...there you go Chums...

Something different..

The Famous "Route 66"... ...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

After travelling Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago, and back, many times in my classic Peterbilt Tractor-Truck, courtesy of; "18 Wheels of Steel across America", and "18Wheels of Steel Pedal to the Metal", I'm now going to "Fly" the same route, following the same roads, using my USA Maps, and Google Road Maps, on my Desk-top, and following my Flight Plan on FS Navigator.

For overall versatility, I will be using my trusty Default Beech Baron 58, which I have fitted with the Turbochargers from the Baron TC model, for extra speed and power.

I will select my own VFR Weather for the flights, (I never fly in bad weather!), and Fuel consumption will be calculated between stops.

It will be fun to drop off now and again and learn, (Google), more information about the various Regions on my way, (as I always do!)..... ...!

I will be using the Sim V Multiplayer Server and Flight Planner, so I may come across some of my Sim V Chums en-route?.. ...!

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004..FS navigator...Default Beech Baron 58....A flask of Hot Tetley Tea...and a large Pee-Bottle!......!

Great to hear from you Paul
WOW now thats what I call a tour
Are you going to fly it all in one day ?
When are you starting the trip ?
If you are going to fly it on a Saturday that would be great, So count me in 
Greg

Completed the first Leg this morning...

KSMO to KEEP, via KSBD and KDAG, following Highway 40 into the Mojave Desert.

Now heading for Flagstaff...

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004... ...!

I completed the Trip again much quicker today in my Peterbilt Tractor-Truck...

Santa Monica to Chicago...with 18 Wheels of Steel... ...!

http://www.scssoft.com/projects.php

Its going to take much longer by Air!

I have got the "Google" road map displayed full size on my desktop...
(I press the "Windows Key" to toggle between my desktop map and FS 2004 whilst flying).

I use FS Navigator to display the Airfields en-route, record my daily Flight Plan, and obtain my Radio Beacon frequencies for navigation.

The same route planning can be done with the FS 2004 GPS Map.....!

Its interesting to check the accuracy of the FS 2004 road system....its pretty accurate...so far!......!

I have to detour slightly to locate a nearby Airfield for re-fuelling, and then continue to follow the road again.

The complete journey is going to take a while, using an hour or so of flight each day, but its a good exercise to learn all about each State and Town that I pass through...(I love History and Geography/Geology!).. ...!

Route 66 was/is very popular with Motorcyclists and I have always wished I could have done it...
...but its too late now... ...
...Imaginary Flight-simming is the best I can come up with now!... ...!

Paul..."I get my kicks...on Route 66!"... ... ...!

Paul,

I have had the pleasure of actually driving that route......a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

The Needles area in the summer is one hotter'n hell place.  I remember the car overheating...and the coolant and radiator was basically FINE.  Had to wait until later in the day to finish the cross desert drive.

Thanks for jogging up some fond old memories. 

best,

...................john

Hey Paul, when and where are you doing this flight?

I would love to get in on a few of these sessions. I would like to fly the whole route you have pictured above and try to catch up to where you are presently.

Completed the flight from Flagstaff (KFLG) to Albuquerque (KABQ) via the awful Arizona Desert!

Mile after mile of nothing but red sand!

Then hopped over to the fantastically named "Santa Rosa Route 66" Airfield (Q58) in New Mexico, closely following the Route 66 Highway, leaving the amazing mountain ranges surrounding Albuquerque behind!

Next hop will be from Santa Rosa  (Q58) to Amarillo (KAMA) some 145 miles away...and entering into...TEXAS..... the land of Cowboys.... Cows.... and Red-Necks!

.... ...!

...still following the famous; "Route 66" Highway!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...!

Fozzer wrote on Feb 1^st, 2009 at 12:37pm:


That's why I don't venture east of the Rockies too much...

Fozzer wrote on Feb 1^st, 2009 at 1:28pm:


If you wait about two months Fozzer...... you can get chased by Tornadoes. 

best,

............john

Interesting little flight today...

Finally leaving Oklahoma for the State of Missouri!...!

Checked my Maps...

Set a Flight plan from Tulsa (KTUL), to Springfield (KSGF), a distance of some 132 miles, so a nice gentle flight to take in the countryside.

