, turns out the Radon test was higher than recommended.  I believe it is because I've cut back the ventilation in the basement to reduce heating costs.  Silly Keith.  We'll see how this goes now... might be a deal breaker?

Leg 35 - SAZG - SAEZ

Leg 35 - SAZG (La Pampa, Argentina) to SAEZ (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SAZG 180816Z 28407KT 9999 NOSIG 12/01 Q1013; SAEZ 180800Z 29010KT CAVOK 12/07 Q1013
Flight Plan ... SAZG GPI EZE SAEZ (262 nm)
Cruise Alt... 3,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg), 100 lb cargo
Hobbs 070.5 hrs
Block Time 0824Z
Flight  0832Z
Depart rwy 34

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 244 deg at 24 kt, tail wind 23 kts
Groundspeed ~164 kts, indicated 134 kts

Arrival
Left hand circuit for rwy 29
METAR SAEZ 181000Z 30006KT CAVOK 11/06 Q1013
Fuel = 62 USG
Flight 1017Z
Block Time 1021Z
Hobbs 072.3 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 25 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.8 hrs
Distance = 262 nm
Cumulative Distance = 9093 nm
Country Count = 16

Journal Notes
- A nice early morning flight; nothing eventful enroute
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.
- AME says  to inspect engine (replace air filter).  AME wipes his hands with a rag after making repairs and says it is in "excellent shape" again,
- In RW, the 'sold' sign did not go on the lawn last night.  The radon inspection report hasn't been sent to the buyers yet.  Dang.  Had a great evening with Marg, and this morning I took her to the airport for her two-week trip to Calgary!  I'm a bachelor again.  :-/

Leg 34 - SAMM - SAZG

Leg 34 - SAMM (Mendoza, Argentina) to SAZG (La Pampa, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SAMM 171614Z 34103KT 9999 NOSIG 13/M03 Q10202; SAZG 171614Z 25115KT 9999 NOSIG 18/05 Q1015
Flight Plan ... SAMM MLG GPI SAZG (286 nm)
Cruise Alt... 11,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg), 100 lb cargo
Hobbs 068.6 hrs
Block Time 1637Z
Flight  1645Z
Depart rwy 32

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 229 deg at 35 kt, tail wind 24 kts
Groundspeed ~170 kts, indicated 122 kts

Arrival
Right hand circuit for rwy 21
METAR SAZG 171814Z 24318KT 9999 NOSIG 20/05 Q1013
Fuel = 66 USG
Flight 1836Z
Block Time 1837Z
Hobbs 070.5 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 21 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.9 hrs
Distance = 286 nm
Cumulative Distance = 8831 nm
Country Count = 16
Cumulative Route - CYBW KGEG KRNO KLAS KREI MMPE MMHO MMSP MMVR MMTG MGGT MZBZ MHLM MSLP MNMG MROC SKRG SKBO SKFL SECO SEMC SEMA SPEO SPIM SPQU SLLP SLTR SLVM SANT SANL SAME SCEL SAMM SAZG

Journal Notes
- most of this run over Argentina is as flat as the Canadian prairies... and equally exciting from an airplane
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.
- AME says left brakes are worn and to inspect engine (replace fuel filter).  AME wipes his hands with a rag after making repairs and says it is in "great shape" again,
- In RW, Marg and I are thrilled that this weeks house inspections went excellent and we'll likely have the house officially 'sold' within hours.  God is good!!!  And Marg is hours from returning to Calgary tomorrow morning to visit the kids again and go to an Operation Christmas Child Connect Conference (OCCCC).  I'll be batching it again, but don't have to keep the house spotless for showings this time hopefully.

Leg 33 - SCEL - SAMM

Leg 33 - SCEL (Santiago, Chile) to SAMM (Mendoza, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SCEL 122100Z 16012KT CAVOK 26/10 Q1012; SAMM 122110Z 35109KT 9999 FEW035 23/09 Q1011
Flight Plan ... SCEL AMB 28AMB ANGOD ICO SAMM (184 nm)
Cruise Alt... 15,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg), 100 lb cargo
Hobbs 067.0 hrs
Block Time 2135Z
Flight  2149Z
Depart rwy 17

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 304 deg at 22 kt, tail wind 20 kts
Groundspeed ~152 kts, indicated 102 kts

Arrival
Left hand circuit for rwy 32
METAR SAMM 122255Z 35109KT 9999 FEW043 23/09 Q1011
Fuel = 72 USG
Flight 2313Z
Block Time 2316Z
Hobbs 068.6 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 15 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.6 hrs
Distance = 184 nm
Cumulative Distance = 8545 nm
Country Count = 16

Journal Notes
- my last run though/over maintains for a while... very glad.... the Andes don't tower as high down here though, which is good.
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "like new",
- In RW, Marg and I cleared snow off the septic tank area of the lawn and cut a path through the snow to get there.  Also cut a path of snow to the heat pump.  Had some scrummy gallo pinto for lunch with some glorious sunshine to melt the sun and warm our hearts.  Watched the Blue Jays beat Baltimore 10-7!  We worked on the need/want list for our next house, then had juicy BBQ steaks for supper.  I got a bit of colour in the sun.  A good day... God is good.

