Feeling lonesome again. Can't raise ATC, and the team Catalina is way ahead of me, having left a day prior to my departure. If I know Briggs and the gang, the whole advance crew is probably sitting in a bar in Natal, trying to hide their worry.
A break in the monotony: at the 15-hr. mark, I pick up the VOR at Noronha, a tiny island a few hundred miles east of the Brazilian coast. Once I'm abeam the archipelago, I'll have 1200 miles to go; about 9 1/2 hours without wind. If I have less than 940 gallons at that point, I'll have to plan for a stop somewhere short of Macapa- probably Fortaleza.
Almost 2 hrs later, the needle swings to 90 degrees left of my course. no DME, but at least now I know my longitude. I've got just over 970 gallons left, enough for over 11 hours at this indicated airspeed.I'm slightly ahead of schedule- might have a tailwind!
At around 1800 by the clock, the sun is getting ready to set. What is the deal with this, I wonder... local time should be almost 2 hrs earlier... sunset at 4 or 5 o'clock, on the equator?
Still haven't figured out what the deal is with this... sometimes I created a new flight for each leg; sometimes I saved after landing and continued... but the time seems off in the sim, no matter which method I use. Shouldn't the clock reset for local time if one creates a new flight, and remain set for the departure time zone if one saves and takes off again?
With more clouds ahead and darkness approaching, I file IFR again, this time with Recife.
Sunrise, sunset, as they say... another long night awaits, with another night approach... great.
Next: Part 3!