Followed Highway 44 to Miami town, then after leaving Oklahoma headed into Missouri for Joplin town.
Skirted around Joplin Airfield and headed for Mount Vernon town..

A quick swing round, still following the road, dialled up Springfield NDB (404.0), and the ILS Frequency (109.90), for Runway 02.

Checked my landing procedures....with; "Don't forget to lower your wheels!" being top of the list!......!

Tracked to the runway for a perfect landing...(as I do!), then refuelled at the pumps, checked the Oil again, and parked my Trusty Baron up, ready for another tasty meal in the Airfield's Café.

An excellent Trip in the Mid-West Countryside... ...!

Paul....G-BPLF...FS 2004...FS Navigator...and a nice cool Beer... ...!

P.S. I have an alternative Road Scenery system installed, which includes busy "Traffic", making it easy to track major Highway systems......!

P.P.S...Sorry Chums....Reference to Montana should read...Missouri....(It was the "MO" that fooled me!

BFMF wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2009 at 1:03pm:


Sorry Andrew...Got the wrong State with the Identification "MO"....in fact my flight was to Missouri....See P.P.S. above! ..."MT" is Montana......!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri

BFMF wrote on Feb 4^th, 2009 at 8:22pm:


LOL.... ...!

So much embarrassment... .... ....!

I have terrible problems with these "two-letter" (MO, MI), etc, etc State Identifiers...

...and it gets progressively worse amongst the closely packed States of the North-Eastern Seaboard... ..!



Do any of you USA Blokes have similar problems?.... ...(...with two-letter State Identifiers!)....!

Paul...G-BPLF...in a confused State.. ...!

..... ....!

I take it you're back on track now.

Fozzer wrote on Feb 5^th, 2009 at 5:47am:

Hmmm. We've been here before Paul. Louis Armstrong was American & pronounced his name Lewissss. Listen for yourself. (Second line of the song.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXNsFaG9Eyk&feature=related

Like you I think he should have known how to pronounce his own name.

Hagar wrote on Feb 5^th, 2009 at 6:01am:


You know, i've never met an American who didn't pronounce it as "Lewiss". I'm not arguing whether or not it's the correct way of saying it, but it is what it is.

BFMF wrote on Feb 5^th, 2009 at 9:35am:

I think you just have to accept it as one of those differences between America & England. "Two nations separated by a common language".

Quote:

Yes Paul but Louis Armstrong was American, not French.

Fozzer wrote on Feb 5^th, 2009 at 1:28pm:


There isn't an 'R' , and there is only one 'G' in Chicago. Pronounced shi-KAW-goh. And the proper pronunciation of Illinois is 'ill-uh-NOY', although 'ill-uh-noise' is common...

Hagar wrote on Feb 5^th, 2009 at 4:07pm:


...LOL...!

Methinks I am pulling your legs...as is my wont!............!

Paul.... ...!

Good Morning Chums!..... ....

The last leg of my Route 66 Sentimental Journey, from Santa Monica (KSMO) on the South West Pacific Coast, to Chicago (KORD), in the North East, on the banks of Lake Michigan, closely following the old Route 66 Highway, via its more recent Highway number changes.

Today I left Bloomington (KBMI) for the last leg to Chicago (KORD). A 100 mile twisty trip, tracking Pontiac, Dwight Juliet Regional and Boingbrook Airfields, to dial up Chicago ILS on 110.10 and land gently on Runway 04R. and finally park my trusty Beech Baron 58 up, after lovingly patting her Twin Continentals for a truly reliable, and enjoyable Trip across the Mountains and Plains of the U.S.!

I planned my route, observing my Maps, and filing Flight Plans, and dropped off at various Airfields en route for overnight stops.

Following the Highway was no problem in FS 2004 with the route being a major Highway and easily spotted from the air, being always busy with heavy traffic mostly consisting of Articulated Tractor/Truck units, transporting heavy loads between Los Angeles and Chicago.

So, there you go, Chums...

Route 66. The favourite route taken by modern Motorcycle and Motor Car enthusiasts, memorising the famous Highway as it used to be in days long past!



Long may its Tarmac exist!... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004..FS Navigator...and a Honda Motorcycle... ...!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66

You're one hell of a guy, Fozzer. I wish I had the time and patience to do that kind of things you do...