Leg 32 - SAME - SCEL

Leg 32 - SAME (Mendoza, Argentina) to SCEL (Santiago, Chile)

Departure
METAR SAME 112100Z 11004KT 9999 SCT045 25/15 Q1015; SCEL 112100Z 20010KT 170V230 CAVOK 27/06 Q1010
Flight Plan ... SAME DOZ ESITO YESOS VISEK AMB SCEL (180 nm)
Cruise Alt... 16,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 065.4 hrs
Block Time 2154Z
Flight  2204Z
Depart rwy 18

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 271 deg at 14 kt, head wind 14 kts
Groundspeed ~129 kts, indicated 108 kts

Arrival
Left hand circuit for rwy 17
METAR SCEL 112300Z 20008KT CAVOK 22/10 Q1012
Fuel = 72 USG
Flight 2331Z
Block Time 2335Z
Hobbs 067.0 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 15 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.6 hrs
Distance = 180 nm
Cumulative Distance = 8361 nm
Country Count = 16

Journal Notes
- running between the mountains is always a bit nerve wracking
- hypoxia is a bit nerve wracking too
- the approach into Santiago was absolutely beautiful... huge city in a very cool valley
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "beautiful shape",
- In RW, Marg and I had super news yesterday... a conditional offer on the house, and the counter offer was accepted!  Now to see the conditions all satisfied by April 22nd.  And a super day-trip to Charlottetown today.  When we got home it was +10 and breezy... the snow banks are taking a beating!!

Leg 31 - SANL - SAME

Leg 31 - SANL (La Rioja, Argentina) to SAME (Mendoza, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SANL 092109Z 05907KT 9999 NOSIG 22/08 Q1014
Flight Plan ... SANL LAR JUA MEBRA DOZ SAME (237 nm)
Cruise Alt... 10,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 063.6 hrs
Block Time 2134Z
Flight  2142Z
Depart rwy 02

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 006 deg at 8kt, tail wind 8 kts
Groundspeed ~162 kts, indicated 128 kts

Arrival
Right hand circuit for rwy 36
METAR SAME 092300Z 00000KT 9999 FEW045 24/17 Q1014
Fuel = 65 USG
Flight 2323Z
Block Time 2326Z
Hobbs 065.4 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 22 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.8 hrs
Distance = 237 nm
Cumulative Distance = 8181 nm
Country Count = 15

Journal Notes
- nice leg along the eastern foothills of the Andes
- next leg across the Andes into Chile!
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "excellent shape",
- In RW, the snow banks are still deep in the yard, but Marg found a few flowers peaking out of the soil!!  Spring?  Maybe?  Freezing rain in the morning forecast.

Leg 30 - SANT - SANL

Leg 30 - SANT (Tucumán, Argentina) to SANL (La Rioja, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SANT 061600Z 36004KT 9999 -RA FEW035 SCT040TCU 23/19 Q1021
Flight Plan ... SANT TUC CAT LAR SANL (184nm)
Cruise Alt... 8,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 062.2 hrs
Block Time 1638Z
Flight  1646Z
Depart rwy 01

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 045deg at 9kt, tail wind 9 kts
Groundspeed ~154 kts, indicated 126 kts

Arrival
Right hand circuit for rwy 02
METAR SANL 061741Z 05710KT 9999 SCT064 16/06 Q1019
Fuel = 70 USG
Flight 1804Z
Block Time 1807Z
Hobbs 063.6 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 17 USG
Hobbs Time =  1.4 hrs
Distance = 184 nm
Cumulative Distance = 7944 nm
Country Count = 15

Journal Notes
- Tucumán is a good sized city in the shadow of the Andes.
- beautiful valley along the way.
- almost ready to cross into Chile.
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "excellent shape",
- In RW, had lunch with Marg at Montana's.  Might have had a cold beer with my meal... might.  5-10 cm of snow on the way tonight/tomorrow.  April in the Maritimes?! Blue Jays game today... Edwin rocks a home run in the 3rd!  Go Jays!!

