Straw-15 Bell 412

[CBreuer]

Hi guys.

After awakening, having a good shower and an even better breakfast we headed over to the MDSA (Mobile Dispatch & Support Aircraft), an old Boeing 727-100 in United Airlines colors from around 1971, which is parked at the end of the west apron. This aircraft is piloted by Sandy, who has many tasks during this year of the Iditarod. He maybe want to describe his tasks to you in a later reply to this flight report.

Ok, he assigned Straw-15 to us, which means we have to deliver 15 bales of straw to Nulato (NUL) airfield. Nulato would be about 15 minutes away with our Bell 412 in almost runway heading of RWY 25 at Galena. We planned for a 11 o'clock departure (20:00 Zulu), but during this time the US Air Force had some activity going on over the airport and so we delayed the flight for about 45 minutes. At least 2 F-16D's from Eielson AFB were practicing some touch and goes and approaches.
Here one of the F-16's (Callsign Moose 11) during what supposed to be was a low approach.
   
   
   

As Moose 11 was turning to the left after approach, Moose 12 turned to the right. At least we had very good weather conditions so we were able to see the F-16's maneuver over Galena.
   
   
   

Then at 11:44 local time we prepared for departure.
   

A quick look to the right to the MDSA on the apron next to us, but in some distance though.
   

We are ready to go.
   

We left Galena behind and headed to Nulato. Of course we could make an IFR flight of this flight, but we opted for a more straight flight path - ah, and of course IFR stands for 'I Follow River' this time.
   

After 13 minutes after departure we already have a good visual on Nulato airfield although we are still 4 NM out.
   

Now we are almost on final to the landing spot which will be on the apron of course.
   

Here we are with a little tailwind, but we opted for this type of landing to keep the tail rotor clear, as everybody would have been behind us then. We needed 16 minutes to get from Galena to Nulato.
   

After about 18 minutes on the ground we headed back to Galena still in very good weather. I have to admit that the weather this year is almost perfect for flying if we don't pay too much attention on the flights from McGrath to Takotna and Ophir
   
   

There we are again. Offset approach to Galena RWY 07 as we are still tracking the VOR 068 Radial.
   

Over the apron already. Sandy asked me to bring the Bell down onto the apron right - sorry - left next to the MDSA. It was my pleasure ( what else should I say now?) to comply to his 'order'.
   
   

The return flight lasted 15 minutes giving us a total flying time of 31 minutes for this flight. And as there are no further assignments for me it also seems that we can do a post flight inspection on the Bell.

I have attached the traffic file and the also needed files for the B721 to show up in your sim as well as long you use FS9 - although it might work in FSX as well, but I don't know.