"EQDC3"...leg 3 part 1
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:11 amI am recovered from my longest flight of the RTW trip in a few days; no big deal as I'm not looking to set any speed records... and the plane needed work. nothing serious, though. I spend hours with the mechanics going over the fuel system, testing it again and again. The fact that I probably would've just kept flying NW past Christmas Island into the great empty basin of the Pacific earlier, fuel or no, is not the point. Or maybe it is- I resolve to work harder on my navigation; that is, to guess better. 
This hop, from Christmas Island to Nauru, is a mere 2,149 miles, but it's over water; don't want any more problems. But I want to climb more this time, so we tank up for a minimum reserve, based on my average on the last leg. About 1600 gallons ought to do it...
I leave at dawn again, to maximize daylight on the trip. Estimating 100kts average groundspeed, it should be a couple of hours before dawn when I get to Nauru. As I fire up the mighty Wrights, a fair breeze comes up out of the east. Could make for a tailwind.
Might be tricky finding Nauru in darkness, but I want to use this nice weather and favorable wind while they last. I could very easily find myself off course and low on fuel again tonight...
Climbout starts well- she's light as a feather compared to last time. The weather report is favorable, although winds aloft far west are unknown. The GPS sits back at the airport. No reason why I shouldn't be able to do without, as long as I'm careful.
Nearing top of climb, I get my IFR clearance for Nauru. The engines sound great. she must be happy the load is lighter...
A bit bumpy around 5000, so I ask for 7000, then 9000. After about the 6th hour, ATC cancels my IFR plan, and I lose them... can't re-file . weird. They haven't been vectoring me very much, so I should be on course.
This is boooriiing... the only interesting thing ahead is Howland and Baker Islands, but the appointed time comes and goes, and no sign of them. I'm a little worried about not having the position fix.
Approaching 11 hours... should be abeam the Kiribati chain; the clouds are thickening and I can't spot the islands, but I pick up the Tabi NDB, 90 degrees right of my course. I'm on schedule, and south of the NDB. Not bad. Try to call Kirimati, but there's no answer.
Hours go by, and eventually the clouds dissipate and I am treated to an amazing Pacific Ocean sunset. I feel pretty fresh, the plane is fat with fuel and flying perfectly, and the night ahead promises to be calm and clear...
Next: Stumbling and bumbling into Nauru!
This hop, from Christmas Island to Nauru, is a mere 2,149 miles, but it's over water; don't want any more problems. But I want to climb more this time, so we tank up for a minimum reserve, based on my average on the last leg. About 1600 gallons ought to do it...
I leave at dawn again, to maximize daylight on the trip. Estimating 100kts average groundspeed, it should be a couple of hours before dawn when I get to Nauru. As I fire up the mighty Wrights, a fair breeze comes up out of the east. Could make for a tailwind.
Might be tricky finding Nauru in darkness, but I want to use this nice weather and favorable wind while they last. I could very easily find myself off course and low on fuel again tonight...
Climbout starts well- she's light as a feather compared to last time. The weather report is favorable, although winds aloft far west are unknown. The GPS sits back at the airport. No reason why I shouldn't be able to do without, as long as I'm careful.
Nearing top of climb, I get my IFR clearance for Nauru. The engines sound great. she must be happy the load is lighter...
A bit bumpy around 5000, so I ask for 7000, then 9000. After about the 6th hour, ATC cancels my IFR plan, and I lose them... can't re-file . weird. They haven't been vectoring me very much, so I should be on course.
This is boooriiing... the only interesting thing ahead is Howland and Baker Islands, but the appointed time comes and goes, and no sign of them. I'm a little worried about not having the position fix.
Approaching 11 hours... should be abeam the Kiribati chain; the clouds are thickening and I can't spot the islands, but I pick up the Tabi NDB, 90 degrees right of my course. I'm on schedule, and south of the NDB. Not bad. Try to call Kirimati, but there's no answer.
Hours go by, and eventually the clouds dissipate and I am treated to an amazing Pacific Ocean sunset. I feel pretty fresh, the plane is fat with fuel and flying perfectly, and the night ahead promises to be calm and clear...
Next: Stumbling and bumbling into Nauru!