Leg 29 - SLVM - SANT

Leg 29 - SLVM (Tarija, Bolivia) to SANT (Tucumán, Argentina)

Departure
METAR SLVM 060932Z 20406KT 9999 NOSIG 18/12 Q1019
Flight Plan ... SLVM YAC JUJ SAL TUC SANT (366nm)
Cruise Alt... 12,000/11,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 059.4 hrs
Block Time 1007Z
Flight  1013Z
Depart rwy 18

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 284deg at 6kt, tail wind 2 kts
Groundspeed ~141 kts, indicated 114 kts

Arrival
Straight in for rwy 19
METAR SANT 061200Z 32002KT 7000 FEW040 SCT100 19/17 Q1022
Fuel = 56 USG
Flight 1301Z
Block Time 1305Z
Hobbs 062.2 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 31 USG
Hobbs Time =  2.8 hrs
Distance = 366 nm
Cumulative Distance = 7760 nm
Country Count = 15

Journal Notes
- something serene about a night departure... so quiet at the field
- prefer to skirt the mountains than to cross them... hello Argentina!
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says need a new oil filter.  Now it's in "excellent shape",
- In RW, Marg is off to work and I'm off (Easter Monday).  Cold but sunny out. Time for a walk!

Leg 28 - SLTR - SLVM

Leg 28 - SLTR (Trinidad/El Beni, Bolivia) to SLVM (Tarija, Bolivia)

Departure
METAR SLTR 041600Z 30012KT 280V340 9999 FEW017 BKN200 32/25 Q1009
Flight Plan ... SLTR TRI VIR CAM VTS SLVM (419nm)
Cruise Alt... 9,000/10,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 056.7 hrs
Block Time 1621Z
Flight  1631Z
Depart rwy 32

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 334deg at 22kt, tail wind 16 kts
Groundspeed ~159 kts, indicated 120 kts

Arrival
Straight in for rwy 18... if you call that a runway
METAR SLVM 041900Z 00000KT 9999 SCT025 SCT070 36/23 Q1002
Fuel = 55 USG
Flight 1910Z
Block Time 1913Z
Hobbs 059.4 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 22 USG
Hobbs Time =  2.7 hrs
Distance = 419 nm

Journal Notes
- had to wait for an arriving CRJ before I could taxi for takeoff
- at this elevation the airplane want's to climb like a Saturn 5 rocket... well... you know.
- destination was disappointing.
- Weird FSX tricks... none this flight... phew!
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "like new",
- In RW, Marg texted from Toronto during my climb that she is safe and sound in Toronto!  A lot more rain here to help melt some snow.

Leg 27 - SLLP -SLTR

Leg 27 - SLLP (La Paz, Bolivia) to SLTR (Trinidad/El Beni, Bolivia)

Departure
METAR SLLP 041217Z 09008KT 9999 FEW005 FEW017CB SCT200 07/05 Q103
Flight Plan ... SLLP PAZ TRI SLTR (222nm)
Cruise Alt... 17,000 ft
Fuel = Full (87 USG)
PAX = Pilot + 1 (dear wife and copilot Marg)
Hobbs 054.6 hrs
Block Time 1218Z
Flight  2053Z
Depart rwy 10

Enroute
Winds at cruise altitude - 333deg at 17kt, headwind 1 kts
Groundspeed ~135 kts, indicated 127 kts

Arrival
Left circuit for rwy 32
METAR SLTR 041400Z 32009KT 290V350 9999 FEW012 BKN200 30/25 Q1010
Fuel = 67 USG
Flight 1431Z
Block Time 1432Z
Hobbs 056.7 hrs

Summary
Fuel used = 20 USG
Hobbs Time =  2.1 hrs
Distance = 222 nm

Journal Notes
- longest takeoff roll ever ... very slow to gain airspeed even though I leaned the engine to the max
- decided to depart on a heading of 130 down a valley... would take too long to climb high enough to depart to the east
- autopilot doesn't serve me well at these altitudes in even a 100 fpm climb... too turbulent, and too close to stall speed even though in a shallow climb
- Weird FSX tricks... it starts to zoom by itself the main view, then window 11 (none3) pops up and disables my controls.  Then it fixes itself?  Not a good thing.
- Refuel and top up oil on arrival.  AME says "excellent shape",
- In RW, Marg is flying home today!  A bit of rain here to help melt some snow.  Did grocery run.  Had a great chat with Ed while I flew.  I hope he feels better soon.